How to Get Three Junk Removal Quotes in One Afternoon
You can get three junk‑removal quotes in one afternoon by calling three reputable companies, scheduling same‑day on‑site estimates, and comparing the numbers side‑by‑side. The fastest way is to prepare a clear inventory, pick the right three providers, and use a quick spreadsheet to track each quote.
1. Step‑by‑Step Plan for Same‑Day Quotes
Choose the right three companies
| Company | Pricing Model | Minimum Charge | Typical Range for a Half‑Truck | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK? | Volume‑based (1/8‑truck increments) | $100‑$150 (minimum load) | $400‑$600 | All 50 states |
| LoadUp | Per‑item (online guarantee) | $89 minimum | N/A (item‑based) | All 50 states |
| Junk King | Volume‑based | $99 minimum | $389‑$488 (half‑truck) | Gaps in several states |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk | Volume‑based + $99 dispatch fee | $150‑$750 per job | N/A | Nationwide |
Pick any three of the above; a common combo is 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK?, LoadUp, and Junk King because they cover the full range of pricing structures (volume vs. per‑item) and operate nationwide.
Gather the details you need
Measure the load – Use the official truck dimensions:
- Minimum load: 1.25 ft × 5 ft × 8 ft (≈ 0.5 cubic yd)
- Half load: 5 ft × 5 ft × 8 ft (≈ 9 cubic yd)
- Full load: 10 ft × 5 ft × 8 ft (≈ 18 cubic yd)
List every item – Include weight, dimensions, and whether it’s reusable (e.g., “sofa – 84 in × 36 in × 34 in, 150 lb”).
Identify any obstacles – Stairs, tight hallways, or items stored deep in a garage add labor time for some companies but not for 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK?, which includes loading from anywhere on the property.
Schedule same‑day on‑site estimates
- Call each company (or use the online scheduler for LoadUp) and ask for a same‑day appointment.
- For 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK?, request a free on‑site estimate; they will call 25‑30 minutes before arrival. No credit card is required.
- LoadUp provides an instant online price once you enter the items; you still receive a confirmation call the day of service.
- Junk King typically offers a same‑day on‑site estimate after you fill out a brief online form.
Capture the numbers
Create a simple three‑column table in Google Sheets or on paper:
| Company | Quote (including labor, haul, disposal, cleanup) | Notes / Extras |
|---|---|---|
| 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK? | $___ | Volume tier, includes loading from anywhere |
| LoadUp | $___ | Per‑item guarantee, no surprise fees |
| Junk King | $___ | Approximate online estimate, confirmed on site |
Enter the exact dollar amount you receive, then move on to the next provider. With three calls and three on‑site visits, you can finish the process in under four hours if you schedule the appointments back‑to‑back.
2. What the Price Actually Includes
1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK? – All‑in‑One Volume Pricing
- Minimum load (1/8‑truck) – $100‑$150
- Small loads – $107‑$396
- Medium loads – $396‑$600
- Large loads – $600‑$1,099
- Half truckload – $400‑$600
- Full truckload – $600‑$1,000
The quoted price covers all labor, loading from anywhere on the property (you don’t have to move items to the curb), hauling, disposal & recycling fees, and post‑job cleanup. Crews are licensed and insured, so there are no hidden fees.
Competitor Pricing – How They Differ
- LoadUp – $89 minimum. Prices are per item; you get a guaranteed online price that never changes on service day.
- Junk King – About $99 minimum. Half‑truck loads fall in the $389‑$488 range; full‑truck loads $589‑$658. The online estimate is approximate; the final number is confirmed on site.
- College Hunks Hauling Junk – Jobs range $150‑$750. In addition, a $99 service/dispatch fee often appears after booking, which many customers discover too late.
Understanding these components helps you spot where you can shave dollars off—especially when the same volume of junk can be priced differently across companies.
3. Real‑World Savings Tactics (and How Much They Can Cut)
Below is a quick‑reference table that pairs common money‑saving actions with realistic dollar impacts based on the verified pricing ranges.
| Savings Tactic | Typical Dollar Savings | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Donate or sell usable items first | $100‑$200 (drops a 1/4‑truck quote into the $100‑$150 minimum band) | Removing sellable pieces reduces volume, moving you from a “small load” ($107‑$396) to the minimum load tier. |
| Combine loads with a neighbor | $150‑$300 (splits a half‑truck cost) | Two households share a half‑truck, each paying roughly half of the $400‑$600 range. |
| Schedule mid‑week/off‑season | $20‑$50 (softens demand‑driven pricing) | Companies often lower rates when demand is low; the quote may fall toward the lower end of a range. |
| Pre‑sort for faster loading | $30‑$70 (reduces crew labor time) | Faster loading can move the quote from the top to the bottom of a volume tier, especially with 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK?. |
| Flex “self‑load” option | $39‑$70 (instant online price) | 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK?’s Flex product starts at $39; you load a bag/container yourself, eliminating labor costs. |
| Get 2‑3 competing quotes | $50‑$150 (price competition) | Comparing three quotes lets you negotiate down to the lowest realistic tier. |
Why These Tactics Matter
- Volume is the price driver for 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK? and Junk King. Reducing cubic yards directly lowers the quoted tier.
- Per‑item pricing (LoadUp) rewards you for having fewer, larger items versus many small pieces.
- Seasonality influences labor availability; midsummer and holiday weeks often see higher rates.
Get a Free Quote from 1-800-GOT-JUNK? →
4. Worked Example: Turning a 1/4‑Truck Quote into a Minimum Load
Imagine you have a quarter‑truck load (about 4.5 cubic yd) consisting of:
- 2 dressers (usable) – each 3 ft × 2 ft × 2 ft
- 1 old sofa – 84 in × 36 in × 34 in (≈ 120 lb)
- 1 broken refrigerator – 115 lb
A 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK? crew estimates $320 for this volume (mid‑range of the “small load” tier).
Step 1 – Identify usable items
Both dressers could be donated to a local charity. Removing them cuts the volume by roughly 2 cubic yd, leaving only the sofa and fridge (≈ 2.5 cubic yd).
Step 2 – Re‑quote after donation
The crew re‑measures and now classifies the job as a minimum load (1/8‑truck). The new quote falls to the $100‑$150 band.
Dollar Impact
- Original quote: $320
- New quote after donation: $125 (mid‑point of $100‑$150)
- Savings: $195 (≈ 61 % reduction)
That single action—donating two dressers—saved you nearly $200, proving that pre‑sorting & donating is often the most lucrative tactic.
5. Common Mistakes People Make
| Mistake | Why It Costs More | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Relying on coupon‑site codes | Most codes (e.g., “MYJUNK30”) are expired or never work, leading to wasted time and sometimes higher prices after “discount” fails. | Trust only the email‑list discount ($10‑$25) or local franchise promos that are verified on the company’s website. |
| Assuming the lowest advertised price is final | Some companies (College Hunks) hide a $99 dispatch fee until after booking. | Ask upfront: “Is there any service or dispatch fee in addition to the quoted price?” |
| Not measuring volume | Without knowing cubic yards, you may be quoted a higher tier unnecessarily. | Use the official truck dimensions to estimate your load before calling. |
| Scheduling only one provider | You lose leverage; a single quote often reflects the provider’s maximum rate. | Get three on‑site quotes in the same afternoon to create competition. |
| Leaving items at the curb | Some companies charge extra for you to bring items to the curb; 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK? includes loading from anywhere, but others may not. | Clarify “loading from anywhere on the property” in the quote request. |
Avoiding these pitfalls keeps the focus on real, verifiable savings rather than chasing phantom coupons.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Does 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK? offer a military or senior discount?
A: No. There is no official military, senior, student, or AAA discount. Any claim otherwise is unverified.
Q2. Can I get a price online for 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK?
A: No. They provide a free on‑site estimate only; pricing is not given over the phone or online. The only instant‑pricing product is their Flex service, which starts at $39 and requires you to load the container yourself.
Q3. How does LoadUp’s per‑item pricing compare to volume‑based pricing?
A: LoadUp guarantees a minimum $89 charge and then adds a fixed price per item. This can be cheaper for a few large items (e.g., a sofa for $170) but may exceed volume‑based rates if you have many small pieces.
Q4. What should I do if a quote seems higher than the advertised range?
A: Verify the volume tier the company used. Ask them to walk you through the cubic‑yard calculation. If it still feels high, obtain competing quotes; the market typically offers a range of $100‑$600 for most residential loads.
Q5. Are there hidden fees for disposal or recycling?
A: For 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK?, no—disposal, recycling, and cleanup are included in the quoted price. Other companies may add landfill tipping fees; always ask “What is included in the total price?”
Q6. How can I split a truck with a neighbor and still get a discount?
A: Coordinate a joint pickup and tell the crew you’re sharing a half‑truck. The total cost (e.g., $500 for a half‑truck) is split, giving each party roughly $250, which is often lower than two separate half‑truck quotes.
7. Takeaway
Getting three junk‑removal quotes in one afternoon is straightforward: schedule same‑day on‑site estimates, know your load’s volume, and compare the three numbers side‑by‑side. The biggest real savings come from donating usable items, sharing a truck, and being flexible with timing—not from chasing nonexistent coupons. Use the verified pricing ranges above to negotiate confidently, and you’ll likely land a price well below the average $240 most customers pay.