Junk removal services near you

When looking for professional junk removal, make sure to:

• Verify licensing and insurance. Verify that the company carries a general business license with liability insurance, in addition to any specialty licenses or permits required to dispose of hazardous materials or large loads. Requirements depend on your local area so be sure to do your research.

• Read customer reviews. Look for positive reviews from the Better Business Bureau and their Thumbtack profiles. Watch out for red flags, like customers saying they were charged more than the agreed-upon price.  

• Get several estimates. The quote should clearly outline the type and volume of items being removed. It should also specify the disposal method and pickup location. Compare several quotes to make an informed decision.

• Ask important questions. Find out if there are extra fees for mileage, bulky items or hazardous waste. Ask about any requirements, like dismantling or sorting before pickup. You can also see if they prioritize recycling, practice responsible disposal or partner with local charities that accept donations. 

For more tips, visit Thumbtack's Smart Hiring Page.

The national average cost of junk removal ranges from around $160 to $330,* according to Thumbtack data. Several factors may impact the cost of junk removal, including: 

• The volume of junk you need removed: For example, filling up a dumpster with junk may cost more than filling up the bed of a truck.

• The type of junk: Some items require special disposal fees that need to be factored into the total removal price.

• Your location: Junk removal rates may vary between rural and urban areas. Plus, the farther professionals have to drive to get to you, the higher the cost may be. Look for junk removal companies near you on Thumbtack.

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

Residential junk removal is a cleaning service that helps dispose of large, bulky, unwanted items from your home, condo or apartment. In most cases, you can expect the junk removal company to handle the heavy lifting, including sorting, removal and disposal.

Common items they remove include:

• Furniture: Couches, tables, chairs, dressers

• Appliances: Washing machines, dryers, ovens

• Electronics: TVs, computers, printers

• Exercise equipment: Treadmills, bicycles

• Yard waste: Branches, leaves

• Home improvement debris: Drywall, flooring, carpeting

Always ask your junk removers if there are any items they won't pick up. These commonly include:

• Hazardous materials: Pesticides, old paint

• Motor vehicle parts: Batteries, car tires

• Flammable substances: Gas containers, propane tank

• Appliances with refrigerants: Freezers, refrigerators

Here are a few ways you might be able to save on junk removal services:

• Get at least three estimates: The first quote isn't necessarily the best, so don't be afraid to get multiple quotes for junk removal. 

• Send pictures for an accurate quote: If you can text or email pictures to the company — or they can come to take a look at what you want removed — you may get a much more accurate price and avoid being overcharged.

• Rent a dumpster: Because landfills charge by weight, a junk removal pro will factor in the total haul's weight when giving you an estimate. In contrast, dumpsters cost a flat fee and may be more affordable for disposing of heavy materials like brick, concrete or plaster. Compare prices for both options so you can make a cost-effective decision.

In most cases, a junk removal pro will take the following steps to complete your project: 

• Give you an estimate: Professionals may want to see the items you want to remove to give an accurate estimate. Landfills typically charge by weight and type of material, so a transparent estimate includes these fees, not just the cost of labor.

• Explain what they can't take: Some junk removal pros won't take things that aren't accepted at landfills, such as propane tanks. 

• Schedule the pickup: Sometimes pros can take the junk as soon as they give the estimate. Otherwise, they’ll set up a more convenient pickup time with you.

• Disassemble down the materials: If needed, large or heavy items may be split into manageable pieces. 

• Load the truck: The pros will start loading the junk into their truck or trailer. They may bring wheelbarrows to speed things along.

• Collect payment: You typically need to pay as soon as the job is finished. 

You don't need to do much to prepare, but you may want to supervise the work so that nothing is left behind or removed by accident. 

Here’s how you can determine whether hiring a professional to haul away your junk is worth the cost: 

• Junk weight and size: Can you physically lift each item? If loading and unloading the junk puts your health at risk — and you don't have helpers — hire pros.

• Junk location: Trash in attics or crawl spaces can be difficult to remove. Consider whether you want to do all that bending or climbing yourself.

• Available vehicles: If you don't have a truck or trailer for hauling away large items, a junk removal service may be the most practical way to get the job done. Otherwise, you may have to rent a suitable vehicle or spend extra money on gas to make more than one trip to the landfill.

• Comfort level with landfills: Landfills can be far away, stinky and a little intimidating since they often have strict protocols and rules about what you can and can't dump. Hiring a junk removal pro means there's much less for you to worry about.