A hauling company removes bulky items, furniture, appliances, and general junk you can't put in your regular trash. Prices range from $79 for curbside pickup through Dropcurb to $150-350+ for full-service companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Local independent haulers often charge 30-50% less than national chains.
| Hauling Company Type | Cost | Speed | Online Pricing? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dropcurb (curbside) | $79 | Same day | Yes — instant | 1-5 items at the curb |
| Local independent hauler | $100-300 | Same day or next day | Sometimes | Flexible jobs, negotiable pricing |
| LoadUp (marketplace) | $130-250+ | Same day (before noon) | Yes — per item | Items inside home, multiple pieces |
| 1-800-GOT-JUNK | $150-350+ | 1-3 days | No — on-site estimate | Large loads, brand trust |
| College Hunks | $150-400+ | 1-3 days | No — on-site estimate | Junk + moving combo |
| Junk King | $130-350+ | 1-3 days | No — on-site estimate | Eco-focused disposal |
| Dumpster rental | $300-800 | 3-7 day rental | Yes — flat rate | Renovations, massive cleanouts |
How Much Do Haulers Charge?
Hauling companies price jobs one of three ways: per item, by truck volume, or flat rate. Knowing the pricing model helps you avoid surprises.
Per-item pricing: Companies like LoadUp and Dropcurb charge by the piece. Dropcurb starts at $79 for one curbside item with additional items at $19-39 each. LoadUp charges $80-200 per item plus a $50-80 service area fee per order.
Volume pricing (truckload fractions): 1-800-GOT-JUNK, College Hunks, and Junk King price by how much space your items take in their truck. An eighth of a truck (1-2 items) costs $130-180. A quarter truck (3-5 items) runs $200-350. A half truck costs $350-500. A full truck runs $550-1,000.
Flat rate or hourly: Some local independent haulers charge $50-100 per hour plus dump fees, or quote a flat rate after seeing photos. Reddit users report local haulers charging $150-350 for jobs that national chains quoted at $400-600+.
The biggest cost variable is whether items need to be carried from inside your home. Curbside pickup (items already outside) costs significantly less because it takes one person and 10 minutes instead of two people and an hour.
What Is the Average Price for Junk Removal?
The national average for a single junk removal job is $150-350 according to HomeGuide and Angi data. Here's how that breaks down by load size:
- •Single item (couch, mattress, appliance): $60-150 with full-service companies, $79 with Dropcurb curbside
- •Small load (2-4 items): $130-250
- •Medium load (quarter truck): $200-350
- •Large load (half truck): $350-500
- •Full truck (estate cleanout): $550-1,000
- •Dumpster rental (DIY loading): $300-800 for 3-7 days
The cheapest professional option for 1-5 items is curbside pickup. Dropcurb charges $79 for the first item — about half what full-service haulers charge for their minimum load. The tradeoff: you move items to the curb yourself.
Local Hauling Company vs National Chain: Which Is Better?
Local independent haulers and national franchises both have strengths. Your best choice depends on what matters most to you.
Local haulers win on price. Independent operators typically charge 30-50% less than national brands. They have no franchise fees (national chains pay 16-21% of revenue in royalties and marketing fees), no branded truck requirements, and lower overhead. That savings gets passed to you.
National chains win on consistency. 1-800-GOT-JUNK has uniformed crews, branded trucks, and 687,000+ verified reviews averaging 4.96 stars. You know what you're getting. Local haulers vary widely — some are excellent, others show up late in an unmarked van.
Marketplace apps split the difference. Dropcurb and LoadUp connect you with vetted local haulers through an app with upfront pricing and reviews. You get local hauler pricing with the accountability of a platform.
The real question is: where are your items? If they're already at the curb or driveway, a curbside service like Dropcurb at $79 beats every full-service option. If items are in a second-floor bedroom, you need a full-service crew — and the price jump to $150-350+ reflects the labor involved.
Items at the curb? Dropcurb connects you with a local hauler for $79 — same-day, instant pricing, no phone calls.
Get Instant PricingWhat to Look for in a Hauling Company
Not all hauling companies are equal. Check these before booking:
- •Upfront pricing — Companies that won't show prices until they arrive at your home often charge more. Look for online pricing or at minimum a phone quote before scheduling.
- •Insurance and licensing — Any legitimate hauling company carries general liability insurance ($1M+ coverage). Ask for proof before letting anyone haul from your property.
- •Reviews on multiple platforms — Check Google, Yelp, and the BBB. A company with great Google reviews but 1-star Yelp ratings may be filtering feedback.
- •Disposal transparency — Ask where your items end up. Good haulers donate usable items and recycle what they can. Some cheap operators dump illegally, which can result in fines traced back to you.
- •Hidden fees — Watch for dispatch fees ($99 at College Hunks), fuel surcharges, minimum load charges, and stairs/distance fees. Get the total price in writing before the crew starts loading.
- •Cancellation policy — LoadUp charges a 20% cancellation fee (50% within 24 hours). Most local haulers are more flexible. Dropcurb allows free cancellation up to 2 hours before pickup.
| Feature | Local Hauler | National Chain | Dropcurb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average cost (single item) | $80-200 | $130-180 | $79 |
| Online booking | Sometimes | Phone or website form | Yes — 60 seconds |
| Upfront pricing | Varies | No — on-site estimate | Yes — instant |
| Same-day service | Often | Rarely | Yes |
| Insurance | Ask for proof | Standard | All haulers insured |
| Eco-friendly disposal | Varies | Most donate/recycle | Donate + recycle priority |
| Hidden fees | Usually none | Dispatch, fuel, stairs | None |
What Does a Hauling Company Take?
Most hauling companies accept the same general categories of items:
- •Furniture — couches, sofas, loveseats, recliners, dining tables, chairs, dressers, desks, bookshelves, bed frames, entertainment centers
- •Appliances — refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, window AC units, dehumidifiers
- •Mattresses and box springs — all sizes, any condition
- •Electronics — TVs, monitors, computers, printers, gaming consoles
- •Exercise equipment — treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, weight benches
- •General junk — boxes, bags, small household items, toys, clothing bags, yard waste bags
Most hauling companies will NOT take hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, asbestos), medical waste, or extremely heavy items like concrete slabs and hot tubs. If you have a large amount of construction debris, a dumpster rental is usually the better option.
How to Book a Hauling Company
- 1
List your items
Count what needs to go and note sizes. Take photos if requesting quotes from local haulers — it speeds up the process and prevents price surprises on arrival.
- 2
Move items to the curb if you can
Curbside pickup costs $79 through Dropcurb vs $150-350+ for full-service. If you can get items to the curb or driveway — even with a neighbor's help — you'll save 50% or more.
- 3
Compare options
Get quotes from at least two haulers. Check if prices include disposal fees, fuel charges, and labor. National chains require on-site estimates; apps like Dropcurb show exact prices instantly.
- 4
Book and confirm
Dropcurb lets you book same-day pickup in under 60 seconds with instant pricing. For full-service companies, schedule the on-site estimate first, then confirm after reviewing the quote.
- 5
Prepare for pickup
Place curbside items at the curb or sidewalk edge before your window. For full-service, clear a path to the items. Remove personal belongings from furniture drawers and check cushions.
Find a hauling company that shows its prices. Dropcurb: $79 curbside pickup, same-day, no estimates needed.
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