Junk Removal & Decluttering Before a Move

Sort into four piles

Work one room at a time and give every item one of four labels.

• Keep. It is coming with you.
• Sell. It has real resale value and you have time to list it.
• Donate. It is in good condition and someone else can use it.
• Haul away. It is broken, worn out, or not worth the effort of selling.
• If you have not used something since your last move, it belongs in one of the last three.

Start where the clutter hides

Basements, garages, attics, and closets hold the most things you no longer need, and the fewest you will miss. Start there, three to four weeks before the move. Leave the kitchen and your everyday closet for last.

Selling and donating

Both take longer than people expect.

• List large furniture three weeks ahead. It sells slowly, and buyers need time to arrange pickup.
• Set a date after which unsold items move to the donate pile.
• Book donation pickups early, since schedules fill up.
• When we haul for you, items in good shape go to donation first, through Goodwill, A Wider Circle, and other local nonprofits.
• Ask for an itemized receipt for donated goods if you want one.

What haulers cannot take

We do not take hazardous waste, paint, chemicals, or tires. Your county or city has a drop-off for those.

• Montgomery County. The household hazardous waste drop-off at the Shady Grove Transfer Station, 16101 Frederick Road in Derwood, is open daily and free for residents. It accepts paint.
• DC. The Department of Public Works takes household hazardous waste at the Fort Totten Transfer Station on scheduled days. Check dpw.dc.gov for the current schedule.
• Elsewhere. Search your county's name with household hazardous waste.
• Latex paint that has dried solid can usually go in regular trash. Check your local rules.

How junk removal is priced

We price by how much of the truck your items fill, and you get the number before we load. Most jobs run from $165 for a single item to $715 for a full truck load. The price covers labor, the truck, disposal fees, and sweeping the cleared area.

• A single appliance starts at $105 from the curb, or $140 from inside the home.
• Stairs and basement carries are quoted before we book.
• Gas stoves and hardwired dryers should be disconnected by a plumber or electrician first.

Doing it on the same day as your move

The same crews do moving and junk removal, so the furniture you are keeping goes to the new place and the rest leaves on the same visit. It is quoted as one flat rate. Tell us when you book, so we plan the truck space, and mark the haul-away items clearly with tape or a note.

A four-week plan

Rules for hazardous waste were last checked in October 2026 with Montgomery County.

• 4 weeks out. Sort the basement, garage, and attic.
• 3 weeks out. List items for sale. Book a donation pickup.
• 2 weeks out. Sort the bedrooms and living room. Take hazardous items to the drop-off.
• 1 week out. Move unsold items to donate or haul away. Send us photos of the haul-away pile.
• Move day. Point out the pile to the crew lead at the start.