Construction Debris Removal Jacksonville: A Contractor’s Guide

Construction and remodel debris piles up fast, and a messy job site slows every trade that comes after you. For most Jacksonville contractors and remodelers there are two practical ways to get debris off site: have a crew load it and haul it away, or park a dumpster trailer on site and load it as you work. This guide covers what counts as construction debris, how to choose between the two options, job-site tips, and the local rules that apply in Duval and St. Johns counties.

Need debris gone now? Call or text (833) 586-5255 or see our construction debris removal service.

What counts as construction debris

Construction and demolition (C&D) debris is the material left over from building, remodeling and tear-outs. On a typical residential job in Northeast Florida that includes:

  • Drywall and plaster: scraps, tear-out sheets and joint compound buckets (empty and dry).
  • Lumber and framing: studs, plywood, trim, old decking and pallets.
  • Cabinets, counters and fixtures: kitchen and bath tear-outs, vanities, tubs and shower doors, toilets and sinks.
  • Flooring: carpet and pad, vinyl plank, laminate and hardwood.
  • Roofing: shingles, underlayment and flashing. Shingles are heavy, so plan for weight as well as volume.
  • Doors, windows and trim from replacements and remodels.
  • Packaging and job-site trash: cardboard, wrap, buckets and the general waste every crew produces.

Heavy masonry such as concrete, brick, block and tile in large amounts changes the job because of its weight. Ask us before loading heavy material so we can plan the right option. Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection has more on how C&D debris is handled and recycled on its C&D debris recycling page.

What should stay out of the debris pile

Some materials need separate handling and should never go in with general debris: paint and solvents that are still liquid, fuel, pool chemicals, batteries, and anything that may contain asbestos (common in some older flooring, ceiling texture and pipe insulation). If you suspect asbestos, stop and have it tested before demolition. Our guide to what can’t go in a dumpster in Jacksonville lists the common problem items and where they can go instead.

Crew haul-away or a dumpster trailer?

Both get debris off site. The right choice depends on who is doing the loading and how long the job runs.

Choose a crew haul-away when

  • The demo is done and the debris is already piled up.
  • Your crew’s time is better spent building than carrying debris.
  • There is no room to park a trailer, such as a tight lot or a condo.
  • You need one cleanup at the end of a phase or before a final walk-through.

Choose a dumpster trailer when

  • The project runs for several days and debris is created as you go.
  • Your crew or the homeowner will load as they work.
  • The driveway or job site has room for a trailer.

Cowford Can Co. offers 17.5 and 20 yard dumpster trailers. To pick a size, read 17.5 vs. 20 yard dumpster trailer: which size do you need?, and for placement see can a dumpster trailer go in my driveway? Still deciding? Dumpster rental vs. junk removal compares the two side by side.

Job-site tips that keep debris removal simple

  1. Plan debris into the schedule. Decide at the start of the job when debris will leave: a haul-away after demo, a trailer during the build, and a final cleanup before punch-out.
  2. Keep one debris area. Pick a spot away from the work path and material deliveries so debris does not get mixed with new materials or block the driveway.
  3. Load heavy and flat first. In a trailer, lay drywall, plywood and doors flat on the bottom and fill gaps with smaller pieces. Keep the load level and no higher than the sides.
  4. Watch the weight. Roofing, tile and wet drywall add up quickly. Tell us what you are tearing out so the trailer or truck is right for it.
  5. Keep hazards out. Separate paint, chemicals and anything suspect before it gets buried under other debris.
  6. Check HOA and street rules. Many communities restrict containers on the street or for long periods. Our guide to dumpster permits and HOA rules in Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties covers what to ask.
  7. Clean as you go. Nails and screws end up in tires and lawns. A quick magnet sweep at the end of each day helps the homeowner and the next trade.

Local rules: Duval County, St. Johns County and St. Augustine

Jacksonville and Duval County. Construction debris does not belong in household garbage or curbside bulk collection. It goes to facilities permitted to accept C&D material. The City of Jacksonville’s Solid Waste disposal operations page explains the city’s disposal sites.

St. Johns County. The county requires C&D debris to be disposed of at approved sites and maintains a list of franchised construction and demolition haulers. Cowford Can Co. appears on the St. Johns County C&D franchise hauler list for the July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 period. If you work in Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Fruit Cove, St. Johns or other unincorporated areas of the county, check that your hauler is on the county’s list. See our St. Johns County page for more.

City of St. Augustine. The City of St. Augustine runs its own solid waste program inside city limits, separate from the county’s, and offers its own dumpster rentals. If your job site is inside St. Augustine city limits, check the city’s rules before you book a container.

How to get a fast quote for construction debris

  • Send photos of the debris pile or the area being torn out.
  • Tell us what the material is (drywall, roofing, cabinets, flooring) and roughly how much.
  • Give us the address and where a truck or trailer can access the site.
  • Let us know whether you need a one-time haul-away, a trailer for the job, or both.

Call or text (833) 586-5255 for an exact quote, or request a quote online. Cowford Can Co. works Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., from 5875 Mining Terrace, Suite 103 B, Jacksonville, FL 32258.

FAQs

Do you haul debris for contractors as well as homeowners?

Yes. We work with general contractors, remodelers, roofers, builders and homeowners doing their own projects.

Can I mix construction debris with household junk?

Often, yes, for a crew haul-away. Tell us what is in the pile when you ask for a quote, and keep hazardous materials out.

How much debris fits in a dumpster trailer?

That depends on the size and the material. Heavy materials reach the weight limit before the trailer looks full. Read our size guide or call and describe the job.

Do I need a permit for a dumpster trailer on a job site?

A trailer kept on private property such as a driveway usually avoids street permits, but HOAs and some local rules still apply. Check before delivery.

Are you a franchised C&D hauler in St. Johns County?

Yes. Cowford Can Co. is on St. Johns County’s C&D franchise hauler list for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.

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