How Does Junk Removal Work?

What is junk removal?

Junk removal is a specialty service for residential and commercial customers. A junk removal company can haul away your unwanted items and sort through them to see what can be recycled, donated or taken to a landfill.

Typically, junk removal companies charge a price per volume or a price for how much of a truck is taken up by your items, such as if a truck is one-fourth or one-half full.

Why you might consider junk removal

Hiring a junk removal service can be a good idea before moving since you’ll have fewer items to move if you get rid of what you don’t want. Or, you might consider hiring a junk removal company to help clean out a property you’ve inherited from a family member. Plus, the company you hire may be able to deliver items to multiple places for you, potentially saving you trips to your local nonprofit or recycling center.

» MORE: Moving Checklist

What services do junk removal companies offer?

Junk removal companies often offer a range of services, such as dumpster rentals or cleanups. You can typically get a free estimate online or by phone, during which a company will assess your needs and let you know about any services that fit those needs.

Some of the services that junk removal companies offer include:

Full-service junk removal or truck hauling

If you choose full-service junk removal, the company will haul away almost everything, including refrigerators and televisions, for a fee. You won’t be required to do any heavy lifting, but you will need to tell the team what stays and what goes.

Full-service removal is ideal when you need a space cleared out quickly, such as before a cross-country move. It may also work well for smaller jobs, like hauling away large items that take up too much garage space.

Self-service dumpster rental

Renting a dumpster could be a good option if you have a larger project, like a home renovation, and want to sort through items at your own pace. The company will drop off a dumpster for you to fill up and pick it up at a later date. Note that not all junk removal companies offer dumpster rentals, and fees may vary based on the size or volume of the dumpster.

Cleanup services

Junk removal companies can help you clean up after a major home renovation and remove construction debris. They may also offer cleanup services after an emergency or disaster, such as a fire or flood.

Donation pickup

If you have several items that you want to donate to charity, a junk removal company may be able to deliver those items for you and give you a tax deduction receipt. Before hiring a company, make sure you know what kind of donations are accepted for any organizations you’re interested in donating to.

What items will a junk removal company take?

Junk removal companies will take almost any item off your hands as long as it's not a hazardous chemical. You can generally find a list of accepted items on a company’s website.

Some commonly accepted items include:

• Clothing
• Furniture, including mattresses and box springs
• Large and small appliances, like washers, dryers and water heaters
• Air conditioners
• Yard waste
• Grills
• Electronics, like computers, smartphones, tablets and gaming systems
• Power tools
• Exercise equipment, trampolines, pool tables or playsets
• Televisions
• Pianos
• Bikes
• Storage sheds
• Boxes and other packing materials
• Carpet or area rugs

» RELATED: Where Can You Donate Furniture?

Items junk removal companies don’t take

Junk removal companies may not accept potentially dangerous materials. You’ll typically have to contact your local household hazardous waste disposal facility to get rid of these items. You can usually find a list of nearby facilities on your state or local government’s website. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has a list of hazardous waste programs by state.

Junk removal companies typically don’t accept the following items:

• Asbestos
• Toxic or hazardous waste, like antifreeze or insecticides
• Oils, like engine oil
• Open cans of paint and paint thinner

What does junk removal cost?

Depending on the size of the job, you can typically expect to pay anywhere from $100 to around $1,000 for full-service junk removal services.

Nick Friedman, co-founder and owner of College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving, said costs can vary based on many different factors.

“[Costs] can vary widely based on several factors, including the volume of items to be removed, the type of items being removed, accessibility and geographical location,” Friedman said.

Friedman also said that if you only have a few small items, like small appliances or a loveseat, the price could be on the lower end. However, if you have a lot of items, the costs will vary by region, though you can typically expect to pay $500 or more.

To get the most accurate cost estimate for a junk removal company, schedule an on-site quote before hiring a company. Some companies may also provide quotes online or over the phone. Be sure to point out every item in your space that you plan to have hauled away since the size and weight of the items may factor into the price as well.

How to choose a junk removal company

It’s important to do your research before hiring a junk removal company.

1. Read online reviews and look for red flags

Make sure any junk removal companies you’re interested in are licensed and insured.

Read online reviews for local companies and pay close attention to potential red flags. For example, look for whether a customer reported hidden fees that weren’t previously disclosed, or if there’s a pattern of complaints about a company’s service.

Nick Friedman said that there are some other red flags to consider like “unclear pricing, lack of employee background checks and lack of professionalism.”

2. Get references from past clients

Friedman also recommended asking for references from past clients to get an idea of the company’s reputation and reliability.

3. Ask the company about its practices

Ask the company about its environmental practices, such as if it recycles or donates items. Friedman said that reputable companies are committed to sustainable practices.

4. Get and compare quotes

Once you’ve narrowed down your search, request an onsite quote from at least three companies. Be sure to ask if there are any potential fees you may have to pay that are not included in the quote.

» RELATED: How To Hire a Local Mover

How to prepare for junk removal

Once you’ve decided to hire a junk removal company, take the following steps to prepare:

1. Sort

Go through different areas of your home, such as the living room, kitchen, attic or basement. Go through drawers and cabinets to separate the items you want to keep from those you want to be hauled away. Put all the items you want to be taken away in one area of your home, or designate specific areas for them.

2. Label

Next, put the items you want to be removed into bags or boxes and label what’s in them. For larger items, like heavy furniture or televisions, you can leave notes on them to haul them away.

3. Catalog

Create an inventory of all items that should be removed and the area(s) where they’re located. If you have items in multiple rooms, it may be helpful to keep a checklist of those items separated by room or area so you won’t miss any on removal day.