Furniture Removal Tips
When it’s time to clean out your old furniture to make room for some new pieces, you should expect to pay at least $75 to a junk removal company. Usually, a junk removal company will charge $50 – $125 to get rid of your furniture for you. If you have more than just 1-3 pieces, however, be prepared to pay more.
What am I paying for?
A junk removal company will pick up, dispose of, carry, ship and tax you all under the same dollar amount—it’s all-inclusive. If you’re getting your quote over the phone or online, make sure to ask about any additional charges the company may have. This could be any tax, fee or other surcharge not listed on the site. So if your furniture is up five flights of stairs as opposed to already set at the curbside, the company could charge you for the extra complexity of the job.
What do other people pay?
Depending on the furniture removal requested, the jobs can range from just under $100 to almost $300. Many junk removal companies will base their fees on how much space your furniture takes up in the truck. If you only have a few dining room chairs, then your price will be less than a large sofa. For example, a queen mattress and box spring could cost $110, but a dresser and TV set removal could cost you $125. Keep in mind that there may be regional cost differences as well. Three mattresses and box springs could cost $150 to remove in Texas, but less items like a sofa, bed and bed cover could cost even more in Pennsylvania. If the junk removal company has to travel farther than normal, the price could increase because of fuel costs and time. The average cost to hire a junk removal service is about $163.
Does the cost include tip?
The costs don’t cover tipping the junk removal crew, but only tip if you feel that the workers deserve it. If it’s a more complex furniture removal job, then you could consider tipping. A 5-10% tip is a good range to start at. You could also offer the crew a drink or even snacks if the job is set to last several hours.
Am I eligible for a junk removal discount?
The only way to find out is to ask! Ask your hauler if it offers discounts to military or veterans, seniors, large haul-aways, first-time customers or any other current promotion. Check the company’s website or social media to see if any offers are there, too.
What are some other options?
If the junk removal service doesn’t sound appealing to you, then there are definitely other options to consider when getting rid of your furniture.
RENT A DUMPSTER
A 10- or 20-yard dumpster could be a good alternative for furniture removal if you are hoping to get rid of a lot of items, like just before a move. Dumpster rental prices vary, but expect to pay $200 to $350 for a dumpster rental. A good fact to remember is that a standard sofa takes up at least three cubic yards of space. If the sofa is an odd shape, it could end up taking even more space. If you’re unsure that your furniture would take more than 10 yards of space, it’s a good idea to size up to the next largest dumpster to avoid any extra weight or mileage fees.
TAKE IT TO THE LANDFILL
If you own or know someone who owns a truck or a trailer that can fit the furniture, then you can elect to do a DIY furniture removal. Though the process may seem like the simplest and cheapest option, be sure to consider a few factors before making this your final choice:
- If you aren’t very close to a landfill, then fuel costs can add up quick due to multiple trips to and from the location.
- Landfills have dump fees that would have to be paid each time you made a trip to the landfill.
- You have to set aside a lot of time to haul your furniture to the landfill: you’re removing, loading, hauling and unloading the unnecessary furniture all by yourself.
SELL, DONATE OR GIVE AWAY
Your furniture still might be in good condition. If so, then try posting on Craigslist if you’d like to make some money for your used items. This website usually works better in an area with a lot of activity, such as a bigger city. If you would rather donate the furniture and be able to write the donation off on your taxes, then reach out to your local Goodwill or Salvation Army to see if they will take it off of your hands. Remember that your furniture must be in overall good condition or the organization may not accept it. Ask if any place you reach out to has a furniture pick up service to alleviate you having to take it anywhere.
Whether you decided to go with a removal company or want to do more of the work yourself to save a little money, hopefully this post will help you decide your plan of action during your next big furniture removal.
