Best Junk Removal Companies in Denver: Honest 2026 Comparison
In This Guide
Denver has over 50 junk removal companies competing for your business. National franchises, local operators, guys with pickup trucks on Craigslist. How do you choose without overpaying or getting scammed? We did the research so you don't have to.
We compared pricing, Google reviews, response time, service area, and what's included for every major junk removal company serving the Denver metro. This includes Denver proper, Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Thornton, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Boulder, Castle Rock, Parker, and the broader Front Range.
How We Compared Companies
We evaluated each company on five criteria:
- Pricing transparency: Do they give upfront quotes? Are there hidden fees?
- Google reviews: Star rating AND number of reviews (5.0 with 12 reviews means less than 4.8 with 500)
- Response time: Can they come same-day? How quickly do they return calls?
- Service area: Do they cover the full Denver metro or just a small zone?
- What's included: Labor, hauling, disposal fees, donation, recycling all included?
The National Franchises
1-800-GOT-JUNK
The biggest name in junk removal nationwide. They invented the truck-based model and spend millions on advertising. In Denver, they have strong availability and a professional crew experience.
- Pricing: $$$$ — Premium. A full truck runs $598-$848. Single items start around $148+. They don't give binding quotes over the phone; they come out to estimate in person.
- Reviews: 4.6 stars with hundreds of reviews on Google. Consistent but not outstanding.
- Response: Usually 1-2 day booking. Same-day possible but not guaranteed.
- Pros: Professional uniforms, clean trucks, reliable. You know what you're getting.
- Cons: Most expensive option by far. The on-site estimate means you can't compare prices easily before they arrive.
College HUNKS Hauling Junk
Similar model to 1-800-GOT-JUNK with slightly younger branding. Also a national franchise with local Denver operators.
- Pricing: $$$ — 10-15% cheaper than GOT-JUNK typically. Still premium.
- Reviews: 4.5-4.7 stars. Good customer service reviews.
- Response: 1-2 days typical. They also do moving services.
- Pros: Also offers moving and labor services beyond junk removal.
- Cons: Franchise quality varies. Denver location is solid but some areas have complaints.
Junk King Denver
The third major franchise player. Strong presence in Denver with thousands of reviews.
- Pricing: $$$ — Slightly below GOT-JUNK, comparable to College HUNKS.
- Reviews: 4.7 stars with 5,900+ reviews. That's an impressive volume.
- Response: Good availability, usually next-day.
- Pros: High recycling rate, strong eco focus. Well-reviewed.
- Cons: Still franchise pricing, which means overhead gets passed to you.
Top Local Denver Companies
Clutter Trucker
Denver-born, locally owned. They specialize in complex jobs including hoarding cleanup and estate cleanouts.
- Pricing: $$ — Competitive local rates. 20-30% below franchises.
- Reviews: 4.8 stars, 350+ reviews. Very strong for a local company.
- Best for: Hoarding situations, deep cleaning + junk removal combo.
Junkman Enterprises
Another strong local player with an impressive review profile.
- Pricing: $$ — Competitive with other locals.
- Reviews: 5.0 stars with 1,600+ reviews. That's exceptional.
- Best for: Standard junk removal, reliable and well-reviewed.
Trustie Services
Full disclosure: this is us. We're newer to the market but built our service around what the others get wrong.
- Pricing: $$ — Text-a-photo quotes. The quote is the price. No on-site estimates, no surprises. Couch removal starts at $75, full truck loads $350-500.
- Reviews: Building our review base. We earn every one.
- Differentiator: Text a photo, get a binding price in minutes. No scheduling an estimate. Same-day service when you call before noon.
- Service area: Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Boulder, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Parker, Thornton, Westminster, and 50+ more.
Pricing Comparison Table
| Company | Single Item | Half Truck | Full Truck | Quote Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-800-GOT-JUNK | $148+ | $398-548 | $598-848 | On-site estimate |
| College HUNKS | $129+ | $349-499 | $549-799 | On-site estimate |
| Junk King | $119+ | $329-479 | $499-749 | On-site or phone |
| Clutter Trucker | $89+ | $249-399 | $399-599 | Phone or on-site |
| Junkman Enterprises | $79+ | $229-379 | $379-549 | Phone estimate |
| Trustie Services | $75+ | $200-350 | $350-500 | Text photo quote |
Prices are approximate based on public information and may vary by job specifics. Updated February 2026.
What to Look For in a Junk Removal Company
- Upfront pricing: You should know the price before they arrive. Companies that only quote on-site have no incentive to give you a good price once they're already there.
- Insurance: General liability at minimum. Ask for proof. If they damage your wall carrying a couch out, you want coverage.
- Disposal transparency: Where does your junk go? Good companies donate usable items and recycle. Bad ones dump everything in the landfill.
- All-inclusive pricing: Labor, truck, hauling, disposal, and any environmental fees should be in the quote. No surprise line items.
- Reviews on Google (not just their website): Website testimonials can be fabricated. Google reviews are harder to fake.
Red Flags to Avoid
- No online presence: If they don't have a Google Business listing, reviews, or website, proceed with extreme caution.
- Cash-only: Legitimate businesses accept cards. Cash-only operations often mean no insurance, no license, no recourse if something goes wrong.
- Extremely low prices: If someone quotes $50 to haul a full truck, they're either going to upcharge on arrival or illegally dump your junk (which can come back to YOU if identified).
- Unmarked vehicles: Professional companies have branded trucks. An unmarked pickup truck means no accountability.
- No written quote: Always get pricing in writing (text, email, or invoice) before work begins.
Our Recommendation by Situation
| Your Situation | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-conscious, 1-3 items | Local company (Trustie, Junkman) | Lowest prices, same service quality |
| Large estate cleanout | Clutter Trucker or Trustie | Experience with complex, sensitive jobs |
| Want a brand name, price not a concern | 1-800-GOT-JUNK or Junk King | Consistency, nationwide reputation |
| Need it gone TODAY | Whoever has same-day availability | Call 2-3 companies, first available wins |
| Hoarding cleanup | Clutter Trucker | Specializes in sensitive hoarding situations |
| Commercial/office cleanout | Trustie Services | Flexible scheduling, competitive commercial rates |
How to Get the Best Price
- Get 3 quotes minimum. Always. Takes 15 minutes of texting photos and saves $50-200.
- Consolidate into one trip. Two half-truck loads cost more than one full truck. Clean out everything at once.
- Remove donations first. Less volume = lower price. Donate what's usable before calling for removal.
- Book off-peak. Winter months (November-March) and weekdays are cheaper than summer weekends.
- Move items to ground level. If you can get items to the garage or driveway, you avoid stair charges.
- Mention competing quotes. Companies will often match or beat a competitor's price to win your business.
Ready for a quote? Text photos of what you need removed to (720) 213-5521. We'll reply with a binding price in minutes. Serving the entire Denver metro and Colorado Front Range.
Ready to Get Started?
Text a photo for a free quote. We reply with a price in minutes. Serving Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Boulder, and 50+ Colorado cities.
📱 Call (720) 213-5521Specialty Junk Removal Services in Denver
Beyond standard household junk, Denver has specialized needs that not every company handles:
Hot Tub Removal
Denver's housing stock includes thousands of aging hot tubs. Removal requires draining, disconnecting electrical, cutting into sections, and hauling. Cost: $350-700. Most standard junk removal companies handle this. Confirm they'll handle electrical disconnection (some require you to hire an electrician separately).
Piano Removal
Upright pianos weigh 300-500 lbs. Grand pianos: 500-1,200 lbs. Special equipment and 3-4 person crews required. Cost: $200-500 for uprights, $400-800 for grands. Not every junk company will take pianos due to weight and risk. Ask specifically.
Construction Debris
Drywall, lumber, concrete, roofing materials from renovation projects. Many junk removal companies charge premium rates for construction debris because it's heavier than household items. Cost: 20-40% more than standard junk for the same volume. Alternative: rent a dumpster ($300-500 for a 10-yard, $400-700 for a 20-yard, 7-day rental including disposal).
E-Waste and Hazardous Materials
Most junk removal companies will NOT take: paint, chemicals, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, medical waste, or certain electronics. These require specialized disposal. Denver has free drop-off options through the Household Hazardous Waste program at the Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (5950 Havana St) and periodic mobile collection events.
Timing Your Junk Removal
When you schedule affects both price and availability:
| Timing | Price Level | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday (Tue-Thu) | Lowest | Best | Optimal scheduling |
| Monday/Friday | Standard | Good | Start/end of week popular |
| Saturday | Standard-Premium | Moderate | Most popular day, book early |
| Sunday | Premium (+15-25%) | Limited | Not all companies work Sundays |
| Winter (Nov-Mar) | 10-20% lower | Excellent | Slow season, negotiate hard |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Peak pricing | Limited | Moving season, highest demand |
The sweet spot: Tuesday-Thursday in January-March. Lowest prices, fastest availability, and companies are hungry for work during their slow season.
What to Do Before the Crew Arrives
Preparation saves you money and speeds up the job:
- Separate donations from trash. Usable items (working appliances, clean furniture, clothing) should be clearly separated. Many companies donate items when convenient, but making it easy increases the chances.
- Consolidate items in one location. Pile everything in the garage or driveway if possible. Crews carrying items from multiple rooms through narrow hallways takes longer (and may cost more).
- Clear pathways. If items must come from inside, ensure doorways and stairs are clear. Move anything fragile that could be bumped during hauling.
- Check for prohibited items. Ask when booking: paint, chemicals, tires, and certain electronics have special requirements. Having surprise hazmat on pickup day delays the job.
- Be present (or have someone present). The crew needs direction on what goes and what stays. Don't assume they know which pile is trash and which is keeping.
Related Denver Services
What Happens to Your Junk After Pickup: Denver's Disposal Chain Explained
Ever wonder where your stuff actually goes after a junk removal truck drives away? In Denver, the answer depends entirely on which company you hire — and it matters more than you think.
The Landfill Route (Cheapest, Worst). Budget haulers drive straight to Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site or Tower Road Landfill and dump everything. Your old couch, electronics, recyclable metals, donatable furniture — all buried together. Landfill tipping fees in Denver run $32-$48 per ton, which is why these companies charge less. But the environmental cost is real: Denver's landfills are projected to reach capacity by 2035 at current rates.
The Sort-and-Donate Route (Mid-Range, Better). Companies like Trustie Services sort your items at a transfer facility. Usable furniture and appliances go to ARC Thrift Stores, Goodwill, or Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Electronics go to certified e-waste recyclers. Metals go to scrap yards (where they actually have monetary value). Only truly unsalvageable items hit the landfill. This approach diverts 40-60% of hauled material from landfills.
The Full-Circle Route (Premium, Best). Some Denver haulers partner with material recovery facilities that process construction debris into reusable aggregate, reclaim lumber for resale, and even compost organic waste. Diversion rates hit 70-80%. You'll pay 15-25% more, but you'll get a detailed donation receipt for tax deductions that often offsets the price difference.
At Trustie Services, we sort every load. If your old furniture can find a second home, it will. If your estate cleanout includes items of value, we'll tell you before hauling. That's not marketing — it's how junk removal should work. Call (720) 213-5521 for a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your priorities. For lowest price: local companies like Trustie Services or Junkman Enterprises. For brand recognition: 1-800-GOT-JUNK or Junk King. For complex jobs (hoarding, estates): Clutter Trucker. Always get 2-3 quotes to compare.
1-800-GOT-JUNK is the most expensive option in Denver. Single items start at $148+, half truck loads run $398-548, and full truck loads are $598-848. They require an on-site estimate before giving a final price.
Yes, typically 30-40% cheaper. Local companies have lower overhead (no franchise fees, less advertising spend) and pass those savings to customers. The service is functionally identical: a crew comes, loads your junk, hauls it away.
Check for: Google Business listing with reviews, a real website, insurance documentation, upfront pricing, branded vehicles, and acceptance of card payments. Avoid cash-only, no-review, unmarked truck operations.
Most Denver junk removal companies offer same-day service if you call before noon. Availability is better on weekdays and during winter months. Summer weekends are the busiest times.
Good ones do. Junk King has a strong eco focus. Trustie Services donates usable items and recycles materials when possible. Always ask about their disposal practices. Companies that landfill everything are doing it the lazy way.
