When you have a lot to get rid of, there are two common routes: rent a dumpster (a roll-off container) and fill it yourself, or book a junk removal crew that loads everything and drives away the same day. Both work. The right choice depends on how much you have, how fast you need it gone, and who is going to do the lifting.
How dumpster rental works
A rental company drops a container at your property, you fill it over several days or weeks, and the company picks it up and empties it. It suits projects that produce debris gradually, like a renovation where walls, flooring and cabinets come out over time.
- You do all the carrying and loading yourself.
- You need room for it: a driveway, a yard, or a spot in the street or lane.
- It stays on site until pickup, so plan around neighbours, parking and weather.
- Rental companies refuse some materials, so ask what can and can’t go in before you fill it.
The street permit in Montreal
If the container goes on public property, the City of Montreal requires a temporary occupation permit for the public domain. The City specifies that a container must not be placed on the sidewalk, but it can go in the street or the lane.
Permits are issued by your borough, and the details vary: processing usually takes between 2 and 10 business days, several boroughs ask you to apply at least 10 business days before the work, and fees and required documents differ from one borough to another. Check your borough’s page on montreal.ca before booking a container for the street.
How junk removal works
With a junk removal service, a crew arrives with a truck, carries everything out from wherever it is in the house, loads it and leaves, usually in a single visit. You pay for the space your items take in the truck, not for a container sitting in your driveway.
- No lifting for you: the crew goes into basements, upstairs rooms, garages and backyards.
- No container on your property and no street permit to arrange.
- Same-day or next-day pickup is often possible.
- Items are sorted for donation and recycling whenever possible.
When a dumpster makes more sense
- A long renovation that produces debris every day for weeks.
- You have the time and the help to load it yourself.
- There’s room on your property, or you’re ready to arrange the street permit.
When junk removal makes more sense
- A one-time cleanout of a basement, garage, apartment or whole house.
- Heavy or awkward items like furniture, appliances, hot tubs or pianos.
- Items on an upper floor, or no driveway space for a container.
- A tight timeline, such as a sale, a move or the end of a lease.
For renovations: you can combine both
Many renovations don’t need a container at all. A crew can come at the end of the project, or once a week while the work is under way, and haul everything out in one visit each time. That keeps the driveway free and avoids a street permit.
Ramassage ASAP is open 24/7 across Montreal, Laval, the West Island and both shores. Text a photo of what needs to go to 514-907-3363 and you’ll get a free written estimate.
Useful links
- Renovation debris hauling
- Construction debris removal
- Full house cleanouts
- Request a free quote
- City of Montreal: permit for a construction debris container
- City of Montreal: temporary occupation of the public domain for work
Permit information checked on montreal.ca in October 2026. Rules and fees vary by borough and can change, so confirm with your borough.