How Much Does Junk Removal Cost? What Affects the Price?

One of the first questions people ask when they’re thinking about hiring a junk removal company is simple: How much does it cost?

The short answer is—it depends. But the good news is, once you understand how junk removal is priced, it’s usually pretty straightforward.

How Much Does Junk Removal Cost?

Most junk removal companies use one of a few different pricing methods.

Almost all companies charge a minimum pickup fee, which typically ranges from $75 to $175, depending on where you live.

Some companies charge by the item, while others charge by the truckload. Item-by-item pricing can get confusing fast—especially when you’re dealing with mixed loads of furniture, appliances, and debris.

At Same Day Haulers, we keep it simple.

We price jobs based on the type of items being removed and how much space they take up in our truck. This allows us to give clear, flat-rate pricing up front, before any work begins.

In many cases, we can provide a quote based on a few photos or a detailed description.

For reference, the average junk removal pickup in Massachusetts typically costs between $375 and $575, depending on the size and contents of the load.

How We Charge for Junk Removal

We use truckload pricing.

Our rates range from:

• 1/8 of a truckload starting at $225

• Up to a full truckload at $875

  
  

We use a 15-foot box truck, which is about the size of a medium U-Haul moving truck. This gives us plenty of space to handle both large items and mixed loads efficiently.

Why We Don’t Use a Dump Truck

People sometimes ask why we use box trucks instead of dump trucks.

There are two main reasons.

First, most residential junk removal jobs include a mix of bulky items and materials that need special handling—like mattresses, box springs, and appliances. A box truck makes it easier to separate items properly for disposal and recycling.

Second, a box truck typically holds more usable volume than most dump trucks. That means our truckload pricing is often more competitive.

Not all “truckload pricing” is the same from one company to the next, and truck size matters.

What Affects the Price of Junk Removal?

Beyond volume, a few other factors can affect the final cost.

Certain Items May Have Additional Fees

Some items fall under state-mandated disposal rules and may carry additional fees.

These commonly include:

• Mattresses and box springs

• Appliances (often called “white goods”)

• Certain household chemicals

• Wet paint cans

  
  

We always point these out during the quoting process, but it’s a good idea to ask any junk removal company about extra fees when comparing quotes.

Accessibility (Stairs, Distance, Disassembly)

Some items take longer to remove due to:

• Multiple flights of stairs

• Long carry distances

• Items that need to be taken apart

  
  

Most junk removal companies charge extra when a job requires significantly more labor.

At Same Day Haulers, labor is already included in our truckload pricing. A full truckload includes up to two hours of labor for a two-person crew.

If a job is expected to take longer, we explain that during the quote. Additional labor is billed at $125 per hour for two crew members, only when needed and always discussed in advance.

Weight and Type of Materials

Heavy debris can also affect pricing.

Construction materials like tile, concrete, sheetrock, glass, and lumber add up quickly by weight. Most full truckload prices include weight up to a certain limit. Anything beyond that may result in an additional disposal charge based on tonnage.

Same-Day or Emergency Service

Some companies charge extra for same-day or emergency junk removal.

At Same Day Haulers, we do our best to fit jobs in as quickly as possible.

Many jobs can be completed same-day or next-day, depending on:

• Job size

• Time of request

• Schedule availability

• Weather conditions

Why Estimates Are Usually Confirmed On-Site

Even if you receive an estimate by phone, text, or online, a good junk removal company should always confirm pricing in person before starting work.

Photos can be misleading. Items may be larger, heavier, or buried in a pile. Sometimes additional items—like TVs or paint cans—aren’t visible at first.

We always confirm the price before any work begins. If it’s more than expected, we tell you up front. If it’s less, we adjust the price accordingly.

Our crews are not incentivized to upsell or inflate prices. We believe in transparency, which is why we publish our pricing online—so customers know what to expect.

If you’re unsure how much space your items will take up or whether certain items have extra fees, we’re always happy to take a look and explain your options. Our goal is to make junk removal simple and stress-free.