Get matched with top haulers in Northbrook, IL

The most affordable way to get rid of junk often involves a do-it-yourself approach, especially if you don't have a large amount of debris. Start by sorting your items into categories: donate, recycle, sell, or trash.

• Donate or Sell: Usable goods can be donated to local charities. You can also list items for free or for a low price on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

• Use Municipal Services: Your city's regular garbage collection or bulk pickup days can be the cheapest option. However, be sure to check community guidelines for quantity limits and accepted materials. You can also take recyclables to a city drop-off center.

• Haul it Yourself: If you have a truck or suitable vehicle, loading the junk and taking it to a local transfer station, public dump, or waste disposal facility is a very cost-effective method.

If a DIY approach isn't possible, consider these options:

• Rent a Dumpster: You can rent a dumpster, fill it yourself, and the rental company will haul it away. This is a good middle-ground if you can do the labor but don't have a vehicle for transport.

• Hire a Junk Removal Service: While typically the most expensive choice, hiring a professional junk removal team is the most time-efficient and requires the least effort from you. This is a good solution if your city's services won't accept the items or if you are unable to move them yourself.

The average cost of junk removal is around $250, but prices for this work range from $60 for small projects to $600 or more for large projects. Some companies charge per hour of work, but most will inspect your home and then give you a flat fee for the entire project. Garbage removal labor varies from project to project, so the best way to get an accurate estimate for your service is to contact a reputable garbage removal company in your area and hire them to inspect the junk that you plan to remove.

If you have a large number of leftover roots, shrub branches, rocks, and soil to remove from your stump removal project, you may need to call a professional junk removal service. A small truckload of junk removal costs between $75 and $125 to haul away. You may also have a free composting center in your area where you can haul the materials on your own.

Land clearing costs an average of $3,743, but prices can range anywhere from $400 to $15,000, depending on the size of the land you need cleared, how dense the coverage is, and what needs to be removed. Expect prices toward the lower end if your professional just needs to mulch some plants and shrubs on a small patch of land, and expect prices to move toward the higher end for things like taking down a large number of trees and removing landscaping boulders.