Garbage Haul Away Services: Every Option Compared [2026 Prices]

Most homeowners pay between $150 and $350 for professional garbage hauling according to HomeAdvisor's 2026 data. The total depends on how much stuff you have and which service you use.

Junk removal companies typically charge by volume — how much space your garbage takes up in their truck. A single bulky item runs $60 to $150 through services like Angi. A half-truck load costs $200 to $400. A full truck load runs $400 to $800.

Dropcurb takes a different approach: per-item curbside pricing starting at $79. You put your garbage at the curb, we pick it up. No truck-fraction guessing games, no on-site estimates, no surprises. You see the exact price before you book.

Not all haul away services work the same way. Here's how the main options differ.

• •Curbside junk removal (Dropcurb): You place items at the curb. A hauler picks them up. Cheapest professional option at $79+ because there's no in-home labor. Instant online pricing, same-day service.
• •Full-service junk removal (1-800-GOT-JUNK, College Hunks, Junk King): Crew enters your home, carries items out, loads their truck. More expensive ($150 to $750) because you're paying for 2-person crew labor, a branded truck, and in-home access. 1-800-GOT-JUNK and College Hunks don't show prices online — you must schedule an on-site estimate first.
• •Marketplace haulers (LoadUp): Independent contractors pick up from inside your home. Per-item online pricing ($100 to $500). Cheaper than franchises but contractor quality varies — BBB shows 122 complaints about no-shows and on-site price changes.
• •Dumpster rental: A container is dropped in your driveway for 3 to 10 days. You load it yourself. Costs $300 to $600 for a 10-yard dumpster. Best for large cleanout projects, but requires a flat driveway with 60+ feet of straight-line access.
• •City bulk pickup: Free or low-cost municipal service. The catch: scheduling takes 1 to 8 weeks, there are strict item limits, and many cities exclude construction debris, appliances, and electronics.

From cheapest to most expensive, here are your options ranked.

• •Free: List items on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. One Reddit user on r/Frugal noted that posting bulky items as "free, you haul" on the curb attracts scrappers and bargain hunters fast. Works for furniture, appliances, and anything with residual value.
• •Free to $50: City bulk pickup. If your municipality offers it and you can wait weeks for scheduling. Check your city's public works website for pickup days and item limits.
• •$50 to $100/ton: Self-haul to the dump. Landfill fees average $50 to $100 per ton according to Angi. You need a truck or trailer and the physical ability to load and unload.
• •$79+: Dropcurb curbside pickup. The cheapest professional service. No truck needed, no loading, no dump trips. Put items at the curb, book online, done same-day.
• •$150 to $600+: Full-service junk removal. Pay more for the convenience of someone entering your home and doing all the work. Worth it for heavy items, basement cleanouts, or when you physically can't move things yourself.

The right choice depends on your project size and timeline.

• •Use a haul away service when: You have a few specific items (furniture, appliances, yard waste), need same-day removal, don't have driveway space for a dumpster, or can't physically load items yourself.
• •Use a dumpster when: You're doing a multi-day cleanout or renovation, have a large volume of debris (more than a truckload), and have a flat driveway with adequate access. Dumpster rentals make sense when you're generating waste over several days.

For most homeowners dealing with a few bulky items or a garage cleanout, a haul away service is faster and cheaper than renting a dumpster. You don't pay for unused days, and you don't have to load 800 pounds of junk into a container yourself.