How to start a junk removal business

Season: Year-round · Typical startup: $0 to $500 (with a truck)

If you have a pickup truck, you can start a junk removal business this weekend. Homeowners, landlords and realtors always have a garage, basement or estate to clear, and they pay for the hauling and the dump run. Here is what you need, what to charge, and how to find your first loads.

$0 to $500 (with a truck)To get started

$150Typical quarter truck

Year-roundSeason

The gear and what it costs

Pickup truck or trailerA standard pickup bed is a full load; a dump trailer speeds unloading.

Have one

Hand truck, straps and glovesFor appliances, furniture and heavy single items.

$120

Dump / transfer station accountKnow your local dump fees; they come out of the job price.

Per-load fee

What established pros charge

Junk removal, national average · HomeAdvisor	$242
Typical range · HomeAdvisor	$133–$372

National figures from published cost guides, checked November 8, 2026. Local prices vary.

Starting rates for a new business

Single item (couch, mattress)	$75
Quarter truck	$150
Half truck	$275
Full truck	$450

Our suggested starting point for a new business. Price by truck volume. Factor the dump fee into every quote. Compare with the pro figures above, and raise your rates once you have reviews and a full week.

How to find your first customers

Message local realtors and property managers; they need cleanouts between tenants and sales constantly.
Post in buy-nothing and local groups: "Hauling away old furniture and junk this weekend."
Offer same-week pickup; speed wins these jobs over the big national brands.
Leave a card with every landlord and estate-sale organizer you meet.

Rules to check before you start

Know your transfer station's fees and what it refuses. Paint, tires, batteries and electronics often cost extra or go to a separate drop-off.
Mattresses and appliances with refrigerant have special disposal rules in many states. Price them separately.
Some cities and counties require a business license, even for a small service business. Check your city or county website before you take payment.
Once you make $400 or more in profit in a year, you owe self-employment tax and need to file a return (IRS). Keep every receipt for gas and gear.
Card payouts need a Stripe account. Stripe requires the account holder to be 18 or older for this kind of account, so a parent or guardian sets it up if you are under 18 (Stripe). Cash works from day one. Venmo, Zelle and Cash App need your own account, and under-18s need a parent to set one up.

Stay busy all year

Add light demolition and garage-cleanout organizing; same truck, bigger tickets.

Build your junk removal plan free

Answer a few questions and get your gear list, prices, local demand and a booking page. You only pay $5 to unlock it.

Build my plan →

Questions

How much can you make with junk removal?

A full truckload runs around $450, and two loads a day on a busy weekend is real money for a solo operator with a pickup. Your main cost is the dump fee and fuel.

What do you do with the junk?

Sort for donation and scrap-metal recycling first, then take the rest to a transfer station. Metal and working appliances can even earn a little back.

Do I need a special license for junk hauling?

A business license and sometimes a hauler permit may apply depending on your city and whether you cross state lines. Check locally before pitching commercial accounts.

Can a teenager start a junk removal business?

You need a truck and someone licensed to drive it, so under-16s usually work with a parent driving. Lift with your legs, use a hand truck for anything heavy, and skip anything that may hold chemicals. On Launchpad, 13 to 17 year olds sign up with a parent or guardian's agreement.

Sources

Checked November 8, 2026.