Choosing the right dumpster size can make or break your project. Too small means extra trips and added costs. Too large means you’re paying for space you don’t need. At Junk Platoon, we offer two residential dumpster sizes perfect for Edmond and Oklahoma City homeowners: 15-yard and 20-yard dumpsters. Here’s how to pick the right one for your project.
Understanding Dumpster Sizes
15 Yard Dumpster
Capacity: 4 to 5 pickup truck loads Dimensions: Approximately 15 feet long, fits typical residential driveways 3-Day Express | 7-Day Standard
Our 15-yard dumpster is the most popular choice for single room projects and small to medium cleanouts. It’s compact enough to fit in tight spaces while still holding a substantial amount of debris.
20 Yard Dumpster
Capacity: 6 to 8 pickup truck loads Dimensions: Approximately 15 feet long, fits typical residential driveways 3-Day Express | 7-Day Standard
The 20-yard dumpster gives you extra capacity for larger projects without taking up more driveway space. The price difference is just $50, making it a smart upgrade when you’re on the fence.
How Much Can Each Size Hold?
15 Yard Dumpster Can Hold:
- Single room cleanout: Complete garage, attic, or basement cleanout
- Small renovation: One bathroom or small kitchen demo
- Flooring removal: Carpet and padding from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet
- Roofing materials: Small shed or garage roof (check weight limits)
- Yard waste: Brush, branches, and debris from moderate landscaping
- Moving cleanout: Unwanted items from a 2-bedroom apartment or small home
20 Yard Dumpster Can Hold:
- Multi-room cleanout: Garage, attic, and basement combined
- Larger renovation: Full kitchen or multiple bathroom remodels
- Flooring removal: Carpet, tile, or hardwood from 2,500 to 3,500 square feet
- Estate cleanout: Entire contents of a 3-bedroom home
- Deck removal: Complete deck teardown and disposal
- Major yard projects: Large tree removal, extensive landscaping debris
Project-by-Project Size Recommendations
Garage Cleanouts
15 Yard: Perfect for a standard one or two-car garage with typical clutter (boxes, old furniture, tools, seasonal items).
20 Yard: Better if your garage is packed floor to ceiling, includes heavy items like appliances or workout equipment, or you’re also cleaning out a shed or attic at the same time.
Kitchen Renovations
15 Yard: Works for small kitchen remodels where you’re replacing cabinets, countertops, and flooring but keeping the layout similar.
20 Yard: Necessary for full kitchen gut jobs, especially if you’re removing walls, old tile, drywall, or doing a complete layout change.
Bathroom Renovations
15 Yard: Ideal for one full bathroom remodel or two small half-bath updates.
20 Yard: Better for multiple bathroom renovations or if you’re removing cast iron tubs, heavy tile, and extensive drywall.
Basement Cleanouts
15 Yard: Good for partially finished basements with moderate amounts of stored items and old furniture.
20 Yard: Essential for hoarder situations, fully packed basements, or if you’re also removing old paneling, drop ceilings, or carpet.
Estate Cleanouts
15 Yard: Works for small homes or apartments where most items are being donated or sold, and only true junk needs disposal.
20 Yard: Better for full house cleanouts, especially older homes with decades of accumulated belongings. Consider full-service junk removal for estate situations requiring sorting and donation.
Roofing Projects
15 Yard: Suitable for small structures like sheds, garages, or small additions (always check weight limits for shingles).
20 Yard: Required for most residential roof replacements. Roofing materials are heavy, so discuss your project with us to ensure proper sizing and weight allowances.
Moving Cleanouts
15 Yard: Perfect for apartments, condos, or small homes when you’re leaving behind unwanted furniture and belongings.
20 Yard: Better for larger homes or if you’re downsizing significantly and need to dispose of furniture, appliances, and years of accumulated items.
Yard Waste and Landscaping
15 Yard: Great for regular yard cleanup, moderate tree trimming, or seasonal landscaping projects.
20 Yard: Necessary for large tree removals, major landscaping overhauls, or storm cleanup with substantial debris.
The $50 Question: When to Upgrade to 20 Yards
The price difference between our 15-yard and 20-yard dumpsters is only $50 for the same rental period. That small investment buys you 33% more capacity. Here’s when upgrading makes sense:
- You’re unsure: If you’re on the fence, the extra $50 is cheaper than ordering a second dumpster or paying overweight fees
- Heavy materials: Concrete, dirt, roofing materials, or tile can fill space quickly and add weight
- Hidden surprises: Projects often generate more debris than expected once you start
- Combining projects: Tackling multiple areas at once? Go bigger
- Avoiding multiple trips: One larger dumpster is more convenient than two smaller ones
What About Weight Limits?
Both dumpster sizes come with weight allowances included in the price. Overweight fees are $75 per ton over the limit. Heavy materials like concrete, dirt, brick, and roofing shingles can add up fast.
Pro tip: If your project involves primarily heavy materials, let us know upfront. We can provide guidance on weight management or recommend full-service junk removal as an alternative where we handle weight and disposal for you.
Will It Fit in My Driveway?
Both our 15-yard and 20-yard dumpsters are approximately 15 feet long and fit in typical residential driveways. The difference is height and width, not length.
Every rental includes our RolliSkate Driveway Protection to prevent damage to your concrete or asphalt. We place protective boards under the dumpster wheels to distribute weight and protect your property.
Tight spaces? Let us know during booking. We can discuss placement options to ensure safe delivery and pickup without damaging landscaping, fences, or structures.
How to Estimate Your Debris Volume
Not sure how much debris you’ll generate? Here are some quick estimation tips:
The Pickup Truck Method
Think about how many pickup truck loads your debris would fill:
- 4 to 5 loads = 15-yard dumpster
- 6 to 8 loads = 20-yard dumpster
The Room Method
Estimate by rooms you’re clearing:
- 1 to 2 rooms = 15-yard dumpster
- 3+ rooms or whole house = 20-yard dumpster
The Pile Method
Gather your debris in one area if possible. A pile roughly:
- 8 feet x 8 feet x 4 feet high = 15-yard dumpster
- 10 feet x 10 feet x 5 feet high = 20-yard dumpster
Still unsure? Call us! Our team has seen thousands of projects across Edmond and OKC. We can help you estimate based on your specific situation.
What You Can Put in Your Dumpster
Both sizes accept the same materials:
- Furniture and household items
- Appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers)
- Construction debris (drywall, lumber, flooring)
- Yard waste (branches, leaves, brush)
- Electronics and e-waste
- Carpet and padding
Not accepted: Hazardous waste, large propane tanks, certain chemicals. See our complete list of accepted and prohibited items.
Rental Period Options
Both dumpster sizes are available in two rental periods:
- 3-Day Express: Perfect for quick, focused projects
- 7-Day Standard: Ideal for larger projects or working around your schedule
Learn which rental period is right for your project.
Real Edmond and OKC Project Examples
Example 1: Garage and Attic Cleanout in Edmond
Customer chose: 20-yard, 7-Day Standard Why it worked: Combined two spaces, worked on weekends only, had room for unexpected finds in the attic. Finished in 5 days with space to spare.
Example 2: Kitchen Remodel in Oklahoma City
Customer chose: 15-yard, 3-Day Express Why it worked: Small kitchen, contractor removed cabinets and countertops quickly, minimal drywall work. Completed in 2 days.
Example 3: Estate Cleanout in Nichols Hills
Customer chose: 20-yard, 7-Day Standard Why it worked: Full 3-bedroom home, family needed time to sort through belongings, donated many items first. Used full 7 days and filled the dumpster completely.
Example 4: Deck Removal in Moore
Customer chose: 20-yard, 3-Day Express Why it worked: Old deck generated more debris than expected. The 20-yard size prevented needing a second dumpster. Contractor finished teardown in one day.
Our Recommendation
Choose the 15-yard dumpster if:
- You’re cleaning out a single room or small space
- Your project is clearly defined with minimal debris
- You’re working with lightweight materials
- Budget is tight and you’re confident about the volume
Choose the 20-yard dumpster if:
- You’re tackling multiple rooms or a whole house
- Your project involves heavy materials (tile, concrete, roofing)
- You’re unsure about the total volume
- You want to avoid the risk of needing a second dumpster
- You’re combining multiple projects into one rental period
When in doubt, go bigger. The $50 difference is a small price for peace of mind, and you’ll never regret having extra space.
Alternative: Full-Service Junk Removal
Not sure a dumpster rental is right for you? Junk Platoon also offers full-service junk removal where our crew does all the heavy lifting, loading, and disposal for you. Perfect for:
- Projects where you can’t do the physical work
- Situations requiring immediate removal
- When you want items donated instead of landfilled
- Jobs with difficult access or special handling needs
Ready to Book Your Dumpster?
Whether you choose our 15-yard or 20-yard dumpster, Junk Platoon makes rental easy. We serve Edmond, Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Moore, Midwest City, Yukon, Mustang, Guthrie, Choctaw, and surrounding areas.
Book Your Dumpster Today
Book Online Now or call us for personalized sizing help. Our team will ask about your project and recommend the perfect dumpster size. We’re here to make your cleanout stress-free from start to finish.
Special Offers
- $25 off your first dumpster rental
- 10% off for military, teachers, and first responders
Let’s get your project done right. Junk Platoon is ready to serve you with the same integrity, reliability, and excellence we learned in the U.S. Air Force.
Junk Platoon is a veteran-owned dumpster rental and junk removal company proudly serving the Oklahoma City metro area. We prioritize donation and recycling to reduce landfill waste while providing top-rated service to our community. Learn more about our mission.