Replacing a backyard deck or boundary fence leaves a sudden pile of wood, fasteners, and sometimes composite or metal posts. This guide helps Greater Vancouver homeowners plan a DIY bin for that debris.
You (or your crew) load the wood waste, and we deliver and haul the bin. Call 604-433-5865 with approximate length of fence/deck and material mix. Ask about current delivery availability when you call.
- Estimate linear feet of fence or deck square footage rough volume
- Plan breakdown (cut long boards) so cube is usable
- Separate metal posts/hardware if scrap path is better
- Choose a 15, 20, 30 or 40 yard size on trash bins (sizes are approximate)
- Plan driveway placement. For a street spot, check with your City first, since rules and timelines change often
Why fence/deck jobs fill bins differently
Wood is bulky. A deck that “does not look huge” becomes a mountain once joists and boards separate. Nails and screws hide everywhere. Plan a magnet sweep after loading. Composite boards and treated or painted wood need different handling than clean, unpainted wood. Mention them when you book.
Typical size heuristics (confirm by phone)
- Short fence run / small platform → often a 15 yard
- Full backyard deck rebuild → often mid sizes (15–20)
- Long perimeter fence + old deck together → mid to large. Consider phased tear-down or swap
These are heuristics, not guarantees. Access still matters.
Tear-down sequence that helps loading
- Remove railings and easy boards first
- Cut long members to bin-friendly lengths
- Stage a nail-aware pile
- Load flat stacks low
- Keep concrete footings out of the wood load. Concrete goes in its own separate bin
- Stop at fill line. Do not crown with “last few posts”
Footings, concrete, and dirt
Pulling posts sometimes brings up concrete footings or dug soil. Concrete and dirt each go in their own separate bin, usually a 10 or 12 yard. Tell us when you book so we can plan both loads. See concrete and dirt.
DIY labour and safety
- Eye protection when prying
- Watch for rotten boards that snap unpredictably
- Gloves for splinters and fasteners
- Do not burn treated wood in the yard as a disposal shortcut
- You handle the tear-down at your own pace, and we haul the bin
Placement
A private driveway is the easiest spot, so you’re not carrying boards down the block. If the bin needs to go on a street or other public property, check with your City first, since rules and timelines change often. You apply with the City, and we book delivery for your permit dates. We serve Metro Vancouver.
Next step
Call 604-433-5865 or email quotes@trashking.ca. Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 to 19:00, Saturday to Sunday 9:00 to 17:00 (America/Vancouver). Links: trash bins, residential services, wood, Greater Vancouver.
FAQ
What do I do with pressure-treated lumber?
Keep it out of clean-wood and yard loads. A clean-wood load is unpainted wood only (nails are fine). Treated wood needs special handling, so tell us about it when you book the bin, and we’ll tell you how to load it. Never burn treated wood.
Do you demolish the deck for us?
You handle the tear-down. We deliver the bin and haul it away when you’re done.
What about metal fence panels?
Consider scrap vs bin hybrid. See scrap metal decision post.
Will a 20-yard always be enough?
Not always. Combined projects and poor stacking change outcomes.
Same-day delivery?
Ask about current delivery availability when you call.
Neighbour-line etiquette
Fence projects sit on property lines. Confirm ownership and shared-fence agreements before demolition day. Keep debris on your side while loading. A DIY bin on your driveway reduces sidewalk clutter that triggers complaints.
Weather and scheduling
Bins have built-in drainage holes, so you don’t need to cover them in normal rain. Use a tarp only in a serious storm, and take it off before pickup so our crew isn’t kept waiting. Book the rental window around the actual tear-down days, not a hopeful calendar.
After rebuild starts
New materials packaging can refill a bin you thought was done. Either leave capacity, schedule a swap, or stage packaging for a second short rental. Mid-project exchange thinking helps. see Bin Swap & Mid-Project Exchange in Metro Vancouver.
Call 604-433-5865. Ask about current delivery availability when you call.
Hardware and fasteners
Buckets of screws and brackets can go with mixed wood loads when allowed. Still better bagged than loose across the driveway. Magnetic sweep after every session. Reusable hardware you want to keep should never enter the bin “for sorting later.”
Shared fence politics (practical)
If a neighbour owns half the fence, get agreement in writing before tear-down. Agree on who owns the debris before tear-down day. Your DIY bin should only receive debris you have authority to discard.
Combo projects: fence + garage cleanout
Combining outdoor tear-down with garage discard can jump you a size class. Either phase the work (fence week, garage week) or book adequate capacity / a swap. see Garage Cleanout DIY Bin Guide for Greater Vancouver and Bin Swap & Mid-Project Exchange in Metro Vancouver.
Book your bin
Call 604-433-5865. Email quotes@trashking.ca. Hours Monday to Friday 9 to 19, Saturday to Sunday 9 to 17 America/Vancouver. Ask about current delivery availability when you call. Links: trash bins, wood, residential services.
Cut list mindset
Before the first board hits the bin, decide cut lengths that stack flat. Long uncut stringers waste diagonal space and create spear hazards above the rim. A cheap circular saw rental for a day often saves an entire size class of air gaps. You load at your own pace, and we haul it away.
Fastener injury prevention
Keep your tetanus shots up to date, and ask your doctor if you’re unsure. On site: thick soles, gloves, and a dedicated nail bucket. Sweep at every break.