Junk Removal Volume Calculator
How much of a truck is it?
Special
Junk Removal Cost Calculator
Turn a list of furniture, appliances, bags and debris into a junk removal price range: the truck load it fills, the disposal fees that apply to items like refrigerators and mattresses, and extras such as stairs.
How it works
- Enter how many of each item you want hauled away and any loose debris.
- Say where the items are — curbside pickup is usually cheapest, stairs cost extra.
- Choose your area’s cost level.
- Compare the estimated range and its components with the quotes you receive.
Formula
Load = item volume ÷ 27 + debris → truck share (minimum, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, full) Cost = truck-share price + item fees + heavy items + stairs Total × area factor (0.85 / 1.0 / 1.3); curbside × 0.9
Assumed typical U.S. price bands (15-yard truck, labor and standard disposal included): minimum $75–$150, 1/8 truck $150–$250, 1/4 $225–$350, 1/2 $350–$550, 3/4 $500–$700, full $600–$900. Item fees: refrigerant appliances $25–$75, mattresses or box springs $20–$50, TVs and electronics $15–$40, pianos $150–$400 extra; stairs $25–$50 per flight. These are planning assumptions, not quotes.
Example
Clearing out a rental between tenants: an old refrigerator, a washer and dryer, two mattresses with box springs, a sofa and 15 trash bags, carried from a second-floor unit (one flight) in a high-cost metro.
Inputs
- Sofa (3-seat)
- 1
- Mattress
- 2
- Box spring
- 2
- Dresser
- 0
- Refrigerator
- 1
- Washer
- 1
- Dryer
- 1
- Medium boxes
- 0
- Trash bags (39–45 gal)
- 15
- Where the items are
- Upstairs or in a basement
- Flights of stairs
- 1
- Area cost level
- High-cost metro
Result
Estimated junk removal cost$950 – $1,595Full truck · about 12.2 yd³
Truck loadFull truck
Low estimate$950
High estimate$1,595
What changes the price
Volume sets the base price: companies quote by how much of the truck you fill. Specific items then add fees because disposal costs money — refrigerators and freezers need their refrigerant recovered, many states charge mattress recycling fees, and TVs and computers go to e-waste recyclers.
Access matters too. Items already at the curb take minutes to load; carrying a sleeper sofa down a flight of stairs takes two people and much longer.
Not a local quote
Prices vary by city, landfill fees, fuel costs and the company’s truck size. Use the range to judge whether an on-site quote is reasonable and to decide whether donating, selling or curbside municipal pickup could handle some items first.
Frequently asked questions
How much does junk removal cost for a full truck?
Typically about $600–$900 for a 15-yard truck in an average U.S. market, before item fees. High-cost metros can be 30% higher.
How much does it cost to remove a couch?
A single sofa is often a minimum or 1/8-truck charge, roughly $75–$250 depending on the company and access.
Why do refrigerators cost extra to haul away?
Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners contain refrigerant that must be recovered by certified technicians before recycling, so haulers pass on that cost.
Is it cheaper to put items at the curb?
Often, yes. Some companies offer a discount when no carrying is needed; the calculator shows about 10% off for curbside pickup.