How Much Does Junk & Trash Removal Cost?

Junk removal companies will use a large truck to haul away junk. Most companies charge based on the volume of trash you have, required surcharges such as permits, and your location. It’s advisable to contact junk removal services upfront and get an estimate, but below are average prices from HomeGuide contractors around the country.

Table Of Contents

1. Cost To Haul Away Junk
2. Junk Removal Prices List
3. Junk, Trash, or Waste Services?
• Junk Removal Costs By Type
• Average Trash and Junk Removal Prices
• Waste Removal Costs
4. How Junk Disposal Companies Charge
5. Free Junk Removal
6. Finding Your Junk Removal Service
7. Junk Removal Near Me

How Much Does It Cost To Haul Away Junk?

On average, junk removal costs $70 to $570 with most homeowners spending between $150 and $350, or $1.50 per ft³. A single-family home will pay around $210 for junk removal while a business will spend about $500. A full-size truck with a max load of 450 ft³ will cost around $550 to haul away junk.

Junk Removal Prices

The most common way that junk removal services charge is by the truckload. One full load in a trash removal truck is equal to around 4 pick-up truck loads.

Some companies offer onsite pricing, which gives the homeowner a quick and accurate price for junk removal. Another alternative offered by some companies is an online pricing estimate. The online estimator is based on the average size of an item and the pricing in your local area. The size of any item may vary, and that will affect your overall price.

Here is the average junk hauling prices list:

• $70–$100 for a min. load (less than 10 sq. ft.)
• $90–$130 for 1/8 load (10–20 sq. ft.)
• $330–$360 for 3/8–1/2 load (30–40 sq. ft.)
• $490–$520 for 5/6–7/8 load (66.6–70 sq. ft.)
• $550–$570 for a max. load (80 sq. ft.)

Return to Top

Junk, Trash, Waste or E-Waste Services?

Depending on your classification of items to be removed, the prices and type of professional you need will vary greatly. There are core differences between “junk,” “trash,” “waste,” “e-waste,” and “composting” that we cover in details below:

• Junk Removal – a service that most county and city trash services refuse to remove such as refrigerators, TVs, stoves, air conditioners, sofas, etc. However, some cities will offer a free junk removal day once a quarter. $70–$570 for professional junk removal
• Trash Removal – regularly scheduled by your county or city and is included in your monthly utility bill.
• Waste Removal – involves removing hazardous items like latex paint, mercury, or other harmful agents. Additionally, this service takes care of construction debris with costs around $60–$125. Most junk removal companies will not remove hazardous waste.
• E-Waste Disposal – usually comprised of technical items such as computers, monitors, printers, copy machines, shredders, etc. Cost vary considerably.
• Composting – Both food waste and yard debris can be removed and composted for around $70 to $100 depending on the volume.

Return to Top

Junk Removal Costs By Type

Our garages and basements become storage bins for everything from last year’s refrigerator or window air conditioner to the previous decade’s clothes, not to mention tons of photographs, toys, and old tools. You name it, it’s there ... and growing. The lowest price you’ll pay for junk removal is $70–$100 for a minimum load (less than 10 sq. ft.) all the way up to $550–$570 for a maximum truckload (80 sq. ft.).

Furniture Removal Cost

It can be a challenge getting rid of unwanted or unneeded furniture. Not only are large pieces of furniture heavy and generally hard to work with, but many cities don’t provide free no obligation pickup for pieces of furniture or appliances.

• Queen or king mattresses: $70–$105
• Washer and dryer (2 items): $70–$205
• Entertainment center (large) $99–$250
• Three-piece sectional couch or sofa: $208–$375

Junk Removal By Item

For some junk pickup quotes, you can text or upload the junk removal company a photo of what you need to be picked up, and they will give you an estimate of how much it will cost to come to get it. Their final price will be provided onsite once they see the item(s) in person.

• Computer/printer $70–$90
• Lawn mower $70–$90
• Hot tub or spa: $100–$150
• Latex paint $10 per gallon (can’t be recycled)

Cost To Dump At A Landfill

The cost to dump at a landfill is usually around $50 if you do it yourself. If you hire a professional, expect to spend $70 to $150 on an average size load. Large items are surcharged due to extra weight. These items may require two workers to haul away to a landfill or another specified location:

• Freezers and refrigerators $35 to $60 each
• Piano removal $50 to $100
• AC units $35 to $60 each
• Tires (if more than 4) $10 per tire, without rims $5 per tire
• Railroad ties $30 each

Dumpster Rental Cost

Some companies provide a mini dumpster, which gives homeowners the ability to load trash and other debris at their convenience. Others provide a large dumpster for remodeling and construction projects. The average cost to rent a dumpster is $300–$800. It’s a win-win to have a dumpster at your home so you can toss things from your project as you work. Once you’ve completed your project, or otherwise loaded the dumpster, you can call the company, and it will be hauled off for you.

Return to Top

Average Trash and Junk Removal Prices

Trash removal is usually covered as part of your county or city utilities, depending upon where you live. However, independent companies sometimes step in with lower prices. On average, trash removal services typically charge between $120 and $300 which is dependant on the volume of trash.

City Trash Hauling Prices

The prices listed below do not cover the costs for trash removal. It’s advisable to get in touch with your city or county utility service for the total fees. The average monthly and annual payments do not cover the one-time setup fee.

• Average monthly basis: $15–$45
• Average annual basis: $135–$255

Return to Top

Waste Removal Costs

Hazardous Waste Disposal

This includes the removal by a professional of anything hazardous. The removal is based on a per pound basis. The removal cost could be anywhere from $60–$125 or $1–$10 per item, depending on local surcharges.

Solid Waste Removal

Garbage and used household items are considered solid waste, and the removal of such can be as much as $150 or more.

Construction Waste

Other solid waste removal includes debris left over from construction, remodeling, or other projects. The cost of this removal is around $225, depending upon what has to be moved and disposed of. You usually can’t get an estimate for this with an online calculator because items like dirt, gravel, and concrete can only be charged for by the bed load. Rates usually start at a minimum load of half a cubic yard.

E-Waste Removal Cost

Disposing of any of these electronics, or e-waste, is complicated because there are laws and regulations regarding how these electronics must be discarded. The biggest problem with e-waste is that it contains many toxic materials that are hazardous not only to humans but to the environment. Overall, most e-waste removal prices are calculated on the number of electronics removed, so costs vary.

Recycling Waste

Some products are especially great candidates for recycling. Some cities and private junk removal companies pride themselves on being eco-friendly. They not only will pick up recyclable materials and used electronics, but they will also place used electronics in the correct recycling facility for repair and resale if they think they can have a second chance at life. Charges are included in your utility bill.

Return to Top

How Do Junk Disposal Companies Charge?

Junk removal services charge their final price either by the type or volume of the junk and the number of truckloads it takes to haul away. Typically you can expect costs of $1.50 per ft³ or $450 per full garbage truck. Additional pricing factors include:

• Vehicle operating cost – payments; insurance; maintenance; distance traveled; and stops at the landfill center, recycling center, and charities
• Labor - average of $577/week per employee
• Admin cost – bookkeeping, marketing, employee overheads
• Number of workers required on the job
• Length of time loading will take
• Drop-off fees
• Hazardous waste fees
• Return on certain items through sales of scrap metal, etc.

Return to Top

Free Junk Removal & Haul Away

Donate! Sell! Give Away! Clothes that you’ve not worn in the last year and don’t expect to wear next year, chuck them. Shoes that have seen better days, discard them. Dishes, pots, and pans you no longer use—give them to Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Go through your bathroom towels and washrags and toss those that are ragged. Books! Take them to the nearest nonprofit organization that works with the needy. Many nonprofit organizations exist that can use any and all types of furniture, including beds, refurbished washer/dryers, household goods, even gently used computers. By repurposing items, you are doing a service to those less fortunate.

Return to Top

Finding Your Junk Removal Service

While you could probably rent a truck and get your project done with help from friends, it may cost you more in the long run with the cost of your time. Or you could hire a professional service to do the hauling for you. With an expert on the job, you know the project will be done quickly and efficiently. Look for companies who show as many as possible of the following criteria:

• A+ rated on Better Business Bureau
• Licensed, insured, and bonded
• Great reviews on HomeGuide and Google
• Always ask for an upfront price

Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted junk hauling services for a clutter-free life.

Get free estimates