How Much Does Junk Removal Cost?

Cost to Haul Away Junk by Truckload

Hauling away your junk will cost anywhere from $60 to $800. Most homeowners spend between $200 and $300. Since companies charge a minimum of $60 to $150, with each additional item adding $20 to $40, it's most cost-effective to clean out the whole house at once. Most pros offer bulk pricing by the truckload, but some may itemize the load.

One truckload equals between 5–6 pickup truckloads, 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

Refrigerator removal costs $50 to $150 per unit. Since large appliances like freezers and refrigerators contain freon gas, they cannot be thrown away without posing a threat to the ozone layer. You’ll need to hire a waste removal service.

Other Major Appliances

Having a major appliance hauled away costs an average of $100 to $200. But it might range from $75 to $200. If you have a few to get rid of, each additional piece only adds $30 on average.

Consider donating appliances that still work or asking to have them recycled. Most junk removal companies recycle the majority of what they pick up. For example, a water heater has a scrap value of about $10 so it will be less expensive than other items.

Furniture and Mattresses

Removing furniture costs between $50 and $300, with most homeowners paying $50 to $150. If your furniture is still in good condition, consider donating it to secondhand shops like Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, or the Salvation Army. You might even get a tax-deductible receipt.

Piano

Getting rid of a piano costs about $200 to $400, 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 $200 to $600 depending on size and difficulty. 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

Yard debris removal costs between $70 and $500, depending on volume. 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

Hazardous waste removal can cost between $250 and $500 per ton if your waste is considered hazardous. 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

Electronics are considered hazardous waste. Most will charge a flat fee of between $75 and $100 as a trip charge. Larger items like standalone printers can cost around $200 to remove.

Trash Pickup and Residential Garbage Collection

Residential trash and garbage collection services cost $25 to $100 per month. You can choose from a 20-gallon container to a 96-gallon bin. Usually, this fee is included in 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.

• Paints/solvents: $0.80–$4 per pound. 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.

• Lightbulbs: $1–$2 each. 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 $50 to $100 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

Most junk removal pros offer bulk or itemized pricing based on the type and volume of waste. They'll assess your items and determine a final price, considering materials, how they charge (by truckload or item), and your location relative to their base and the landfill. To save time and potentially reduce costs, gather all your junk in one accessible area before pickup. If you have easily transported items, you might consider taking them to the landfill yourself.

Difference Among Junk, Waste, and Trash Services

Understanding the differences between 'junk,' 'waste,' and 'trash' can help you choose the right service and save money.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 30,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.