How Much Does Junk Removal Cost?

Cost to Haul Away Junk by Truckload

It’ll cost anywhere from $60 to $800 to haul away junk. Most people spend $200 to $300. Since companies charge a minimum of $60 to $150 with each additional item only tacking on $20 to $40, it’s cheapest to clean out the whole house at once. Most pros offer bulk pricing by the truckload, but a few itemize the load.

*One truckload equals between 5–6 pickup truck loads, depending on the company.

Cost to Remove Junk by Project Type

Junk waste removal usually involves the removal of large items (e.g., appliances, tires, pianos, etc.) that'll require two or more people to haul away to a landfill or other specified location.

Usually, a professional will look at everything and determine a final price based on what you have, how far they must haul it, and any dumping fees involved.

Refrigerator

Furniture and Mattresses

Furniture removal costs anywhere from $100 to $600. Typically, you’ll pay a minimum of $75 to $150.

Consider donating any usable furniture to secondhand shops like Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, or the Salvation Army. Pick up a tax-deductible receipt when you do it.

Piano

Getting rid of a piano costs about $200 to $300, depending on the type of piano and any difficulty involved in getting it out of the home.

If it’s fixable, consider donating it to a musical charity in your area. Moving the piano costs $250 to $600, but if it’s for donation, it’s probably tax deductible.

Hot Tub

To remove a hot tub, you’ll pay $300 to $600 depending on how big it is and how hard it is to remove. To save yourself a little cash, you can always break it down and move it curbside for easy pickup.

Tire

Tire removal costs $5 to $15 per tire if you drop it off at a recycler or tire shop. If you hire a junk removal company, they’ll charge a minimum of $60. Part of that is a tire disposal fee charged by states ranging from $0.25 to $2 per tire. Almost all tires get recycled, but it never hurts to ask.

• With rims: $10–$15 per tire

• Without rims: $5–$10 per tire

Construction Rubbish or Debris & Shed Removal Cost

Construction debris costs $100 to $800 to remove depending on how much you have. Most landfills take this without any extra charge. It’s a good idea to ask your general contractor if they’ll take care of this as part of your overall project.

Cost to Remove and Haul Away Yard Debris

Most yard debris removal costs $200 to $550 to clean up and haul away. For curbside pickup, where you’ve already piled it up, expect to pay $50 to $100 per load. Do not burn yard waste, unless allowed by your municipality.

Tree Debris

Tree debris removal costs $50 to $100, but it’s usually part of total tree removal costs of $400 to $2,000. Unless you want to keep it for firewood, in which case chopping it up adds $75. Never burn trees on your property without contacting your local fire department first.

Cost to Remove Waste

Waste removal costs $50 to $500 or more. It takes a little more time and preparation than trash and junk removal because it involves anything from dangerous fluorescent bulbs to old latex paint and other harmful chemicals.

The price of waste removal will vary greatly, depending on which of the following categories it falls into:

• Electronic: $10–$100. This includes anything electronic from computers to your old TV.

• Garbage & Solid: $100–$350. Trash, garbage, and household clutter generally fall here.

• Hazardous: $50–$500. The professional removal of old latex paint, mercury, or other chemicals will take careful preparation and specialty equipment.

  • Universal: This subset of hazardous waste varies in price but includes common items like batteries and fluorescent light bulbs. Some items vary by state but your landfill attendants or waste removal pros will know what counts.

• Composting: $70–$125. This is anything organic, including yard and food waste.

Electronic Waste

You’ll spend anywhere from $10 to $100 or more for electronic waste. Fees vary pretty steeply depending on both where you live and what you’re tossing out. Many electronic components get recycled while others have materials harmful to the ground.

• TV: $10–$100

• Computer: $15–$90

The low end of the range represents what it’ll run you to dump it yourself at the local landfill.

Trash Pickup and Residential Garbage Collection

You’ll pay $25 to $100 per month for residential trash and garbage collection services. You can get anywhere from a 20-gallon container up to a 96-gallon bin. Usually, this fee comes as part of a larger utility bill that also includes water and sewage.

You may also have to pay a one-time setup fee of $30 to $50 when opting for a private company. Usually, making a trip to the dump to get rid of yard waste, appliances and smaller garbage loads is no big deal. But sometimes you need help with the bigger stuff.

Hazardous Waste

Hazardous waste removal runs anywhere from $50 to $500. Most junk removal services don’t take chemicals or hazardous products. You need to call your local garbage or waste collection company to address these.

• Refrigerant or freon removal and disposal: $50–$150. Freon and refrigerants both require special disposal. Some states require licensing to dispose of it properly.

• Latex paint: $5–$10 per gallon. Don’t just toss it in the garbage. You can take it to the landfill yourself where they’ll have a special area specifically for chemicals and paints.

• Fluorescent light bulbs: $0.10–$0.50 per foot. They contain mercury, a hazardous waste. If you decide to upgrade your home to LED lighting, have a professional dispose of the old bulbs. Don’t throw them out with your trash.

Cost to Dump At a Landfill

If you have the time and a way to haul it, you can dump your own trash, furniture, and hazardous waste at your local landfill for $20 to $50 per ton. In some locations, your local utility bill includes dumping free of charge.

Cost for Hoarding and Cleanout Services

Hoarding and cleanout services run $1-$7 per square foot depending on the volume of junk and the degree of contamination. In some cases, you’ll need to hire mold professionals. Mold remediation costs $1,000 to $3,500.

Foreclosure Cleanout

Cleaning a foreclosed home can cost between $110 and $650 for basic services. The amount varies depending on the company, the size of the foreclosed property, and if there are items to remove or damages to repair.

Finding the Right Pro for Trash, Garbage, Junk, or Waste

Most junk removal services charge either by type and size or by truckload. Additional charges may include fees for delivering waste to its proper place. This is because some items, such as paint, freezers, A/C units, fluorescents, etc., cannot be left in landfills.

Expect your waste removal professionals to:

• Sort and deliver everything to a landfill or other proper drop-off.

• Clean your home, garage, or landscape following the removal.

• Have a trained and experienced removal team.

Planning for Junk and Debris Removal

Waste removal services may offer bulk or itemized pricing, depending on the type of waste. Usually, a professional will look at everything and determine a final price based on the materials involved, the way the company charges (by truckload or by item), and your location in proximity to their company’s base and the landfill.

You can save some time (and maybe even a few dollars) by assembling everything together prior to pick up. And, you can take easily transported junk or waste to the landfill yourself.

Difference Among Junk, Waste, and Trash Services

It’s important to understand the difference between “junk,” “waste,” and “trash.” Prices and professionals differ a bit between them.