Along with being unsightly, clutter takes up valuable storage space. Junk removal companies can remove most junk from your home or yard. The average cost of household junk removal is $225 a load. The lowest average rate for single items or small loads is around $90, while a full truckload usually costs around $675 to remove.
- Average Junk Removal Costs in 2024
- Junk Removal Cost Estimator by Volume
- Other Factors That Affect Cost of Junk Removal
- Type of Junk
- Related Services
- Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
- Cost by Location
- FAQ: Cost of Junk Removal
Average Junk Removal Costs in 2024
A pile of boxes, outdated furniture, damaged appliances, and other unwanted items are all considered junk. Junk removal services help homeowners get rid of unwanted items so they don’t have to move them themselves. Junk removal providers handle both the labor and the disposal, sparing you the hassle of organizing your junk.
| National Average Cost | $225 |
| Typical Price Range | $115 – $450 |
| Extreme Low-End Cost | $90 |
| Extreme High-End Cost | $675 |
Costs above are per load.
We’re not talking about weekly garbage collection. Depending on where you live, standard garbage and recycling services may cost between $25 and $80 monthly. Junk removal refers to bulky items such as furniture and appliances, electronics, and anything else that should not go in your weekly trash pickup.
Junk Removal Cost Estimator by Volume
The size of the load has a significant impact on the cost of junk removal. The price is affected by weight, volume, and whether or not the debris can fit in a typical hauling truck. The price may rise if the item, for example, requires extra employees or special equipment to move.
Pros might charge a flat rate per item for large things like removing a sofa or an old dryer. If you have multiple items, for example, multiple large appliances, they may charge a flat fee and a reduced rate for each additional item.
If you have a large quantity of junk to remove, they will often charge based on the volume of material. Generally, a pickup truck can hold about 3.5 cubic yards of junk, while a dump truck can hold up to 20 cubic yards.
Pro Tip: A box 3 feet wide by 3 feet long by 3 feet deep, or a total of 27 cubic feet, equals 1 cubic yard. In some cases, hiring a junk removal service may require paying for a minimum of 2 cubic yards or 1/8 to 1/4 of a truckload.
| Project Size | Average overall cost |
| 1/8 of a truck (2–3 cubic yards) | $90 |
| 1/4 of a truck (3–4.5 cubic yards) | $160 |
| 1/2 of a truck (4.5–11 cubic yards) | $375 |
| 3/4 of a truck (11–13 cubic yards): | $520 |
| Full truck (up to 20 cubic yards) | $675 |
Other Factors That Affect Cost of Junk Removal
Other factors besides volume will affect how much it will cost to get rid of the stuff. The type and location of the debris, any required permits, and whether you want to remove the debris yourself or hire a pro.
Travel fees, special permits for large or hazardous materials, and labor costs—usually included in the base price—make up most of the cost of refuse removal.
Permits
Every municipality will have different policies about the cost and method of disposal, but junk has to go somewhere. In some communities, there may be a one-time or yearly price for a permit, whereas, in others, residents are allowed to use the local dump for free.
Labor
Depending on what needs to be hauled, the labor cost for junk removal varies. Costs are influenced by the number of workers and the time they’ll be on the job. The cost of moving oversized, heavy items can increase since it requires more labor and suitable transportation.
Time of year
The busiest months for junk removal are March through October, peaking in April through June. Increased demand during the busy season could raise the overall cost of junk removal.
Type of Junk
The price will vary depending on the sort of junk because various materials require specific disposal methods. For example, some appliances contain refrigerant or other toxic chemicals that must be disposed of safely.
Removing yard waste following recent pruning may cost between $170 and $375. However, large furniture and freezers are dismantled before being recycled, so the disposal cost might be up to $490 to cover extra labor and permits.
Hazardous Waste
Some things are just too dangerous to toss in the trash. It is important to handle chemicals with caution, such as fluorescent light bulbs, paint, and others, since they may harm the environment and the health and safety of people living near landfills.
Removal of hazardous waste costs between $50 to $410, depending on what and how much is handled. The majority of junk removal firms won’t accept dangerous or toxic materials. You should contact your local waste or garbage collection service to handle this.
Furniture
It can be difficult to get rid of unwanted or outdated furnishings. Not only are large furniture pieces heavy and difficult to carry, but some communities do not offer free pickup events. If you have any usable furniture, consider donating it to thrift stores or Habitat for Humanity. You’ll save it from going into the landfill and get a tax-deductible receipt to boot.
Furniture removal can run you between $100 and $485. Due to the additional labor and equipment needed, large, heavy objects will cost more to transport; however, many businesses will provide a bulk discount if numerous items are removed.
Many companies offer flat rate fees for common items. For a sofa, expect to pay from $175 to $275 for haul-off and disposal. For mattresses, budget $70 to $130.
Appliances
The type of appliance will affect the price because they come in various sizes and weights. Disposal may require specialized tools and licenses depending on whether the appliances contain dangerous chemicals like refrigerant or other chemicals.
The average cost to remove a large appliance is $120. It can, however, range from $50 to $150. Having a washer and dryer removed together ranges from $80 to $185, with an average cost of $135 for the pair. Some businesses may discount each additional item you have to get rid of if you have several things.
Additional large specialty items like hot tubs cost an average of $325 to remove, but you can expect to pay between $235 and $415. You’ll need to have a licensed hazardous waste disposal company handle refrigerators or air conditioners that may have chemical coolants.
Electronics
Devices like laptops, monitors, printers, and other electronic gadgets make up the majority of electronic junk, also referred to as “e-waste.” The biggest problem with e-waste is that it contains many contaminants that are hazardous to the environment and people.
Electronic junk is disposed of according to laws and regulations, making disposal of any item challenging. To dispose of electronics, expect to pay between $30 and $90 per item or group of devices.
Tires
Tires are recyclable and are used to make new products. Many are pulverized into rubber mulch or shredded into a light fill used in roadwork. We are surrounded by many green products created from recycled tires.
Although recycling a tire with rims might reach $25, tires cost, on average, between $5 and $15 to dispose of.
Yard Waste
Consider hiring a professional for yard waste removal. It’s a physically taxing job, disposal could be tricky depending on local regulations, and homeowners might not have a truck to haul the stuff. The cost will vary depending on the size of your property and your specific cleanup needs.
The cost of removing yard waste can vary from $170 to $375 based on the quantity and type of debris. Leaf removal, for example, costs around $300.
Fees depend on whether the waste is gathered and taken to the curb before pickup or if the company collecting it also cleans up. However, if you’d like to hire someone to clean the yard after severe weather, such as a hurricane, the price for yard cleanup may rise to $1,125.
Related Services
There are multiple options for getting rid of junk, ranging from renting a dumpster to carrying items to the landfill. Also, junk removal companies frequently offer additional services.
- Dumpster Rental
- Construction Material
- Recycling Services
- Landfill Drop-Off
- Home or Estate Cleanout Service
Dumpster Rental
If you want to remove the junk on your own, some junk removal companies can help by renting out self-service dumpsters. A dumpster is convenient if you plan on a small DIY home improvement project and want a safe place to dispose of the debris after replacing your carpet.
Renting a dumpster for a week typically costs between $295 and $615, or $40 to $85 per day. You may even find monthly rates in your area, and prices will increase for larger dumpsters.
Construction Material
Waste from brick and concrete construction can be turned into recycled aggregate. The cost to remove construction debris ranges from $300 to $800 per truckload, and companies usually have a load minimum.
Recycling Services
To prevent placing plastic and chemicals in a landfill, which can pollute water runoff, old computer components are always carefully recycled. Some towns regularly offer free drop-off events for appliances, furniture, e-waste, or free paper shredding events.
There are kiosks available to recycle phones, and they will often pay you for your old device. Your local recycling centers may pay for recyclables like aluminum.
Some junk removal businesses now offer recycling services in addition to refuse removal. All large appliances are recyclable, but hauling and recycling fees are sometimes charged. Most electronic garbage, or e-waste, is typically priced between $30 and $90, depending on size and materials.
Landfill Drop-Off
Neighborhoods can help one another by pooling resources, and a truck and a few friends are enough for many homeowners to remove junk. Depending on municipal rates, hauling debris to the landfill will cost between $20 and $90 per ton. The majority of professionals will include these costs in their base charge.
Home or Estate Cleanout Service
Clearing out a property before moving or after the homeowners have passed may result in massive clutter. Some businesses specialize in house clearing, categorizing the goods and removing them as part of the service.
A complete home clean-out can range from $625 to $2,000, with larger estates costing up to $4,000. This depends on the size of the home and the amount of material that needs to be removed.
Pro Cost vs. DIY Cost
There are a few things to think about when hiring a junk removal service vs. doing it yourself. DIY junk removal can vary in difficulty depending on how much you have and how heavy it is. If you only have a few items that can fit in your car, taking them to the landfill or a local charity can save you a lot of money.
On average, renting a dumpster for a week will cost around $440, which includes the expense of transporting it away from the site and paying the disposal fees. But, this service only covers the labor required to haul the container away.
Professional junk haulers can work around the homeowner’s schedule to remove unwanted items and dispose of them for an average cost of $225. Hiring a pro can reduce your clutter while saving time, money, and your back.
Tips to Save on Junk Removal Costs
While hiring a junk removal service can save money and time, there are a few options to save even more.
- Many charitable organizations will accept unwanted items, including beds, functional appliances, furniture, and gently used electronics. By reusing items, you are supporting those in need while also removing clutter and keeping them out of landfills.
- If your stuff is in good shape, consider listing it for sale on your local marketplace or offer it for free if people want to pick it up.
- Check your local community calendar for free large item pickup or drop-off events and e-waste and shredding services.
- Collect your stuff in one spot to avoid paying sorting fees. Breaking it down and combining it will reduce the volume of your load. Ask the contractor whether there is a discount available for larger projects. If all of the removals are done at once, you may be able to save money on permits or passes.
Cost by Location
Depending on the state and city where the property is located, the fee will change. Many communities have strong health and safety regulations in place to make sure that dumpsters don’t put lives or the environment at risk.
Your municipality may provide free pickup events for large goods or e-waste, as well as free access to local landfills. Others may require additional permits to access landfills, or your location may lack resources for junk removal.
If the disposal site is situated far from the property, gas rates may have a significant impact on the overall cost of the job.
FAQ: Cost of Junk Removal
Yes. Junk removal companies do not take dangerous items to transport or dispose of. You’ll need to contact a hazardous waste removal pro for things like
● Asbestos
● Paint
● Fireworks
● Ammunition
● Fluorescent light bulbs
● Pesticides
● Oil
● Fuel
● Medications
Yes. If you itemize your deductions, household items may qualify for a tax break. To claim a dollar amount on your tax return, the organization that receives donations must provide you with a receipt for the donation.
It’s not required, but it’s a nice thing to do. Junk hauling is a difficult job that involves moving heavy items through tight spaces and spending a lot of time at the nearby dump. If your movers do a great job, give them a 10 to 20% tip, especially if there are stairs or if they have to transport heavy or soiled items.
Final Thoughts
You could undoubtedly rent a dumpster and do your project independently. A dumpster rental for a week usually costs between $295 and $615, or $40 to $85 a day. However, the long-term cost of your time may make that alternative more expensive.
With a junk removal professional on board, the project will be completed quickly and efficiently. The average cost of hiring a junk removal company to clear your home or yard is $225. The lowest average rate for single products or light loads is around $90. A whole truckload typically costs around $675 to remove.
Source: Junk Removal Authority
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