6 Best Junk Removal Services in NY of 2024

Junk removal is something that almost every single person will have to do in their lifetimes.

It can be due to a death in the family, a tenant who walked off and never returned, or even something as simple as trying to get rid of all the extra stuff you've been keeping.

Theoretically, it's not too different from moving, but the logistics and process can get overwhelming.

Anyone who has been involved in a junk removal session can tell you that it's going to be a pretty labor-intensive issue.

It will be the kind of work session that will leave you breathless and stinking in your sweat.

Even if you're pretty athletic, you will probably want someone to help you with this.

That's where junk removal services come into play.

Junk removal services allow you to sit back and supervise while people remove all the gross crud you no longer need.

They even work to dispose of troublesome items (like mattresses) safely.

The Top Picks For Junk Removal Services In NYC

Junk removal should be quick, easy, and affordable.

If they have additional services, we add them to the mix. It’s also worth noting that many of the top moving companies in NYC and certain home cleaning services also do junk removal.

Here are our top selections for the best junk removal services serving the metropolitan area.

The Best Junk Removal Service Overall: The Junkluggers Of Manhattan

When you need to eliminate that pesky junk that is taking over your living space, Junkluggers of Manhattan are there to help.

Whether it's an office or a house, they have the answer for all waste removal needs.

They come armed with large dumpsters and varied types of containers to pack up all the trash in one easy go!

This company does everything from clearing out basements (and attics if needed) to fully-service gutters.

So whether you're trying to find someone who will clean your basement or remove all old furniture from storage spaces, these professionals are what you need when looking for something done.

The Best Simple Sofa Removal Service: Sofa Removal

Simple job, simple company name.

It's Sofa Removal, and it's meant to be one of the more accessible companies to work with.

Besides removing sofas and a few other handy furniture items, they don't remove much.

So, if you're looking to get your ratty sofa out of your apartment without renting a large waste container, Sofa Removal is the way to go.

They charge per item and work with most of New York City.

Their entire shtick is that they ensure that you don't end up with nasty mistakes or surprise fees.

The Best Junk Removal Service For Full Cleanouts: Jerry The Rubbish Man

This is one Brooklyn-based company that people enjoy having around, and it’s easy to see why.

Jerry The Rubbish Man is known for prompt service and being pretty meticulous when it comes to their cleaning services.

They are pretty straightforward with pricing and also offer excellent service.

If you don’t know if they do something--ask! They’re more flexible than you think.

The Best Junk Removal Service For Emergency Cleanouts: We Clean NY

Do you have a hoarder house that you need to have cleared out?

Does the smell of trash hit you in the face after you open the door to your house?

If so, you must hire a remarkably meticulous and reliable crew.

This is not your average junk-hauling session, after all.

We Clean NY is a company that specializes in the hardcore work that many other haulers refuse to do. You’ll love them.

The Best Junk Removal Service For E-Waste: J&J Junk Removal

Believe it or not, many companies won’t touch things like computers, hard drives, or bicycles.

This is because they need to be removed and recycled in a way that many companies find time-consuming.

J&J Junk Removal company is different.

They don’t discriminate and will drop your stuff at proper disposal centers.

The Eco-Friendly Best Junk Removal Service: Leave No Footprint

Leave No Footprint is slightly different from many other “junk hauling” companies that work in and around New York City.

This recycling-oriented junk removal service is willing to help you reduce, reuse, and recycle your way to a cleaner home...and a cleaner world.

They’re super responsive via email, making this an ideal way to work with your busy schedule.

How We Chose Our Top Junk Removal Services

The truth is that junk removal services are pretty straightforward regarding reviews.

We based our searches on the top ratings for customer satisfaction, quick booking times, and overall pricing scale.

Customer Satisfaction

Did a company have a lot of rave reviews? Did they get an award for the excellent service they offered? If so, they were moved to the top of our list.

Fast Response Times

No one has the time to wait a week for the junk movers to come to your place and clear stuff out. The faster the service, the more likely we would put it on our list.

Pricing

While junk removal is rarely cheap, we don’t want to see people paying for an arm and a leg, either.

Services Offered

New York is one of those places where anything can happen. So, it makes sense to seek out junk removal prepped for almost anything that could happen.

How to Find the Right Junk Removal Service

Junk removal might seem like something anyone can do, but this is not true in New York City.

There have been several cases where junk removal companies who weren’t licensed stole items and improperly disposed of things.

Moreover, if you hire an illegitimate business, you won’t have much recourse regarding any damage they do to your apartment. Only company insurance can get you the compensation you want.

As a result, this is a must-have for any company you want to bring on board.

Licensure and insurance are two measures that help protect you.

To legally clean out an apartment and cart away junk, businesses must have several licenses with the New York City licensing board.

Due to the importance of these two factors, we only chose legitimate, established companies that are legit in the eyes of the state. Sorry, casual workers!

How Much Does Junk Removal Cost?

This depends on how much stuff you ask them to move, the equipment necessary, and the pricing scale.

A junk removal session can be as little as $40 for a small armchair on the first floor of a building. On the other hand, more extensive construction sites and rooftop cleanups may cost several thousand.

Is All Junk Removal Do-It-Yourself?

Having a junk removal company that asks you to move your junk would be extraordinary!

While you might be able to get a discount if you’re open to helping with the heavy lifting, the truth is that you should not expect to be doing any hard lifting yourself.

Will Junk Removers Get Rid of All My Stuff?

Yes, but only if you want them to.

If you have highly high-value items or family souvenirs, it’s best to explain the situation to them and ask them to set them aside.

Many junk removal companies train their staff members to look for items that could be of high value and set them aside.

To ensure that nothing you want to keep gets thrown out, talk to the junk removal company about this issue and ensure they know you need to keep specific items.

What If the Junk Removers Damage Something While on the Job?

Most of the time, the first thing you should do is take a photo and call up the company.

Junk haulers have to be licensed and insured to do their work.

If they did bang up the area, they would file a claim with their insurance company to ensure the damage was repaired.

Accidents happen, so try not to hate them for it.

They’ll get it sorted out. Call YOUR insurance company and explain the situation if they refuse to take responsibility.

Show any proof of their wrongdoing, and you should be able to get the damage covered.

What Won’t Junk Removers Dispose Of or Clean Up?

While there is a lot that you can get cleaned out via a good junk removal service, there are some things that professional junk removers will not be legally able to handle.

These “banned projects” include the following.

Biological Hazards

Things like dead animals, feces, blood, and urine are immediately off-limits for most junk removal and cleanout services.

Legal boundaries say that workers are allowed to refuse to pick up these things unless they are equipped with special protective gear.

Most junk-hauling groups don’t have that gear on hand. You can call to find out, but it’s a gambit.

Crime Scenes and Dead Bodies

We’ve all heard about people hiring people to clean up messes that occur when someone passes away in an apartment. Unfortunately, this is not something junk removers are supposed to do.

You will need to get a specialized crime scene cleanup for this.

Chemical Hazards

Did the last tenant in your home store battery acid? Perhaps some random stuff in vats of a suspect nature?

Depending on what you have in those jars, you might have to call a HAZMAT crew...or the police.

Much like biohazards, chemical hazards are off-limits.

With chemical hazards, you need special training to safely get the stuff out of a home.