Questions you should ask before pickup day

Decluttering is the hard part; now let us help you with a smooth junk removal experience. Knowing what to ask about pricing, logistics, and what the junk removal crew will and won't take helps you prepare properly and choose a service that fits your needs. Asking the right questions upfront can save you from surprises on pickup day.

Are you licensed, bonded, and insured in my state or province?

It’s always possible for things to go wrong when strangers enter your property to pick up heavy items. Before you hire a junk removal service, check whether the company is trustworthy and licensed to operate in your area. Also ask whether the company is bonded, insured, and offers workers’ compensation. Here’s why each of these matters:

• Licensed: A business license means the company is legally authorized to operate, has met trade-specific competency requirements, paid its fees, and may have passed a background check.
• Bonded: A surety bond protects you if the company steals from you, damages your property, or doesn't complete the job.
• Insured: Liability insurance protects you if a worker accidentally damages your home or property on the job. Workers' compensation insurance protects you if a worker is injured on your property and you'd otherwise be exposed to a claim.

Before you hire a junk removal company you’re unfamiliar with, find out whether they have enough experience, satisfied customers, and trustworthy crew members. Here’s what you could ask:

• How long have you been in business?
• Do you have references or verified reviews?

Is 1-800-GOT-JUNK? licensed, bonded, and insured in my state or province?

Yes, we are fully licensed, bonded, and insured. Our insurance covers damages to both persons and property for every single booking.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? has been in business since 1989. We have extensive reviews across multiple platforms, including Google, Facebook, Yelp, and Trustpilot. Many of the reviews are tied to locations, so we encourage you to check the reviews of your local 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise.

How do you calculate pricing?

Junk removal services either use volume-based or item-based pricing or a mix of both. Depending on the items you want to dispose of, consider asking about their minimum charge, surcharges, and how price estimates work. Here are the follow-up questions to ask:

• Do you have a minimum charge?
  Ask this if the company doesn’t offer item-based pricing and you only have one item or a very small amount of waste to dispose of. This information will help you compare prices.

• Do you have any surcharges I should be aware of?
  Junk removal companies may add a surcharge for weight or volume overages, disposing of restricted materials (e.g., tires, paint, batteries, e-waste), appliances that contain refrigerants, stairs or carry distance, disassembly, same-day or after-hours service, remote or out-of-zone pickups, permit fees, donation/recycling diversion, or disposal or dump fees.

• Is the estimate final, or can the price change once your team sees the load?
  You might be able to get a price estimate over the phone, but be prepared to be quoted a different price upon pickup.

How does 1-800-GOT-JUNK? calculate junk removal cost?

1-800-GOT-JUNK? uses volume-based pricing. Pickups are priced by truck volume, in one-eighth increments, up to a full truckload. Our minimum charge equals one-eighth of a truck and starts at an average of $107, depending on location. A full truckload averages up to $1,099. If you only need us to pick up one large item, we can also offer single-item pricing.

For single items, we might be able to quote you an initial price range over the phone. If you have a bigger job, however, we need to see your items in person to give you an exact price. Once you accept our on-site estimate, we’ll instantly remove your items.

Jason Quinn, Director Sales Center Experience at 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, explains why the contact center might not be able to give you an advance estimate: “For standard items like sofas or washing machines we can provide exact prices for 1 item. Anything over that 1 standard item, we price by volume. Because we cannot see the items, we always recommend that our team comes to take a look at the items to give an exact price.”

What is included in 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s junk removal services?

We offer full-service junk removal, meaning our price is all-inclusive: picking up items from wherever they’re located, loading the items into the truck, sweeping up the area when we’re done, and any associated disposal or recycling fees. The price we quote you on site is the price you’ll pay once we’re done.

Within the quoted price, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? will also disassemble items and put in extra effort. “In rare situations, we may need to charge extra for labor,” says Phil Bubis, Director, Business Readiness & Enablement at 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. “Labor in general is applicable after one hour (60 mins) on site with two Truck Team Members.” In those edge cases, like tearing down a full shed and removing its contents, the team will flag the additional cost before quoting you a final estimate.

Does 1-800-GOT-JUNK? offer free junk removal?

No, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is a paid service.

We do offer a free on-site estimate, and you can always say no if you don’t like the price.

How and when will I pay you?

Junk removal companies that charge by volume typically collect payment once the job is done. Ask them which on-site payment methods they accept. If they require a deposit to hold the appointment, ask under what conditions it’s refundable in case you need to cancel.

When do I pay and what payment methods does 1-800-GOT-JUNK? accept?

We don’t require a deposit. We will charge you after loading your items.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? accepts cash and major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Amex). Some locations may offer additional payment options (checks, debit cards, PayPal, etc.); please ask when you call to schedule your appointment.

Do you tip 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

Tipping is optional. When you pay electronically, we offer tipping options from 5% to 20%.

Drew Trautman, Franchise Partner of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? New Jersey North East, wishes more customers would ask whether tipping is necessary. He says “it’s not.” However, if you feel you had superior service, you’re welcome to tip. Drew says truck team members make up to $100 in tips per day. They average five jobs per day, so he recommends tipping up to $20 per job and person, adding “It doesn't have to be a percentage of revenue. Quite often we do 900 Dollar jobs and a percentage is a lot of money.” If, however, you hired the team for an all day job and received great service, consider tipping each team member $50 to $100. Drew notes that truck team members “get really good rates and bonus programs, so tips are above and beyond.”

Which items do you take?

Most junk removal companies take anything that's non-hazardous and can be physically lifted and loaded. Broadly, that includes furniture, household items, appliances, electronics, exercise equipment, tools, construction and renovation debris, as well as items typically found in a private yard, shed, or garage.

What items does 1-800-GOT-JUNK? take?

1-800-GOT-JUNK? will take non-hazardous items that can be lifted by two people. We will also disassemble larger items so we can move them.

Check our What We Take page for a full list of accepted items.

Are there items you don’t accept?

Junk removal companies generally won’t accept hazardous materials and items that exceed certain size or weight restrictions. Some also can’t collect electronics and appliances. The exact list of restricted items can vary by jurisdiction. If you have items that might fall into an excluded category, confirm whether the company can remove them.

What items does 1-800-GOT-JUNK? not take?

1-800-GOT-JUNK? can’t take hazardous items. This includes chemicals, solvents, oils, asbestos, storage and oil drums, and oil and waste storage tanks. Depending on local regulations, we may also have to reject paint. If you have an item we aren’t licensed to remove, we’ll do our best to leave you with an alternative solution.

What should I prepare for my junk removal pickup appointment?

To prepare for your junk removal pickup appointment, decide what you want removed, find out where the crew can pick up from, and ensure the items are easy to access.

Keep these points in mind and confirm:

• Item location: Some companies require items at the curb or driveway, while others will haul from anywhere on your property.
• Parking and access: The crew will need to park the truck and access the items you want removed. Do you need to provide them with a gate code or other directions in advance?
• Item removal: If anything needs to be disassembled or disconnected, ask whether the crew can handle that.

How can I prepare for a junk removal pickup service by 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

1-800-GOT-JUNK? requires minimal preparation on your end. If we need more information, we’ll call you one to two days before your appointment. Once we arrive, all you need to do is point.

A little prep, however, keeps the job moving on pickup day:

• Prepare an inventory: A list of the items you have, where they are located, and whether they’re ready to go.
• Provide access: Make parking available on your driveway or reserve curb space for the truck and ensure gates or doors are easy to open.
• Check access routes: Clear the path between where we can park the truck and where the items are located.

Note: If you’re not going to be available on pickup day, you may not need to cancel. Ask our contact center about arranging payment by phone; this option is available in select locations and would be dependent on coordination with our local franchises.

What happens on pickup day?

The pickup day process is fairly standardized across the industry: Before the crew arrives, you'll get a call or text with a heads-up. On-site, they'll assess the job and give you a final quote. Once you approve, they load up, you pay, and they're off to the next job. Confirm the process, so you’ll know what to expect.

What is 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s process on pickup day?

Here’s what to expect on your 1-800-GOT-JUNK? pickup day:

1. Pre-arrival: We’ll call or text you 15 to 30 minutes before we arrive within your two-hour appointment window.
2. On-site assessment: We do a walkthrough with you to assess the items and give you an all-inclusive price. At this point you can still add or remove items. You also have no obligation to move forward; if you don't like the price, we’ll be on our way.
3. Junk removal: Once you accept the price, we remove everything immediately, no follow-up appointment needed.
4. Cleanup: We sweep up any debris left behind, so the space is clean when we leave.
5. Payment: We collect payment once the job is done.
6. Disposal: We take your items away and sort them for donation or recycling wherever possible, with landfill as a last resort.

When will you arrive, and how long will the job take?

Our truck team will arrive within your scheduled two-hour window. How long the job takes varies based on the volume of items, where they're located, and whether they’re ready to load. We can give you a rough estimate upfront, but a firm timeline depends on what we see on arrival.

How do you dispose of the items you collect?

Not all junk removal companies make the effort to sort, donate, or recycle items before disposing of them. The extent to which they recycle may also depend on local regulations. Thus, diversion rates vary widely by company and location and are largely self-reported.

Consider asking these follow-up questions:

• How do you sort items?
• Do you donate, recycle, or landfill?
• Which charities do you partner with?
• How much of the junk you pick up ends up in the landfill?
• How do you handle electronics or files with personal information?

What does 1-800-GOT-JUNK do with the junk?

1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s priority is to keep items out of the landfill, so we donate the donatables and recycle the recyclables. If an item is in good condition, we’ll attempt to donate it to a local charity. Other items may go directly to a recycling facility or we drop them off at a transfer station, where they’re sorted for recycling, donation, or disposal.

In 2025, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? diverted 92.9% of its sorted commercial waste by weight from the landfill. Of this sorted stream, the majority went directly to recycling (incl. depots; 64.6%), while remaining items were dropped off at transfer stations (10.5%) or reused (incl. upcycling, donations, charities; 3.6%). The total repurpose rate by weight for all commercial waste landed at 43.4% in 2025. Just under 10% (9.3%) of the sorted waste went into waste-to-energy processes. Finally, only around 7.1% of this sorted weight went directly to the landfill. Information for residential customers isn’t available.

Does your junk contain electronic storage devices or paper files that may contain personal information? Drew Trautman, Franchise Partner of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? New Jersey North East, notes that 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is not a document destruction company. He says “our trucks are not sealed. We will be taking these things directly to a paper recycler or transfer station, while e-waste will be taken to an e-waste recycler that's verified and licensed.”

Which organizations does 1-800-GOT-JUNK? donate to?

1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s donation efforts are managed locally. Each franchise has its own local donation partners, though some partnerships are more widespread.

For example, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? partners with Second Chance Toys on toy donation drives across the U.S. The nonprofit connects people and organizations running toy drives with local charities in need. Drew Trautman, Franchise Partner of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? New Jersey North East, who initiated the partnership, says some collections have been substantial, including truckload-sized drives in New Jersey.

Most franchises partner with nationwide charitable organizations like Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity.

What’s your availability?

Most full-service junk removal companies operate seven days a week, including holidays, with some offering extended or after-hours windows. Same-day and next-day service is common among larger operators. Availability can depend on market size, season, and how early you book.

How fast can I schedule junk removal with 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

1-800-GOT-JUNK? offers same-day junk removal services every day of the week. We operate from the early morning and into post-workday hours. Some locations offer off-hours service. Our contact center is open 24/7 for inquiries and scheduling, or you can book directly online anytime.

What do you need from me for seamless junk removal?

“The more details we can get the better,” says Drew Trautman, Franchise Partner of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? New Jersey North East. The more information you provide, the better the team can plan truck space and stay on schedule. Knowing where items are located and how to access them means they can start work immediately on arrival.

Whether booking online or by phone, we’d love it if you could share the following details with us:

• Tell us about all the things you need removed, so the team can flag items they can’t take.
• Describe the size, weight, and location of your items. If any items can’t be carried safely by two people, mention that disassembly is required. This helps the team estimate how much space they will need on the truck and how much time the job will take.
• Let us know where we can park the truck and how we can access your property or building. This reduces friction upon arrival.
• Give us a heads-up in case anything changes. Did you add any last minute items? Is your driveway blocked? Will someone else be on site in your place? We’re happy to adjust and come prepared.

Partial information is fine. Share as much as you can, and know that scope changes happen on nearly every job. The crew is used to adapting, and pricing stays volume-based no matter what changes on the day.

Do you have more questions for us? Call us or check our FAQ to see whether we’ve covered them.