scope of work
What do you need done?
the guide
What can and cannot go
Most haulers take furniture, mattresses, appliances, electronics and general household items. Paint, solvents, chemicals, propane tanks and tires usually need separate disposal, and materials that may contain asbestos should not be removed until tested.
What affects the price
How much of the truck the load fills, heavy material such as concrete, dirt or roofing, items with special disposal requirements, stairs and carrying distance, and same-day scheduling.
Where it ends up
Ask what will be donated, recycled or landfilled. Reputable haulers take loads to permitted facilities and can tell you which ones; illegal dumping can be traced back to the property owner.
Rules and paperwork in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania does not issue a statewide license for this trade. Some municipalities register or license it locally, which is one reason to confirm requirements with your own municipality.
- Pennsylvania’s Covered Device Recycling Act bars putting televisions, computers, monitors and computer peripherals out with household trash; they have to go to an electronics recycling program.
- Under the Clean Air Act, the refrigerant in refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers and window air conditioners must be recovered before the appliance is scrapped, and whoever disposes of it must verify that this was done.
Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection — Covered Device Recycling Act; U.S. EPA — Section 608 safe disposal requirements. Rules change — confirm current requirements with the agency and with your municipality.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is the price based on volume, and is disposal included?
- What do you donate or recycle?
- Are you insured if something is damaged on the way out?
- What is your Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration number?
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave a television out with the trash in my town?
No. Pennsylvania bans televisions, computers and monitors from household trash, so they must go to an electronics recycling program or a hauler that recycles them.
Do I need a permit for a dumpster?
A roll-off container in the driveway usually does not, but one placed on the street often requires a municipal permit.
What happens to old paint?
Dried-out latex paint is accepted with household trash in many places. Oil-based paint and other chemicals go to household hazardous waste collections, which counties run on set dates.
the crew
Verified junk removal contractors
We are still onboarding verified junk removal contractors. You can submit a request and we will tell you honestly if we cannot match it — your details are never shared unless a verified contractor is available.