I want to start a junk removal service

**noral** · 12-15-2010 04:19 AM

I was watching this piece on 1800gotjunk the other day on CNBC an i thought to myself Wow thats a simple way to make money. I was wondering really how profitable an expensive is it to start this type of company. I have a small truck already so other than that where would i begin?

**veikoh** · 12-15-2010 06:11 AM

Try to find out where you can put this junk. There are regulations...

**phanio** · 12-15-2010 07:32 AM

This is a great idea - 1) people have junk and 2) people don't have to get rid of their own junk (businesses too).
As stated in the above post - you do have to find places to take the junk. You might call around to your local or regional trash dump, local recycling centers and local thrift stores, flea markets, etc. and see what those vendors will take.
You should file an assumed name (business name) or DBA with your state or country (depending on where you live). Then, start knocking on doors to let the public know about your business. Make sure you under promise and over deliver.

**ACMAir** · 12-17-2010 03:27 AM

Well first off, you have to do it by the books. You need to get a license for it. Also, some corporate branding, a logo and some branded promotions. Also you will need to find a place to dump this garbage, legally. It would be an interesting industry to get started in. Wishing you the best of luck!

**GotLiveChat** · 12-17-2010 12:58 PM

You may want to get into specific acceptance/removal of electronics. There was a local business accepting old tvs/electronics/etc. and they had to turn away people because they already had enough stuff to fill an 18-wheeler.
As someone mentioned earlier though you need to check the regulations with landfills, etc.; especially with electronics!

**TrashOutOrlando** · 12-19-2010 02:37 PM

I added junk removal as a service to my lawn and landscape business and now it's practically all that I do!

It's a great service to offer and more and more people need this type of service!

With things like growing populations, and the foreclosure crisis there is more work out there than ever.

Truly, I wish I could go back in time and start this business years ago.

Bryan Scudamore over at 1-800 got junk really took this business to a whole new level and is a gazillionaire as a result of it!

Don't get yourself wrapped up in the "what do I do" phase... he even says in his interview he started with a $700 pick up truck...

www trashoutstartup dotcom has a free report 3 steps to start a successfull junk removal business...

**-Mike-** · 12-20-2010 02:39 AM

I agree, waste and garbage removal will always be in demand. I think focusing on the overall strategy and creating a model that can allow you to scale the business would be very beneficial. Also with the price of raw materials continuing to go up. ie: copper, steel, aluminum and pretty much ever other major commodity it might be economical to look into recycling some of these commodities. in the past it wasn't economical since these items were fairly cheap. However in the near future I think we will see base metals and raw materials march higher in price with the rest of the world growing at the rate they are, specifically China and India and sucking up the worlds already scarce resources. I think there will be a recycling boom within the next decade or two and people everywhere will start looking at ways to get recycled use from the raw materials they use. I think in the near future the US is not going to be able to afford all the expensive imports we bring into the country and will need to start looking locally for stuff we can re-use. Just a thought..

**Southern_Lenders** · 12-20-2010 11:10 AM

This is probably bigger than what you had in mind, but talk to some home owner associations and see if they will give you a contract to haul the trash from their neighborhoods. The big boys like waste management probably already have a good grip on that, but it all boils down to price / service.

**bjr** · 12-07-2011 03:07 PM

Contact your local dumping yards and see if you can negotiate special rates as a frequent customer. Calculate these rates into your fees. You'll want more than a small truck - the investment into a bigger truck will pay for itself very soon as you realize how much time you're wasting doing multiple trips to and from the dump. Also, as I've mentioned to other people who have asked about this, the most important thing is to advertise your speed of service. When people have junk they want to get rid of, they don't want it lying around. They want it taken care of now. Capitalize on that need.

Brad
Brad's Junk Removal

**JunkDawgs** · 01-14-2012 01:01 PM

Since your father has an MBA, that will be a very useful tool for you; however, the advice I would give is be willing to not only do the manual labor associated with junk removal, but you will also will have to work in your "off time" to take care of the necessary paperwork and bookkeeping to keep your business legitimate. For the first couple years, even though you may keep hours for your customers, you will always be on the clock! Good luck!