Junk Removal in Houston, TX: Costs, Options & Best Services [2026]

Houston junk removal costs $79–$600+ depending on volume and provider. Dropcurb starts at $79 with same-day curbside pickup. Houston offers free heavy trash collection, but only during specific months and you must now call 311 to schedule. Here's every option compared with real 2026 pricing.

How Much Does Junk Removal Cost in Houston?

Houston junk removal averages $237–$248 based on over 21,800 completed projects tracked by Homeyou. Single-item pickups start at $79 with Dropcurb and LoadUp. Fire Dawgs offers $99 minimum pickups — one of the best deals in Houston for small jobs.

Tex Mex Junk Removal starts at $165 with same-day service across Houston, Cypress, Katy, and Spring. Trash N Dash ranges from $149 to $600+ based on volume. Junk King Houston uses volume-based pricing with free estimates at (281) 674-8288.

For larger cleanouts, expect $300–$600+ depending on truck size. A full 16 cubic yard truckload typically costs $400–$500 in the Houston market. National averages from Thumbtack show $150–$350 for mid-size jobs.

Houston's sprawling metro area means travel time can affect pricing from some companies. Dropcurb covers the entire Houston metro — from Katy and Cypress to Humble, Kingwood, Pearland, and Sugar Land — with flat-rate curbside pricing starting at $79.

CompanyStarting PricePricing ModelBest For
Dropcurb$79Per-item, flat rateCurbside pickup, same-day
LoadUp Houston$79Per-item, onlineSingle bulky items
Fire Dawgs$99Volume-basedBudget minimum pickups
Trash N Dash$149Volume-basedResponsible recycling
Tex Mex Junk Removal$165Volume-basedSame-day, licensed/insured
Junk King HoustonVolume-basedTruck fractionsLarge loads, free estimates
Your Junk Our TrunkFree estimateVolume-basedHumble/Kingwood area
Junk GuysVariesFull-serviceTop Yelp ratings
Houston Heavy TrashFreeMonthly schedule + 311Residents, even months

Houston Heavy Trash Pickup: 2026 Schedule & New 311 Rule

Houston's heavy trash program is one of the most generous municipal pickup services in the country, but the rules changed in 2026. Here's how it works now:

Monthly alternation by waste type:

  • Odd months (January, March, May, July, September, November): Tree waste only — branches, limbs, and yard debris
  • Even months (February, April, June, August, October, December): Junk waste — furniture, appliances, mattresses, and bulky household items

NEW in 2026: Must call 311 to schedule. Houston moved to an on-demand scheduling system to reduce illegal dumping. Call 311 to report your items and get a pickup date. No more just placing items at the curb and hoping.

Placement rules:

  • Place items at the curb between 6:00 PM the Friday before your scheduled day and 7:00 AM on pickup day
  • Keep items off sidewalks and away from utility poles, fire hydrants, and mailboxes
  • Your specific heavy trash day varies by neighborhood — look up your address on houstontx.gov

Limitations: You can only dispose of junk items every other month (even months). Tree waste and junk waste cannot be mixed. If you miss your pickup or need removal during an odd month, professional services like Dropcurb offer same-day curbside pickup starting at $79.

Self-haul option: Houston operates 6 depository stations where residents can drop off heavy trash anytime.

Best Junk Removal Companies in Houston [2026]

Fire Dawgs Junk Removal — Houston's best deal for small jobs at $99 minimum. Use their household items calculator to estimate your load size. Professional service with quick response times.

Tex Mex Junk Removal — Starting at $165 with same-day service. Licensed and insured. Serves Houston, Cypress, Katy, and Spring. Call (832) 589-4987. Strong reputation for reliability and fast response.

Trash N Dash — Transparent pricing from $149 to $600+ based on volume. Prioritizes responsible waste recycling. Good middle-ground option between budget and premium.

Junk King Houston — National franchise at (281) 674-8288. Free estimates. Serves Alief, Barker, Bellaire, Fresno, Katy, Missouri City, Richmond, Stafford, Sugar Land. Eco-friendly focus with recycling and donation programs.

Your Junk Our Trunk — Serves Humble, Houston, and Kingwood areas. Call (346) 397-4690 for cleanouts, junk removal, and demolition. Clear, no-obligation quotes.

Junk Guys — One of the top-rated companies on Yelp in Houston. Known for fair pricing and fast service.

Heavy Trash of Texas — Yelp favorite specializing in bulk hauling. Good for larger residential and commercial jobs.

Bee Gone Junk Removal — Local Houston company with strong reviews. Fast scheduling and competitive pricing.

Dropcurb — Curbside-only model starting at $79. Instant online pricing at dropcurb.com/book. Same-day service across the entire Houston metro — Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land, Pearland, Humble, Kingwood, and more. No phone calls or in-person estimates needed.

Cheapest Way to Get Rid of Junk in Houston

Ranked from cheapest to most expensive:

  • Houston heavy trash pickup (Free) — Call 311 to schedule. Junk items accepted in even months only (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec). Tree waste in odd months. Best if you can wait.
  • City depository stations (Free) — Houston operates 6 locations where residents can self-haul heavy trash. No appointment needed.
  • Dropcurb ($79+) — Best value for professional curbside pickup. No hauling, no dump runs, no sorting. Same-day service.
  • Fire Dawgs ($99+) — Great $99 minimum for small pickups.
  • Trash N Dash ($149+) — Mid-range with transparent pricing and recycling focus.
  • Tex Mex Junk Removal ($165+) — Same-day, licensed/insured, professional crews.
  • Full-service companies ($200–$600+) — Junk King, 1-800-GOT-JUNK for large loads and full cleanouts.

Houston's heavy trash program is excellent but limited to specific months. If your junk is furniture or appliances and it's an odd month (tree waste only), you're stuck waiting or paying for removal.

Houston Depository Stations & Disposal Information

Houston operates 6 depository (drop-off) stations where residents can dispose of heavy trash, recyclables, and household hazardous waste.

Key facts:

  • Open to City of Houston residents (bring ID or utility bill)
  • Accept heavy trash items, yard waste, recyclables, and some hazardous materials
  • No charge for residential self-haul
  • Check houstontx.gov/solidwaste for current locations, hours, and accepted items

Houston's Solid Waste Management Department also handles:

  • Weekly curbside trash collection (1–2 times per week depending on area)
  • Bi-weekly recycling collection
  • Heavy trash monthly alternation (tree waste vs. junk waste)
  • Holiday schedule adjustments — check houstontx.gov for changes

Harris County residents outside city limits: Contact your Municipal Utility District (MUD) for trash service details. Most MUDs contract with Republic Services or GFL Environmental. Heavy trash rules vary by district.

How to Book Junk Removal in Houston

  1. 1

    Check if heavy trash pickup is available

    Junk items (furniture, appliances, mattresses) are only collected in even months. If it's an even month, call 311 to schedule your free pickup. Tree waste is collected in odd months.

  2. 2

    Visit a depository station

    If you have a truck, drive to one of Houston's 6 depository stations for free disposal. Bring your ID or utility bill. No appointment needed.

  3. 3

    Get instant pricing from Dropcurb

    Visit dropcurb.com/book for instant pricing starting at $79. Select your items, book same-day curbside pickup, and skip the heavy trash calendar entirely.

  4. 4

    Place items curbside

    Set your items at the curb and our local hauler handles loading, hauling, and responsible disposal. Available any month, any day — no 311 call needed.

Don't wait for heavy trash month. Dropcurb picks up your junk curbside in Houston starting at $79 — any day, any month, same-day service with instant pricing.

Get Instant Houston Pricing

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