Junk Removal Pricing Structure

Have you been calling around, asking other junk removal companies how much it would cost to get rid of X or Y, only to either been given some vague answer or a flat out refusal?  Trust me, it frustrates us too.

That’s why we created this page, to be the one company that gives you an actual number and idea for what to expect for your next haul.  We’re here for you, and we do everything we can to stand out above the rest in terms of professionalism, integrity, and transparency.

Pricing for most reputable junk removal companies, including ours, is based on the following factors:

1. Volume
2. Weight
3. Difficulty
4. Miscellaneous

Let’s dive into each category specifically to determine what you can expect for your upcoming junk removal appointment.

Volume is the typical and most weighted factor in the process for determining pricing for your upcoming junk removal service.  When we’re removing standard, non-bulky items that don’t weigh a ton, we use volume for our pricing estimates.

What that means in basic terms is, ‘how much space does your stuff take up in our truck?’

Here’s some examples for items typically calculated by volume pricing:

• Household trash
• Garbage
• Assorted junk
• Yard waste
• Small furniture
• Anything bagged

Most companies charge by volume but don’t take the time to fill up trailer in a way that would make a Tetris Master proud. We make sure to load every trailer like we’re packing for 6 on a week-long family vacation in a minivan.  No empty space means no extra cost passed onto you.

The way our costs at the landfill and transfer stations are determined is by weight.  Basically the heavier we are, the more we have to pay.  That being said, there are a few types of items that have a special pricing structure due to their immense weight.  The following items are determined by weight instead of volume:

• Concrete
• Brick
• Dirt
• Metal

Did you know that 1 cubic yard of dirt weighs approximately 3,000 lbs?

Many quote un quote junk removal companies out there drive around with trailers that are basically landscape trailers with plywood on the sides.  This is incredibly dangerous when loading with heavy items because of the following:

• Axle weight rating
• Payload capacity of the trailer
• Payload capacity of the truck

At American River Hauling and Junk Removal llc, we make sure that we have the top of the line Heavy Duty dump trailers.  Not only is it best suited for hauling heavy items, but it’s what’s safest on the road.

Our tandem axles on our heaviest duty trailers are rated at 7k each.  Meaning, we can carry up to 14k lbs safely while our competitors with 3k axles can only carry 6k lbs safely, yet they routinely load up more than that and become a danger to our community.

Take a look below to see the thickness of the I-frames, the 10 lug wheels (meaning heavier duty), and the thick steel compared to what we commonly see on the road from other less-than-reputable junk removal companies.

What would you rather see on the road carrying almost 10k lbs going 55 mph?

Not all jobs are created equal.  Some jobs require us to park 300 yards away and walk up 3 flights of stairs, while others are neatly bagged outside.  Given the fact that employees get paid an hourly wage, the longer it takes for a job to be completed, the more expensive it will be.

That’s why it’s important for the dispatcher to ask all the relevant questions to determine if your project is something out of the ordinary that would require more time to complete.  That being said, additional labor time may be added to the price.

Do not, however, hire companies that won’t tell you the price prior to starting. At American River Hauling, we have zero hidden fees and surprises.  I can’t say the same about many other companies.  I’ve even heard from clients that said they hired a company that is a national franchise say that the employees required a mandatory tip as part of the estimate!

In the world of junk removal, every day is different.  We’d love to have a general price structure that fits all situations, but unfortunately that’s just not the case. Whether we show up to a job site and find any of the following, there may be additional unexpected cost (that would be agreed upon prior to starting):

• mold
• drug paraphernalia
• bed bugs
• other dangerous conditions