Junk Removal Service Near Me

If you are looking for junk removal services, we put together a Junk Removal Service Near Me guide with all the costs and up to 4 free contractor quotes.

As we continue building our lives, we accumulate a lot of stuff along the way, and as time goes on, the things we once considered as importantly get replaced with updated versions and others become less useful and unpractical. With time we end up pilling or hoarding things, some of which are considered to be hazardous. All these items occupy so much space which can be useful if the junk is removed.

The only thought that comes to your mind is how to get rid of all that junk in your backyard. You see, with a lot of junk around your home, you will get overwhelmed with the disorderliness, and at some point, you realize it has become impossible to track some of your belongings.

How do you know you have junk? Junk is anything that has overstayed its use in your, and it’s probably collecting dust in your storeroom or backyard or at the attic. For example, you could be having an old refrigerator that stopped working years back, and you replaced it, but you never got time to dispose of it. Old appliances are the most common types junk that you are likely to find lying around in a home.

Other activities such remodeling projects or relocating to another home can leave you with a lot of junk that can quickly become an eyesore if left uncollected. If you do not want to live in a disorganized and smelly house, it would be good to consider hiring junk removal services to clear the clutter in your home.

What Is Junk Removal Service?

You might not know that waste removal, trash removal, and junk removal are different services. You need to know that there is a difference in these two services and professionals charge differently for each. Trash removal is planned or scheduled service normally provided by the municipal authority of where you stay. It is a service that you pay for as part of your utility bills.

Junk removal is a one-time service that involves getting rid of materials that the trash removal service company will not collect. These include stuff like old appliances, waste from remodeling projects, old and broken furniture, etc.

Waste removal, on the other hand, it’s a more involving exercise that handles material that junk and trash removal services cannot handle. They get rid of materials that are considered dangerous or ones that contain harmful chemicals.

Factors That Influence the Cost Junk Removal

The cost of junk removal will depend on various factors such as the volume and quantity of materials to be hauled away, your location and the amount of labor required for the service. Different junk removal companies charge depending on their experience and pricing considerations.

Location

A junk removal company will have to factor in how far they will have to drive to get to the location of your home. This means that you will be charged transport costs to compensate for fuel costs and time is taken to get to your home. To avoid incurring high transport cost, try and search for junk removal services within your area or use the local junk removal services.

Volume of the junk

Junk removal services handle bulky materials that occupy a lot of space. Therefore, most of them will calculate their depending on the volumes. For example, a couch or refrigerator will require more room and labor to load to the trucks and haul them away. They will also require special equipment’s to handle the different types junk materials that are to be disposed of.

So, if you if your junk materials that occupy a bigger space in the bins and the truck, expect to spend more on the service.

Complexity of the Job

The junk removal services will charge you depending on how complex the removal is. For example, if the haulers have to carry a refrigerator down six flight of stairs, you are likely to be charged more as compared to a sofa that is already on the ground floor. This is because it will take more time and more than one person to get your junk to the truck. They might still have to use special equipment to handle some of the junk materials being disposed of.

Heavy Junk Materials

The cost of junk removal services will also depend on the heaviness of the materials being hauled away. For example, if you have several pieces of furniture that are made of solid wood, such as bed frames, sofa beds, etc., it will require more than one person to load them into the truck, not forgetting that such items tend to be bulky as well.

Method of Disposal

Junk materials and items have different types of disposal methods. For example, freezers, paint, fluorescents will require special disposal strategy, and they cannot be dumped in the landfills. For junk items like mattresses they can be disposed of at the nearest dump, but the junk removal company has to pay a fee which they will factor in their removal pricing.

Therefore, the cost of junk removal will greatly be influenced by how the company will dispose of the junk item.

Type of Junk

Some junk removal companies will you charge depending on the type of junk materials and items you have. Junk that is to be handled using special equipment will cost you more. Also, you some companies charge differently to remove landscaping and construction junk materials. Such material materials include gravel, dirt, concrete, bricks, etc. for this kind of materials, especially after a remodeling job, a removal company will charge you based on a cubic yard.

Here is a list of most common junk material and items that a junk company will get rid of from your home.

• Used, old mattresses
• Furniture items such as sofas, tables, chairs, bookshelves, TV stands, dressers, cabinets, sofa bed, bed frames, etc.
• Home appliances such as refrigerator, washing machines, stoves, microwaves, dryers, etc.
• Television sets, speakers, home theaters, etc.
• Construction and remodeling waste such as gravel, concrete, debris and all the dirt left after a project was completed
• Toys, bicycles and other play equipment’s
• Yard and landscaping waste such as twigs, grass clippings, leaves, branches, rocks, sod, dirt, etc.

Before hiring a junk removal company, it is essential you list down all the junk items that you need disposed of and find out from the company if they handle the type of junk you have. This is because there are some junk materials that some junk companies don’t handle. For example, some companies do not dispose of hazardous materials and items that may contain harmful chemicals.

Junk Removal Cost

As mentioned in this guide, local junk removal companies will charge for their services based on the type of junk you have, or the size of the junk. In other cases, the charges will depend on the amount of time and effort taken to load and haul the junk away.

You might incur other charges like the cost of delivering the junk items to the disposal site. These costs come about because some items may require special handling and delivery. For example, freezers, fluorescent, the AC system, etc. These are items that cannot be dumped in the landfills.

The other cost that you should expect to incur during junk removal services is that of labor. Expect to be charged more if all the junk has to be carried down on a several stairs. For instance, if you live in a two-story home and all the junk items to be removed are stored upstairs, it will take a considerable amount of time to remove everything. If the haulers have to spend more time getting the junk out your house to the truck, the cost of labor will be high.

The average cost of junk removal for a single family home comes to about $200. If you live in an apartment, expect to spend an average cost of $250 for the junk removal service. The junk removal service is also available for offices business and commercial sites. Business will pay an estimated cost of $400 for the junk removal service.

Cost of Junk Removal per Item

When it comes to junk removal pricing, some items will be priced differently depending on their weight, disposal method, size, and delicacy of handling. Some require special equipment, while others may need to be dissembled before they are hauled away.

Here is a list of various junk items and their cost of removal;

Refrigerators and Freezers

Refrigerators and freezers require a special disposal method. This is because they are made with Freon gas which can cause harm to the ozone layer. Some junk companies may not agree to dispose of a refrigerator of a freeze, and they might recommend you to use a waste removal company for proper disposal. Expect to spend about $30 to $50 per refrigerator or freezer.

Fluorescent Lighting Removal

If you recently upgraded your lights from fluorescent light bulbs to LED or CFL lighting, then you have to get removal services to dispose of the fluorescent light bulbs. These lights contain mercury which is harmful to the environment and so, they have to be disposed of in the right way. Expect to pay to $10 to $60 per foot.

Latex Paint Removal

Latex paint is one of the waste materials that cannot be recycled. It is either you dry the pain or throw it away. Unlike other trash items, the latex paint cannot be disposed of in the landfill or garbage. If the paint is not dried, you might have to pay an additional fee for the company to dry it out. To dispose of latex paint, junk removal companies charge you $10 to $15 per gallon.

Tire Removal Costs

If you have accumulated tires in your home, the junk company can get rid of them. Tires can be recycled, but sometimes the transfer stations have some restrictions and so you might have to look for removal services to dispose of them. A junk company will charge you per four tires. If the tires have rims, expect to pay $10 to $20. If they do not have rims, you will be charged $5 to $15.

Furniture Removal Costs

If you have worn out or broken pieces of furniture, junk removal services can get rid of them. You don’t have to put up with that old sagging couch, or a recliner that is no longer functional and filling up so much space in your yard. The average cost for furniture removal comes to about $163. Most homeowners spend around $50 to $125 on furniture disposal.

Piano Removal Costs

If you have an old piano lying somewhere in your home, junk removal services can help you get rid of it. Pianos are heavy, but the cost of removal will also depend on the type of piano you have and the amount of labor required to load it into the truck. For example, if you live in an apartment where the haulers have to carry the several piano stairs down, the cost of labor will be high. Junk removal services charge around $50 to $100 to dispose of a piano.

Mattresses

Mattresses are some of the common removal services sought for by a majority of homeowners. Due to their large size, they tend to be bulky and occupy a lot of space in your home and getting rid of them can be relieving. Junk removal companies charge an average cost of $25 to get rid of mattresses.

Box Springs

You could be having several box springs in your home that need to be disposed of. Expect to spend about $5 for the removal.

Oven Removal

For oven removal, most junk removal companies offer a set price for removal. Expect to spend about $25 for the oven to be disposed of.

Type of junk	Average cost
Refrigerator/freezer	$30-$50
Fluorescents	$10-$$60 per foot
Latex paint	$10-$15 per gallon
Tires	$5-$20
Furniture	$50-$125
Piano	$50-$100
Mattresses	$25
Box springs	$25

Other Junk Removal Cost Considerations

Majority of junk removal services will charge based on the cubic yard, and the cost of removal will depend on the type of junk being removed. Here are two methods that junk removal companies use to set their prices:

Type of Junk

Junk removal companies price their services depending on the amount time and effort required for the removal exercise. Also, the cost will depend on the fee they will pay for dumping the collected items and the location of your home.

Therefore, the price you will pay for the removal will depend on the weight of the items. The heavier the items to be disposed of, the higher the price per cubic yard.

Here are some average costs of junk removal per cubic yard:

Type of junk	Average cost
Construction materials, e.g., concrete, debris, gravel, rocks, etc.	$96 per cubic yard
Common home items and goods	$23 per cubic yard
Yard waste such as twigs, branches, leaves, etc.	$19 per cubic yard

Cost per truckload

When it comes to junk removal services, most companies have different trucks for loading the collected junk. The cost of removal per cubic yard will depend on the type of truck being used. For example, if the company is using enclosed truck, the cost of removal per cubic yard is likely to be high. This is because an enclosed trailer takes more time and work to load and unload as compared to an open-air dump truck.

The advantage of using an enclosed dump trailer is that it has a bigger capacity of 42 cubic yard as compared to that of an open trailer which is has a capacity of ten cubic yard. Therefore if you are dealing with large quantities of junk, the enclosed dump trailer becomes the better option as it will require fewer loads which will cost you lower at the end of the removal exercise.

If the junk company is using a standard 16-foot trailer, expect to pay an average cost of $250 to $285 for a fully loaded trailer.

What is the minimum load costs?

The junk removal companies have a set minimum load requirement. The price is set to aid the company in recovering costs of maintaining the dump tracks, enables them to meet other expenses such as wages, gas, etc. and generally keep the company running.

Stairs and obstacles

If you live in an apartment and the haulers have to go down on many starts to remove the junk and load it to the dump truck, you will have to pay more for the time and effort spent. Also, the presence of obstacles could end up adding to the physical labor and time on removal which will impact on the overall costs of the exercise.

Additional services

The junk company also provide extra services besides loading the truck with the collected items. They can offer demolition services, for example, they can bring down an old deck, or offer cleaning services for you after the removal. Also moving of large items and lifting is also considered as an extra service. For this additional services, most of junk removal companies charge an hourly rate of $ 70 to $130.

Cutting Down Cost of Junk Removal

Junk removal services can be costly if you don’t plan for the service well in advance. To save time and money, you can assemble all the items that you need to be removed at a convenient place where the haulers will load them directly into the truck. This way, you will reduce the amount of time they will spend moving the items to the dump truck.

If you have items that you can easily transport to the landfills, you can do so in your time and maybe remain with the large items that require a bigger truck for disposal. By doing this, you will have reduced the truckload and ultimately cut down on the cost of removal.

You can also save the cost of removal by assembling all the recyclable trash and call recycling services to haul the items away free of charge.

What Are The Benefits Of Hiring Junk Removal Services?

Everyone aspires to have a clean and organized home. It is always a good idea to make sure your surroundings are free of clutter by organizing for junk removal regularly. Accumulation of junk starts small and eventually builds up to heaps of junk that end up occupying significant space in your yard or storage room.

To ensure that your home is free and clean, you need to get rid of all the unnecessary items. However, removing all the junk from your home to the dumpster is not an easy task. You will need a dump truck and professionals who know how to classify and handle the different types of junks in your home. Also, it’s important to note that, some states and regions have restrictions on junk disposal and you cannot just haul anything away.

Here are six benefits of hiring junk removal services;

Safety

Junk removal involves moving and carrying heavy objects and debris to the dump truck and also unloading the collected items for proper disposal. This kind of an exercise puts you at risk of sprains, abrasions, strains and worse of all, back injuries.

Some of the junk items have hanging nails, sharp edges and broken pieces that can cause bodily injuries if not handled properly. Other items are classified as hazardous and will require special during the removal process. You might find yourself handling these harmful products and putting your health in danger. A skilled and experienced junk removal professional knows how to carry out the disposal process safely and effectively.

Proper Equipment

The removal process will require you to have the right equipment to handle some types of junk items. Some of the junk of items might be having harmful chemical and will require special equipment for removal and disposal.
Professional junk serves come fully loaded with the right equipment to ensure efficient and safe removal of your junk items.

Experience and Knowledge

A junk removal professional comes with knowledge and experience in handling the removal process efficiently. They know all the set regulations regarding junk and waste removal. They will ensure proper disposal of hazardous materials like fluorescent lights, and they further advise you on items that are recyclable.

Saves Time

Think about the amount of time you will require to ensure that all the junk in your home has been disposed of completely. It takes time to assemble, sort, load and unload all the junk items not to mention the effort. The process can be long, tiring and time-consuming.

It will probably take you days to clear all the junk, a situation that can be quite inconveniencing and tiresome. A professional junk removal company has the right manpower to handle the removal fast and effectively.

Cost Effective

If you have a large number of junk items for removal, it would be better to hire a professional junk removal company to do the work for you. You will save on the amount of money you will spend on renting a trailer and workers to help.

Consider the number of trips you will have to make to completely transport all the junk from your home to the disposal areas. Since you are not dealing with professionals, the hauling process might take longer which means you will have to factor in other expenses such as overtime costs for the haulers.

Efficiency and Reliability

Junk removal is not just a simple task of picking and throwing items in a dump truck. It is a process that requires knowledge of the legal requirement of waste and junk products. The professional also knows how to handle each item, and they will expertly separate the junk and dispose of it properly. They know what should be recycled and have access to the recycling ports.

Hiring professional junk services will give you peace of mind knowing that all the junk has been cleared efficiently and properly disposed of. If you are doing a remodeling project, you don’t have to worry about the tiresome process of cleaning up and hauling debris left over after the project.

How to Hire Right Junk Removal Services

You recently carried out a major remodeling project, and you are wondering what to do with the pile of debris, ceramic or other leftover junk materials. Or, maybe you have been piling up a few items in your home, and now you have a yard full of broken furniture, and spoiled appliances. It is time to hire junk services to clear up the mess.

Hiring an experienced and reliable junk removal services is the most convenient way of disposing of your junk items. Junk removal is not a service that you use every day, and therefore, when it comes to getting the right one, you might not know how to go about it.

When choosing a junk removal services, the price should not be the only determining factor of who you hire; there are other critical factors that you need to look out for before you hire. They include:

Proper and Sufficient Resources

A junk removal company should be equipped with the right trucks, tools, equipment and other necessary items required for the job. They should have enough resources to handle any junk and know how to dispose of responsibly.

While assessing the company, look at the size of their trucks and the number they have in their fleet. This way you will be able to know if they can handle any size of junk and will be able to figure out how many trips they have to make to complete a job. Large trucks will enable the company to haul away large amount of junk at once saving you time, money and energy.

Quick and Reliable

By the time you decide to call a junk removal service, you have already decided that the junk in your home needs to go. Therefore, the junk removal service you are looking for should be ready to remove your junk and dispose of immediately. It can be frustrating when you assemble everything from your yard, only for the junk removal service to delay the removal leaving you with an unsightly heap of junk in your compound.

Adheres To Recycling Policy

It’s critical that you hire a junk removal service that adheres to the recycling policies of disposing of waste and junk. A responsible junk removal service will provide you with an environmentally friendly junk removal service and can coordinate with recycling centers to donate items that can be recycled.

Cleanness

If even though the company hauls lots of junk items that are probably dirty and dusty, cleanness should be maintained at high standards. A junk removal company should maintain clean trucks and a clean environment.

A clean junk removal company that does not keep rusty trucks and equipment, it’s an extended indication that they will not leave your compound messy after removing the junk. They will sweep the area after removal and ensure you are left with a clutter-free home.

How to Find the Right Junk Removal Company

Finding and settling for the right junk removal service can be challenging especially if you have never used one. This guide will give you a few tips that will enable you to find the right junk removal service near you.

Ask Around

Asking around from people close to you such as friends, neighbors, family or colleagues can help you find a trusted and reliable junk removal company. It’s also an easier way of landing a local company and avoid paying hefty transport fee.

Make sure you ask the person giving you the referral enough information about the company and how they perform their duties. Find out if they are professional and if they deliver quality services.

Search the Internet

The internet is a great a source of information. Using the search engines, you can find a junk removal service near you. All you need to do is make sure you research and gather a lot of information by doing sufficient investigations.

Most companies have websites that give details about their services and have contact information. Read their policies and look at the reviews from past clients. A good rating and a significant number of good reviews should be a good starting point. Make sure you follow up with calls to get more details from the junk company before you hire.

10 Questions to Ask a Junk Removal Service before Hiring

If you have already narrowed down your search to least two to three junk removal companies, there are some critical questions that you should ask when you schedule an interview. These are questions that will you give an insight into the company’s policies and way of doing things. The answers you get will provide you with a cue on whether to go ahead and hire or continue with the search.

1. Do You Have Insurance?

Since there will be haulers in your home lifting heavy junk items such as broken furniture, old appliances., heavy construction materials and potentially hazardous materials, the junk removal company should have proper insurance policy coverage.

An insurance will protect you from being liable should the haulers get injured while removing the junk from your property. Ask if the company has a workers compensation policy that covers the people they hire to do the lifting and loading of the junk. Also, a liability cover will ensure that the company is liable should any damage happen to your property while they are moving junk.

2. What Type Of Junk Do You Handle?

Different junk removal companies handle different types of junks. There are some that don’t handle hazardous items or ones that have harmful chemicals, while there are some that don’t handle large pieces of junk items like refrigerators.

Make sure find out these details before you hire. For example, if you have hazardous waste such as fluorescents, paint, etc., make sure you mention this before you go further into the planning process.

3. Explain Your Pricing Structure

Junk removal companies have different price packages. You will find that majority of junk removal services charge by the size of the load or cubic yard, and others by the number of trips. The pricing will depend on how the company operates and their policies.

While asking about the costs, it’s essential you ask if they offer free –onsite estimates and ensure that there are no hidden charges. Make sure the price structure includes everything including labor, dumping fee, and tax.

4. Do The Price Package Include Clean-Up?

After all the junk has been hauled away, you are likely to be left with a mess on the site of collection. Some junk removal services will ensure they leave the place swept clean and everything hauled to the dumping truck. It’s essential to find out if the company offers cleaning services and if its part of the package or you have to pay separately.

5. Do You Recycle?

You will be more at peace if you hire a junk removal company that cares about the environment and has put in place eco-friendly measures of handling waste and junk. A reputable and responsible junk removal company will ensure that all the recyclable items are taken to recycling centers or donated to the local organizations. This way you will be assured that your junk was not dumped irresponsibly.

6. How Soon Can You Do The Removal?

Since you would not want to wait around for days with junk in your compound, it’s vital you ask the junk removal company how soon can they do the job. The company should be able to organize for the removal as soon as possible. Make sure you have an appointment and time of arrival so that you also make arrangements to be on site on the day of removal.

7. How Long Have You Been In The Junk Removal Business?

Experience in junk removal service is essential. A company that has been around for a while has proper connections with the recycling and waste management bodies. They have also invested in proper dumping trucks and employees to ensure the removal is done fast and efficiently.

Find out from the company the average number of junk removal jobs they have done and their challenges along the way.

8. Ask If They Have Handled a Similar Job as Yours in The Past

Find out from the company if they have handled the type of junk you have and how was their experience. Do they have documentation on how they went about the job? Are there pictures to show the kind of work they did and how the site looked like after the removal? Ask them if they can provide you with references who can give you feedback on their services.

9. Do I Need To Do Any Preparations?

Find out from the junk removal company if there is anything they expect you to do before they come. Do they need you to assemble the furniture? Or, will they require you to sort out the junk? Typically, a junk company should sort the junk items, but it’s important to clear this with them before you hire. Find out what kind of preparations measures would they expect from you.

10. What Areas Do You Cover?

It’s essential to find out their working areas to see if your location falls in their coverage. Some companies charge an extra cost to serve in an area that is out of their coverage, so make sure you know this detail.

How To Avoid Getting Scammed In Junk Removal Services

Just like any other service industry, the junk removal service business has some scammers out to steal from unsuspecting homeowners. Before you hire, it’s essential to make sure you do due diligence on the company you plan to hire for the job. Remember, these are people who will work from your home and walk around your property so; caution should be exercised when hiring one.

To ensure that you are not being overcharged, it’s safe to get multiple quotes to make a price comparison. Make sure the quote details everything from removal to disposal fee. Watch out for any hidden costs that have not been mentioned in the quotes to avoid surprises when the removal is underway.

Some unscrupulous people will mislead you to believe that they have proper equipment and staff for the job only to turn up on your doorstep with old rusty trucks and insufficient equipment. To avoid this kind of scam, it’s important to ask to see the company’s trucks and equipment before you hire.

Another common scam is where a junk removal company lies about being eco-friendly and does not dispose of your junk items appropriately. This can put you in problems if the city authorities manage to identify the junk as yours.

To avoid falling a victim of junk removal services, make sure before you hire, you have gone through the company’s website and looked at their background. Read the customer reviews and if possible look for more reviews in other trusted sites.

In addition, you can contact the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are reports and complains that have been filed against in the past. If you get any negative feedback, treat that as a red flag and start a new search for a different company.

DIY Junk Removal Vs Professional Services

The idea of removing your junk on your own may cross your mind especially if you consider the cost of hiring professional junk removal services. However, you may never realize how tiring and involving the process of sorting all the junk by yourself can get till you get started. In fact, the junk removal task is one of those things you start but along the way find it hard to finish.

If you are handling a lot of junk, unless you have your truck, you will need to rent one and people to help with moving and loading. You will have to cater for gas and pay for mileage costs of the truck. In addition, the people you hired have to be paid, so you will still factor in labor costs.

Lastly, on top of the labor costs and rental charges, you will need to budget for the dumping costs. In some regions, you might actually have to unload the trash yourself which means you still have to pay for manual labor. If you consider all these costs not to mention the physical effort, you might actually be better off hiring a junk removal company.

One of the challenges of DYI junk removal is that you might not have sufficient knowledge on how to dispose of different types of junks especially the ones that are potentially hazardous. The professional junk removal companies know where each type of junk should go and they make sure that any junk collected is disposed of properly.

It might also be challenging to find places that take items for recycling. On top of making multiple trips to the landfills, you also risk body injuries and handling hazardous product when you choose to remove your junk. If you are moving large heaps of junk, the best alternative is to hire a junk removal pro to do the job efficiently and quickly. You will also save yourself the hassle of finding out where to dispose of the junk and paying hefty charges for renting a dump truck.

Conclusion

Once in a while, you will have a significant amount of accumulated junk items that need to be removed be from your home or office. A remodeling or construction project can leave you with an overwhelmingly huge heap of debris that needs to be cleared as soon as possible. Unless you have large trucks to handle a large amount of junk in your possession, you should consider getting junk removal services to handle the process for you.

Make sure you research a junk removal service that cares about the environment and will dispose of the junk appropriately. The junk removal companies will handle everything for you from hauling to disposal, and they will do it more efficiently and effectively.