Storage Unit Cleanout Services: Compare Your Options [2026]

Most storage unit cleanout services follow the same basic process: you schedule a pickup, a crew arrives at your storage facility, they load everything into a truck, and haul it to a dump or donation center.

The difference is who does the heavy lifting — and how much you pay for it.

Full-service cleanout (1-800-GOT-JUNK, College Hunks, LoadUp): A 2-3 person crew enters your unit, sorts items, loads their truck, and handles disposal. Costs $248–$600+ for a 10x10 unit. You don't touch anything.

Curbside pickup (Dropcurb): You move items from your unit to the facility's loading dock or curb area. A solo hauler with a pickup truck grabs everything. Costs $79 flat rate for your first item, $19–$39 per additional item. You do the moving, but save 50–70%.

Dumpster rental (Budget Dumpster, WM): A dumpster is dropped at the facility. You load everything yourself over 3–7 days. Costs $300–$500 for a 10-yard dumpster. Cheapest option, but you do 100% of the work — and many storage facilities don't allow dumpsters on their property.

The size of your storage unit is the biggest cost driver. Here's what full-service cleanout typically costs by unit size:

• •5x5 unit (closet-sized, 200 cu ft): $100–$250 full-service, or $79–$150 curbside with Dropcurb
• •5x10 unit (walk-in closet, 400 cu ft): $150–$350 full-service, or $79–$200 curbside
• •10x10 unit (bedroom-sized, 800 cu ft): $300–$500 full-service, or $79–$275 curbside
• •10x15 unit (2-bedroom, 1,200 cu ft): $400–$700 full-service, or $120–$350 curbside
• •10x20 unit (3-bedroom, 1,600 cu ft): $500–$900+ full-service, or $150–$400 curbside
• •10x30 unit (garage-sized, 2,400 cu ft): $700–$1,200+ full-service, or $200–$500 curbside

The curbside option through Dropcurb saves you the most when you have furniture, appliances, and boxed items you can wheel out on a dolly. The full-service premium is essentially paying $200–$500 for the labor of moving items from inside the unit to a truck.

You can — and it's the cheapest path if you have a truck. But most people don't, which is why cleanout services exist.

The middle ground: Move everything from your unit to the loading dock or curb area yourself, then book Dropcurb for same-day pickup at $79 flat rate. You skip the dump trip, and a hauler handles the rest. Most storage facilities have a loading area where you can stage items for pickup.

This hybrid approach saves 50–70% versus calling a full-service company like 1-800-GOT-JUNK, and you don't need your own truck.

If you manage a self-storage facility, abandoned and delinquent units are a constant headache. Tenants leave, units fill with junk, and you need them cleared fast to re-rent.

Why storage facilities choose Dropcurb as their cleanout vendor:

• •Flat-rate pricing your tenants understand — no confusing truck-fraction estimates or hidden dispatch fees
• •Same-day availability — units get cleared and re-rented faster, reducing vacancy loss
• •Zero liability for your staff — you don't need to send employees to handle junk
• •Tenants can self-serve — they book online, move items to the dock, and Dropcurb handles the rest. No coordination needed from your team.
• •Cover 56+ cities across 8 states — one vendor for multi-location portfolios

How it works for facility partners: You add Dropcurb to your move-out checklist or abandoned-unit process. When a tenant leaves items behind or a unit needs clearing, they (or you) book a curbside pickup. Items go from the unit to the loading dock, and a hauler picks them up the same day.

Interested? Email partners@dropcurb.com or visit dropcurb.com/partner to set up your facility.

Storage units typically contain a mix of furniture, appliances, boxes, and personal items. Here's what Dropcurb can pick up from the curb or loading dock:

For a 10x10 storage unit with typical contents (furniture, boxes, a mattress, maybe an old TV), you're looking at $79 base + 5–10 additional items = $175–$350 with Dropcurb versus $300–$500+ with full-service.

The average self-storage renter pays $170 per month — that's $2,040 per year. If you haven't visited your unit in 6+ months, you've likely already spent more on rent than the items inside are worth.

A one-time cleanout with Dropcurb starting at $79 eliminates a recurring $170/month expense. That's a 25x return in the first year alone.

Stop paying rent on things you forgot you owned. Curb it, book it, gone.