How to Get Paid to Remove Junk

If you have a large enough vehicle and are happy to handle junk and trash all day long, then you could earn a living with a junk removal company. People everywhere accumulate things that they no longer need and often pay somebody else to get rid of them.

Junk removal services are needed when moving house, when clearing out a property after somebody passes away, or after DIY and renovation projects that create a lot of mess. While some people are happy to remove their own junk, others struggle due to not having a large enough vehicle or even not having a vehicle to use at all. That’s where you come in as somebody who can save the day by getting all the junk out of there and disposing of it safely on behalf of your clients.

What Does a Junk Removal Job Involve?

Junk removal could mean working with a wide range of clients. You might be moving one heavy appliance that has broken or an old piece of furniture that clients no longer want. Or you could be helping to clear an entire house of junk, which could take a few trips depending on your vehicle size.

You will need to find somewhere suitable to dispose of the junk such as a recycling center. Some people who remove junk will expand their earnings further by taking and selling on anything that they remove that is still useable. One example is furniture that may be a little bit shabby but is still functional.

How to Get Started Doing Junk Removal Jobs

To get paid to remove junk, you will need to have a suitable vehicle. While you can remove some trash and junk with a car, this can hold you back from the better-paying jobs. These are often posted by people who do not have a vehicle large enough to fit the item in themselves.

A large truck or van is usually the best option for junk removal. Not only will this allow you to take away larger junk items for your clients, but it also means fewer trips on those big jobs. This will help you save gas and keep your costs low to maximize your profit.

How to Find Junk Removal Jobs

There are several things that you can do to find junk removal jobs.

First of all, it’s a good idea to look on job boards where people post ads for junk removal that you can bid on. Remember that other people offering a junk removal service are also likely to be bidding on these jobs, so you should price yourself competitively and give potential clients a reason to choose your service over the others.

Along with this, it is a good idea to set up an online presence for your junk removal service. You can give your business a name and easily set up a website with a DIY website builder. Include information on the service you offer, what kind of junk you remove or don’t remove, any licenses and insurance that you have, your contact information, and a booking/enquiry form.

Google My Business will also help you get found by people who are looking for junk removal in the local area. When they search for junk removal near them, you are more likely to come up in the local search results and get hired.

How to Price Junk Removal Jobs

There are several factors that you will need to take into consideration when it comes to pricing your junk removal jobs.

One of the main things to consider is your time. How long the job is going to take you to do will be a huge factor in determining how much it is worth. A small job where you are simply collecting a couple of trash bags from a garden will probably be done in around ten minutes. On the other hand, if you are doing a full house clearance, then this could involve a full day of heavy lifting and trips back and forth to dispose of the junk.

The type of junk that you are taking can also affect the price. If you offer a service for removing bulky items or hazardous materials that need to be disposed of safely and professionally, you can charge a premium.

Finally, consider what the other junk removal professionals in your area are charging their clients and make sure that your prices are competitive. You don’t want to completely undercut your competitors, as this can make you look cheap. However, you don’t want to keep losing out to them if your prices are too high, either.  

How Much Work Are Junk Removal Jobs Near Me?

Junk removal can be a job that requires you to be fit and strong, especially if you are doing it on your own. It is a good idea to invest in some specialist equipment such as trolleys that you can put larger items of furniture that you are moving on rather than lifting them yourself. There is a risk of injury in junk removal. It is important to make sure that you educate yourself on safe lifting and handling techniques for heavy goods to avoid damage to your back and spine.

It might be worth paying somebody to come along and help you with the larger junk removal jobs. This is useful when jobs involve carrying out large amounts of junk or heavy items that are often two-person jobs.

How Many Junk Removal Jobs Can I Get?

The best part about starting your own business or working as a self-employed contractor is that you can get as many jobs as your time allows. The main thing about junk removal as a service is that it will always be in demand. When people decide to throw out an old sofa that might not fit in their car, they will hire a junk removal service to come and take it off their hands.

What Other Services Can I Offer?

Along with junk removal services, if you have a suitable vehicle, you can maximize your income by offering other services when you’re not getting as many jobs to remove junk. A ‘man with a van’ service is one such popular option.

As a courier, you will be helping people transport their items from one place to another. This could involve picking up bulky items from stores and auction houses on behalf of clients. You could help clients get items that they have bought online on eBay or Facebook marketplace to their homes. You could also help clients move house by transporting their bulky items in your vehicle.

What Insurance Do I Need for Junk Removal?

If you want to start a new career as a self-employed junk removal contractor, it is important to consider the types of insurance that you are going to need.

You will require a vehicle to carry out this kind of work. Therefore, the most important thing to make sure is that you have the right commercial auto insurance policy to protect you in the event of an accident. If you are also planning to use your vehicle for other services such as collections and house moves, then you should also consider getting an insurance policy that covers the items that you are transporting. This will protect you if you are moving an item for a customer and something happens en-route, causing it to become damaged.

General liability insurance is another important one to get when you are operating as a self-employed junk remover. This insurance policy will protect you from any damage that your business might accidentally cause to somebody’s property or person.

Professional liability insurance is another policy that is worth getting, to protect yourself financially in legal battles where you are accused of doing something that has caused somebody to lose money. If you use other equipment aside from your vehicle to transport junk, you should also consider getting equipment and tools insurance. This will protect you financially in the event that these are damaged, break down, or are stolen.

Why Remove Junk as a Job?

If you don’t like the idea of working in the regular nine-to-five office life and want to be your own boss, removing junk is a good business idea. While it might seem like a basic service to offer, many people struggle to remove bulky items or do full house clearances on their own. This means that your service is always going to be in demand. It will be something that people are willing to pay for. People with small cars or no car at all might have no choice but to hire somebody to remove junk from their property in certain circumstances. This ensures you will always be able to find work.

If you have a suitable vehicle and don’t mind a job that involves some heavy lifting and handling trash, starting a junk removal business could be a good option for you. Why not give it a try?