Cost guide · Updated Aug 9, 2026
Junk removal cost in Houston in 2026
Junk removal in Houston runs $120 to $850 in 2026 — median around $390 for a half-truck load. The city collects heavy trash on a monthly cycle that alternates between tree waste and junk waste, and knowing which month you are in decides whether you need to pay anyone at all.
Typical range
$120 – $850
~$390 for a half-truck (~7–8 cu yd)
By scope
| Scope | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single item / minimum pickup | $90 – $170 | |
| 1/4 truck (~4 cu yd) | $175 – $265 | |
| 1/2 truck (~7–8 cu yd) | $300 – $500 | |
| 3/4 truck (~11 cu yd) | $470 – $680 | |
| Full truck (~15 cu yd) | $600 – $880 |
What swings the price
- The city heavy-trash cycle — junk waste months versus tree waste months change what curbside collection will take.
- Post-storm surges, when demand and disposal queues both spike.
- Refrigerant appliances, which need certified recovery and carry a pass-through fee.
- Second-floor and garage-apartment carries in a metro where most homes are single-story.
Houston specifics
Houston runs heavy trash collection monthly, but it alternates: some months the city takes tree waste only and other months it takes junk waste — furniture, appliances, and large household items. Put a sofa out in a tree-waste month and it sits at your curb for weeks. Check your service day and cycle before hiring anyone, because for a small pile the answer is often to wait two weeks and pay nothing.
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FAQs
How much does junk removal cost in Houston?
$300–$500 for a half-truck load, median around $390. Single items start at $90–$170 and a full truck runs $600–$880. Houston is one of the cheaper large-metro markets for this work.
What is the difference between tree waste and junk waste months?
The city alternates them. Tree waste months take only vegetation — limbs, branches, and yard trimmings. Junk waste months take furniture, appliances, and bulky household items. Putting the wrong category out means it stays there until the next cycle.
Is it cheaper to wait for city heavy trash pickup?
For a few items with no deadline, yes — it is free with your service. Hire a hauler when you are on a move-out timeline, when the pile is large, when it is inside the house, or when it includes items the city will not take such as refrigerant appliances and construction debris.
What does junk removal cost after a storm in Houston?
Expect a premium and a wait. Storm debris overwhelms both haulers and disposal sites, and household junk queues behind emergency work. Separating vegetative storm debris from household junk at the curb speeds things up, since the two get collected by different programs.
What will Houston haulers not take?
Paint, chemicals, motor oil, propane tanks, batteries, medical waste, and asbestos-containing material. Household hazardous waste goes to the city's designated drop-off site instead. Refrigerators and window air conditioners are accepted but carry a refrigerant recovery fee.
Sources
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Prices refresh quarterly. Last review: Aug 9, 2026.