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Whether downsizing for a move or decluttering a home, there are various reasons to eliminate unwanted junk. While DIY-ing this job is an option, making multiple trips to the donation center or landfill is time-consuming and can take a lot of effort. And some items are simply too bulky or heavy for someone to independently transport for donation or disposal.
Luckily, it’s easy to hire one of the best junk removal services to take care of these unwanted belongings. These services arrive with a truck, load up the junk, and haul it off. The best junk removal services will find new homes for usable items, recycle what’s eligible, and opt for the landfill as a last resort. Before searching for “junk removal near me,” read on to find out more about junk removal services and how to find a reputable company.
- BEST OVERALL: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Junk King
- BEST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: The Junkluggers
- BEST FOR SAME-DAY SERVICE: 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
- ALSO CONSIDER: LoadUp
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Junk Removal Services
While most customers look at cost when selecting a junk removal service, there are also other important factors to consider, including disposal methods, service area, and availability. Learn more about these and other important attributes of the best junk removal services.
Service Area and Scheduling
While some of the top junk removal services are national companies with numerous locations, they won’t necessarily service every nook and cranny of the country. With that in mind, it’s crucial that customers check to see if their home is in a company’s service area before taking the time to vet other aspects. In addition to the service area, customers will want to determine how a company schedules its services, whether online or by phone, and ensure that the company’s availability matches the customer’s.
Pricing Structure
Most junk removal services base their rates on the overall size of the load or the number of items. Load size is typically determined by whether the job requires a ¼, ½, ¾, or full truckload (or multiple truckloads). Junk removal services may also charge by the item, typically for large pieces of furniture or appliances. Customers should determine which pricing structure works best for the items they need to be removed by getting quotes from multiple companies. Some companies will only provide a quote when they arrive to collect the unwanted junk, which may not appeal to some customers who would like to budget ahead of time.
Disposal Methods
While price may be a crucial factor when choosing the best junk removal service, so too is selecting a service that will dispose of unwanted belongings responsibly. Customers should look for companies that will attempt to recycle or donate as much as possible as opposed to companies that simply dump all unwanted junk in the local landfill. Most junk removal services that use responsible disposal methods will proudly display that information on their website. Customers can also ask a customer service representative what happens to the junk, and the representative should clearly understand and communicate the process.
Service Liability Coverage
Given that there are hazards when disposing of various types of junk, the junk removal service should have general liability insurance that covers any injuries their technicians may suffer while on the job. This coverage will also protect the homeowner from liability for any such injuries.
Customer Support
A quality junk haul-away service will provide support by allowing customers to get in touch via phone, email, or, in some cases, live online chat. Some companies guarantee their appointment times by offering discounts for late arrivals, while others allow the customer to track the truck’s whereabouts via a smartphone app. A top junk removal service will also provide customers accurate quotes for junk removal prior to beginning the service.
Our Top Picks
The list below represents some of the best junk removal services in the country. These companies use responsible disposal methods and offer competitive prices. For customers looking for junk removal services, start with one of these companies.
Best Overall
College Hunks Hauling Junk u0026 Moving
- Service area: 39 states
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Pricing structure: By the truckload
- Sample pricing: $725 for full truckload
Pros
- 70 percent of items recycled or responsibly discarded
- Charitable partnerships with Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and more that prioritize the donation of unwanted items over disposal
- Ongoing partnership with U.S. Hunger
Cons
- Customers risk incorrectly estimating removal needs
Why It Made the Cut: With its commitment to disposing of junk responsibly and its numerous partnerships with charitable organizations, College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving is one of the top junk removal companies. When getting rid of junk, it’s nice to know that the old belongings aren’t all ending up in a landfill. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving recycles or responsibly disposes of a whopping 70 percent of the items it collects. College Hunks bases its rates on how much space the junk takes up in the truck. While the pricing is transparent, it can be challenging for customers to estimate how much space their junk will take up, which can result in higher-than-expected costs. College Hunks has a strong reputation for giving to charities through partnerships with such nonprofits as Goodwill Industries and Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The company also contributes to U.S. Hunger, a hunger relief organization, providing two meals to hungry children for every service it completes.
Best Bang for the Buck
Junk King
- Service area: 38 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online, phone, text
- Pricing structure: Per item or by the truckload
- Sample pricing: $758 to $798 for full truckload; $75 to $95 for a queen/king mattress
Pros
- Flexible junk removal pricing by the truckload or per item
- Relatively affordable per-item rates
- Price match guarantee
Cons
- User-unfriendly online experience
- Unclear service area
Why It Made the Cut: Junk King offers multiple ways to get a quote for junk removal, along with some of the most affordable rates for disposing of individual items. Regarding pricing, it’s nearly impossible to top Junk King for cheap junk removal. That’s because the company guarantees a lower price than any competitor’s quote. Plus, Junk King offers multiple ways to get a quote. Customers can get a free on-site estimate, use the online pricing estimator, text a photo of the junk, or call and talk to a Junk King representative. Finding a Junk King location can be a bit confusing, as the company states that it has a presence in 32 states but shows coverage in 39 states on its online map. Customers can pay for junk removal by truckload or per item. Junk King’s per-item rates are lower than most competitors, making the company an ideal choice for those who may only be looking to dispose of a couple of bulky items, such as a piece of furniture or an old mattress.
Best Customer Experience
The Junkluggers
- Service area: 31 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Pricing structure: On-site estimates
- Sample pricing: N/A
Pros
- Final cost guaranteed to never exceed quoted price
- Discounts offered in the event of delayed truck arrival
Cons
- Pricing not provided until pickup
Why It Made the Cut: The Junkluggers secures customer satisfaction by locking in the quoted price and offering discounts for delayed service. The Junkluggers has a presence in 31 states and Washington, D.C., and this junk removal company is willing to stand by its services by offering its customers discounts if the truck arrives late. The truck has a 2-hour arrival window, and if the truck rolls up within 30 minutes after that window, the customer gets a 5 percent discount. If the truck is more than 30 minutes late, that discount climbs to 10 percent. However, customers will have to wait until the truck arrives to receive a quote for the cost of the junk removal. But the actual price is guaranteed to never exceed that quote, even if the job takes longer than anticipated.
Best for Same-Day Service
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
- Service area: 45 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Pricing structure: On-site estimates
- Sample pricing: N/A
Pros
- Same-day service available
- 24/7 customer service by phone
Cons
- Pricing not provided until pickup
Why It Made the Cut: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is the go-to choice for last-minute junk removal needs, thanks to its same-day service availability. With its broad coverage area, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is a great option for those who need a junk removal service fast. Customers can schedule same-day service in many locations, meaning the junk that’s piling up in the driveway could be gone in a few short hours. However, customers will have to wait until the truck arrives to receive a price quote. Customer service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, which is convenient for customers who may have any questions about the services 1-800-GOT-JUNK? offers.
Also Consider
LoadUp
- Service area: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Pricing structure: Per item
- Sample pricing: $109 for first contractor bag and $20 for each additional bag; $96 for first cardboard box and $7 for each additional box
Pros
- Convenient online truck tracking
- Outdoor, no-contact pickups available
Cons
- Unclear service area
Why It Made the Cut: LoadUp offers convenient services not found at other junk removal companies, like no-contact pickups and online truck tracking. LoadUp aims to make junk removal easier for customers. Customers can track the truck via a smartphone app so they can know exactly when it will arrive. There’s also a no-contact pickup service available for those who don’t want to interact with technicians—all customers have to do is leave the items on the curb. The service area is a little unclear, so customers will want to double-check that LoadUp offers junk removal in their area. LoadUp charges per item, which is ideal for larger items like furniture or mattresses.
Our Verdict
With its easy-to-understand pricing structure, partnerships with numerous charities and commitment to donating and recycling first, College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving is the best all-around junk removal service in the business. Those looking for the most affordable option will want to consider Junk King, which has the most reasonable rates for removing individual items.
How We Chose the Best Junk Removal Services
In selecting the top junk removal services for this guide, we considered several criteria. Since pricing is typically the most critical concern for customers, we chose services that offer competitive prices and a transparent quote process. We also leaned toward companies with pricing structures that meet the needs of those getting rid of a lot of junk and those who may want only one or two pieces of large furniture hauled away. A good junk removal service should be environmentally responsible, so we selected companies that seek to recycle or donate the junk they collect before transporting it to the landfill. Since availability is vital, our selections include services with a presence throughout the country.
Before You Use One of the Best Junk Removal Services
Customers should consider all their junk removal options before deciding to use one of the best junk removal services. One alternative is dumpster rental, which is cheaper than a junk removal service but requires more work from the homeowner. The customer must dump all waste into a dumpster themselves and don’t have the benefit of a service that will recycle or donate items they don’t want. However, for situations like extended home improvement projects that are continually producing waste, renting a dumpster may make more sense than hiring a junk removal company.
When hiring a junk removal service, it’s also important to understand that these services won’t haul away junk of all kinds. Junk removal companies generally will not take hazardous materials, including old batteries, paint, and solvents. With this in mind, customers should learn what items the service will and will not take during the quote and booking process.
Cost of Using One of the Best Junk Removal Services
Junk removal is a relatively affordable service for the amount of work being done. Most junk removal services range between $50 and $361, with the national average costing around $233. Factors that impact the total cost of junk removal include the amount of junk and the type of junk being hauled off. Objects that are difficult to move, such as an old water heater, may cost more to dispose of than smaller items. Geographic location will also impact price, with higher costs in major metropolitan areas and lower costs in less populated areas. Junk removal in Chicago, for example, will likely cost more than junk removal in rural Pennsylvania.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Junk Removal Services
There are numerous good reasons to hire one of the best junk removal services. Hiring a junk removal service saves time by eliminating the need for repeated trips to the local dump or donation center. A good junk removal service will also look for ways to donate or recycle your unwanted belongings, which helps to reduce the environmental impact of getting rid of them. Customers may also require the help of a junk removal service to remove heavy, bulky items. A good professional junk removal service is also aware of disposal regulations, so customers don’t have to worry about violating any laws or regulations when disposing of their junk.
- Junk removal services save customers time.
- Items are donated and recycled when possible.
- Bulky, heavy items can be easily removed.
- Junk removal services know and adhere to local dumping regulations.
FAQs
If you’re wondering what type of items a junk removal service will haul away or how to choose the right service, read on for answers to these and other questions.
Q. How do I get rid of a lot of junk?
The best way to get rid of a lot of junk is by hiring a reputable junk removal service. These services can remove large amounts of junk in a short period for a reasonable fee.
Q. How do I choose a good junk removal company?
When selecting a junk removal company, consider the company’s availability in your area. After identifying a company, obtain a quote by phone or online. You may want to ask the company how it disposes of junk and if there are certain items its employees will not pick up.
Q. What kind of items do junk removal services take away?
Common items that junk removal services will haul away include furniture, electronics, carpets, glass, yard waste, dishwashers, old clothing, and bicycles. Customers looking specifically for furniture removal can also opt for one of the best furniture removal services. Most junk removal services will not take hazardous items such as solvents, paint, old oil, or asbestos materials.
Q. How many junk removal companies are there in the U.S.?
Given how much junk needs hauling away on an annual basis, there are a lot of junk removal companies in the country. The junk-hauling industry is a $75 billion business and comprises about 20,000 junk removal services.
Q. How do I write a junk removal business plan?
When writing a business plan, you should include details regarding the services you plan to offer, including whether you will serve residential or commercial customers. You should also discuss why you are starting the business and provide an analysis of the industry that shows why starting a junk removal service is a lucrative venture in your market. You should also provide a customer analysis describing the type of customer you plan to serve.
Q. Is a junk shop a good business?
Given how many items people own and, therefore, at some point dispose of, a junk shop is actually a business that enjoys solid growth. Finding partners, such as a junk removal service, will provide your business with a steady stream of used items that you can resell.