If you’ve got junk cluttering your basement or garage, you know it’s time to finally get rid of it. But hiring someone to haul away your junk can be expensive, especially if they charge by the truckload or by the item instead of offering flat rates. The first step to getting the best deal on local junk removal services is understanding what kind of pricing you should expect from these companies and how to work with them effectively to help you get the best price possible.
Estimate how much junk you have
If you’re looking to hire a professional junk remover, you may be able to save time and money by simply providing an estimate of your project size in terms of volume (number of boxes, number of mattresses, etc.) rather than cost. Many professional haulers work with a system of flat-rate pricing based off industry standards for each size category; if your estimate falls within that category, you will receive a discounted rate. If not, they will tell you how much additional fee per unit is necessary.
Do it yourself – it’s cheaper
If you can handle it yourself, do it! If you’ve got a pickup truck or access to one and some free time, you can save yourself a bundle of money by removing your own junk. Get tips from our professional crew here.
Book a flat rate service
If you don’t want to spend hours researching companies and looking at reviews, hiring a flat rate service is your best bet. Flat rate services provide quotes based on what they can fit into their truck. That means no wasted time or unexpected fees. You just pay for what fits in their truck, so you know how much it costs ahead of time—and no surprises when they arrive (which won’t happen with other types of junk removal).
Hire an individual
If you have a lot of debris and are trying to save money, consider hiring an individual for heavy-duty hauling. You’ll likely pay more than if you hired a company, but it will be worth it if you’re able to cut down your costs. Many people charge per item picked up and will haul away anything from old appliances to couches.
Research the market rates
If you’re looking for an estimate of how much it costs to hire a junk remover, you should know that prices vary greatly depending on where you live. This is because service providers have very different quotes for different regions. To make sure that you’re getting a good deal, conduct some basic market research. Ask other people in your area how much they paid and whether or not they’d recommend their provider.
Consider hiring professionals in bulk
If you need to remove a large amount of junk, one option is hiring professionals in bulk. Depending on your area and what you have to remove, you may be able to save money by calling in a few smaller trucks instead of just one large one.
Donate your stuff
Most thrift stores will let you donate clothing or household items for free if you’re dropping off a truckload. For example, Goodwill and The Salvation Army are two of my favorite places to drop off donations because they take almost anything (clothes, kitchenware, books, toys) and they always put it back into rotation. That means less waste in your landfills!
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