1800 GOT JUNK Chicago Prices vs Local Competitors

If you’re scrolling through endless junk‑removal ads while staring at a pile of old sofas, boxes, and broken appliances, you’re not alone. The good news? Chicago has a handful of reputable services, and most of them, including 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, use transparent, volume‑based pricing that makes budgeting a breeze. In this guide we’ll break down how the national brand’s rates stack up against local players, what factors can shift the final bill, and how to pick the right partner for your clean‑up project.

How 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Determines Its Price

Volume‑First, Not Weight‑First

Unlike many moving‑company‑style quotes that calculate cost per pound, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? measures the space your junk occupies in a standard 12‑ft. box. The crew arrives, looks at the items, and tells you how many boxes they’ll need to load everything onto the truck. Each box has a set price that covers labor, fuel, disposal fees, and a basic insurance coverage.

Standard Pricing in Chicago (2024)

• 1‑box (small‑scale clean‑out): $145 – $165
• 2‑boxes: $250 – $280
• 3‑boxes: $340 – $380
• 4‑boxes: $425 – $470
• 5‑boxes and up: $500 + (price per additional box drops slightly)

These figures are inclusive of taxes and typical disposal charges for most residential items—furniture, appliances, electronics, yard waste, and even some hazardous debris (like old paint cans). If you have exceptionally heavy or oversized pieces (e.g., a hot‑tub), the crew may add a modest surcharge, but it’s always disclosed up front.

Local Competitors: What They Charge

Chicago Junk Removal (CJR)

CJR markets itself as a “family‑owned” service with a flat‑rate model similar to the box system. Their 2024 rates look like this:

• 1‑box: $130 – $150
• 2‑boxes: $225 – $250
• 3‑boxes: $315 – $340
• 4‑boxes: $395 – $425
• 5‑boxes+: $470 + 

The upside? CJR often throws in a “same‑day pick‑up” guarantee for orders placed before 10 am, and they claim to donate salvageable items to local charities at no extra cost.

Junk King Chicago

Junk King uses a hybrid approach—price per cubic yard for large loads and a box system for smaller jobs. Their typical Chicago pricing (as of summer 2024) is:

• Small job (up to 2 cu yd): $150 – $175
• Medium job (2‑5 cu yd): $275 – $315
• Large job (5‑10 cu yd): $425 – $485
• Extra‑large (10+ cu yd): $600 + 

Junk King highlights an “eco‑friendly” pledge: they aim to recycle or donate at least 80 % of collected material. However, the conversion from cubic yards to actual volume can be confusing for DIY‑ers who aren’t comfortable measuring yardage.

Two Guys Junk Removal

Two Guys focuses on speed and competitive pricing for bulk removals. Their 2024 Chicago rates are simple:

• Up to 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft (≈1 box): $120
• Up to 6 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft (≈2 boxes): $210
• Up to 9 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft (≈3 boxes): $300
• Each additional 3‑ft block: +$80

They’re known for “no‑question” pricing and a 30‑minute “same‑day” arrival window for most of the metro area. The downside? Their insurance coverage is lower (about $10,000) compared with the $50,000 that 1-800-GOT-JUNK? includes by default.

What Influences the Final Cost?

Regardless of which company you pick, several variables can push the invoice up—or down—after the initial quote.

• Item type: Heavy appliances, large mattresses, and concrete items often incur extra handling fees.
• Access constraints: Narrow hallways, stairs, or lack of parking can add a “logistics surcharge.”
• Waste type: Hazardous or regulated materials (asbestos, chemicals) usually require special disposal permits, which are billed separately.
• Timing: Emergency or weekend pickups frequently carry a premium of 10‑20 %.
• Volume accuracy: If the crew discovers the load exceeds the estimated box count, they’ll adjust the price on the spot—always with your approval.

Side‑by‑Side Pricing Snapshot