1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK Fees: The Complete List of What You Pay For
The fees you pay to 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK are based on the volume of junk you load onto a fraction of their truck, not a flat per‑item price. Prices start at $100‑$150 for the smallest 1/8‑truck load and climb to $1,099 for a full‑truck load, with the only extra charge being a $10.50 mattress‑recycling fee in California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Below is everything you need to know to predict the bill before a crew pulls up, why the company refuses phone quotes, and where you can actually save money.
How the Volume‑Based Pricing Model Works
1. Truck Fractions Are Real, Measurable Spaces
| Load fraction | Approx. dimensions (L × H × W) | Approx. cubic yards | Typical price range* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 truck (minimum load) | 1.25 ft × 5 ft × 8 ft | 0.45 cy | $100‑$150 |
| Half truck | 5 ft × 5 ft × 8 ft | 3.0 cy | $400‑$600 |
| Full truck | 10 ft × 5 ft × 8 ft | 6.0 cy (≈ 18 cy) | $600‑$1,099 |
*Ranges reflect national averages; high‑cost metros (NYC, SF, Seattle) sit at the top, while mid‑west and southern markets sit near the bottom.
2. What “1/8‑Truck” Looks Like in Real Items
- A single mattress (70‑100 lb) plus a small box of books
- A 3‑seat sofa and a coffee table (≈ 1 cy)
- 10‑12 bags of yard waste
If the items exceed the 1/8‑truck dimensions, the crew will automatically move you to the next fraction. The on‑site estimate is the only moment the exact load size is confirmed.
3. Why No Phone or Online Quote?
Because volume, not item count, determines the price. A “sofa” in a Manhattan high‑rise can fill a 1/8‑truck, while the same sofa in a suburban driveway may only be a fraction of a half‑truck. Only a free on‑site estimate can verify how many truck fractions you need, and it protects you from hidden “per‑item” surcharges that other junk‑removal firms sometimes add after the fact.
What the Price Actually Includes
| Included service | Details |
|---|---|
| Labor | Crew loads every item, even from inside the house, basement, or attic. No need to move anything to the curb. |
| Hauling | Transportation to the appropriate landfill, transfer station, or recycling center. |
| Disposal & recycling fees | All local tipping fees are baked into the quoted price. |
| Cleanup | Crew sweeps the loading area after the truck departs. |
| Insurance & licensing | The crew is fully insured and licensed in every state they serve. |
| Mattress recycling fee (CA, CT, RI) | $10.50 per mattress passed through under the 2026 Bye Bye Mattress program. |
No hidden “fuel surcharge” or “dump fee” appears on the final invoice. The only variable outside the volume range is the state‑mandated mattress fee where applicable.
Real‑World Price Ranges and Example Loads
1. Typical Loads by Category
| Load size | Example contents (approx.) | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum (1/8) | 1 mattress + 1‑2 boxes, or a loveseat + small table | $100‑$150 |
| Small load | 1‑2 sofas, 1‑2 mattresses, or 2‑3 large appliances | $107‑$396 |
| Medium load | 3‑4 sofas, 2‑3 mattresses, 1‑2 large appliances, plus boxes | $396‑$600 |
| Large load | 5‑6 sofas, 3‑4 mattresses, 2‑3 large appliances, yard waste | $600‑$1,099 |
| Half truck | Same as “large load” but fits the half‑truck dimensions | $400‑$600 |
| Full truck | Full house cleanout, entire garage, or multiple rooms | $600‑$1,099 |
2. Worked Dollar Example
Scenario: You have a 3‑seat sofa ($70‑$100), a queen‑size mattress ($70‑$100), a refrigerator (≈ $115), and a box of books.
- Calculate volume – The sofa + mattress + fridge roughly fill 0.6 cy, which is larger than the 1/8‑truck (0.45 cy) but well under a half‑truck.
- Select the next fraction – The crew will quote a half‑truck because the load exceeds the 1/8‑truck limit.
- Apply the price range – Half‑truck price: $400‑$600.
- Add mattress recycling fee – If you are in California, add $10.50.
Final estimate: $410‑$610 (depending on local market).
That same load in a low‑cost‑of‑living metro could land at the lower end ($410), while the same items in San Francisco could be $610.
Booking Process – Step by Step
- Call 1‑800‑468‑5865 or book online.
- Free on‑site estimate: A crew arrives, measures the load, and gives you a written quote. No credit card is required at this stage.
- You decide: Accept the quote, schedule the pickup (often same‑day), or walk away.
- Crew call‑out: The team calls 25‑30 minutes before arrival to confirm.
- Service day: Crew loads, hauls, disposes, and cleans up.
The “Flex” Product (Self‑Load)
If you prefer to do the heavy lifting yourself, 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK Flex offers instant online pricing starting at $39. You load a bag or container, they pick it up, and you pay the listed price. This is the only service where a price is shown online before any on‑site visit.
Discounts & Savings – The Honest Truth
| Discount claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| Military discount | None – no official program. |
| Senior discount | None – no official program. |
| Student discount | None – no official program. |
| AAA discount | None – no official program. |
| Coupon-aggregator codes | Unreliable – most are expired or never work at checkout. |
| Email‑list discount | Works – signing up on the homepage can yield $10‑$25 off codes. |
| Local franchise promos | Possible – some territories run seasonal offers; you’ll learn at the estimate. |
Real Savings Levers
- Consolidate – One full‑truck pickup is cheaper than two half‑truck pickups.
- Split a truck – Share a half‑truck with a neighbor; you each pay a fraction of the quoted price.
- Schedule wisely – Mid‑week or off‑season dates often land at the lower end of the range.
- Pre‑sort – Removing reusable items before the crew arrives speeds loading, which can keep you in the lower price tier.
- Get competing quotes – LoadUp, Junk King, and College Hunks often quote lower minimums; you can use those numbers as leverage.
Competitor Pricing Snapshot (for Comparison)
| Company | Minimum price | Pricing model | Notable points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LoadUp | $89 | Per‑item, guaranteed online price | No volume‑based upsell; 20‑30 % lower than many rivals. |
| Junk King | $99 | Volume‑based; half‑truck $389‑$488, full $589‑$658 | Approximate online estimate, confirmed on site. |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk | $150‑$750 | Volume‑based; $99 dispatch fee added later | Dispatch fee often surprises customers. |
If you have a tiny job (single mattress or couch) and live in a low‑cost area, LoadUp’s per‑item pricing can be cheaper than a 1/8‑truck minimum from 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK. For large cleanouts where you need a full truck, the price ranges are comparable, and the choice may come down to brand preference or franchise availability.
Get a Free Quote from 1-800-GOT-JUNK? →
Common Mistakes People Make
- Assuming a flat “per‑item” rate. 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK never charges per couch or per TV; the price is driven by how many truck fractions you fill.
- Waiting for a phone quote. The company’s policy of on‑site estimates prevents inaccurate pricing based on vague descriptions.
- Over‑loading a 1/8‑truck. Trying to squeeze too much into the minimum load will force the crew to upgrade you to a higher fraction, raising the bill.
- Ignoring the mattress recycling fee. In CA, CT, and RI you’ll pay $10.50 per mattress on top of the quoted volume price.
- Believing “promo codes” work automatically. Most online codes are dead; only the email‑list discount is reliably honored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do I have to move my junk to the curb? A: No. The crew loads items from anywhere on your property, even from inside the house or basement.
Q2. How do I know which truck fraction I’ll need? A: The on‑site estimate measures the volume of your load. If you exceed the dimensions of a 1/8‑truck, you move to the next fraction.
Q3. Is there a hidden fuel surcharge? A: No. All fuel, tipping, and disposal fees are included in the quoted price.
Q4. Can I get a discount for being a veteran? A: There is no official military discount. The only reliable discount is the $10‑$25 code you receive after signing up for the email list.
Q5. What if I only need one item removed, like a single mattress? A: Single‑item removals fall in the $70‑$400 range, depending on bulk and weight. The crew will still use the volume model, so a mattress may be quoted as a 1/8‑truck load.
Q6. How does the Flex service differ from the regular pickup? A: With Flex you load the item into a bag or container yourself; the price is shown online starting at $39. Regular service includes loading, hauling, and cleanup, and requires an on‑site estimate.
Bottom‑Line Takeaway
- 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK charges by truck volume, not by the number of items.
- Expect $100‑$150 for the smallest 1/8‑truck load and $600‑$1,099 for a full truck, with a $10.50 mattress fee only in CA, CT, and RI.
- No official military, senior, or coupon discounts exist; the only guaranteed savings come from consolidating loads, flexible scheduling, and the email‑list code.
- For tiny jobs or price‑sensitive shoppers, compare to LoadUp or Junk King; for large cleanouts, the price ranges are similar and the choice hinges on service convenience.
Use the volume model and the example calculations above to predict your bill before the crew arrives, and you’ll avoid surprise charges and wasted time.