Junk King Prices: Full Cost Breakdown
Junk King charges $99 minimum for a service, with half‑truck loads ranging $389‑$488 and full‑truck loads $589‑$658. Below is a complete, transparent look at what you pay, what’s included, and how to get the best value.
How Junk King Pricing Works
Volume‑Based Pricing
Junk King does not price by the item; it prices by the volume of space your junk occupies in its trucks. The company divides its trucks into three standard sizes:
| Truck size | Approx. dimensions | Approx. cubic yards |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum (1/8) | 5 ft L × 5 ft H × 8 ft W | ~1.5 yd³ |
| Half‑truck | 5 ft L × 5 ft H × 8 ft W | ~9 yd³ |
| Full‑truck | 10 ft L × 5 ft H × 8 ft W | ~18 yd³ |
You pay a single price for the truck size you need, regardless of how many items are inside, as long as they fit within the volume limits.
Minimum Charge and Typical Ranges
| Service | Minimum charge | Typical range* |
|---|---|---|
| Small, on‑site pickup (≈1/8 truck) | $99 | $99‑$150 |
| Half‑truck load | $389 | $389‑$488 |
| Full‑truck load | $589 | $589‑$658 |
*Ranges are based on publicly reported quotes and vary by market (see Regional Variations).
The average job across all customers falls near $240, reflecting many customers who only need a small portion of a half‑truck.
What’s Included in the Price
Labor, Loading, Hauling, Disposal, Cleanup
Every Junk King quote includes:
- Full‑service labor – crew members load items from anywhere on your property (no curb‑side requirement).
- Hauling – transportation to the appropriate landfill, recycling center, or donation hub.
- Disposal and recycling fees – all tipping and processing costs are baked into the price.
- Post‑job cleanup – crew sweeps the area to leave it tidy.
Licensing, Insurance, and Permits
Junk King crews are licensed and insured in every state they operate. If a local permit is required for certain waste (e.g., hazardous electronics), the cost is covered in the quoted price; you won’t be hit with a surprise surcharge on the day of service.
Real‑World Price Examples
Example 1: Half‑Truck Load in a Mid‑Cost Metro
You have a sofa, a mattress, a refrigerator, and a box of miscellaneous junk that together fill roughly half a truck.
- Base half‑truck price: $389 (low‑end) – $488 (high‑end).
- Regional adjustment: In a city with higher landfill fees, the quote may sit at the high‑end ($488).
- Total cost: $488 – all labor, hauling, and disposal included.
Worked Dollar Example (Arithmetic)
Suppose you live in a suburban area where the quoted half‑truck price is $425. You also have a Mattress recycling fee of $10.50 (required in California, Connecticut, Rhode Island).
Base half‑truck price $425.00
Mattress recycling fee $10.50
--------------------------------------
Total charge $435.50
You receive a single, all‑inclusive invoice for $435.50.
Regional Variations and Factors That Influence Cost
Landfill Tipping Fees
Local landfills charge different tipping fees. High‑cost metros (NYC, SF, Seattle) often have $50‑$100 higher per‑truck fees than mid‑west cities. Junk King adjusts its quoted range accordingly, which is why the same half‑truck can cost $389 in a low‑cost area and $488 in a high‑cost area.
Labor Market & Travel Time
Franchise owners factor in local labor wages and crew travel distance. A franchise operating in a high‑wage market (e.g., Boston) will naturally sit toward the upper end of the range. Conversely, a franchise in a rural Southern town may quote near the low‑end.
How to gauge where you fall:
Ask the on‑site estimator about the local landfill fee.
If you’re within 30 mi of the franchise’s depot, travel surcharge is usually minimal.
How to Get a Quote and Book Service
On‑Site Estimate Process
- Schedule a free on‑site estimate online or by calling 1‑800‑468‑5865.
- No credit card required for the estimate.
- A crew arrives 25‑30 minutes before the scheduled time, measures the load, and provides a final price on the spot.
The estimate is final; the crew does not change the price on the day of service unless you add or remove a substantial amount of volume.
“Flex” Service vs Full Service
Junk King also offers a Flex option: you load a bag or container yourself, and the crew picks it up. Flex starts at $39 and is ideal for small, self‑contained items (e.g., a single box of junk). This is a separate product and does not include loading labor.
Common Mistakes and What People Get Wrong
Assuming Online Fixed Prices
Many customers think the website’s “starting at $99” is the final price for any job. In reality, the $99 minimum applies only to a true 1/8‑truck load. Anything larger triggers the half‑ or full‑truck pricing tiers.
Overlooking Hidden Fees
Unlike some competitors, Junk King’s quotes include disposal and recycling fees. However, state‑mandated recycling fees (e.g., $10.50 per mattress in CA, CT, RI) are added on top of the base price. Forgetting this can cause a surprise on the invoice.
Not Consolidating Loads
Splitting a job into two separate pickups (e.g., a half‑truck today and a half‑truck next week) costs two minimum charges. Combining everything into a single truck saves the extra $99 minimum and often yields a lower per‑cubic‑yard rate.
Competitor Comparison
Price Ranges Side‑by‑Side
| Company | Minimum Charge | Half‑Truck Range | Full‑Truck Range | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junk King | $99 | $389‑$488 | $589‑$658 | Volume‑based (truck size) |
| 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK | $100‑$150 | $107‑$396 | $396‑$600 | Volume‑based (1/8‑truck increments) |
| LoadUp | $89 | — (per‑item) | — (per‑item) | Item‑based, guaranteed online price |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk | $150‑$750 | — (volume) | — (volume) | Volume‑based + $99 dispatch fee |
When Junk King Is the Better Choice
- You need a single, full‑service pickup and want all labor and disposal bundled – Junk King’s all‑inclusive price eliminates surprise fees.
- Your load fills at least half a truck – the per‑cubic‑yard cost is competitive with 1‑800‑GOT‑JUNK, especially in mid‑cost markets.
- You prefer a local franchise you can call – many franchises respond quickly and can schedule same‑day service.
When Another Provider Might Win
- Very small, item‑by‑item jobs – LoadUp’s per‑item pricing often undercuts Junk King’s $99 minimum.
- Highly regulated waste (e.g., electronics, hazardous material) – Some competitors include special handling fees in their quoted price, whereas Junk King may need a separate add‑on.
- You want instant online pricing without a site visit – LoadUp provides a guaranteed price at booking; Junk King requires an on‑site estimate.
Get a Free Quote from 1-800-GOT-JUNK? →
FAQ
Q1: How far in advance should I schedule a Junk King pickup?
A: Most franchises can book a same‑day or next‑day service if you call early in the day. The on‑site estimator will confirm availability when they arrive.
Q2: Does Junk King charge extra for heavy items like a refrigerator?
A: No. Heavy appliances are covered under the volume‑based price. Only state‑mandated recycling fees (e.g., mattress fee) are added separately.
Q3: What if my junk doesn’t fit in the truck size I was quoted?
A: The crew will let you know on arrival. If you exceed the quoted volume, they’ll either upgrade you to the next truck size (with a transparent price adjustment) or ask you to remove items to stay within limits.
Q4: Are there any legitimate discounts for military, seniors, or students?
A: Junk King does not offer official discounts for military, seniors, students, or AAA. Occasionally, local franchises run seasonal promotions, but these are not universal.
Q5: Can I get a price online without an on‑site visit?
A: Junk King provides an approximate online estimate, but the final price is always confirmed on‑site. This ensures accurate volume measurement and prevents unexpected costs.
Q6: What happens to items that can be donated or recycled?
A: Junk King sorts recyclable and donation‑eligible items whenever possible and includes the associated fees in the quoted price. If you have items you want to donate yourself, let the crew know—they’ll set them aside.
Takeaway
Junk King’s pricing is simple: $99 minimum, then half‑truck $389‑$488 or full‑truck $589‑$658, all‑inclusive of labor, hauling, disposal, and cleanup. Prices vary by region due to landfill fees and labor costs, so always get the on‑site estimate. Consolidate loads, be flexible with scheduling, and compare a few local quotes to ensure you’re getting the best value. If your job is small or you prefer instant online pricing, consider LoadUp; for larger, full‑service pickups, Junk King remains a solid, transparent option.