Buyer guides

Junk Pickup: Compare 8 Services and Prices [2026]

Junk pickup costs $79-$800+ depending on volume and service. Compare Dropcurb ($79 same-day), LoadUp ($89+), 1-800-GOT-JUNK ($150+), city bulk pickup (free).

By Dropcurb Team12 min read

Junk pickup costs $79 to $800+ depending on how much you have and which service you choose. The national average for a single junk pickup job is $241 according to Angi. Dropcurb offers same-day curbside pickup starting at $79 per item. Full-service companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK start at $150 and handle everything from loading to disposal.

ServiceCostSpeedHow It WorksBest For
City bulk pickupFree2-8 weeksSchedule through waste hauler, items at curbNot in a hurry, 1-2 items
Dropcurb$79+Same dayBook online, place items at curb, hauler grabs them1-5 curbside items, fast turnaround
LoadUp$89+1-3 daysBook online, hauler picks up from inside homeTransparent pricing, can't move items out
Junk King$99+1-3 daysCall or book online, two-person crewEco-focused disposal
1-800-GOT-JUNK$150+Same day-3 daysOn-site estimate, crew loads everythingLarge cleanouts, full-service
College Hunks$150+1-3 daysOn-site or phone quote, uniformed crewCombined junk removal + moving
Bagster by WM$299+3-5 daysBuy bag at store, fill it, schedule pickupDIY multi-day projects
Dumpster rental$300-$6001-7 day rentalContainer delivered, you fill it, they haulRenovations, estate cleanouts

What Is the Minimum Charge for Junk Pickup?

Minimum charges vary widely by company and pickup model:

  • Dropcurb: $79 minimum (single curbside item, same-day)
  • LoadUp: $89 minimum (single item from inside home)
  • Junk King: ~$99 minimum (1/8 truck load equivalent)
  • 1-800-GOT-JUNK: ~$150 minimum (regardless of volume)
  • College Hunks: ~$150 minimum (plus potential $99 dispatch fee)
  • Two Men and a Junk Truck: ~$135 minimum (1/8 truck)

The minimum charge matters most for small jobs — removing one couch, mattress, or appliance. If you have a single item, paying $150+ for a two-person crew with a branded truck is expensive. Dropcurb's curbside model at $79 eliminates that overhead because a solo hauler grabs items already at the curb.

For larger cleanouts (half truck or more), full-service companies become more cost-competitive because their per-item cost decreases with volume.

What's the Cheapest Way to Get Rid of Junk?

Ranked from cheapest to most expensive:

Free options:

City bulk pickup — free but 2-8 week wait, limited pickups per year
Donation pickup (Habitat ReStore, Salvation Army) — free for usable items, 3-10 day wait
Curb alerts on Facebook/Craigslist ��� post "FREE" items, someone takes them in hours
Scrap metal collectors — free pickup for metal items (bed frames, grills, appliances)

Budget paid options ($19-$100):

Self-haul to dump — rent Home Depot truck ($19/75 min) + dump fees ($10-$50)
Dropcurb — $79 for same-day curbside pickup, no waiting or hauling

Mid-range ($100-$300):

LoadUp — $89-$200+ depending on items and location
Junk King — $99-$200+ for small loads

Premium ($150-$800+):

1-800-GOT-JUNK — $150 minimum, $240 average job
Full cleanouts — $400-$800+ for apartment/garage cleanouts

The cheapest approach for most people: try free options first (curb alert → donation → city pickup). If those don't work or you need speed, Dropcurb at $79 is the most affordable paid same-day service.

Need junk picked up today? Dropcurb offers same-day curbside pickup starting at $79. Book online — no phone call, no on-site estimate.

Get Instant Pricing

How Fast Can I Get Junk Picked Up?

Speed depends on the service you choose:

  • Same day: Dropcurb (book before noon for same-day in most areas), 1-800-GOT-JUNK (availability varies)
  • Next day: LoadUp, Junk King, College Hunks (in most markets)
  • 1-3 days: Most on-demand junk removal companies
  • 1-2 weeks: Charity donation pickup (Habitat ReStore, Salvation Army)
  • 2-8 weeks: City bulk pickup programs

If you need junk gone today — say you're moving out, have a landlord inspection, or just can't stand looking at it anymore — your options are Dropcurb ($79 curbside) or 1-800-GOT-JUNK ($150+ full-service). Dropcurb is faster to book because there's no scheduling of an on-site estimate first.

For most cities, Dropcurb pickups happen within 2-6 hours of booking. You get a notification when a hauler accepts your job and another when they're en route.

What Items Can Junk Pickup Services Take?

Most junk pickup services accept the same core items:

Commonly accepted:

Furniture — couches, tables, chairs, dressers, desks, bookshelves, bed frames
Mattresses and box springs
Appliances — refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, stoves
Electronics — TVs, monitors, computers, printers
Exercise equipment — treadmills, ellipticals, weight benches, bikes
General junk — boxes, bags, old clothing, household clutter

Usually accepted by full-service only:

Hot tubs (requires specialized equipment)
Large quantities of construction debris
Items from upper floors with difficult access

Never accepted:

Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, oil, propane tanks)
Medical waste
Asbestos-containing materials
Tires (most companies — check your local dump for tire disposal)

Dropcurb handles all curbside items — anything one person can lift into a pickup truck from the curb. For items too heavy or inside your home, full-service companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK or LoadUp are better options.

How Much Does Junk Pickup Cost by Load Size?

Most full-service companies price by volume (fraction of a truck). Here are 2026 averages based on Angi and HomeGuide data:

  • Single item (couch, fridge, mattress): $79-$175
  • 1/8 truck (closet cleanout, 2-3 items): $100-$200
  • 1/4 truck (one room): $150-$300
  • 1/2 truck (garage or 2 rooms): $200-$400
  • 3/4 truck (large garage or 3+ rooms): $350-$550
  • Full truck (apartment cleanout): $400-$800+

Dropcurb's per-item pricing makes small jobs cheaper: $79 first item, $19-$39 each additional. A couch plus mattress costs $108 through Dropcurb versus $150+ minimum at most competitors.

How to Schedule Junk Pickup

  1. 1

    Pick your service

    For 1-5 curbside items, use Dropcurb ($79+). For inside-home or large cleanouts, use LoadUp or 1-800-GOT-JUNK.

  2. 2

    Select your items

    Choose what you need removed from the item catalog. Get an instant price before committing.

  3. 3

    Choose a date

    Same-day available with Dropcurb (book before noon). Full-service companies typically offer next-day or 2-3 day scheduling.

  4. 4

    Prepare your items

    For curbside: move items to the curb or driveway. For full-service: make sure the crew can access the items inside your home.

Ready to get rid of junk? Same-day curbside pickup from $79. No estimates, no surprises.

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