Haul it away. Free up the house.
The fastest, cheapest way to clear a deceased family member's home — when you've already sorted through what matters. Most jobs cost $400–$1,800.
Free quotes · No obligation · Licensed haulers only
$400–$1,800
Typical job cost
2–6 hours
Typical job length
1–2 trucks
Needed for most homes
When junk removal is the right call.
Not every house cleanout is a hoarder situation or a full estate cleanout. A lot of families land in a simpler place: the will is settled, the family has taken what they want, the estate sale (if there was one) is over — and what's left is a 3-bedroom house full of stuff nobody wants. Forty years of furniture. A basement of Christmas decorations. A garage of tools nobody will use. You don't need a specialist crew or a biohazard certification. You need a truck and strong backs.
Junk removal is the right call when three things are true: (1) you've already pulled out what the family is keeping, (2) there are no biohazards — no animal waste, no mold, no decomposition residue, (3) nothing in the house is valuable enough to warrant an estate sale. If any of those aren't true, see our guides on estate cleanout or hoarder cleanup. If all three are true, this is the fastest and cheapest option on the market.
What junk removal actually includes
Junk removal is a volume-based service. You point, they haul. Here's what you're actually paying for.
- 1
Labor and trucks. A crew of 2–4 movers and one or two trucks. That's the entire operational footprint.
- 2
Loading. Crews carry items out of the home — including upstairs, basements, and garages. You don't lift anything.
- 3
Disposal fees. Landfill tipping fees are included in the quoted price at legitimate companies. Ask to confirm before booking.
- 4
Donation routing (sometimes). Better companies route still-usable items to Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or local charities — at no extra charge. Ask which donation partners they use.
- 5
Recycling. E-waste (old TVs, computers, batteries) and metal are typically sent to recyclers separately, not landfill. Legitimate companies handle this routinely.
- 6
Sweep-out (usually). A light broom-sweep of rooms after removal. Not deep cleaning. If you want the house cleaned, that's a separate service.
What junk removal does NOT include:
- Sorting through belongings for valuables or family items
- Biohazard remediation
- Deep cleaning or deodorization
- Estate sale running or appraisal
- Hazardous material disposal (paint, propane tanks, chemicals — most companies refuse these; check locally)
How junk removal is priced
Two pricing models dominate the market. Understanding which you're getting determines whether you pay $500 or $2,500 for the same job.
| Pricing model | How it works | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume-based (most common) | You pay for the truck space you fill. Pricing is by fraction of truck: 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, full load. Full truck ≈ 450–500 cubic feet. | Estates where you're not sure how much there is. You only pay for what they haul. | Watch how they 'measure' after loading — reputable companies show you the truck before and after. |
| Flat-rate / job quote | A supervisor walks the home, gives you a single fixed price. | Estates where the contents are visible and bounded (empty rooms, clear garage). | Cheaper on paper but rigid — if extra items show up ('Oh, I forgot the shed'), you'll be upcharged. |
Typical costs by home size
| Home size | Typical load | Typical cost | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1BR apartment | 1/4 to 1/2 truck | $250–$550 | 1–2 hours |
| 2BR home, minimal contents | 1/2 to full truck | $450–$850 | 2–3 hours |
| 3BR home, moderate contents | 1–1.5 trucks | $750–$1,400 | 3–5 hours |
| 3BR+ with garage, basement, attic | 2–3 trucks | $1,200–$2,200 | 4–7 hours |
| 4BR+ home, full contents | 3+ trucks | $1,800–$3,500+ | 1–2 days |
These are 2026 U.S. averages. Urban markets (NYC, SF, Boston, LA, DC) run 20–35% higher. Rural markets often run 15–25% lower.
Licensed & Insured
Verified haulers
Upfront Pricing
Quote before loading
Donation Routing
Items go to charity when possible
Same/Next Day
Fast scheduling
The top 5 junk removal companies for estate work
Five companies do the majority of estate-related junk removal in the U.S. Here's an honest look at where each one fits.
#1
Angi — marketplace for vetted local haulers
Why it's our top pick
Junk removal pricing varies more by market than almost any home service — a full truck runs $400 in Omaha and $900 in Brooklyn. Local independent haulers frequently beat the national brands by 25–40% for identical work. Angi's network includes local haulers, franchised operations, and specialty estate crews, and you can collect up to 3 quotes from one request. For a service where the price spread is this wide, that's the single biggest lever you have.
- Best for: Most families. Unless you're already committed to a specific brand, start here.
- Pricing: Free to use. Pros quote the job.
- What you give up: You have to compare quotes yourself. No single national brand standing behind the work — though every Angi-verified pro is licensed, insured, and background-checked.
- What we liked: Three quotes in one request — no phone tag. Local haulers frequently beat national chains on price. Pros are vetted: licensed, insured, customer-rated.
- What to watch for: Quality varies between individual pros. Read the reviews, not just the star count. Smaller operators may take longer to respond during peak season (spring and summer).
Free · No obligation · 3 quotes in 60 seconds
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
What they do: The largest junk removal brand in North America, 170+ locations. Full-service: two-man crews, same-day or next-day appointments in most markets, all-inclusive pricing.
- Best for: Families who value brand consistency, predictable pricing, and fast scheduling over the absolute lowest price. Easiest to book online — useful if you're coordinating a remote cleanout from another state.
- Pricing: Volume-based, all-inclusive. Most 2–3BR estates run $600–$1,400. They give a no-obligation quote in person before loading.
- Coverage: U.S., Canada, Australia. Nearly universal.
- What we liked: Online booking with a real-time quote tool. Upfront pricing shown before loading — no surprises. Consistent uniformed, insured, drug-tested crews across locations.
- What to watch for: Typically 15–30% more expensive than a comparable local hauler. Won't take all hazardous items (check the prohibited list).
College Hunks Hauling Junk
What they do: National junk removal and moving franchise with 200+ locations. Similar model to 1-800-GOT-JUNK: volume-based, all-inclusive pricing, uniformed crews.
- Best for: Families who want a national brand alternative to 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Competitive pricing. They also move furniture if you want to keep some items.
- Pricing: Volume-based, similar range to 1-800-GOT-JUNK.
- Coverage: 200+ U.S. locations.
- What we liked: Combined junk removal + light moving — useful when one or two pieces are going to another family member. Strong donation partnerships (they publicize annual donation numbers).
- What to watch for: Less consistent franchise-to-franchise than 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Quality varies — check the specific franchise's reviews.
Junk King
What they do: Volume-based junk removal, 130+ U.S. and Canadian locations. Positions itself as an eco-friendly option — claims 60%+ diversion from landfill.
- Best for: Families who care about donation and recycling routing. Junk King is the loudest on this dimension and generally backs it up.
- Pricing: Volume-based, typically 5–10% cheaper than 1-800-GOT-JUNK in markets where both operate.
- Coverage: 130+ locations, gaps in some rural markets.
- What we liked: Genuine focus on recycling and donation — useful if that matters to the family. Typically a bit cheaper than the top-name competitor.
- What to watch for: Smaller footprint than 1-800-GOT-JUNK — they may not be in your market. Franchise quality varies.
Local independent haulers (via Angi, Craigslist, or word-of-mouth)
What they do: One or two guys, a truck, and a disposal account. No national brand, often no website. Pricing is usually 25–40% below national chains.
- Best for: Families who are comfortable vetting their own pro and prioritizing price.
- Pricing: Highly variable. Typically $300–$1,200 for a 2–3BR estate.
- Coverage: Every market has them. Finding the good ones is the work.
- What we liked: Often the cheapest legitimate option. Local haulers know local disposal options — often faster and more flexible.
- What to watch for: Verify insurance and a business license. Uninsured haulers dumping on a highway are a real risk — and the liability often falls back on the homeowner or estate. No brand-level customer service if something goes wrong. Cash-only operators are common — get a receipt.
This isn't a fifth company so much as a category. The top 4 have national consistency; local independents offer price. Angi is how most people find the good local ones.
Which option is right for you?
If you want the lowest price and you're willing to compare quotes:
→Start with Angi. You'll see local independents and the national chains in one place.
If you want brand-name consistency and fast scheduling (especially if you're coordinating remotely):
→1-800-GOT-JUNK or College Hunks. Book online, show up, done.
If there's sorting, biohazards, or the family hasn't fully decided what to keep:
→You don't need junk removal. See our guides on estate cleanout services (for sorting + donations) or hoarder cleanup (for biohazard situations).
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Light = leftovers only · Moderate = most rooms still furnished · Heavy = full house, garage, basement
Estimated cost
$765 – $1,125
Estimated time: 2–5 hours
Based on 2026 industry averages. Real quotes typically vary by 15–25%.
Free · No obligation · 60 seconds
Questions to ask before you hire
Junk removal is simpler than hoarder cleanup or full estate cleanout, but the pricing is opaque enough that you can still get overcharged. Six questions separate honest operators from the rest.
Is this a volume quote or a flat rate?
Know which pricing model applies before the crew arrives. Both are legitimate. Surprise switches are not.
Are disposal fees included?
Tipping fees at landfills run $60–$130 per ton. Legitimate companies build this into the quote. Sketchy ones tack it on later.
Where does the stuff go?
Landfill, donation, recycling? Most reputable companies can answer this specifically. Companies that can't are probably landfilling everything.
Are you licensed and insured? Can I see a COI?
Uninsured haulers dumping illegally create legal exposure that can come back to the estate. Always verify.
Do you take [hazardous item — propane tank, paint, tires]?
Most don't. Confirm before booking so you don't pay the trip fee on rejected items.
Is the quote guaranteed or does it change on-site?
Get the answer in writing (email, text, quote PDF). Verbal quotes evaporate.
What a real estate junk removal looks like
When Diane's mother died in a 2,400 sq ft home in suburban Dayton, the first three months were the hard part — the funeral, the probate filing, the family dividing up what they wanted. By the time Diane called for junk removal, the house was already mostly empty of sentimental items. What was left was 1970s furniture, a basement of Christmas decorations from 45 years of holidays, and a garage full of her father's tools from a career as a plumber.
She got three quotes through Angi. An independent local hauler quoted $680 for what he estimated as 1.5 trucks. 1-800-GOT-JUNK quoted $1,240 after an in-person walkthrough. A regional estate cleanout company quoted $2,100 — the same house, but priced as a "full estate cleanout" even though there was no sorting work to do.
Diane hired the local hauler. Final cost: $725 — slightly over estimate because the crew found an additional load in a shed she'd forgotten about. The job took 4 hours. The hauler routed the usable furniture to a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore and provided a donation receipt the estate used for a small tax deduction the following April.
What Diane told our editorial team:
- The word "estate" in the quote roughly doubles the price. If there's no sorting to do, you're buying junk removal — not estate cleanout. Say that explicitly.
- Three quotes is the right number. Less and you're guessing. More and you're wasting time.
- Ask specifically about a donation receipt. A usable one can offset taxes on the estate.
Details anonymized at the family's request. Shared with permission.