Junk Removal Cost Breakdown
Junk Removal Cost Breakdown in Orange County (Volume & Real-World Examples)
This guide breaks down average junk removal costs in Orange County by truck volume, material type, and access level—so you know what to expect before booking.
Most companies price by truck volume (cubic yards). Small, curbside piles cost far less than in-home pickups because there’s less labor and time on site. Nationally, a full truck runs roughly $700–$950, while small single-item pickups may be $100–$199 — OC can be higher due to disposal fees and access.
How pricing actually works
- Charged by volume: You’re buying space on a truck (typically ~14–17 cubic yards).
- National averages: 1/8 load ≈ $100–$199, 1/4 ≈ $250–$400, 1/2 ≈ $400–$600, 3/4 ≈ $600–$800, full <$800. OC projects often skew higher if stairs, distance, or heavy materials are involved.
- Material matters: Dense debris (tile, concrete, dirt) hits disposal weight thresholds quickly—and can trigger extra fees (even if the truck isn’t “full”).
- Labor & access: Upstairs carries, long hauls to the truck, and poor parking all add time = more cost (regardless of volume).
What we can’t take (and where it goes instead)
California bans common household hazardous waste from the trash: paint, solvents, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and more. These must go to a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) site. OC Waste & Recycling runs free HHW centers for residents.
Mattresses: OC residents can drop off mattresses/box springs for free at Olinda Alpha or Prima Deshecha landfills through the Bye Bye Mattress program (mattress-only loads, clean and dry).
Orange County examples (so you can ballpark)
These aren’t quotes—just planning ranges using national averages above plus common OC constraints.
- Anaheim curbside furniture pile (1⁄4–1⁄2 load): sofa + chair + 10 boxes staged by garage → typically falls in the 1⁄4–1⁄2 band. Curbside saves labor vs. apartment stairs.
- Irvine upstairs apartment (1⁄2 load): two flights of stairs + long carry can push a mid-size pile toward the higher end of 1⁄2. (Labor/time, not just volume.)
- Huntington Beach small remodel debris (heavy): looks like 1⁄4 visually but hits weight thresholds quickly—expect higher disposal cost compared with light household junk.
Curbside vs. in-home pickup (why curbside is cheaper)
- Curbside/driveway: no stairs, minimal time on site → lowest price for the same volume.
- In-home/full-service: added labor, carries, and time → higher price for the same volume.
- If you’re budget-sensitive, move items to the curb/driveway and separate hazardous or mattresses per OC rules to avoid delays.
Thinking of doing curbside junk removal?
Save money and time by booking with The OC Bros — we handle curbside pickups across Orange County.
No emails, no pressure — just a fast, transparent price.