Free junk removal estimate template

A fill-in estimate for junk removal, cleanouts, and haul-away jobs: loads priced by the truck or by the item, heavy items, stairs and long carries, and items with their own disposal fees. Type it in on this page, then print it or save it as a PDF to send. The gray hints in each line are only suggestions and don't print.

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What a junk removal estimate should spell out

"Haul it all away" leaves a lot open: how much there is, what it is, where it sits, and what it costs to get rid of. Writing those down keeps the price clear and avoids an argument when the truck is half full. A few habits help:

• Say how you price, and what a load means. Price by the fraction of a truck load (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or full), by the item, or as one flat price, and say which. If you price by the load, write the truck or trailer size you mean, so "half a truck" means the same thing to both of you (made-up example: "about 1/2 load of our 15 cubic yard truck").
• What the price includes, and what's extra. Say whether labor, loading, hauling, and disposal (dump) fees are all in the load or item price. Anything charged on top, like the special items below, goes on its own line. If you sweep up after, say so.
• List what's going. Write down the items or areas you saw (for example "garage: shelving, boxes, old bikes; basement: sofa, 2 chairs"), so it's clear what the price covers and that anything added on the day is priced separately.
• Heavy items on their own lines. Pianos, hot tubs, safes, and other heavy or awkward items take more people, tools, or time. Give each one its own line, and say whether taking it apart or cutting it up is included.
• Stairs and long carries. If things come down stairs, out of an attic or crawl space, or a long way from where the truck can park, put that on its own line (per flight or flat), so the customer can see why.
• Items with disposal fees or special handling, listed separately. Mattresses, tires, appliances with refrigerant (fridges, freezers, window AC units, dehumidifiers), TVs and other electronics, and paint or chemicals can cost extra to drop off or may have to go to a specific place. List each one with its fee instead of burying it in the load price.
• Hazardous waste is excluded unless listed. Say plainly that you don't take hazardous waste (for example solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, fuel, or anything that may contain asbestos) unless it's on a line of its own. Leftover household chemicals often go to a local collection program instead; see EPA's household hazardous waste page for what counts and how to find collections.
• Write down what happens if the load is bigger. The final price may change if there's more than you estimated, so put the rule in writing (made-up example: "if the load looks bigger than estimated, we re-quote on site before loading, and you can approve or take items off"). Say whether the price goes down if the load turns out smaller.
• Donation and recycling: only what you actually do. If you drop usable items at a donation center or take metal to a scrap yard, you can say so. Don't promise that anything will be donated or recycled unless you really do it, and say "when they'll take it" rather than a guarantee.
• Demolition only if it's priced. Taking down a shed, deck, or playset, or tearing out carpet or cabinets, is demolition, not just hauling. Include it only as its own priced line; otherwise say it isn't included.
• Access, parking, and building rules. Say where the truck will park (driveway or street), and note gates, elevators, or narrow paths. If an HOA or apartment building has rules, like allowed hours or booking the elevator, say who arranges it.
• Valid-until date and payment terms. How long the price holds, when payment is due (for example on completion, before the truck leaves), and how you take payment, including your own payment link if you use one.

For the longer walk-through (scope wording, exclusions, change orders, sign-off), see how to write a contractor estimate.

This is a general template, not legal advice. Disposal rules, refrigerant and e-waste rules, hazardous-waste rules, business licensing and hauling permits, and sales tax vary by state and city, so check your local rules before you quote.

Your estimate

Job done? Use the free printable invoice template to bill for it. Need a plain version without junk removal hints? Use the general estimate template. Doing small repairs on the same visit? Use the handyman estimate template. Cleaning the place once it's cleared out? Use the house cleaning estimate template.

Doing this from your phone

Pencilslip is in development: it will build junk removal estimates like this from your phone, with job photos and your own payment links. Want to hear when it's ready?

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