Full-Service junk removal with a box truck
Run a branded junk removal service with a box truck and a helper for cleanouts, estate jobs and property managers.
- $15k-50k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
10,982 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.1% in a year
NAICS 562111 “Solid waste collection”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A full-time junk removal business using a used box truck or dump truck and one or two helpers. You handle larger jobs such as whole-house cleanouts, estate clearances, move-out debris and commercial cleanups, and sort items for donation, recycling or disposal.
Your first three steps
- Research used box trucks and compare the costs of buying, financing and insuring one for hauling work
- Ask your state and county about hauler licensing, vehicle weight rules and any commercial vehicle registration, and register an LLC and get an EIN
- Introduce yourself to local real estate agents, property managers and estate attorneys, and offer a reliable quote-in-24-hours service
Who pays
Homeowners, estate executors, real estate agents, landlords, property managers and local businesses.
How it makes money
You quote by truck volume or job size, and repeat work from agents and property managers helps keep the truck busy. Costs include dump fees, fuel, insurance, helper pay and truck upkeep.
Skills that help
- Running a small crew
- Estimating job size and disposal costs
- Basic marketing and local networking
- Handling sensitive situations such as estate cleanouts
Watch out for
- Commercial auto and general liability insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire anyone
- Check whether your truck's weight triggers extra federal or state requirements such as a DOT number or CDL
- Check your state or county for hauler licenses and approved disposal sites
- Hazardous waste, electronics and appliances can carry extra fees or be banned from regular landfills
- Dump fees and fuel can eat into profit if quotes are too low
- Heavy physical work and injury risk for you and your helpers
- Keep disposal receipts to avoid illegal dumping liability
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: full-service junk removal with a box truck
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a box truck junk removal business?
Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $50,000, depending on the truck you buy, your equipment, insurance and marketing. These are estimates only, so price out a used truck and coverage in your area before deciding.
How much can a junk removal business earn per month?
Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many larger jobs you win and how many helpers you run. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, and dump fees and fuel can reduce what you keep.
What licenses and rules should I check for junk removal?
Check whether your truck's weight triggers extra federal or state requirements such as a DOT number or CDL. Also check state or county hauler licenses, approved disposal sites, hazardous waste rules, and commercial auto and liability insurance.
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Photo: J_Blueberry on Pixabay