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5 Best Junk Removal Services Of 2022
By Jamela Adam MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
As any homeowner knows, having your house filled with clutter can be incredibly frustrating. The more stuff you have, the harder it is to keep your space clean and tidy. So what do you do when you’ve reached your breaking point but don’t have the time or energy to tackle all that junk? Fortunately, there’s a solution: hiring a junk removal service.
Junk removal services specialize in clearing unwanted items from your home and saving you the hassle of doing it yourself. But with so many companies to choose from, it can be tough to decide. To help narrow down your options, we’ve done the legwork for you and compiled a list of the best junk removal companies in the business.
Our top picks for best junk removal services
- Best Customer Experience: Junk King
- Best For Single Items: LoadUp
- Best For Big Loads: 1-800-Got-Junk?
- Best For Moving Help: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
- Best Bang For Your Buck: Junkluggers
Best junk removal services reviews
Best Customer Experience: Junk King
We chose Junk King as the junk removal service that provides the best customer experience for a few reasons. First, it has won the Angie’s List Super Service Award — which is only given to businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to providing outstanding customer service. Junk King has also received a lot of positive reviews on third-party review sites like Yelp and verified-reviews.com. Most customers commented on the professionalism and friendliness of the team.
Another factor that sets Junk King apart from its competition is how reachable they are. You can receive a quote online, through the phone, in person, or even by texting them a photo of the junk. The company also offers a free e-book on its website that teaches you how to remove and recycle the clutter in your home. This free resource is just another way that Junk King goes above and beyond for its customers.
- Text message and online estimates
- Free resources on the website
- Great customer reviews
- Eco-friendly practices
- Available in limited locations
- The unclear pricing structure for single items
Best for Single Items: LoadUp
We chose LoadUp for this category because its pricing structure makes the most sense for smaller loads among the other companies on the list. Unlike its competitors — who often charge customers based on volume — LoadUp charges a flat fee for each item. So if you want to haul away a large object that takes up a lot of space, such as your mattress, LoadUp offers a more affordable solution.
LoadUp also allows you to get instant quotes online through their booking system. Once you input your personal information, such as your email address and phone number, LoadUp guides you to a page where you can select the specific items you want to remove. After that, you should see the guaranteed price appear under your order summary. The company offers you a $5 discount if you place your item on the curb for the team to pick up — instead of having them pick it up from inside your home.
Apart from a pricing structure that saves you money on smaller loads, LoadUp also plants one tree on your behalf after each junk removal. So not only are you decluttering your home, but you’re also doing your part to help the environment.
- Discounts for curbside pickups
- Instant online quotes for single item removals
- Partners with nonprofit organizations to restore the environment
- Easy-to-use online booking system
- Vague pricing structure for large loads
- Limited additional services
Best for Convenience: 1-800-Got-Junk?
Instead of scheduling weeks in advance for a pickup, 1-800-GOT-JUNK gives you the option of same-day junk removal. For customers who are in a bind and need something gone ASAP, 1-800-GOT JUNK can be a lifesaver. And if you have any questions about the junk removal process, their 24/7 customer service line is there to help. Plus, the company is available in 150+ locations across the United States, Australia, and Canada. So if convenience is your number one priority when finding a junk removal service, 1-800-GOT-JUNK should be at the top of your list.
The company bases its pricing on how much truck space your junk takes up. Before they can give you an accurate price estimate, they must first come to your home to see how much stuff you have. Keep in mind that the quote you receive can vary depending on which city you live in. But regardless of location, the price covers all aspects of their full-service junk removal, including clean-up and disposal fees.
- Same-day service
- 24/7 customer service
- Located in most states in the U.S.
- Unclear disposal and recycling process
- Smaller truck size compared to competitors
Best Moving Help: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
Moving is never fun. There’s the packing, the lifting, the decluttering, and, of course, the stress. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your moving needs, we recommend checking out College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving. Unlike many of its competitors who only provide moving services in select locations, The College Hunks can help you with local and long-distance moves across most states in the United States.
Apart from helping you relocate to a new city, as most moving companies do, the College Hunks also helps you dispose of unwanted items before making the big move. Plus, they’ll even clean up your home afterward. Talk about stress-free!
To estimate your total moving expense and junk removal cost, enter details about your relocation on their website. After providing information about where you’ll be moving to and from, you’ll receive a call from their representatives. They’ll ask you a few questions to better understand your needs and then provide you with a personalized quote.
- More than 200 locations nationwide
- Donates two meals to children for every service they complete
- Helps with both local and long-distance moving
- Offers a complimentary cleanup service after junk hauling
- You have to talk to a representative to get a quote
- Prices can vary depending on your location
Best Bang For Your Buck: Junkluggers
When it comes to junk removal, you want a company that will give you the best bang for your buck — and we believe Junkluggers does just that. Instead of using the traditional 15-cubic yard dumps trucks that many of its competitors have, Junklugger’s custom-built trucks are 16 cubic yards — equivalent to the size of a studio apartment. In other words, they can take on more junk in fewer trips, saving you time and money.
Also, apart from providing basic junk removal services like yard waste disposal, the company offers unique services such as senior downsizing and hoarding cleanouts. These projects require the help of patient and compassionate professionals, and Junkluggers has a team of trained specialists who can handle these more complicated situations. We also like Junkluggers for its commitment to supporting local communities and reducing waste. The company has numerous charity partners and vows to keep reusable items out of landfills by 2025.
- Genuine commitment to sustainability
- Partners with various local charities
- Offers a wide range of unique services
- Has larger trucks than competitors
- Only available in 33 states
- No online quotes
Other companies we considered
Below is a list of companies that didn’t make our top picks. That’s not to say they’re not good companies — we just didn’t think they were the best of the best.
- Great customer service
- Available in most states
- Offers affordable pricing
- Only provides on-site estimates
- No information on sustainability initiatives
- Clear pricing structure
- Instant online quotes
- Provides dumpster size guides on the website
- Customers complaints about the company's unreliableness
- Customer complaints about delayed pickups
- Provides same-day service
- Offers 100% satisfaction guarantee
- $10 discount if you book online
- Available in limited locations
- Not as reputable as other companies
Junk removal services guide
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about hiring a junk removal company and what to expect throughout the process.
What types of junk removal services exist?
There are two main types of junk removal services: Truck hauling and dumpster rental.
Truck hauling is where a team of professional junk haulers comes to your home, loads your junk into a truck, and hauls it away. The benefit of this service is that you don’t have to lift a finger. And if you have lots of heavy or bulky items, it’s safer and easier to let the pros handle them.
Unlike truck hauling, dumpster rental takes a DIY approach. With this option, you rent a dumpster from the company and then fill it up with your unwanted stuff. Once you finish loading the dumpster, the company comes and takes it away. Dumpster rental is usually less expensive than truck hauling since you’re loading the items yourself. And because it gives you more flexibility in how and when you want to dispose of your trash, it’s a great option for those who want more control over the disposal process.
How does a junk removal company work?
Junk removal companies specialize in helping you get rid of your unwanted stuff. Since they do most of the heavy lifting for you, you don’t have to worry about the logistics. Plus, working with them is pretty straightforward. You simply let them know what items you want to remove. They’ll give you a quote, and if you’re happy with the price, they’ll come to your house and help haul away your stuff. Some companies can provide a ballpark estimate of how much the junk removal will cost either online or over the phone. But some may need to send professionals to your home to assess your situation before providing an accurate quote.
How much does junk removal service cost?
According to HomeAdvisor data, junk removal service cost typically ranges from $132 to $362, with a national average of $234. However, this cost can vary quite a bit depending on how much stuff you have. A truckload full of junk can run anywhere from $400 to $800. But if you only want to remove a single item, the cost can be as low as $60. Keep in mind that the type of item in question can also affect how much you pay. For electronic wastes like TVs and computers, you’ll generally pay around $10 to $100. But for bulkier items that are more difficult to remove — such as bathtubs and pianos — expect to shell out anywhere from $200 to $600.
If you’d rather rent a dumpster and eliminate the waste yourself, you could do so at an average daily rate of $45 to $85.
What are the main benefits of junk removal services?
Junk removal services — especially truck hauling — can save you a lot of time and energy. Instead of having to haul all your junk to the dumpster yourself, you can schedule a pick-up and let the professional movers handle it. And since most junk hauling services are environmentally conscious and will accurately dispose of recyclables, you can do your part to reduce your carbon footprint. Having a professional dispose of your waste is much safer than doing it yourself. Not only do they have more training and experience, but they also have access to proper equipment that can prevent heavy lifting injuries.
Junk removal services FAQ
What is the most reliable junk removal company?
Since everyone has different standards for what they consider reliable, do your research before hiring a junk hauling company to clear out your home. A good place to start is by reading online reviews and seeing what other customers' experiences are. Once you've narrowed down your options, give each junk removal company a call and ask them questions about their services. Ultimately, the most reliable junk removal company is the one that best meets your needs and expectations.
What do junk removal companies do with the junk?
Today, most junk removal companies (like the companies on our list) strive to dispose of your junk in the most eco-friendly way possible. Before taking items to the landfill, these junk removal professionals will find a way to recycle, repurpose, or donate them to charities.
Of course, there will always be unethical waste removal companies that value efficiency and convenience more than protecting the environment. So research each company's junk disposal process before hiring them.
What items that junk removal companies don't accept?
Junk removal companies will take many items off your hands, including mattresses, couches, electronics, tires, old furniture, etc. But there are certain items they simply won't take because they're too dangerous to transport or could cause environmental hazards. Here are some examples:
- Radioactive and hazardous materials
- Home maintenance products such as paint, kerosene, and paint thinner
- Ammunition and explosives
- Mercury-containing devices like thermostats
- Highly flammable liquids like gasoline
- Medical waste and infectious materials
Before scheduling a pickup, check with the junk removal company to see whether they'd accept your items.
How to find the best junk removal service?
To find the best junk removal service for you, first, take a look at how much junk needs to be hauled away. If you have a lot of stuff, look for a company that has experience dealing with large volumes, like 1-800-Got-Junk. But if you only have a few items, it might make more financial sense to hire a company like LoadUp that offers affordable single-item pickups.
Next, consider your budget. Junk removal services can vary quite a bit in terms of price, so it's helpful to know how much you're willing to spend before shopping around. And don't forget to read their reviews! A reputable company with great customer service can save you a lot of headaches and hassle down the road.
How we found the best junk removal services
We looked at four main factors to compile our list of the best junk removal services. First, the company needs to have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau, so we know they’re reputable and trustworthy. Second, they need excellent customer reviews to show they can provide satisfactory services. Third, they need to offer a wide variety of services so that customers can find what they’re looking for. And lastly, the pricing needs to be affordable since we don’t want you to spend a fortune decluttering your space.
