5 Signs You Need to Hire a Junk Removal Service

It’s time to get rid of all that junk

cluttered garage with junk
Photo: Boogich / getty images
cluttered garage with junk
Photo: Boogich / getty images
Em Norton
Written by Em Norton
Contributing Writer
Updated May 24, 2024

Highlights

  • If your space is stressing you out or you’re hesitant to invite guests over, it might be time to hire a junk removal service.

  • You can DIY junk removal, but only if you’re equipped to do it safely.

  • Cutting spending and creating an organization system for your home can help reduce the accumulation of junk.

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What starts as valued items—and their packaging—can quickly become junk before your eyes. Having a home filled with junk makes it feel a lot less like a home and more like a personal landfill. If you’re concerned that you’ve accumulated too much junk, here are five signs you need to hire a junk removal service.

Signs You Need to Hire a Junk Removal Service

From lack of storage to not wanting to have company over, these are some of the biggest signs you need to hire a junk removal service.

1. You Don’t Have Enough Storage Space

woman in living room full of clutter
Photo: ljubaphoto / Getty Images

If you’re finding yourself scrounging for space to put things away, chances are you’ve got too much junk in your house. You certainly don’t need to become a minimalist, but it is important to have enough storage to reduce clutter on the floor that could lead to tripping hazards. 

2. You Can’t Clean Properly

If there is too much stuff around, it can be difficult to properly and fully clean your home. For example, if your home is piled up with boxes on the floor, vacuuming the corners of a room where dust and dander accumulate can be nearly impossible. It's the same if you have stacks of tattered notebooks and papers and can't access your walls to wipe them down. 

3. Your Space is Causing You Stress

stressed woman in messy kitchen
Photo: DGLimages / istock / Getty Images

A cluttered space can be very stressful and even take a toll on your mental health. If you can relate to this, it’s probably time to hire a junk removal service to clear up your space and in doing so, clear up your mind. 

4. You’re Flushed with Items You Don’t Use or Need

If many of the items in your home are not being used or you simply don’t need them, they might be junk and need to be removed. As previously mentioned, you don’t need to be a minimalist, but you also don’t need to keep a bunch of things in your home that are of no use or enjoyment to you.

5.  You’re Hesitant to Have Guests over

One of the best times to get rid of junk is when you’re planning to have guests over. A key sign you need to get rid of junk is if the thought of having guests over makes you want to cancel the plans altogether due to the state of your home. When the clutter in your home is deterring you from seeing your friends and family, it’s time to do something about it. 

Can I DIY Junk Removal?

Yes, it is possible to complete the junk removal process yourself. However, you may want to consider hiring a junk removal service near you to ensure it’s done safely. While it may cut costs to tackle this on your own, it’s important to know how to prepare for junk removal and how to complete it in a way that will not cause environmental damage or pose a safety risk to yourself and others.

You can refer to these questions to ask before hiring a junk removal company to ensure you understand whether you are equipped to DIY this task safely or should hire a pro instead.

How to Prevent Junk From Piling Up

To avoid having to hire a junk removal service, you can take these proactive measures:

  • Don’t overspend. Impulse purchases are often a surefire way to accumulate junk. Make a budget, and try not to go off the beaten path to avoid junk piling up.

  • Develop an organizational system. Whether through storage units, cataloging, or both, developing an organizational system for your belongings can help reduce junk, as there will be no set place for it.

  • Recycle immediately. A lot of junk comes from paper and packaging. This is why immediately recycling or throwing packaging that is unnecessary to keep in the garbage can keep you on top of your junk. 

How Much Does It Cost to Remove Junk?

 junk removal service truck
Photo: Tada Images / Adobe Stock

While it depends on where you live and what specific junk removal service provider you hire, the cost to hire a junk removal service ranges from $60 to $600, with an average cost of $240. Costs will also vary based on what you’re removing, especially if you need to remove hazardous materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

We need junk removal services for certain projects because they know how to dispose of all kinds of junk safely, including hazardous materials. For example, they could tell you what is considered electronic waste and will know how to dispose of it properly. This means they take proper precautions to ensure the environmental impact is mitigated and everyone's health and safety are taken into consideration when removing junk.

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Learn more about our contributor
Em Norton
Written by Em Norton
Contributing Writer
Em loves combining their budget-savvy instincts with a passion for home improvement. With plenty of experience writing in the financial industry, Em acknowledges that it’s crucial to budget for home projects and to have the full scope of these projects from a financial point of view. Their home saving tips can be found on personal finance sites like Borrowell and Money Under 30.
Em loves combining their budget-savvy instincts with a passion for home improvement. With plenty of experience writing in the financial industry, Em acknowledges that it’s crucial to budget for home projects and to have the full scope of these projects from a financial point of view. Their home saving tips can be found on personal finance sites like Borrowell and Money Under 30.
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