Junk removal has a pricing model customers understand right away: you pay for how much of the truck your stuff fills. Get your load sizes and dump costs right, and every job is easy to quote and easy to profit from.
Price by volume
Most junk haulers price by the share of the truck or trailer a job fills. A typical setup looks something like this for a standard dump trailer or box truck:
- Minimum (single item or a few bags): about $75 to $150
- Quarter load: about $150 to $300
- Half load: about $250 to $450
- Full load: about $450 to $800
These are rough US ranges. Your numbers depend heavily on your truck size and your local dump fees, so build your price list from your own costs first.
Work out your cost per load
- Dump or transfer station fees: often charged by weight or by the cubic yard
- Fuel: to the job and to the dump
- Labor: you plus any helper, including drive time
- Vehicle costs: payments, insurance, tires and maintenance
Call your local transfer station and ask for their rates before you set prices. Dump fees are the cost new haulers most often underestimate.
Surcharges for special items
- Mattresses and box springs: many dumps charge extra per piece
- Tires: usually a per-tire fee
- Appliances with refrigerant: fridges and AC units may need to be handled by a certified recycler
- Heavy materials: concrete, dirt, roofing shingles and brick are priced by weight, not volume
- Stairs and long carries: extra labor for third-floor walk-ups
Most haulers do not take hazardous waste like paint, chemicals or asbestos. Say so clearly on your website.
Lower your costs by donating and recycling
Furniture, working appliances and metal do not need to go to the dump. Dropping usable items at donation centers and scrap metal at a recycler cuts your dump fees and sometimes pays you a little. Customers also like hearing that their stuff was donated, which is worth a line in your marketing.
Quote from photos
Ask customers to upload a few photos with their request. You can give a price range right away and confirm the final price on site before you load anything. Quoting the range up front and confirming in person keeps customers comfortable and protects you from hidden piles in the garage.
Want photo quotes and same-day booking on your website?
Our junk removal starter kit includes photo-based quote requests, load-size pricing, same-day booking, and a dump fee and donation drop-off checklist. It gets built once 25 people vote for it, and voters get 20% off at launch. Vote for the junk removal kit, or read how to start a junk removal business.
Prices here are rough US ranges to help you plan. They vary a lot by area and truck size, so check your local dump fees and competitors before you set yours.
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