What Is the Average Cost of Junk Removal?

Joe Roberts
Dec 30, 2022
bullet5 min read

At a glance

The average cost of junk removal with one of the best junk removal companies ranges from $100 to $400. The cost of loading a truck to the brim is on the higher end (up to $800), while you can typically rent a dumpster for about $300 to $600 per week. In both cases, your price typically depends on how much space your junk takes up in a truck or waste bin.

Price
Full-service junk removal
Dumpster rental

Price range

$100–$800/load

$300–$600/week

National average

$230/load

$400/week

Averages compiled from pricing data gathered in December 2022. Prices and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.


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What is the average cost of junk removal services?

Lots of factors go into the pricing of junk removal services, and there’s a ton of local and national companies with widely variable rates. Because of this, it’s tricky to nail down exact rates for both full-service junk removal and dumpster rentals.

Plus, most junk removal companies don’t provide online estimates. Instead, they’ll only offer pricing after one of their employees does an onsite evaluation of your junk removal job. This means you won’t get inaccurate pricing information, but it makes it harder to shop around and compare rates when you’re in a hurry.

That said, we know what factors influence prices, and we’ve gathered data to help you find a rough estimate of what your junk removal job might cost.

What goes into junk removal pricing?

Pricing for junk removal depends greatly on where you are. For example, Junk King charges over $800 to remove a full truck’s worth of junk in New York, but it only charges about $500 for the same job in Oklahoma. Some companies don’t even service certain areas—and  fewer options may mean higher prices.

In addition to location, the following factors affect pricing for both full-service and dumpster rental options:

  • Seasonality and demand
  • Gas prices
  • Local disposal fees
  • How much time a job takes

The last (and most obvious) pricing factor specific to full-service junk removal is how much you’re throwing away. If you’re only chucking half a truck’s worth of renovation debris, you won’t be charged the same amount as someone who’s tossing a truck filled with old fridges, sofas, and mattresses.

This doesn’t apply to dumpster rentals, however. If you rent a dumpster, you’ll be charged the same amount no matter how much of the dumpster you fill (though you may be charged extra for overfilling), so be sure you rent a dumpster that’s the right size for your job.

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Keep in mind

Most junk removal companies won’t take hazardous materials (like aerosol cans, lead-based paint, and old TVs with cathode ray tubes) off your hands, and those that do might charge you more for the service. If you’re unsure about something you want to throw away, call and ask the company you’re working with about it.


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Should I pay for full-service junk removal?

Several factors make full-service removal preferable for anyone with lots of stuff to throw away. The convenience of being able to relax or go about your typical day-to-day routine while the heavy-lifting goes on is worth the price for many people.

Access to proper equipment also matters. Wheelbarrows, dollies, and carts can all turn difficult junk removal jobs into a breeze, but without them, you’ll be left dragging that old fridge or busted cabinet up your stairs or across your lawn.

The bottom line is that if you don’t have the time, equipment, or extra help to get rid of your stuff, then full-service junk removal can make your life much easier despite the price.

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If you're looking for options

If you like the sound of a junk removal service and want to start shopping around, our list of the best junk removal companies can start you off on the right foot.

Since most companies won’t provide an estimate before they know about how much old rubbish you need hauled away, it’s impossible to predict what your exact junk removal price will be. We can help you get a rough idea, though, so you know what to expect when you go to book.

Home services marketplace HomeAdvisor polled its readers and found that the average cost for a full truckload (roughly 450 cubic feet) of junk was around $800.

To get a more comprehensive average, we looked at prices from Junk King, College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, and 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, our three favorite junk removal companies.

Junk King’s junk removal pricing

Load size
Average cost
Learn more

Full truck

$770

Half truck

$490

Fridge or sofa

$160

Data as of December 2022. Prices and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

To get these prices, we used Junk King’s pricing estimator to calculate what the company charges for junk removal on the East Coast, on the West Coast, and in the middle of the country and averaged those numbers.

Junk King’s trucks can hold 480 cubic feet of junk.

College Hunks' junk removal pricing

Load size
Average cost
Learn more

Full truck

$590

Half truck

$370

Sofa

$160

Fridge

$110

Data as of 2022. Prices and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

College Hunks doesn’t list pricing on its website, so we reached out to someone at College Hunks and they gave us the estimates we’ve listed above. These prices are a little lower than Junk King’s but a bit higher than HomeAdvisor’s estimated average.

According to the representative we talked to, College Hunks’ trucks can hold 440 cubic feet of junk.

1-800-GOT-JUNK?'s junk removal pricing

Load size
Average cost
Learn more

Full truck

$600

Half truck

$400

Sofa

$180

Fridge

$110

Data as of 2022. Prices and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

We also contacted 1-800-GOT-JUNK? for pricing information. The representative we spoke with stressed that these general numbers are calculated from the company’s national averages, so your price will probably look at least a little bit different if you hire 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to take your junk away.

According to the company’s website, a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? truck can hold roughly 400 cubic feet of junk.


Should I pay to rent a dumpster?

So, if it’s not that much cheaper than full-service junk removal, why should you rent a dumpster? Because with junk removal you’re typically only paying for one day of service, but with a dumpster rental you have the dumpster as long as you need it–if you’re willing to keep paying the weekly rate.

This means you can load your dumpster at your own pace during ongoing renovations and cleanup projects instead of letting junk pile up around your house for weeks or months until a full-service company comes to haul it away.

Depending on where you live and the amount of stuff you have to throw away, a dumpster rental may still be cheaper than full-service junk removal—we recommend researching prices, available sizes, and customer reviews for companies in your area.

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The budget-friendly option

If you like the flexibility of renting a dumpster—but you don’t need anything larger than a 10-yard dumpster—consider going with Bagster’s junk disposal bag. The bag works just like a regular dumpster, but it’s a bit smaller and much more affordable.


Junk removal cost FAQ

The average cost of junk removal services is approximately $100 to $800 per load. Similarly, the price for dumpster rentals (without trash removal support) ranges from about $300 to $600 weekly.

The cost to remove a junk washer and dryer typically ranges from approximately $75 to $150. Selecting one of the best commercial junk removal companies can typically keep your waste removal costs on the low end.

Good junk removal services combine low prices, high quality, and excellent customer reviews. It’s also a sign of quality if your full-service junk removal company offers donation pickup.

What is the average cost of junk removal services?

The average cost of junk removal services is approximately $100 to $800 per load. Similarly, the price for dumpster rentals (without trash removal support) ranges from about $300 to $600 weekly.

How much does it cost to remove a junk washer and dryer?

The cost to remove a junk washer and dryer typically ranges from approximately $75 to $150. Selecting one of the best commercial junk removal companies can typically keep your waste removal costs on the low end.

What are the characteristics of a good junk removal service?

Good junk removal services combine low prices, high quality, and excellent customer reviews. It’s also a sign of quality if your full-service junk removal company offers donation pickup.

How can you find junk removal places in your area?

You can find a junk removal company near you by contacting the companies on Move.org’s list of the best trash removal companies. Waste Management has the broadest service area, but you should be aware that no company is available in all 50 states.

How can you save money on junk removal services?

You can save money on junk removal services by listing unwanted items online. Additionally, charitable organizations will often pick up functioning appliances for free.


Joe Roberts
Written by
Joe Roberts
Joe Roberts is a professional writer with a degree in writing studies and over four years of copywriting experience. He previously worked at Overstock.com, where he wrote about furniture, home decor, and moving. Joe has moved all over Utah, so he knows his way around a moving truck—and he spends his time (and money) expanding his personal library so it will be even heavier next time he moves.