When those home projects start—literally—piling up, it's time to call in the pros
There comes a time when that old refrigerator, a pile of tree branches, or a mountain of construction debris simply needs to go away. That’s where junk removal services come in. Junk removal costs an average of $240 but can range from a base price of $60 and cost up to $600 to haul away large piles of garbage.
Here are all the related junk removal prices you need to know.
| Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $60 | $240 | $600 |
Junk Hauling Cost Factors
Let's start by clarifying that we're not talking about traditional residential trash removal. Traditional garbage and recycling costs between $25 and $100 a month, but will vary depending on where you live. The local company may supply specific bins or require you to buy ones of a certain size and style.
Junk removal refers to bulky items, electronics, appliances, and chemicals that shouldn't go in your weekly trash bins. These include items such as large pieces of furniture, tires, construction equipment, paint cans, or oversized yard waste. Whenever in doubt, check with your local waste management service or local authorities about how to dispose of the item in question.
Type of Junk
Junk removal prices almost always begin with the question: what needs to be hauled away? While we will break down each common variety and cost of junk removal below, assume that prices will range between a minimum charge between $60 and $150 all the way up to $600 for large appliances and furniture.
Disposing of appliances, for example, may require special equipment and permits, depending on if they contain refrigerant or other hazardous chemicals. Construction junk removal will also cost more than traditional home items and garbage, costing up to $800 on average for large piles of debris. On the other side of things, loose tree branches in your yard after recent trimming or major storms may cost between $50 and $100 to remove.
Amount of Junk
The second most important factor in junk removal costs is the size of the haul. Weight, bulkiness, and whether the debris can fit in a standard hauling truck will all affect the cost. If the item requires several people or special equipment to lift, for example, this may increase the price.
In most cases, professionals may quote you junk removal prices based on volume in cubic yards. A standard 20-yard dump truck can hold up to 20 cubic yards of waste, depending on the material, while a pick-up truck can hold around 3.5 cubic yards. To book a junk removal company, in some cases, you may need to pay for a minimum of 2 cubic yards, or between 1/8 to 1/4 of a truckload, even if you use less space. Here's what you can expect to pay to haul within a 20-yard dump truck:
1/8 of a truckload (2–3 cubic yards): $75–$125
1/4 of a truckload (3–4.5 cubic yards): $125–$175
1/2 of a truckload (4.5–11 cubic yards): $175–$375
3/4 of a truckload (11–13 cubic yards): $375–$450
Full truckload (13–17 cubic yards): $450–$650
Labor
Labor costs make up the vast majority of the price of junk removal and will often come included in the base rate for the cost of the dumpster, travel, and special permits for large or hazardous materials.
Permits
You may incur additional fees for parking a dumpster on public property such as the street or sidewalk. The cost of a permit will widely range depending on where you live, but expect anywhere from $10 to $100 a week.
Some towns set strict health and safety requirements for all dumpsters to ensure it is not a threat to locals and wildlife. Additionally, a junk hauling company may include the cost to use the local dump itself, especially if there are fees or permits for hauling bulky or hazardous materials.
Junk Removal Cost by Type
Whether you recently rebuilt the shed or replaced the washing machine, here's how much each type of junk removal costs on average.
Construction Waste Removal
When charged by the truckload, the cost to remove construction waste ranges from $100 to $600. The odds and ends of a construction project make it much easier to measure the trash by bulk than by piece. However, if there are high disposal rates in your area for construction materials, you may end up paying up to $1,300 to fully dispose of a 20-yard dumpster of construction materials.
Appliances
Before you roll your old dishwasher out to the curb, check your local requirements for properly disposing of large appliances. Chemicals like freon can increase the price, while appliances that contain valuable scrap metal can lower it. Here are some common junk removal prices for appliances:
Refrigerator: $50–$15
Freezer: $100–$200
Air conditioner: $75–$90
Water heater: $90–$200
Dishwasher: $75–$150
Washing machine: $75–$150
Dryer: $80–$200
Oven: $80–$200
Hot tub: $200–$600
Furniture
Whether you're redecorating or ripping up old carpet from the guest room, the cost to haul away furniture and household goods can add up. Keep in mind that slightly worn items may have a home at your local charity or second-hand store. That being said, professional junk removers will likely charge a minimum flat fee of $75 to $150 to haul furniture and increase the price by volume thereafter. There are just a few examples:
Mattress: $75–$100
Armchair: $50–$100
Table: $50–$100
Couch: $100–$200
Entertainment center: $100–$300
Patio set: $150–$250
Piano: $200–$400
Bookcase: $75–$200
Carpet: $75–$150
Electronics
E-waste requires special disposal, particularly if the items have batteries. It's worth waiting until you have a collection of e-waste before calling the haulers to save money. Consider taking smaller items to a local e-waste drive or center on your own. If you call professional junk removers, they will charge between $60 and $75 for small items like printers and up to $200 for large desktops and televisions.
Yard Waste
A standard fall or spring cleanup from a landscaper will cost between $100 and $250. However, if you need large debris from your lawn—branches, leaf piles, stones, etc.—the service will run between $70 and $500, depending on volume.
Hazardous Waste Removal
Hazardous materials can sneak into many of the categories above, particularly construction materials and appliances. Paint, paint thinners, cooking oil, freon, and bulbs that include mercury require specialized disposal. Here are some common items and prices for junk removal:
Refrigerant: $50–$100
Latex paint: $5–$10 per gallon
Fluorescent light bulbs: $0.10–$0.50 per foot
Additional Junk Removal Costs to Consider
There are several ways to go about junk removal, from dumpster rental to driving something over to the dump yourself. Let's take a look.
Dumpster Rental Cost
The cost to rent a dumpster ranges from $300 to $500 a week or $40 to $70 a day. Renting a dumpster can be a huge help if you are completing a DIY home construction project and need a safe place to store debris. You may even find some monthly rates for $500 to $1,200.
Cost to Dump at Landfill
Hauling debris to the landfill yourself will cost between $50 and $100 per ton, depending on local rates. Most professionals will include these fees in their base price.
Recycling Services
Items like tires, scrap metal, and parts of electronics can be recycled, but they also come with a hauling and recycling fee. For example, tires cost between $5 and $15 per tire to recycle.
Home Clearing Services
If you need a house fully emptied, junk removal companies may be just the first step in the process. Call in cleaning professionals for deep cleaning, foreclosures, or general cleanout services after the junk has been hauled away. These deep cleans often cost about $0.20 per square foot or between $100 and $650 as a flat fee for the whole house.
Cost to Remove Junk Yourself
When debating between dumpster rental or junk hauling, there are some important differences to consider. Renting a dumpster for a week will cost about $400 on average, and this includes the cost of hauling it away and paying the dump. However, this service doesn't include the labor to get everything into the dumpster safely. When moving large branches, construction material with nails, and heavy appliances, it's best to call the local junk removers.
If you have access to a pick-up truck, you can also bring items to the dump for a minimal cost of between $50 and $100 per ton.
DIY Junk Removal Costs vs. Hiring a Pro
When you line up the costs to haul materials yourself and call a professional junk remover, it truly comes down to the size and type of item you're tossing. Renting a dumpster for a week is comparable to calling a truck for a full load of removal. However, if you have a small number of items that can safely fit in your car, bringing them to the dump or a local charity can save you several hundred dollars.
6 Tips to Save on Junk Removal Costs
Hoping to cut some unexpected junk removal costs? Many local cities and townships will offer incentives to get rid of one or more large items each month, so always look into these services if you only need a simple item taken away. Here are some additional tips to consider:
Contact local charities for donatable items and textiles.
Advertise branches or tree debris to locals seeking free firewood.
Gather your debris into one area to reduce lifting and sorting costs.
Shop around to speak with at least three local junk removal companies to compare quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dumpsters that measure just 2 to 8 cubic yards are ideal for small cleanup jobs and cost between $75 and $200 per week to rent.
A junk removal company can accept and dispose of large amounts of home and construction materials by charging by volume. Depending on the company, some companies may donate or recycle appropriate items before sending the rest to the landfill.
Tipping contractors of all kinds is not always necessary, but it is a kind gesture for their hard work. If the junk haulers managed difficult materials and went beyond to clean up your lawn, consider tipping a flat amount of $20 to $50 or 15% to 20% of the total.
While private companies will charge a fee, some charities and local cities will offer free junk removal services for specific items and volume limits. Speak with your local town offices for trusted organizations.
