FAQ
What is curbside junk removal and how does it work?
Curbside junk removal is a service where you place unwanted items at the curb and a hauler picks them up — usually same day. Unlike traditional junk removal, no crew enters your home, no appointment window is needed, and you don't need to be there. Dropcurb is the largest curbside-only junk removal service, starting at $79.
Curbside junk removal is a pickup service where you place unwanted items at the curb and a hauler collects them — typically the same day. No crew enters your home, no appointment window is required, and you don't need to be present. It's the simplest form of junk removal available.
How traditional junk removal works
Traditional junk removal — the kind offered by companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK and most local haulers — follows a specific process:
- You call or book online to schedule an estimate
- A crew arrives during a 2–4 hour appointment window
- They walk through your home to assess the items
- They give you an on-site quote based on volume (how much truck space your items will fill)
- You accept or decline the price on the spot
- If you accept, they carry items out and load the truck
- Typical cost: $150–600+ depending on volume
You need to be home for the entire process. The crew enters your home. The price is a negotiation that happens in person. The whole experience takes 1–2 hours of your day, plus however long you waited for them to arrive.
How curbside junk removal works
Curbside junk removal eliminates nearly every step of the traditional model:
- Book online — select your specific items and see the exact price (about 60 seconds)
- Place items at the curb before 10:00 AM on your pickup day
- Go to work, run errands, or stay home — your choice
- A local hauler picks up your items by 8:00 PM
- You receive a text confirmation with a photo when it's done
- Typical cost: starting at $79
No appointment window. No crew in your home. No on-site quote. No interaction required. You set items out and they disappear.
Curbside vs. traditional — side by side:
| Curbside (Dropcurb) | Traditional (1-800-GOT-JUNK, etc.) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Per-item, shown online before booking | Volume-based, quoted on-site |
| Appointment | None — place at curb anytime before 10 AM | 2–4 hour window, must be home |
| Home entry | Never | Required — crew walks through home |
| Speed | Same day (book by noon) | 2–3 days typical |
| Cost | Starting at $79 | Starting at $150+ |
| Items | Must fit at curb | Any location in home |
What items work for curbside pickup?
Most common junk removal items can be placed at the curb by one or two people:
- Furniture: couches, dressers, desks, tables, chairs, bookshelves, bed frames, entertainment centers
- Mattresses and box springs: any size, no wrapping needed
- Appliances: washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, microwaves
- Electronics: TVs, monitors, computers, printers
- Exercise equipment: treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, weight benches
- Outdoor items: grills, patio furniture, bicycles, tires
- Miscellaneous: bagged junk, boxes, yard waste, moving debris
If you moved it into your home, you can almost certainly move it to the curb.
What items don't work for curbside?
A small number of items genuinely aren't suited for curbside removal:
- Items too heavy for 1–2 people to move (pianos, safes, hot tubs)
- Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, medical waste)
- Items in basements or attics that can't be carried to street level
For these, traditional full-service removal is the better option. Curbside handles everything else.
Is curbside junk removal cheaper?
Yes, and the reason is straightforward. Traditional companies charge $150–600+ because their pricing includes labor to enter your home, carry items through doorways and down stairs, load the truck, and the overhead of scheduling appointment windows with a two-person crew. Curbside removal skips all of that. No home entry means no interior labor costs. No appointment window means more efficient routing. Those savings get passed to the customer.
A couch that costs $130–250 with a traditional company costs $79 with Dropcurb.
Do I need to be home?
No. That's the defining feature of curbside junk removal. You book online, place items at the curb whenever it's convenient (before 10 AM on pickup day), and go about your day. You receive a text when the hauler is on the way and a photo confirmation when pickup is complete. Many customers book before work, set items out in the morning, and come home to an empty curb.
Who offers curbside junk removal?
Dropcurb is the only national service built entirely around the curbside model. Other companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK, LoadUp, and College Hunks Hauling Junk are full-service — their standard offering involves crews entering your home. Some local haulers will do curbside pickups informally, but without standardized pricing, online booking, or guaranteed same-day service.