It’s easy to accumulate clutter. The same can’t be said for getting rid of it. Hiring a junk hauling company is a convenient option. Doing the junk or debris removal yourself is another option that may work well for some people. We’ll go over the costs of each option and provide tips to get the job done in the most cost-efficient manner.

Hiring a junk hauling company for a small job starts at around $75 - $100, but cost varies by location and other variables.

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Cost factors

Several things influence the cost of junk removal. Here are a few of the biggest:

• Location
• Size and complexity of the job
• Type of waste, junk, or debris

The cost to haul junk varies by location. For example, customers in Los Angeles or NYC can expect to pay more than someone in Fort Wayne, Indiana would pay for the same size junk removal job. Get estimates from several junk haulers to find the best deal.

The scale of the cleanup is a big cost factor, too. For larger cleanups, it takes a bigger truck or container loading capacity, as well as more labor hours, to complete the job.

The same is true for complex cleanups, such as having to carry the junk or debris down 10 flights of stairs or removing an old heavy piano that needs to be disassembled in order to remove it from the house, and other situations that take more time and/or manpower.

Certain types of waste, junk, and debris cost more to dispose of than others. For example, hazardous materials cost more due to environmental laws, safety concerns, and disposal requirements. Hazardous materials include oil and other flammable liquids, paint, aerosols, asbestos, moldy building materials, car tires, and e-waste.

Costs of hiring a junk removal company

When hiring a junk removal service, expect to pay anywhere from $75 up to $1,000+ for medium-to-large cleanups. What’s an example of a small job vs. a large cleanup?

• Small cleanup: Sofa and chair removal — $75 - $125
• Large cleanups: Home renovation cleanup, or whole-home cleanout — $2,000+

Based on data collected by HometownDumpsterRental.com, the average nationwide cost of hiring a junk removal company to perform any size cleanup is $425.

Average junk removal cost broken down by size of the project:

Cost for DIY junk hauling

In some cases, it makes sense to handle the junk removal hauling yourself. This would involve hauling the junk to your local landfill, recycling/disposal facility, or drop-off location.

There are direct and indirect costs associated with handling your own waste removal. The main costs include fuel costs and dump fees. Indirect costs are often overlooked, like your time and the labor involved in loading and hauling the debris.

If cost is a consideration, DIY junk removal can save money, but there are other things to consider as well:

• Fuel costs
• Dump fees
• Trailer or truck rental (if applicable)
• Time and labor involved (Don’t underestimate the value of your time!)
• Safety considerations (e.g. heavy lifting)

Learn more about hauling waste, junk, or debris yourself instead of hiring a pro, and see a breakdown of the various costs involved in DIY waste hauling.

Free ways to get rid of “junk”

There are situations where you can offload “junk” for free, or even get paid for it. The key point here is that there must be some value. In other words, don’t expect to have people lining up to pay for broken concrete, construction debris, trash, or torn up furniture. (Although, you never know unless you try!)

Here are four ways to get rid of stuff for free or profit:

• Craigslist: Post in “Free” section, or put it up for sale in the proper category.
• Garage sale: This is a great way to get rid of lots of clutter without having to haul it away.
• Donate: Charitable organizations – Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, etc. – will!  take gently used clothing, furniture, electronics, appliances, and household goods. You get a tax write off.
• Give it away to friends or family

It’s free to get a junk removal estimate

If cost is a major factor for you, it’s important to remember one thing:

It doesn’t cost a dime to get an estimate from a local junk removal company.

By getting an estimate, you can make an informed decision as to whether or not you want to try and tackle the junk removal yourself or hire a pro to handle the cleanup.

People are often surprised by how inexpensive junk removal services can be. Most companies have a minimum service charge that can be as little as $30 - $50, although $75 - $125 is typical. So, for smaller pick-ups in particular, a junk removal company can be a cost-efficient and convenient option.

Search local junk removal providers