How To Price Junk Removal Jobs

Junk haulers typically have a wide range of knowledge from the most efficient ways to move items to where to recycle or donate specific items. Yet, when it comes to dealing with people and how to price junk removal jobs, it can get tricky.

If you are a junk removal specialist, you will know that you can’t escape the money talk and learning how to communicate effectively with customers is important to making the sale and offering great service!

Use this guide to learn how to navigate pricing junk removal jobs and best practices to properly communicate with customers so they keep coming back.

First, consider your hauling experience in the business. Each junk removal job is different. One job may only be a pickup of a few boxes from the curb. The next job could be removing a sectional couch and entertainment center from the second floor of a house. How you would charge for each of these two jobs is very different.

Pricing junk removal jobs varies based on the size of your order, how much time you’re spending, as well as the volume of your truckload.

There are different ways to approach this. You can choose to price solely based on your needs. If you notice you’re not getting a ton of jobs, maybe it’s best to charge by truck volume instead of time. If your day is filled with junk removal jobs, you may need to charge by the hour to manage your time more efficiently.

How It Works: LoadUp’s pricing model is a combination of three aspects: size, weight and location. We offer time-based services like hourly labor and moving services, as well!

The best way to learn how to price junk removal jobs is to evaluate and assess what your competition is doing. Keep in mind, however, that this is just the start.

Research Local Competition

This step is typically for people who are just starting out in the business. A good practice is to call around to local competitors and ask what their junk removal prices are.

Keep in mind, this should only serve as a benchmark for you to help price your own junk removal services. Every business model is different, and you should scale your business up or down based on your own needs.

Consider Operating Costs

This should really be the first thing you do before even starting a junk hauling business. However, it’s important to keep in mind as you grow, your demand will rise too. You’re going to need to keep up with the necessary operating costs as you grow, which will factor into how you price your junk removal jobs.

Truth to be told, your business model needs to be a bit flexible in the junk removal industry. There are determining factors like the weather and city regulations that can change which will affect your business. Be willing to adapt!

As a Loader, you’re probably used to receiving an order from dispatch and going out to complete the order. Pricing, wages, and all financial aspects are typically handled by LoadUp.

With Loader CONNECT, however, that’s where things change. Loaders have the opportunity to not only brand themselves, but operate independently. This means, you may run into situations where you will have to negotiate a fair price for your services.

In the junk removal business, price negotiation is a game of give and take. If you want a higher price, you need to offer add-ons to service, or a conveniency that warrants a higher charge.

The same goes for the customer on the other side, if someone wants a cheaper price, they need to be willing to give up something. How does this look with junk removal? For starters, requesting donation and recycling will cut down on disposal fees. Customers can also make life easier on the hauler by making sure items are organized and ready to be hauled away.

So, in short, negotiating will require effort on your part as a junk hauler, but also don’t be afraid to ask for something in return if a customer wants to haggle for a lower price.

As a hauler, the goal is not only to accrue the most money you possibly can for a job, but also make sure its a fair price. Because after all, if customers don’t trust you or think you’re trying to scam them, they won’t come back.

Returning customers is the name of the game! So make sure you are negotiating with respect.

• Consider The Season: Slow seasons can give you more time to take on bigger projects, while the busy summer months will cut down on the volume of jobs you can accept. Have your prices reflect accordingly.
• Offer Contactless Pickup: Offering contactless pickup as an option only helps the customer even more, so don’t be afraid to set your price a bit higher while offering that.
• Offer Services In Your Local Area: This is obvious, but if you’re operating in your local area where you have resources available, keep that in mind when determining pricing.
• Provide Discounts And Promotions: Offer discounts where available in your services. Some things to target are around major holidays or offering veteran discounts.
• Offer A Variety Of Prices and Services: If you’re able to offer a number of different services as a part of your business, it gives you flexibility to scale your prices accordingly.

These tactics are just a small snapshot of what has helped companies like LoadUp not only determine how to price junk removal but also scale prices accordingly based on the job and other factors. Things are constantly changing in the junk removal industry, which means you need to be constantly editing and updating your offerings so you’re able to capture the most revenue!

It’s not just how you price your services that attract or dissuade customers from using your junk removal business. People tend to go with companies that they trust, so there is a need to establish trust with your customer base.

That, however, can be accomplished in two ways, how you brand and market your business to prospective clients, as well as how you’re communicating with a customer throughout the duration of the job.

Branding And Marketing Junk Removal Services

There are two major things to keep in mind when attempting to market yourself as a junk hauler: honesty and transparency. Don’t promise services you can’t complete when it comes time to do the job!

As far as transparency, be clear and concise in what you offer. LoadUp, for example, offers guaranteed upfront pricing through our booking system online. This way, prices can’t change when a hauler comes on site, which customers can appreciate.

Keep Everyone Informed

Communication is crucial in the business, and even more so during a current job. Customers can get rather upset if they are unaware of when a hauler can arrive, especially if time constraints and previous arrangements are involved.

LoadUp suggests Loaders give a customer a pre-call 30 minutes prior before arriving on-site to complete an order. This is just one small example of improving customer communication to ensure all parties are happy.

In short, never assume that a customer is aware of what’s going on. You’ll want to go above and beyond to be as accommodating as you can!

Being fair isn’t just limited to how you price junk removal jobs, honesty goes far in this business!

Did You Know?: If you are a Loader signed up through our CONNECT program, you can get the same benefits of marketing and advertising from LoadUp without having to do so yourself!

LoadUp is offering a new way for haulers to get connected to opportunities, although this time, it’s directly to the customer! Introducing LoadUp CONNECT, a new way for Loaders to get the same benefits of LoadUp’s system, but haulers work directly with the customer.

What is CONNECT?

With LoadUp CONNECT, customers still book orders with our pricing guarantee, but they no longer have to pay LoadUp upfront.

Loaders can purchase orders using their points from their Loader points subscription on the app. Customers pay Loaders directly onsite using their preferred payment options.

CONNECT offers more opportunities for Loaders to brand themselves, get paid for the quality of their own work and operate independently. The prices are guaranteed by LoadUp, so no need to negotiate, but you will have to communicate with customers, of course!

So, now that you have a better idea on how to price junk removal jobs, operating costs and much more, you’re ready to get CONNECTED with LoadUp today!

Related Articles from the Trash Talk Blog:

• How to make more money as a Loader.
• Preparing for furniture and appliance assembly jobs.
• Learn best practices on how to start a hauling business.
• Learn tips and tricks to becoming a successful independent contractor.
• Learn the differences between using a truck vs trailer for junk removal.