Junk removal on the Treasure Coast
From one old couch to a full house cleanout, it helps to know what you are dealing with before someone shows up with a truck. Tell us what needs to go and we pass your request to one independent local junk removal company.
Junk removal covers a wide range of jobs. It can be a single appliance, a garage that has filled up over the years, an estate cleanout after a family member passes, a rental turnover, or the mess left after a storm. On the Treasure Coast, hurricane season adds a seasonal rush, and humidity means stored items in garages and sheds often get moldy, which changes how they need to be handled.
What junk removal companies usually take
- Furniture, mattresses and household items
- Appliances, including refrigerators and freezers, which need the refrigerant handled properly
- Garage, shed and attic contents
- Yard waste and small amounts of construction debris
- Hot tubs, swing sets and old playground equipment, often taken apart on site
Most will not take hazardous materials like paint, pool chemicals, fuel, pesticides and some batteries. Counties on the Treasure Coast run household hazardous waste drop off programs for these. Check your county's solid waste department for locations and rules.
Check free options first
Your city or county garbage service may pick up some bulk items for free or for a small fee, often on a schedule or by appointment. After hurricanes, counties often run special curbside debris collection with rules about sorting piles into categories like vegetation, construction debris and appliances. Paying for junk removal makes more sense when you need it done fast, have a lot of items, need things carried out of the house, or have mixed loads that the curbside service will not take.
How pricing usually works
Many companies price by how much of the truck your load fills, with extra charges for heavy items, mattresses, appliances, tires or stairs. Some charge by the hour for labor heavy jobs. Disposal fees at the landfill are part of what you pay, which is one reason heavy materials like concrete or construction debris cost more. Send photos ahead of time, or ask for an on site estimate, and get the price in writing before loading starts.
Licensing and what to ask
Florida doesn't issue a state license for junk removal. Ask for proof of liability insurance, because crews carry heavy items through your home and can damage floors, walls and doorframes. Ask for the local business tax receipt. Also ask:
- Where does the material go? Do you donate or recycle usable items?
- Is the price all in, including disposal and labor?
- Do you sweep up after loading?
- Can you take appliances and how do you handle the refrigerant?
Watch for haulers who quote a low price and then dump loads illegally. Illegal dumping can come back to the property owner in some cases, and it hurts the area.
How to prepare
- Set aside anything you want to keep, and mark it clearly.
- Pull out hazardous items so they can go to the county drop off instead.
- Check for moldy items. If there is a lot of mold from a leak or flood, the source may need attention too.
- Make sure the truck can reach the house, and tell your HOA if needed.
Related pages: tree service for large limbs and stumps after a storm, mold remediation if items were damaged by water, and pressure washing to clean up the garage floor and driveway afterward.
Common questions
Will my county pick up bulk items for free?
Often, to a point. Many Treasure Coast cities and counties include some bulk item pickup in regular garbage service, either on a schedule or by appointment, with limits on size and type. Appliances, tires and construction debris may have separate rules or fees. Check your city or county solid waste department. A junk removal company is useful when you need it fast or need items carried out.
How much does junk removal usually cost?
It depends on how much you have and what it is. Many companies charge by how much of the truck the load fills, with extra fees for heavy materials, mattresses, appliances or tires. Labor heavy jobs, like a hoarding cleanout or many stairs, can cost more. Disposal fees are built in. Send photos or ask for an on site estimate, and get the final price in writing.
What can't a junk removal company take?
Most will not take hazardous materials such as paint, pool chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, propane tanks and some batteries. Some also limit large amounts of dirt, concrete or construction debris. Treasure Coast counties run household hazardous waste drop off programs for many of these items. Ask the company for their list before the visit.
How do I handle storm debris after a hurricane?
After major storms, counties and cities often run special curbside debris collection. They usually ask you to sort debris into separate piles, such as vegetation, construction debris, appliances and household hazardous waste, and to keep piles away from mailboxes, hydrants and power lines. Watch for official notices. A junk removal company can help if you need it hauled sooner or can't move it yourself.
Does a junk removal company need a license?
Florida doesn't issue a state license for junk removal. Your city or county may require a local business tax receipt. Ask for proof of liability insurance, since crews carry heavy items through your home. Also ask where the load goes, because legitimate companies take material to landfills, transfer stations, recyclers or donation centers, rather than dumping it.