Are you selling your home and have junk you need to eliminate? Are you interested in finding one of the best companies that remove trash?
Hiring one of your area’s best junk removal businesses will be wise. Junk removalists can make the cleanup process far more manageable.
Most people have more junk in their homes than they realize, so there will be a lot of work to do regarding moving.
But there are more accessible options, and hiring a junk removal service can cut down on the things you need to do at what could be an already hectic time.
Hiring a junk hauler is one of the first steps when staging a home for sale. It can make a substantial difference from many years of experience as a Realtor.
Donating furniture and other household goods is also great for preparing your property for the market.
Even if you are only having a spring clean or preparing for a renovation, a professional junk removal company can be easier than renting a dumpster.
However, there are some circumstances where a dumpster will be a better choice.
Let’s examine the best junk removal companies to help you with your junk hauling problem. These companies are the big guys – the more well-known names that operate in multiple places in the United States.
Before we do that, however, you can also try to find other reputable local junk removal companies.
You might find a better deal with a local junk removal service.
Just be sure to do a little research first, as the junk removal and moving industries have sketchy businesses.
Facts About The Process of Property Cleanouts and Disposal
1. Junk removal companies specialize in the professional and eco-friendly disposal of unwanted items and clutter.
2. These companies offer residential, commercial, and industrial property services.
3. They have trained teams that handle the collection, loading, and proper disposal or recycling of junk.
4. Services typically include removing furniture, appliances, electronics, construction debris, yard waste, and more.
5. Many junk removal companies also offer additional services such as cleanouts, hoarding assistance, and estate cleanups.
6. The pricing for junk removal services is generally based on factors like the volume of stuff to be removed and the job’s complexity.
7. Some companies may have restrictions on what they can remove due to safety or legal regulations.
8. The companies strive to minimize environmental impact by sorting and recycling items whenever possible.
9. Hiring a professional junk removal service saves time, effort, and potential injury compared to attempting DIY removal.
10. As society becomes more eco-conscious, the demand for reliable and responsible junk removal services continues to grow.
Things to Consider When Hiring a Company That Removes Junk
Here are a few considerations before hiring a junk removal company.
- What is the price they will charge for junk hauling?
- What will they take?
- How fast can they come to your home?
- What is their customer service like? Do they have excellent online reviews?
- Will they clean up before they leave?
All of these are excellent questions to research before committing to a company.
Most Common Reasons to Hire a Junk Cleanup and Hauling Business
- You are preparing to sell a home and want to get it appropriately staged.
- A major renovation is taking place where junk removals will be necessary.
- Doing a spring cleaning and getting rid of unwanted items.
- Clearing out the rest of the items from an estate sale.
- It saves you time and manpower to visit a dump.
What Are The Most Significant Benefits?
Saves time and effort: Hiring a junk hauling business allows you to delegate the task of removing and disposing of unwanted items, saving you valuable time and physical effort.
Proper disposal: The companies know local regulations and can ensure that your debris is disposed of properly, reducing environmental impact.
Safety: Removing large or heavy items can be risky, but junk hauling professionals have the equipment and experience to handle them safely, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries.
Cost-effective: While a cost is associated with hiring a company, it can be more cost-effective than renting a dumpster or hiring a truck and doing the work yourself, especially considering the time and effort saved.
Convenience: They typically offer flexible scheduling options, allowing you to choose the best time. They also handle all the logistics, including sorting, loading, and disposal, making the process hassle-free.
Space optimization: Clearing out unwanted items can help you declutter and maximize the available space in your home or office, creating a more organized and efficient environment.
Recycling and donation: Many companies prioritize recycling and donation, ensuring that good-quality items are given a second life through charitable organizations or recycling centers.
Peace of mind: Knowing that professionals are taking care of your needs can provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on other essential tasks or enjoy your free time without the stress of dealing with clutter.
Best Companies That Remove Junk
When you are looking for a junk removal service, these are the companies you will want to research in your area. Let’s dive into who the junk removalists are that you should consider.
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Regarding the best junk removal services, 1-800-Got-Junk must be at the top of any list.
One of the better-known junk removal companies and the world’s largest, 1-800-GOT-JUNK, offers its service in 44 states. Not only are they recommended because they provide their customers with more convenience for junk removal, but they also get positive reviews from most customers.
The company is, in fact, one of the most recognizable junk removal franchises in North America. The company does offer to pick up single items, but most of their pricing consists of how much space your junk will fill up a truck.
They Are Excellent at Dealing With Your Belongings
They will haul most types of junk, whether you have bulky items, large appliances, old furniture, hot tubs, exercise equipment, yard waste, construction debris, etc.
The company does have some restrictions. 1-800-Got-Junk will not take hazardous materials or anything that cannot be carried by two of their crew.
But they commit to recycling as much as possible with anything they take. This could mean donating items to charitable organizations, like Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Humanity Restore, or other local charities.
Your unwanted items will help fund the good causes performed by these organizations and will find a new owner for the things you no longer want.
They will try to recycle as much as possible with whatever is left. Plastic, metals, glass, tires, electronics, and more can be recycled instead of buried in landfills.
Their ads claim that you can point to junk, which will disappear. While the reality isn’t going to be quite as magical, it does highlight their commitment to making junk removal as easy as possible.
Many of these charities also do donation pickups, so you could call them before doing junk removal jobs.
Accurate Estimates Are a Cornerstone of Their Business
Got Junk does its best to provide an accurate estimate. You can expect to pay a minimum of $130 up to a maximum of around $600 for a full truckload. The pricing will be based on how much space is taken up in the truck.
Availability is Terrific
When it comes to getting rid of unwanted junk, you stand the best chance of finding a 1-800-GOT-JUNK near you. The company operates from more franchise locations than any other junk hauling service.
On top of having more locations in the United States, they also operate in Canada and Australia. You can reach them by phone or by visiting their website. Their phone number is 1-800-468-5865, or got junk, as their name indicates.
Remember that 1-800-GOT-JUNK will not take large items requiring heavy lifting that can’t be handled by two of their team members.
Many of my real estate clients have used Got-Junk and have been pleased with their service over the years. Most recently, with a sale in Southborough, Massachusetts.
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
College Hunks is our best pick for the all-around service for companies that pick up junk. The company is a well-known junk removal franchise.
Thanks to their range of additional services, they offer versatility and make an excellent choice for decluttering your home to be ready for a big move.
College Hunks offers no-obligation site estimates for all of your junk removal needs.
How much junk you have will dictate their pricing estimate. You might also choose to go with one of their additional services besides a junk removal project.
Services Offered
As well as junk pickup, they offer various other services you may not know about.
For instance, they can provide labor to help you pack for your move and stage your home to make it easier to sell.
They will go above and beyond other junk removal companies and even take on small demolition tasks to help with a home renovation.
If you need your yard cleared of leaves in the fall, they can also help.
College Hunks can help rearrange furniture or move it to another room or home. They will also wrap, load, transport, unload, and unwrap your belongings at their new location.
If you are bringing your possessions to a local storage unit nearby, they can also help you.
They will also clean up after your belongings have been moved in. They can accommodate all sizes of moves and handle office moves. So, if you have office equipment to get rid of, they will be an excellent choice.
College Hunks is an excellent option for combining other moving tasks with junk-hauling needs.
They will charge an hourly rate for these services, varying between locations. There will typically be a minimum number of hours, perhaps 2 or 3. Once that time has been used for your task, the charges will increase every 15 or 30 minutes.
However, the time it takes to drive to your location isn’t included in the hours they will charge. The clock will only begin once they are at your property.
Like other junk haulers, they will not take hazardous waste.
You can reach College Hunks Hauling Junk at their website or by calling them at 833-626-1326.
They Offer Recycling and Donating
If you want your junk to stay out of landfills, College Hunks will try to recycle more. They say they recycle or donate around 70% of all the trash they deal with.
For companies that remove junk, College Hunks is an excellent choice.
LoadUp
LoadUp claims to be re-imagining junk removal with honest and transparent pricing. They have been in business since 2014 and are headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
The company offers competitive pricing, making them a potentially great choice if you are on a limited budget or don’t want to spend too much.
LoadUp also has a good reputation for customer service and is available nationally.
Online Prices
While most of their competitors don’t have an online tool to give customers a quote, LoadUp does have such a service.
You can get a free quote for junk removal by visiting their site.
This will let you fill out your ZIP code and junk hauling requirement, giving you a price.
The tool updates the price as you add items to the list so that you can see the difference in the cost as you go.
Lower Prices?
They claim to give their customers 20% to 30% lower prices than other companies. A claim like this can be challenging to check, but their charges show that average prices start from $100 and go up to around $800.
Is it a fair price? It certainly seems to be.
How they price their service means that the initial item is more expensive, regardless of how large or small.
Additional items add far less to the costs. This is done so the company can cover their expenses to arrive at your home.
The first item might cost you around $100, with additional junk costing $20 to $40. The exception to this is for particularly large or complex things, where you could be charged around $200.
This shows that you can save when you need a junk pick-up if you have more items to get rid of. But can you expect 20% or better savings?
Their pricing model seems to help the average customer make good savings that probably reach between 20% and 30%.
The only downside with LoadUp is the lack of extra services they provide. However, they could be the best choice if you only need basic assistance. Their phone number is 844-239-7711, or you can book online at the LoadUp website.
If you are looking for the cheapest junk removal, LoadUp is an excellent place to start.
Waste Management
Laying claim to being America’s most prominent environmental solutions provider, Waste Management has been in business since 1968. They moved toward environmentally friendly practices in the 70s by addressing more complex and specialized waste problems.
Their business model is a bit different than the other junk-hauling businesses.
Bagster Bags Are Offered
Waste Management offers bags that you can fill up with your junk. This dumpster-in-a-bag service allows you to deal with many smaller trash removal tasks in your own time. These can be purchased for around $30 from retailers, including Amazon.
The Bagsters will hold 3,300 lbs or 606 gallons of junk and measure 8 ft x 4 ft x 2.5 ft.
Once you have your Bagster, you must fill it out and contact them to collect it. The cost to pick up this bag will vary depending on your location, but typical prices start from about $150, though it could be as much as $300.
Dumpster Rentals Can Be Provided
If you need more room for your junk than a Bagster will take, Waste Management also offers dumpsters. They offer six options from 10 to 40-yard dumpsters, and even the smallest will offer far more room than the Bagster, though the prices will scale accordingly, too. If you have a lot of junk to eliminate, a dumpster could make a lot of sense.
Besides home junk hauling services, it is not uncommon to see a Waste Management dumpster at construction sites.
Here is access to the Waste Management website. You can also reach them at 1 (866) 909-4458. If you request quotes, they will provide them.
Junk King
Operating through 100 franchises in 33 states, Junk King offers full-service and mini dumpsters to deal with your junk.
The company prides itself on being known as an Eco-Friendly junk removal company.
Michael Andreacchi, the CEO of Junk King Franchise Systems Inc., owns it.
Expect Full-Service
Junk King provides a junk hauling service for home clearouts and trash removal with up to 60% recycling.
They sort the items in their local facilities, donating items that are fit for charity organizations.
You can schedule a 2-hour window for them to arrive at your home, and they will call you 15 to 30 minutes beforehand. As a standard, they will take most things except hazardous items.
They will give you an idea of your costs using their online estimator. You can also call them or text a photo of items to remove or have an appointment with a representative.
The rep will give you the best idea of your costs, though if you book online, there is a $20 discount currently.
Utilize Mini Dumpsters
They can place a 324 cubic-foot dumpster on your driveway if you want to lift and carry it yourself. They have a minimum charge of $99 if you only have 3 or 4 items to dispose of.
If the dumpster is half-filled, it costs $178; if you fill it, it is $275.
Some extra charges include if you need the dumpster for more than three days.
They charge $30 per day beyond the three included. If you overfill the dumpster or if it weighs more than 2,000 lbs, there will be extra fees.
There can also be more fees for specific items you want to eliminate. However, this depends on the rules in your state, so make sure you are told about the costs of your situation.
They Beat The Competition
Junk King commits to beating quotes from other companies. They say they will beat the cost if you have a written quote from a company offering comparable services.
However, they reserve the right not to work for less than their costs.
The contact information for Junk King is as follows: Their phone number is 1-888-888-JUNK. Click here for the Junk King website.
Choosing The Best Company for Your Needs
College Hunks offers the best service, catering to many different needs that none of the others here do. If you live in an area they serve, they can make your move, decluttering, or clearing out much more straightforward. And they recycle more than the others as well.
Choosing LoadUp can offer you some savings on your removal needs. You can get a quote on their website, and they have a good reputation for customer service.
Operating from more locations, 1-800-GOT-JUNK will be your best bet if you live in an area not covered by College Hunks. They also recycle and donate a lot of the junk they deal with but have fewer extra services available when compared to the College Hunks.
The slightly different option on this list from Waste Management allows you to fill up a bag or dumpster in your own time. If you have a lot of junk, renting a dumpster could be a more cost-effective choice.
If you live near a Junk King franchise, they offer competitive prices and have good customer feedback.
Checking Reviews is Essential
When hiring a junk removal service, two critical things worth checking are negative reviews and complaints at the Better Business Bureau. While it is hard to avoid having any negative reviews, a business complaint being filed is worth checking into.
The vast majority of reviews for any junk removal company should be positive. It is wise to take the time to read customer reviews before making a decision. Look for mention of excellent customer service.
If you know of friends and family who have recently had junk hauled away, word of mouth can be an excellent resource, too.
Junk Removal Near Me
Would you like to collaborate with local pros who can do the job? Some people like hiring smaller local firms with trucks to clean out a house. Even smaller companies usually have a team to assist with your need for property cleanouts.
If you are working with a real estate agent to sell your home, they are bound to be able to offer up some excellent local junk removal businesses they have worked with in the past.
If not, you can easily do an online search to find them.
Head to Google and type in best junk removal near me, junk haulers near me, or companies that remove junk near me. You are bound to be given some options to choose from. Make sure you do some vetting before committing.
While the cost may be higher, working with one of the better junk removal firms we’ll preview may be a better option.
Some junk removal firms may not take all of your unwanted items. When making an appointment, you must satisfy your junk removal needs.
Interesting Statistics
1. Nearly 90% of households hire junk removal companies at least once a year.
2. The industry is worth over $10 billion globally.
3. Each company collects and disposes approximately 500 tons of junk annually.
4. More than 75% of junk these companies remove is recycled or repurposed.
5. The services experience an annual growth rate of around 15%.
6. Approximately 95% of customers report being satisfied with the efficiency and professionalism of their chosen junk hauling company.
7. Over 80% of businesses rely on junk removal services to maintain a clean and clutter-free environment.
8. These junk hauling businesses contribute to reducing carbon emissions by preventing an estimated 2 million metric tonnes of waste from reaching landfills each year.
9. In metropolitan areas like New York City, companies remove an average of 2,000 pounds of waste per square mile every month.
10. Studies show that employing a professional junk removal service can increase property value by up to 5%.
Junk Hauling FAQ
Let’s examine some popular questions when hiring a company that removes junk.
Should You Choose a Full-Service Company?
While doing everything yourself should save you some money over using a junk removal company, it might not be your best option.
Using a professional company to deal with your junk is more convenient and faster and removes your risks of injury.
When you try to move heavy junk or furniture you don’t want anymore; there is always the danger of hurting yourself or someone else.
How Far in Advance Should I Make Contact For an Appointment?
It is recommended to contact the company at least two weeks in advance. This timeframe allows the company to allocate the necessary resources and manpower to handle your junk removal needs efficiently.
Additionally, booking in advance allows you to secure a preferred time slot that aligns with your schedule.
However, it’s important to note that some companies may offer expedited services for urgent situations, so it’s always worth reaching out, even if you have a shorter notice period. From my experience as a Realtor, many companies in the industry I have worked with will provide quicker pickup service when needed.
When is Renting a Dumpster Better?
A dumpster could be better if you have a lot of junk or intend to do large amounts of demolition.
It will save you from having to pile rumble in your yard and could be cheaper, though it will require more work.
Is it Cheaper to Rent a Dumpster?
Generally, renting a dumpster will cost you less than using a full-service provider. When this isn’t the case, it will be because you don’t have many items you are trying to throw away.
The more junk you have, the more likely a dumpster will save you some money.
How Much Does it Cost on Average?
Full-service junk removal costs anywhere from $100-$800 per load. The national average for rates is around $235 per load. Sometimes, you will find special offers reducing the price.
Dumpster rentals range in price from around $300-$525 per week. The national average is a little over $400 per week.
Will The Companies Take Everything?
Hazardous materials won’t be taken, but most household items will be accepted. Individual companies might have slightly different rules over what they will take, but most won’t take things like paint, corrosive materials, oil barrels, and vehicle batteries.
If you have any garbage you are unsure about, check with the company before scheduling a junk pick-up.
What Additional Services Do Some Companies Provide?
Junk removalists have expanded their services to cater to the diverse needs of their customers. In addition to removing unwanted items, these companies now offer a range of additional services to provide comprehensive solutions.
Some of the most common additional services include professional organizing, where experts help declutter and organize spaces for maximum efficiency; hoarding cleanup, which involves compassionate and discreet assistance in clearing out hoarded items; estate cleanouts, where professionals handle the removal of belongings after a loved one has passed away; and construction debris removal, which helps builders and contractors efficiently dispose of waste materials from construction sites.
In addition, some companies now offer recycling and donation services, ensuring that items in good condition are repurposed or given to those in need. They will bring items right to donation centers in some communities.
How Do I Know if The Company is Licensed and Insured?
You can take a few key steps to determine if it is licensed and insured. Check if the company is registered with the local government or any relevant regulatory bodies in your area.
This registration ensures they have met specific criteria and obtained the necessary legal licenses. Additionally, you can request proof of insurance from the company.
Reputable businesses typically carry liability insurance to protect their clients in case of any damages or accidents during removal. Verifying these credentials ensures that you work with a reliable professional service.
Other Useful Moving Resources
- Things to know when shipping a car – will you be relocating across the country? Do you plan to drive your car there? If not, you may want to use one of the best car shipping companies. See who they are and some of the best car shipping tips.
- Best portable storage containers – do you know who the best PODS moving and storage container companies are? Look at the review for who you should consider for your mobile storage needs.
- Rent a truck at Home Depot – are you considering a DIY move? If so, one of the companies you may want to consider renting from is Home Depot. Review all the considerations to consider when renting a truck from Home Depot.
- How much will PODS cost – planning the expenses involved with moving is essential. Nobody wants to find out there are unexpected costs. If you plan on using portable storage, you’ll probably want to get a handle on the price. See how much it will cost to rent from PODS.
Final Thoughts
Hiring one of the companies mentioned for a junk removal job will likely result in a positive experience. Make sure you spend additional time doing due diligence when hiring a smaller local company.
It is easy to end up unhappy when you make the wrong choice.
Hopefully, you have found the information provided useful when clearing out junk items in and around your home. Best of luck!
About the Author: Bill Gassett, a nationally recognized leader in his field, provided the above real estate information on the best companies that remove junk. He is an expert in mortgages, financing, moving, home improvement, and general real estate.
Learn more about Bill Gassett and the publications he has been featured in. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-625-0191. Bill has helped people move in and out of Metrowest towns for the last 38+ years.
Are you thinking of selling your home? I am passionate about real estate and love sharing my marketing expertise!
I service Real Estate Sales in the following Metrowest MA towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Douglas, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Wayland, Westborough, Whitinsville, Worcester, Upton, and Uxbridge MA.
