Removing Junk

If you have a knack for decluttering unwanted junk and don’t mind some heavy lifting, you can make a decent profit removing junk!

In today’s guide, we’ll walk you through a brief overview of junk removal businesses, and whether starting one is suitable for you.

An Overview of Removing Junk: A Primer

Junk removal is a highly profitable gig that involves hauling away unwanted items. It’s a fairly simple yet physically demanding job that requires the ability to work in heavily cluttered environments.

Junk removal services can work with both households and businesses to clear up clutter and increase space.

One of the best things about this job is that you don’t need a degree or special education to do it. Instead, you need some organizational skills, protective equipment, and other tools to help you clear and haul the clutter.

As a junk remover, you can work either hourly or agree to a fair price upfront. Some junk removers transport the unwanted items to a landfill while others might go through the junk to resell usable items.

Related: Picking up trash as a side hustle

How Much Can Removing Junk Earn You?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average junk remover can make around $13.27 to $20.96 per hour.

Besides location, there are several factors that can affect your earnings from debris removal and recycling services. These include the unwanted items you’re removing and aspects like their size, quantity, value, etc.

Some types of junk can also be quite dangerous or heavy, so you can charge more to remove them, including hazardous waste and scrap metal.

Additionally, your pricing strategy and choice can make a huge difference. For instance, if you charge fair prices, you’ll get more work.

This allows you to work on a larger scale, exposing you to more usable items. This way, you can flip them and sell them for a profit, creating an extra source of income.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Removing Junk Side Hustle?

Like profitability, the costs of starting a junk removal company also depend on various factors. This includes expenses like:

• Registering/licensing your business
• Insurance and necessary fees
• Buying equipment necessary for the job.

Technically, you can start this business with as little as $1,000 if you’re working small scale. This might be enough for gigs like basement cleanouts and removing yard waste.

However, if you’re working large scale, you’ll factor in a truck and a storage facility, which can cost you up to $15,000 or more.

Where Can You Find Removing Junk Gigs?

You can find plenty of opportunities to make money by removing junk out there. Here’s a quick look at the best places to find them.

Where to Independently Find Removing Junk Work

If you’re removing junk as a side hustle, most of your work would be local. In that case, the best way to find work is through ads and networking with other businesses. Businesses produce more junk than households, so they provide a sustained source of work.

By building a solid network, businesses could contact you whenever they’re getting rid of unwanted items, such as office furniture, cardboard boxes, etc.

Working on a large scale allows you to remove large items, such as old cars. You can also sell junk cars and used rims to auto shops for spare parts and make extra profit.

You can also find work through various other methods. For instance, you can try posting flyers locally or signing up for local boards for junk removal.

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Removing Junk Work

Besides working independently, you can also apply for a local junk removal business like Junk King.

This is one of the easiest ways to get sustained income, and it can help you familiarize yourself with the business.

There are also several home cleanup platforms that you can use to offer your junk removal services. This includes TaskRabbit and Thumbtack.

Why You Should Consider Removing Junk As a Side Hustle

If you’re interested in starting a junk removal business, here are some advantages that make it an ideal choice for you:

• High Flexibility: You can pick your own pricing structure and working hours to suit your preferences and primary work schedule
• Scalability: Once your side hustle starts yielding high profit, you can easily work in junk removal full-time and break away from the 9 to 5 grind
• Community-Friendly: Junk removal is great for sustainability and the environment. This is because removing, organizing, and reselling usable items reduces waste in the long run.

Problems With Removing Junk As a Side Hustle

Junk removal is a lucrative business but it also has its drawbacks. Here are some of the reasons why you might want to look for other gigs instead:

• Physical Labor: With time, removing junk can get a bit exhausting, especially if you start low-budget and don’t have plenty of tools to help you.
• Unpleasant Environments: It’s common for junk removers to work in unsightly and smelly locations. Some might even be dangerous, so you have to be careful and use protective equipment.
• High Competition: Many people are now considering removing junk as a side gig. Getting jobs might involve bidding or charging lower prices to attract clients.

Frequently Asked Questions