Cleaning out a garage feels great until you’re staring at a pile of rusted patio furniture and three old CRT televisions, wondering how on earth you're going to get rid of them. You’ve probably seen the signs on telephone poles or the shiny trucks driving through the neighborhood. But honestly, trying to pin down the actual cost of junk removal before a crew shows up at your door can feel like a guessing game.
Most people assume there’s a flat rate. There isn't.
If you call three different companies, you’ll likely get three wildly different quotes. One guy with a pickup truck might offer to do it for "a hundred bucks," while a national franchise might quote you $350 for the exact same pile. Why the gap? It usually comes down to insurance, disposal fees, and how much they actually care about not dumping your old mattress in a ditch.
Breaking Down the National Averages
In 2026, the national average for a standard junk removal job sits right around $242.
But averages are tricky. Most homeowners end up spending somewhere between $135 and $380 for a typical visit. If you just have one bulky item—say, an old sectional that’s seen better days—you’re looking at a minimum trip fee. Most companies won't even start their engines for less than $75 to $150.
It’s about the "stop." Even if you only have one small chair, the company still has to pay for the truck's gas, the two workers' time, and the insurance to make sure they don't put a hole in your drywall while carrying it out.
The Volume Game
Most professional haulers use a volume-based pricing model. Basically, they look at their truck—which usually has a capacity of about 14 to 18 cubic yards—and estimate how much of it your stuff will fill.
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- 1/8 Truckload: Often the "minimum load," this costs about $100 to $150. Think of a small dresser and a few boxes.
- 1/4 Truckload: This jumps to roughly $150 to $250. This is your standard "clean out the closet" size.
- 1/2 Truckload: Expect to pay $300 to $500. This usually covers a small garage or a large room’s worth of furniture.
- Full Truckload: If you’re clearing out an entire estate or a major renovation mess, a full truck will run you $600 to $850.
Wait. Weight matters too.
If you’re tossing "light" junk like old clothes and cardboard, volume is the only metric. But if you have "heavy" junk—concrete, dirt, bricks, or roofing shingles—the price logic flips. Trucks have weight limits. A truck filled halfway with concrete is much harder on the vehicle and more expensive at the dump than a truck filled to the brim with old pillows. For heavy debris, expect to pay by the ton, often adding a $100 to $150 surcharge per load.
Why the Price Fluctuates So Much
Location is the biggest invisible factor.
If you live in New York City or San Francisco, you're going to pay a "metropolitan tax." Higher gas prices, expensive dump permits, and the nightmare of parking a 20-foot truck on a narrow street all get baked into your quote. Someone in Austin or St. Louis might pay $100 less for the exact same volume of junk simply because the cost of doing business there is lower.
The "Difficulty" Surcharge
I’ve seen people get frustrated when the on-site quote is higher than the phone estimate. Usually, it's because of the "stairs factor." If a crew has to carry a heavy refrigerator down three flights of narrow apartment stairs, they are going to charge for that extra labor. It’s physically taxing and increases the risk of injury. Expect an extra $50 to $100 if your junk isn't easily accessible on the ground floor or curbside.
Specific Item Pricing
Sometimes you don't have a "pile," you just have a few specific headaches. Here is what you can generally expect to pay per item in 2026:
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- Mattresses: Most companies charge $75 to $150. Why so much? Mattresses are a pain to recycle. Many landfills won't take them whole because they don't compress and they "float" to the top of the trash pile. They have to be cut apart by hand.
- Refrigerators/AC Units: These usually cost $60 to $150. They contain refrigerants (like Freon) that are hazardous to the environment. Federal law requires these to be captured safely, and that disposal cost is passed on to you.
- Tires: Expect a small surcharge of $10 to $20 per tire.
- Televisions (E-Waste): Old "tube" TVs are increasingly expensive to ditch. You're looking at $20 to $75 depending on the size because of the lead and mercury inside.
Comparing Junk Removal to Dumpster Rentals
A lot of people think renting a dumpster is the "cheap" way out.
Sometimes it is. Sometimes it’s a total waste of money.
A 10-yard dumpster rental usually starts around $300 to $400 for a week. If you have a massive project where you’re working slowly—like a kitchen gut—the dumpster is better. You can toss things in as you go.
But if you have a finished pile ready to go, full-service junk removal is often cheaper. You don't have to worry about a permit to park the dumpster on the street (which can cost $50+), and you don't have to break your back loading it. Plus, neighbors love throwing their own trash into "your" dumpster overnight. If they fill it with heavy tires or paint cans, you're the one stuck with the extra fees.
How to Get the Best Deal
Don't just click the first ad you see.
First, try to move as much as you can to the driveway or curb. If the crew can "back up and load" without walking into your house, they are much more likely to give you a lower quote. They want to be in and out in 15 minutes.
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Second, ask about "eco-friendly" practices. Companies that have partnerships with local charities or recycling centers often pay lower fees at the landfill. Sometimes they’ll even give you a break on the price if they know they can resell your old dresser at a local furniture bank.
Third, get a "firm" quote on-site. Phone estimates are just guesses. A reputable company should look at the pile and give you a price that includes labor, transport, and disposal fees before they touch a single item. If they won't give you a clear number, send them away.
Moving Forward with Your Cleanout
Before you book anyone, take ten minutes to sort your pile. Charities like Habitat for Humanity or the Salvation Army might take your "good" stuff for free, which shrinks the pile you have to pay a professional to haul.
Once you’ve whittled it down to the true trash, call two local companies and one national franchise for quotes. Make sure to mention if you have hazardous materials like old paint or car batteries, as those require special handling that can't be "sprung" on a crew at the last minute.
By handling the small stuff yourself and having everything staged for easy access, you can usually keep your cost of junk removal toward the lower end of the national average. Focus on volume and accessibility to avoid those annoying "hidden" fees that catch most people off guard.