Key Takeaways
Most lists of junk removal companies in Austin focus on ratings and reviews. This one is written from a property manager's side of move-out day. At 1836 Property Management, we manage about 950 rental homes across Austin and Central Texas, and we have handled move-outs here for nearly 20 years. After dozens of move-outs a year, we have seen what gets left behind: a sectional on the curb, a garage full of paint cans, and sometimes a whole furnished house. Below, we compare 9 Austin junk removal and cleanout companies. You will also see what each one charges, who donates, and when the city's bulk pickup is the better call.
Here is how we built the list. First, we checked each company's own website in October 2026 for prices, service areas and donation policies. Next, we noted one honest drawback for each company, because no hauler is perfect. 1836 does not have a preferred junk removal company, so none of these is an endorsement. No company paid to appear here, and the order is not a ranking.
Table of Contents
- Austin Junk Removal Companies Compared
- 9 Best Junk Removal Companies in Austin, TX
- Austin Estate Cleanout and Whole-House Cleanout Companies
- Estate Sales in Austin
- Free and Low-Cost Options: Bulk Pickup, Donation Pickup and Dumpster Rental
- How Much Does Junk Removal Cost in Austin?
- Clearing Out a Furnished Rental or a Tenant’s Leftover Belongings
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Need Help Preparing an Austin Rental for Its Next Tenants?
Austin junk removal companies compared
Here is a quick look at all 9 companies. Prices and policies come from each company’s website as of October 2026, so confirm them when you call.
| Company | Best for | Starting price | Pricing type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junk King Austin | Large cleanouts | Quote required | Volume-based |
| College HUNKS Hauling Junk | Moving plus a cleanout | From $99 | Volume-based |
| 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Austin | Wide service area | Quote required | On-site estimate |
| LoadUp | Single items | From $60 | Online quote |
| The Junkluggers of Austin | Donating as much as possible | Quote required | On-site estimate |
| Duke’s Junk Recycling | Small loads and drop-off | $100 dispatch + items | Itemized |
| Smiley’s Junk Removal & Recycling | Rental and tenant cleanouts | From $125 plus tax | Trailer space |
| JT Junk Solutions | Whole-home cleanouts | From $149 | Volume-based |
| The Haul Team | Whole-house and eviction cleanouts | Quote required | Photo quote |
One tip before you compare prices: a “full load” is not the same size everywhere. Junk King’s truck holds 18 cubic yards, JT’s holds 15, and Smiley’s uses a 15-foot trailer with 4-foot sides. So, ask each company for its capacity in cubic yards, and compare quotes for the same pile.
9 Best Junk Removal Companies in Austin, TX
These nine companies handle everything from one couch to a whole house. In our experience, the best junk removal in Austin depends less on the brand and more on the job. For example, a single mattress calls for a different company than a three-bedroom house.
1. Junk King Austin
Junk King Austin offers same-day appointments and free estimates. You only pay for the space your items take up in the truck. Each truck holds 18 cubic yards, which is about 12 standard refrigerators. In addition, Junk King says it sorts, reuses or recycles up to 60% of every haul. It also rents its own dumpsters and picks up dumpster bags, which helps if you want to fill a container at your own pace.
Good to know: The crew sets the final price on site, so text photos first for a closer number.
2. College HUNKS Hauling Junk
College HUNKS is one of the few companies that posts an Austin price range. Its Austin page lists $99 to $699 for most jobs, based on an eighth, half or full truckload. For example, a small load might be one appliance and six to eight boxes. The company also offers donation pickup and says up to 70% of what it hauls is donated or recycled. Because College HUNKS also moves furniture, it can handle a move and a cleanout in one visit.
Good to know: The team works out of Hutto and lists mostly northern suburbs, so confirm your ZIP code if you live south of Austin.
3. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Austin
1-800-GOT-JUNK? has been in business since 1989. Its Austin team covers Travis and Williamson counties, plus cities in Bastrop and Burnet counties. The crew gives a free, no-obligation estimate on site. It also offers single-item pricing when you only have one thing to toss, and same-day service is available.
Good to know: You won't get a firm price until the crew arrives.
4. LoadUp
LoadUp lets you book online and see your price before anyone shows up. In Austin, pricing starts at $60 for a single bulky item. That price includes labor, hauling and disposal. If you book before noon, same-day or next-day pickup is often available. LoadUp also works with charities like Goodwill, the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.
Good to know: LoadUp is a booking platform, so the crew that arrives is an independent local contractor.
5. The Junkluggers of Austin
The Junkluggers lead with donation. After pickup, the crew sorts your items and looks for ways to donate, recycle or repurpose them. When items are donated, you get a donation receipt within 14 business days. The Austin team has also partnered with the Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Estimates are free and done in person, and same-day or next-day service is available.
Good to know: A separate Junkluggers team covers Round Rock and Georgetown, so check which one serves your address.
6. Duke's Junk Recycling
Duke’s is a locally owned company with two yards, one on Burnet Road in Austin and one in Manor. Unlike most haulers, it posts a full price menu. Pickups cost a flat $100 dispatch fee plus a set price per item. For example, a queen mattress is $60, a three-seat sofa is $90 and a refrigerator is $50. Duke’s also donates usable furniture and sends metal, mattresses and electronics to recyclers. Finally, if you own a truck or trailer, you can unload at either yard yourself, starting at $65 per cubic yard for household items.
Good to know: The $100 dispatch fee makes a one-item pickup cost more than the item price suggests.
7. Smiley's Junk Removal & Recycling
Smiley’s is a locally owned Austin company that has hauled junk since 2011. It is also one of the few local haulers that posts prices. A quarter trailer costs $125 to $200 plus tax, a half trailer costs $450 to $550, and a full trailer costs $650 to $950. Its trailer is 15 feet long with 4-foot sides. In addition, Smiley’s lists rental and tenant cleanouts as a specialty, which makes it worth a call for landlords.
Good to know: Smiley’s adds fees for Freon appliances, mattresses, box springs and tires.
8. JT Junk Solutions
JT Junk Solutions is a veteran- and family-owned company. Its founder, Tanner, spent 10 years in the U.S. Army. Pricing is posted by volume. A minimum pickup is $149, and a full 15-cubic-yard truckload is $699, with steps of $275, $429 and $535 in between. The company also handles estate cleanouts and construction debris, and it promises a broom-clean finish.
Good to know: JT was founded in 2024, and its mattress page lists a higher $199 single-item price, so confirm the total.
9. The Haul Team
The Haul Team is a family-owned Austin crew run by its owner, Faris. Its whole-house cleanouts cover every room and closet, plus the attic, garage, shed and outbuildings. The crew sorts items for donation, coordinates disposal of hazardous items and finishes with a clean-sweep walk-through. Donations go to groups like Austin Pets Alive!, Habitat ReStore and Goodwill. For landlords, The Haul Team also handles foreclosure and eviction cleanouts, and it can provide a W-9 and a certificate of insurance.
Good to know: You text photos for a quote and pay when the job is done.
Austin estate cleanout and whole-house cleanout companies
An estate cleanout is much bigger than a junk pickup. Instead of hauling one pile from the driveway, the crew empties every room, closet, attic and shed. Then it leaves the home broom-clean. Many families look for estate cleanout services after a loved one passes. Others need a house cleanout before a sale, a move or a new tenant.
Before you book, we suggest three steps:
- Pull out photos, papers and keepsakes first, so nothing important ends up on the truck.
- Decide whether an estate sale makes sense, because valuable furniture can help pay for the cleanout.
- Ask for a walk-through quote in writing. In our experience, a firm written number prevents most surprises.
If the home belongs to an estate, have the executor or other authorized decision-maker approve the removal list in writing. Also, agree on the finish before work starts. Broom-clean means empty and swept. It does not mean the crew will scrub appliances, clean carpets or patch walls, so plan a separate cleaning.
Several companies above also offer house clean out services, including The Junkluggers, College HUNKS, JT Junk Solutions and Smiley's. The Haul Team, listed above, focuses on whole-house jobs.
If you inherited the house, the next big question is usually what to do with it. Our guide on whether to sell or rent your house walks through the numbers, especially if the home has a low mortgage rate.
Estate sales in Austin
An estate sale can turn a home’s best furniture and collectibles into cash before the cleanout crew arrives.
An estate sale company prices, stages and advertises everything in the home, then runs the sale for you. According to HomeLight’s guide to Austin estate sale companies, these companies typically charge a commission of 35% to 50% of total sales. The same guide says many want a sale to bring in at least $5,000 to $10,000 before they take the job. Rates vary with the home’s contents and the services included, so ask each company for its commission and any extra fees. After the sale, many companies donate or haul away what did not sell.
In our experience, an estate sale makes sense when the home has quality furniture, antiques or collectibles. However, if most of the contents are worn out, skip the sale and call a cleanout company instead.
| Estate sale company | What stands out |
|---|---|
| Austin Capital Estate Sales | Family-owned since 1997. Hosts three-day sales, arranges donations afterward and leaves the home empty and broom-clean. |
| Remember When Estate Sales | Focuses on the Austin metro. The founders bring over 20 years of experience in antiques and collectibles. |
| All Estate Sales & Auction Company | Family-run, with over 35 years of experience. Offers on-site and online sales, appraisals and consignment. |
| Blue Moon Estate Sales | National franchise founded in 2009, with an Austin location. Handles estate sales, downsizing and relocation. |
Free and low-cost options: bulk pickup, donation pickup and dumpster rental
Before you pay a hauler, check these options. They take more planning, but they can save you hundreds of dollars.
City of Austin bulk pickup
Bulk pickup in Austin is now on demand. Instead of waiting for a neighborhood date, you book your own appointment. If you have Austin Resource Recovery curbside service, you can schedule up to three bulk pickups each calendar year. This covers single-family homes and buildings with up to four units.
Book through the Austin Recycles app, online, or by calling 3-1-1, and set items at the curb by 5:30 a.m. on your appointment day. The city also has rules on sorting, spacing and what it won't take, so check its on-demand bulk collection rules or the What Do I Do With tool before you set anything out.
One more thing: the city says furniture picked up through bulk collection is not reused or recycled right now. So if your couch is still in good shape, try to donate it first.
Donation pickup
Gently used furniture and appliances can often go to a charity for free. For example, the Austin Habitat for Humanity ReStore offers free pickup for large donations and has three stores in the area. College HUNKS, LoadUp and The Junkluggers also run donation pickups, although those are paid services. In addition, the city points residents to the Austin Reuse Directory to find groups that accept donations, and some of them pick up at home.
Keep in mind that charities can be picky. For example, the ReStore has said it does not take used mattresses or broken furniture.
Drop it off yourself
If you have a truck, hauling a load yourself is often the cheapest choice. Duke’s Junk Recycling lets you unload at its Burnet Road or Manor yard with no appointment needed. Drop-off for household items starts at $65 per cubic yard. The city’s Recycle and Reuse Center is another option for Austin and Travis County residents, though some materials need an appointment.
Dumpster rental in Austin
A dumpster works best when you want to clean out at your own pace. Here is what local companies posted in October 2026:
- Austin Dumpsters: $369 plus tax for a 10-yard or $469 for a 20-yard, with 7 days included and $75 per extra ton.
- redbox+ of Greater Austin: from $395 for a 10-yard or $495 for a 20-yard, with 3 days included and $80 per extra ton.
- Junk King Austin: rents a 12-cubic-yard dumpster and charges only for the space you use.
Keep it on your driveway, because a dumpster on a public street needs a right-of-way permit from the city.
How much does junk removal cost in Austin?
Posted junk removal prices in Austin, TX run from about $60 for a single bulky item to $950 plus tax for a full trailer. Whole-house cleanouts often cost more, because they can take several loads. Here is how the main options compare, based on prices local companies posted in October 2026.
| Option | Posted price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| City bulk pickup | Part of your city trash service | Up to 3 pickups a year for Austin Resource Recovery customers |
| LoadUp single item | From $60 | Labor, hauling and disposal for one bulky item |
| Duke’s queen mattress pickup | $160 | $100 dispatch fee plus a $60 mattress fee |
| JT Junk Solutions | $149 to $699 | Minimum pickup up to a full 15-cubic-yard truck |
| College HUNKS | $99 to $699 | An eighth, half or full truckload |
| Smiley’s | $125 to $950 plus tax | A quarter trailer up to a full trailer |
| 10-yard dumpster | $369 to $395 | 3 to 7 days and 1 to 1.5 tons, but you load it |
| 20-yard dumpster | $469 to $495 | 3 to 7 days and 2 tons, but you load it |
| Estate sale company | 35% to 50% of sales | Pricing, staging and running the sale |
Keep in mind that a full truckload is not a full-house cleanout. In our experience, a packed three-bedroom home with a garage can take more than one load.
What drives the price
- Volume: Most companies price by how much truck space your items fill.
- Weight: Dense loads, like dirt or concrete, can cost more.
- Access: Stairs, long carries and tight hallways add time.
- Item type: Some items carry extra disposal or donation fees.
Our tip is simple. First, text photos to two or three companies. Then compare the written quotes side by side, and ask whether each total includes labor, disposal, tax and item fees. Prices for the same pile can vary from company to company, so a few quotes are worth the extra five minutes.
For rental owners, there is one more cost to think about. In our guide to Texas security deposit laws, we use $150 as an example charge for removing belongings a tenant left behind.
Clearing out a furnished rental or a tenant's leftover belongings
This is where our day-to-day work comes in. As property managers, we see cleanouts from the owner's side, and the timing matters as much as the price. In our leasing process, we do not list a home until it is vacant and "hotel room ready." In Austin, a turnover can take two weeks or more, depending on the home's condition and how fast vendors can come out. As a result, the cleanout is usually the first job on the list, because every other vendor waits for it.
Furnished rentals and short-term rentals
Owners sometimes ask us to manage a furnished home. Some ran it as a short-term rental, while others moved out and left their things behind. Either way, 1836 only manages unfurnished long-term rentals, so the furniture has to go first. Our make-ready standards say it plainly: all personal property must leave the home, or we have someone haul it away at the owner's expense. That includes furniture, cleaning supplies, trash and tools.
If you are moving a short-term rental to a long-term lease, we can help with the switch, as our services and pricing pageexplains. Start by removing anything you want to keep or sell. Then book a cleanout crew and a cleaning, and schedule listing photos only after the home is empty.
When a tenant leaves things behind
In our experience, the usual leftovers are an old couch, a mattress, bags of trash and half-used paint cans. So, what does Texas law say? According to the Texas State Law Library, the law does not spell out how a landlord should handle belongings after a tenant moves out on their own. Instead, the lease often sets the rules.
However, do not assume belongings are abandoned just because the home looks empty. A normal move-out, an abandoned unit, an eviction and a foreclosure each call for different checks. So, review the lease and your timeline before anything gets hauled away.
That is why our moving out checklist tells residents that no trash or personal items may stay behind, including trash in the outside bins. When items do stay, we document them, and the cost comes out of the deposit. In addition, once the furniture is gone, damage it was hiding often shows up. Our guide on wear and tear vs. property damage helps you tell the difference.
Eviction cleanouts
An eviction cleanout follows stricter rules. Under Section 24.0061 of the Texas Property Code, the officer who carries out the writ of possession oversees the removal of the tenant's belongings. The items go outside at a nearby spot. However, they cannot block a sidewalk or street, and they cannot go out while it is raining, sleeting or snowing. The landlord does not have to store the property, although the officer may hire a warehouseman to store it.
Because of these rules, never clear out a home while a tenant still lives there or before the court process ends. Our guide on what to do when a tenant doesn't pay rent walks through each step of a Texas eviction. Thankfully, evictions are rare for us. Fewer than 0.5% of the tenants we place end up evicted.
Foreclosure cleanouts and vacant homes
Foreclosure cleanouts often start with a house that has sat empty for a while. Vacant homes can attract squatters, so check the property before you send a crew. If someone is living there without permission, do not haul their things away. In Texas, removing an unauthorized occupant usually takes a formal court process, which our guide to squatters' rights in Texas explains.
For a bank-owned or long-vacant home, look for a crew that offers photo documentation and a certificate of insurance. For example, The Haul Team and Duke's both list these services for landlords and property managers, and Smiley's lists tenant cleanouts as a specialty.
If you bought a foreclosure and someone still lives there, do not send a crew. Notice rules for people living in a foreclosed home can differ from a normal eviction, so talk with a Texas attorney first.
What to ask a cleanout crew
- Can you send a certificate of insurance and a W-9?
- Will you send before and after photos?
- Is the quote a flat price, and what could change it?
If 1836 already manages your home, talk with your property manager before you book an outside crew.
This section is general information, not legal advice for a specific property.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of a mattress in Austin?
You have three main options. First, if you have Austin Resource Recovery curbside service, check the city’s What Do I Do With tool to confirm your mattress can go out with an on-demand bulk pickup. Second, for mattress removal in Austin without the wait, LoadUp’s single-item pricing starts at $60. Third, Duke’s charges its $100 dispatch fee plus $40 for a twin or $60 for a larger mattress, and it sends mattresses to a recycler. Box springs cost extra at most companies. Also, keep in mind that many charities, including the ReStore, will not take a used mattress.
How much does it cost to remove a couch in Austin?
Posted prices for removing one couch start around $60 and can reach about $190. For example, Duke’s posts a $100 dispatch fee plus $75 for a two-seat sofa or $90 for a three-seat sofa, so a pickup runs $175 to $190. LoadUp’s single-item pricing starts at $60, and its online tool shows your exact couch price before you book. If you have city curbside service, furniture can also go out with an on-demand bulk pickup. However, if the couch is still in good shape, try donating it first.
What is the best junk removal company in Austin?
It depends on the job. For one or two items, LoadUp lets you see your price before you book. For a big load, Junk King's large trucks make sense. If donating matters most, look at The Junkluggers or College HUNKS. For posted prices you can compare ahead of time, look at JT Junk Solutions, Smiley's and Duke's. For a whole house, call The Haul Team.
What will junk removal companies not take?
Most will not take hazardous materials, such as certain paints, chemicals, asbestos or medical waste. Instead, Austin Resource Recovery customers can book an on-demand household hazardous waste pickup for items like paint, cleaners and batteries. Each pickup has a 30-gallon limit.
Do I need to be home for junk removal?
Not always. For example, Duke's says its crew can pick up items without you there, as long as the items are easy to reach and you pay by phone. Many companies also call or text before they arrive. If you are a landlord, ask whether the crew can work from a lockbox.
Can a landlord throw away a tenant's belongings in Texas?
It depends on how the tenant left. If the tenant moved out on their own, Texas law does not set a process, so the lease often sets the rules. After an eviction, the writ of possession rules apply, and an officer oversees the removal of the tenant's property. Either way, take photos of everything before anything goes on a truck. For a specific situation, talk with a Texas attorney.
Need help with a rental turnover in Austin?
If you own a rental in Austin, the cleanout is only the first step. After that come the make-ready, the photos, the showings and the screening. At 1836 Property Management, we coordinate move-outs, vendors and make-readies for about 950 homes. We also back our service with a Rented in 30 Days Promise. In other words, if we don't lease your home within 30 days, you get 30 days of management free.
Want to know what your home could rent for once it is empty? Get a free rental analysis, or schedule a call with our team.
