Junk Removal: The Unsung Hero of Downsizing
When you’re downsizing, there’s almost always a point when junk removal comes into play. These days, junk removal isn’t just about tossing unwanted stuff into a truck. With the right provider, it can also mean donating your unneeded belongings and recycling electronics, clothing, appliances, and even mattresses.
Even though it can be messy (and honestly a little depressing at times), junk removal can be your best friend during the downsizing process. We’ve teamed up with Junk.com to explore the best ways to leverage junk removal for your downsizing move.
The Best Times to Use Junk Removal
After You’ve Decided What You’re Keeping:
The most important thing to remember is that you should always choose what you’re taking with you or saving to give to others before you call in the junk removal service. It may be tempting to make a big dent in your “stuff”, but we advise downsizers to carefully choose everything that’s going with you first to avoid throwing away something that you end up needing for your next space.
To Prepare a Home for Sale:
In many cases, my clients either need to sell their homes before they move, or they leave it partially furnished during the selling process. One of the smartest ways to work junk removal into your plan is before you list your home for sale.
Clearing out clutter will make your home seem larger, cleaner, and more appealing to buyers. If you’re making upgrades or repairs, a clutter-free home gives painters, flooring crews, and stagers room to work. You’re going to have to clean out the basement, attic etc. before you move anyway, so if you’re staying in your house during the sale, you may as well get it over with sooner rather than later.
After a Move:
My personal favorite way to work with junk haulers is after the move. If you can, move all of your must-have items out first, and get on with your life! Then you can leave it to your downsizing team to manage the final clean-out and handle everything that’s left over. This one-and-done approach is often the most efficient and cost-effective, without you having to make any decisions or lift a single thing.
What Junk Removal Companies Do
At the simplest level, junk removal companies make unwanted items disappear. They’ll arrive with a truck and a team, load up the things you no longer want, and haul them away. That means you don’t have to worry about lifting heavy furniture, arranging multiple donation drop-offs, or making trips to the landfill. Junk removal is a fantastic resource for any stage of life but it’s especially necessary if you’re making a big downsizing move.
Every business is different, but generally speaking:
Most junk companies’ pricing is based on volume—how much space your things take up in the truck—rather than by the hour. This makes it easy for them to estimate and price, and easy for you to spread the work over multiple visits without additional expense.
A good junk removal crew will go into basements, attics, garages, and sheds to haul things out—you don’t need to physically handle any of it yourself. In fact, I advise my clients to leave anything they don’t want exactly where it is. There’s no cost savings for you to drag, lift, or move anything that’s not going with you, and a lot of risk of injury if you try to do it yourself. Save your energy for the important decisions about the stuff you’re actually keeping.
Many junk removal companies also make donation runs and recycle what they can, which means your unwanted items may still find a new life. That said, not every junk removal company sorts for donations. If that’s important to you, arrange those drop-offs before the junk removal appointment. If you have unneeded items mixed in with stuff you want to keep, you increase the risk of something being hauled away by mistake. The junk removal process works best for everyone when you can say, “everything left on the property goes.”
Movers will carefully wrap and protect furniture, but junk removal crews generally won’t. They also may not be as well trained as movers to protect your floors, walls, and landscaping. The best way to get around this is to communicate your expectation and to schedule your junk pickup before any fresh paint or new flooring goes in, just in case.
Most junk removal companies have a list of things they either charge extra for, or simply won’t take. Common exclusions include construction materials, concrete, paint, household chemicals, propane tanks, and appliances with freon, which may require special handling or extra fees. Planters or pots also usually need to be emptied of dirt and plants before being hauled.
A Note on Emotions
For many people, seeing belongings they’ve owned over a lifetime tossed into a truck can feel overwhelming. Crews often need to break down or dismantle furniture to remove it efficiently. If that would upset you, that’s another reason not to be there. If possible, move first and let a friend or a trusted professional to oversee the final clear-out. It’s usually a much calmer and less traumatic experience.
Planning Ahead for Junk Removal
Here are some best practices for making sure you are prepared for a successful junk removal experience:
- Cost Estimates: Ask how they estimate costs and whether they can give you a ballpark price before coming.
- Scheduling: Find out their arrival window and how far in advance you need to book. (One to two weeks is common.)
- Services: Ask about donations, recycling, and any extra fees for special items.
- Hazards & Hoarding: Be transparent about conditions inside and outside the home when you schedule your estimate. If your clear-out involves a hoarding situation, flooding, or other biohazard risks, make sure to mention it up front. Surprise conditions can end up costing you more in the long run.
Dumpsters & Trucks: Ask what size vehicle or container they’ll use for your junk removal. HOAs or local governments sometimes don’t allow roll-off dumpsters or may require additional permits.
- Parking Permits: You may need to secure a parking permit for the truck or container. Don’t forget to check your HOA or local parking rules well before your clear-out day.
- Cancellation Policies: Ask about their cancellation or rescheduling policy before you book.
- Unusual Methods: Some crews will toss things from upper floors, off decks or out of windows, or use neighboring areas to speed up the process. A best practice is to be clear about the way you want them to enter and exit the property.
- Tipping Policies: Ask what’s customary in your area and whether you can add it to the bill or provide cash directly.
- Communication: Be clear when they arrive: open drawers and cabinets that you want emptied and clearly mark items that should stay with the property.
- Check Out: Do a final walk-through to be sure nothing was missed—including hidden storage areas. Don’t be shy about asking them to take every last scrap—anything left over will be your job to remove!
The Bottom Line
Junk removal may not be the most glamorous part of downsizing, but it’s one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. Save your energy for the decisions about the things you’re keeping, and allow the pros to do the heavy lifting. You’ll save yourself time, money, and stress—and you’ll clear the way for a fresh start in your new home.
