Question 1

What goes into the price of a junk pickup?

Accepted Answer

Pricing is based on how much truck space your items take up, plus labor. Free photo quotes by text: send photos and get an exact price. A recliner by the front door and the same recliner at the top of a narrow staircase are different jobs, because the labor is different. Weight matters for dense material like dirt or broken concrete. You'll get a number for your pile before anyone drives over.

Question 2

Why isn't there a price list for junk removal?

Accepted Answer

Because a single flat rate would be wrong for most jobs. Two loads that look alike in a sentence can differ a lot in size, weight and carry distance. Rather than post a number that changes once we see the pile, we quote each job from your photos and your ZIP code. That way the figure you agree to is the one based on your actual stuff, not an average. Dumpster rentals are the exception: they have set prices, listed on the dumpster page.

Question 3

How can I pay?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit and debit cards, and Zelle.

Question 4

Will you really quote from a picture, or do you need to come look first?

Accepted Answer

A picture is enough for most jobs. Tim S. wrote on Yelp that another company said nobody quotes from photos, then added: "Sent them a pic and they sent a quote". For a whole house or a packed garage, a few photos of each room work better than one wide shot. If something can't be judged from a photo, we'll say so rather than guess.

Question 5

What should my photos show so the quote comes out right?

Accepted Answer

Take one wide shot of everything that's going, then a closer one of anything large or heavy. Include the path out: stairs, a side gate, a long hallway, or an elevator. Open closets and cabinets if their contents are going too. Mention your ZIP code and roughly where the truck can park. Things left out of the photos are the usual reason a number changes on the day.

Question 6

What if I find more to get rid of after I've been quoted?

Accepted Answer

Tell us before the crew starts loading. More items take more truck space, so the price for the added pieces is worked out the same way as the rest. Nothing extra goes on the truck without your say-so. Michelle M. summed up the job on Google with "No hidden fees or overages." Adding a second photo by text is the quickest way to update the number.

Question 7

Is the landfill or recycling fee billed separately?

Accepted Answer

No. Your quote includes loading, hauling, disposal and sweep-up. The price we quote is the price you pay. You shouldn't get a second bill afterward for dump fees. Stephen M. wrote on Google about a bin rental that "There were no hidden fees involved." If your job has an item that's unusual to dispose of, we'll bring it up while quoting, not after.

Question 8

What would it cost to drive a load to the landfill myself?

Accepted Answer

At Sunshine Canyon in Sylmar, the Valley's public landfill, every load is charged as at least one ton. Posted rates dated July 2024 list household trash at $120 a ton, plus a $19.71 environmental fee per load. An untarped load adds $175, and hard-to-handle bulky items run $275 each plus disposal. Add a rented truck, fuel and a lost afternoon, and a small self-haul load is rarely as cheap as it looks.

Question 9

Can the city's bulky pickup save me money instead?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes, if you can wait and your items qualify. The City of LA collects bulky items free and without a limit for homes it serves. Burbank's pickup is free for most furniture, but since July 2025 appliances, mattresses, tires and some lawn equipment cost $12.14 each. Pasadena gives two free pickups a year, and more cost extra. A paid hauler makes sense when time, carrying or the item list rules those out.

Question 10

Do I pay before or after the truck is loaded, and by what method?

Accepted Answer

Zelle and cash are the two methods customers have used so far. Jill G. described a sofa pickup on Google this way: "after a speedy Zelle transaction they were on their way." If you'd like to use another method or need something in writing for your records, ask when you book so it's settled before the crew arrives rather than at the curb.

Question 11

What's the quickest way to book a pickup?

Accepted Answer

Text photos of what's going, plus your ZIP code, to (909) 566-3090, or use the quote form on the site. A call to the same number works too if you'd rather talk it through. Once you have a price and agree to it, we set a day and a window. William W. described it on Google as "Fill out their online form; send a photo of your pile of junk; get an estimate; and set appointment time."

Question 12

How much notice do you need before a pickup?

Accepted Answer

None is required. Same-day service most days when you reach us by early afternoon; next-morning slots are common. A request sent early in the morning has the best odds of a slot that day. Undine S. booked online and wrote that they "had a slot open the following morning." If you already know your date, booking a few days out locks in the time that suits you.

Question 13

Do you work on weekends or early in the morning?

Accepted Answer

Open 24 hours. Call or text anytime. Weekends and early mornings are fine to ask for. Tell us the day and time that works for you when you send photos, and we'll say plainly whether the crew has room then. If a weekend is the only time you can be there, mention it up front so we can plan the job around it.

Question 14

How will I know when the crew is about to arrive?

Accepted Answer

You get an arrival window when the job is booked, and a text when the truck is on its way. That means you don't have to sit by the window all morning. Keep your phone handy on the day in case the crew has a quick question about parking or access.

Question 15

My move date changed. Can I push the pickup back?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. Let us know as soon as the new date is firm and we'll find another slot. Jennifer O. wrote on Google: "I had to change the date they were coming to my house last minute and they were able to accommodate me." A last-minute change depends on how full that day already is, so the earlier you tell us, the easier it is.

Question 16

Can the pickup happen while I'm at work?

Accepted Answer

In many cases. If the items are in a yard, carport or driveway, or someone can let the crew in, you don't need to be there. Property managers often leave a lockbox code. Settle access, payment and any items that must stay when you book, and send a photo marking what goes. Leaving a note on anything that stays helps too.

Question 17

How long does the city make me wait compared with a private hauler?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the city. LA Sanitation collects on your regular trash day and needs the request at least one business day before. Burbank wants two business days online or one by phone. Glendale needs three business days. Pasadena asks for two weeks' notice. A private hauler can often come the same or next day, which is the main reason people pay for one.

Question 18

Can a Red Flag fire warning affect a pickup on my street?

Accepted Answer

It can in the hills. On Red Flag days in LA, parking is banned on posted streets in very high fire hazard zones, and illegally parked vehicles are towed. Pasadena posts similar Red Flag no-parking streets, with short limits for deliveries and contractors. If your street has those signs and a warning is declared, we may need to reschedule or plan a different spot for the truck.

Question 19

What kinds of things do you haul away?

Accepted Answer

Most of what fills a house, yard or office: couches, beds and dressers, all appliances, TVs and computers, mattresses, hot tubs, exercise gear, yard waste, old sheds and playsets, remodel debris, and the boxes and bags from a cleanout. Single items are welcome, and so are full houses. If you're not sure about something, include it in your photos and ask.

Question 20

Are there items you'll turn down?

Accepted Answer

We don't take paint, chemicals (like motor oil and solvents), tires, asbestos, medical waste, ammunition or propane tanks, empty or full. We'll point you to the right drop-off. California makes it illegal to put hazardous waste in the garbage, down a storm drain or on the ground, so those items follow separate rules. Everything else ordinary, from furniture to yard debris, is normally fine. The next few answers explain where the tricky items can go.

Question 21

Where do old paint cans go in California?

Accepted Answer

Not in the trash. Even dried paint is barred from the garbage in California. PaintCare runs free drop-off sites for house paint, primer and stain in original, labeled containers of 5 gallons or less. In the City of LA, S.A.F.E. Centers also take paint, solvents and aerosols. We don't take paint, so set it aside before a cleanout and drop it off at one of those sites.

Question 22

Do you take old TVs and computers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. They just can't go in the trash: California bans TVs, monitors, laptops and printers from household garbage. City of LA residents can put large e-waste out for free bulky pickup or take it to a S.A.F.E. Center. Or leave them to us: we take electronics with the rest of the load. Wipe or pull hard drives first, which LA Sanitation also recommends.

Question 23

What can I do with old tires?

Accepted Answer

We don't take tires, so keep them out of the pile. Tires aren't hazardous, but California bans them from the trash. City of LA residents can drop off up to four tires a year, without rims, at LA Sanitation yards in Sun Valley and Northridge for free, with a photo ID and a utility bill.

Question 24

Does a refrigerator's freon have to be removed before it's hauled?

Accepted Answer

Before it's crushed or scrapped, yes. California requires refrigerant and other hazardous parts to be pulled from major appliances by a state-certified appliance recycler, or refrigerant by an EPA-certified technician, before processing. We take all appliances, including fridges, freezers, stoves, washers and dryers. Empty the food, unplug it a day ahead to let it defrost, and tell us if it's built in.

Question 25

Is there a free way to get rid of a mattress?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under California's Bye Bye Mattress program you can drop off a mattress or box spring at a participating site at no charge, whatever its age. When a store delivers a new one, it must offer to take the old one back. Wet, heavily soiled or bedbug-infested mattresses don't qualify for free drop-off. City of LA bulky pickup also takes mattresses.

Question 26

Can broken concrete or dirt go in the same load as furniture?

Accepted Answer

Ask first and tell us how much there is. Dense material weighs far more than furniture, so it's priced differently and a truck can only carry so much of it. City bulky pickup won't help here: LA Sanitation refuses concrete, bricks and dirt at the curb. Photos with something for scale, like a shovel or a bucket, help us give you a real answer.

Question 27

What about propane tanks and fire extinguishers?

Accepted Answer

Keep them out of the junk pile: we don't take propane tanks, empty or full, or other compressed gas cylinders. California lists compressed gas cylinders, including barbecue and camping propane tanks, as banned from the trash. LA's S.A.F.E. Centers accept propane cylinders along with other household hazardous waste, up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit. Burbank's bulky pickup takes an emptied propane tank only with the valve removed.

Question 28

How should I get rid of batteries, e-bike packs and old bulbs?

Accepted Answer

Separately from everything else. California bans every kind of battery from the trash, recycling and green bins, and fluorescent tubes too. In LA, lithium-ion and e-bike batteries go to a S.A.F.E. Center, ideally with the terminals taped. Pull these out before a cleanout and keep them in a separate bag or box, so they don't end up mixed into the load.

Question 29

Will you haul an old toilet or bathroom sink?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. Send a photo. A removed toilet or vanity is normal remodel junk. If you'd rather use the free route, City of LA bulky pickup lists toilets and sinks among the items it accepts, and Glendale's pickup takes them too as long as they aren't cast iron. Drain the tank and bowl first so the carry stays clean.

Question 30

How can I tell which city's trash rules apply to my address?

Accepted Answer

Check the city, not the mailing name. North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Northridge, Sylmar, Hollywood and most of the Valley are neighborhoods inside the City of Los Angeles. Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena are separate cities with their own programs. Universal City is unincorporated county land, so LA City programs may not apply there.

Question 31

What will LA Sanitation take on a bulky item pickup?

Accepted Answer

Furniture, mattresses and box springs, toilets and sinks, rolled carpet, large wood pieces and doors, and electronics like TVs and computers. It won't take auto parts or oil, concrete, bricks or dirt, commercial appliances, paint or chemicals, medicines, needles, fluorescent lights, or cardboard outside a move pickup. Anything not on your request stays behind, so list every item.

Question 32

What are the ways to request a MyLA311 bulky pickup?

Accepted Answer

Three: the MyLA311 online request form, the MyLA311 app, or LA Sanitation's 24-hour line at 1-800-773-2489. Book at least one business day before your regular trash day, and give an itemized list. Crews collect only what's on the work order. Refrigerator and freezer doors must come off before those go out.

Question 33

Does free bulky pickup cover apartment buildings?

Accepted Answer

Usually not the same way. LA Sanitation's program is for homes of 1 to 4 units it services. Pasadena apartment residents with a private hauler must ask that hauler. If you rent, check with your manager before putting anything out.

Question 34

Which Burbank bulky items now carry a fee?

Accepted Answer

Since July 1, 2025, Burbank charges a $12.14 special handling fee per item for appliances and similar things: refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, water heaters, AC units, mattresses and box springs, lawnmowers and tires. Couches, chairs, tables, dressers, bed frames, TVs and rugs are still free. The fee goes on the Burbank Water and Power bill, and only the account holder can book.

Question 35

How far ahead does Glendale need a bulky pickup request?

Accepted Answer

At least three business days before collection, through the City's online form or the Recycle Coach app. For a Monday pickup, request by Wednesday. Put items out after 6 p.m. the evening before. Mattresses must be bagged or wrapped, glass must be wrapped, and anything not on the City's list isn't taken.

Question 36

What happens in Pasadena once the two free bulky pickups are used?

Accepted Answer

Extra pickups that year cost money, based on how much you set out and how big it is. The City doesn't publish a dollar figure. Each free pickup is capped at about 3 cubic yards, and no single item can be heavier than two people can lift. Items left on the parkway without a booking can bring a citation.

Question 37

Where are the S.A.F.E. Centers in the San Fernando Valley?

Accepted Answer

There are two. The East Valley center is at 11025 Randall Street in Sun Valley, and the North Valley center is at 10241 N. Balboa Boulevard in Northridge. Both open Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They take household hazardous waste and electronics free from LA City and County residents, up to 15 gallons or 125 pounds per visit.

Question 38

Which landfills near the Valley let the public drop off a load?

Accepted Answer

Sunshine Canyon in Sylmar takes public drop-offs during business hours with no appointment. Burbank's landfill is open only to the City's own Public Works crews. Chiquita Canyon in Castaic has been closed to waste since January 1, 2025. Scholl Canyon in Glendale only accepts waste from Glendale, Pasadena and a few neighboring communities, so it isn't an option for most Valley loads.

Question 39

Is it illegal to leave old furniture on the curb?

Accepted Answer

It can be. California law makes dumping on public or private property without consent illegal, with fines starting at $250 on a first conviction. Glendale treats unarranged curbside items as illegal dumping, and Pasadena can cite unscheduled parkway items. In LA, the safe way is to book a bulky pickup and set things out for your collection day.

Question 40

Will the City of LA pick up branches and yard trimmings?

Accepted Answer

Some. Grass, leaves and trimmings go in your green bin, along with clean untreated wood. For bigger piles, homes served by LA Sanitation get one free brush pickup a year, booked through MyLA311 or 1-800-773-2489. Each bundle must be tied, no longer than 4 feet and no heavier than 30 pounds. A whole tree or a season of cuttings usually needs a hauler.

Question 41

I live in Altadena or Universal City. Whose pickup rules apply?

Accepted Answer

Neither is part of Pasadena or the City of LA. Altadena is unincorporated county land, and its County hauler gives up to four free on-call bulky pickups a year, booked at least 24 hours ahead. Universal City is also unincorporated, and some addresses near it fall under City of LA zoning, so check your exact address before assuming LA Sanitation serves it.

Question 42

How much does a dumpster rental cost?

Accepted Answer

15-yard: $479 (includes 1 ton of disposal, delivery and pickup). 20-yard: $579 (includes 2 tons of disposal, delivery and pickup). Prices are for addresses within about 10 miles of North Hollywood (91606). Farther out? Call or text for a price. Rental length and any charge over the included weight are confirmed when you book.

Question 43

Can I rent a dumpster for just a day or two?

Accepted Answer

Rental length and any charge over the included weight are confirmed when you book. Short rentals do happen: Alberto B. wrote on Google, "I scheduled, with Legacy, a same day drop-off and pick-up." If you only have one afternoon of loading, a junk pickup where the crew does the lifting may cost less than a bin sitting idle.

Question 44

What's not allowed in a rented dumpster?

Accepted Answer

Anything the state bans from ordinary disposal. That includes household hazardous waste, all batteries, tires, and home sharps, which state law bars from roll-off and C&D containers specifically. Paint, even dried, stays out too. Ask us about heavy material like concrete or dirt before loading it, since weight adds up fast in a bin.

Question 45

I'm remodeling over several weeks. Is a bin better than repeated pickups?

Accepted Answer

For a project that produces debris every day, a bin usually fits better, since you fill it as you go. For a pile that already exists, a single haul-away is often faster because nobody has to lift anything into a container. Many people do both: a bin during demo, then one pickup for the leftovers. Send photos and the timeline and we'll suggest the cheaper route.

Question 46

Where do I start with a parent's home after they've passed?

Accepted Answer

Start with paperwork and keepsakes, not furniture. Pull out wills, bank and insurance papers, photos, jewelry and keys first. Then let family mark what they want and decide what should go to charity. Tell us what to look for as we clear, and we'll set aside anything that looks important. Karen M. wrote on Google about clearing a friend's apartment: "They worked effectively and efficiently."

Question 47

Can a house be emptied before a listing photo shoot?

Accepted Answer

Usually, if you give us the date. Real estate agents have used us to clear homes ahead of a sale, and the deadline shapes the plan. Send photos of each room and say what staging pieces stay. Evelyn A., a real estate agent, wrote on Google that the crew "show up on time, communicate clearly". A tight deadline is easier with a few days' notice.

Question 48

How is a hoarding cleanout handled differently from a regular pickup?

Accepted Answer

It's slower and more careful. We go at the pace the family sets, look for papers, photos and valuables as we go, and keep the work low-key. We clear and haul; biohazard cleaning is a separate specialist job. Caroline S. wrote on Google about their mother's apartment in Glendale: "They arrived on time and was finished within 2 1/2 hours."

Question 49

A tenant moved out and left everything. Can you clear the unit?

Accepted Answer

Yes, once you're sure you have the right to dispose of what's there. California has rules on how landlords handle belongings a tenant leaves behind, so check with your attorney or a landlord association first. We don't give legal advice. When you're cleared to proceed, send photos, the access details and your turnover date, and the crew can empty the unit and sweep up.

Question 50

What's involved in emptying a storage unit I'm closing out?

Accepted Answer

Mostly access. Add us to the facility's access list or meet the crew at the gate, and check whether the facility needs the unit swept before you hand it back. Send photos with the door open so we can judge the load. Rachel L. wrote on Google that they "had 3 large storage units emptied and needed two large trucks."

Question 51

What should I take out of the garage before the crew comes?

Accepted Answer

Anything hazardous: paint, solvents, pool chemicals, motor oil, antifreeze, propane cylinders and batteries. Those go to a S.A.F.E. Center, which takes them free from LA City and County residents. Also pull out anything you're keeping, so nothing gets loaded by mistake. The rest can stay where it is. The crew carries it out, and we sweep the floor.

Question 52

Should I call a charity pickup before booking a cleanout?

Accepted Answer

If you have good furniture, it's worth a try. The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul of Los Angeles offer free donation pickups, though St. Vincent de Paul needs items outside at street level. Habitat for Humanity LA charges $50 for a pickup. Charities turn down worn or broken pieces. We donate items that are in fair shape so they get a second life, and recycle what we can. When your items are donated, you'll get a donation receipt from the drop-off location within 14 business days.

Question 53

Can the junk go on the same day the moving truck comes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it often works well: the movers take what's going, we take what's left. For boxes and bags, LA Sanitation also offers a move-in/move-out pickup on trash day if you call a business day ahead. Fershad M. wrote on Yelp about a move-out: "they showed up within an hour and got the driveway looking pretty for the new owner."

Question 54

Can a business use the city's free bulky pickup?

Accepted Answer

Generally no. Burbank says business items don't qualify, and points businesses to donation, a rented bin or a junk removal service. LA Sanitation won't collect commercial appliances at the curb. Plan on a private option for office or shop cleanouts.

Question 55

Are business jobs priced differently from home pickups?

Accepted Answer

No, the same method applies: truck space plus the work to get items out. Office jobs can take longer if there are elevators, loading dock rules or long hallways, so mention those. Send photos of each room or area and any building rules, and you'll get one price for the whole job. Julie R. called a Northridge office job "smooth, efficient, and professional."

Question 56

How quickly can a business get something cleared?

Accepted Answer

Often the same day. Tariq A. wrote on Yelp about a dental office: "I called them at 10am and they came and cleaned all out wood pallets at 1pm." For a bigger office clear-out, booking a few days ahead lets us plan the crew size. If your space needs the work done at a certain time, give us that window up front.

Question 57

What should an office do with old computers, printers and toner?

Accepted Answer

Keep them out of the dumpster: California bans monitors, computers and printers from the trash. Wipe or remove drives before anything leaves the building. Burbank's Recycle Center Drop Zone takes e-waste and brand-name toner cartridges from residents and small businesses. Elsewhere, CalRecycle's eRecycle directory lists approved collectors. Send photos of electronics before we come.

Question 58

We manage rentals. Can you turn over a unit using a lockbox?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many property cleanouts happen with no one on site. Send the lockbox code or key arrangement, photos of each room, and the date the unit has to be ready. We clear the rooms, the patio and anything left in the yard, then sweep. Tell us about any items the owner is keeping so they're marked before the crew arrives.

Question 59

Can a shop schedule a pickup outside its busy hours?

Accepted Answer

Tell us your hours, your loading rules and when a truck can sit out front, and we'll say what the schedule allows. Quiet times like early in the day are often easiest for everyone. If your building needs paperwork or a sign-in for outside crews, mention it when you book so it doesn't hold anything up on the day.

Question 60

Where is Legacy Junk Removal based?

Accepted Answer

In North Hollywood. Legacy is based on Victory Blvd and was started in 2019 by Ricardo Diaz. A family business: Ricardo works alongside his dad and his brother, with a crew customers know by name: Brian, Carlos and Rene. Being in the east Valley means the neighborhoods around North Hollywood, Burbank and Studio City are the quickest for us to reach. The business holds a 5.0 rating across 463 Google reviews.

Question 61

Which neighborhoods and cities do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Most of the San Fernando Valley and the cities next to it: North Hollywood, Valley Village, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Van Nuys, Sun Valley, Encino, Tarzana, Reseda, Northridge, Woodland Hills, West Hills, Chatsworth, Porter Ranch and Sylmar, plus Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Hollywood and Silver Lake. If you're near one of those, send your ZIP and we'll confirm.

Question 62

Do you work in Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena too?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Legacy works in all three. Each is its own city with its own trash rules and free bulky pickup, so the right answer for your pile can differ from the LA side of the line. Parker S. wrote on Google about a storage unit in Burbank that the crew "were there ASAP, took them 15 minutes!" Send photos and your address for a quote.

Question 63

Will you come out to Santa Clarita, Beverly Hills or the Westside?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. We serve North Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley and nearby neighborhoods. Farther cities: send your ZIP and we'll tell you honestly if we can make the trip. Those areas are outside the part of LA we cover every day, so it depends on the job and the schedule. William W. wrote on Google that the crew "showed up in Brentwood and took care of everything," so farther jobs do happen.

Question 64

Why do you ask for my ZIP code?

Accepted Answer

It tells us how far the truck travels and which city's rules apply. ZIP codes don't follow city lines. For example, 91504 is split between the City of Burbank and Sun Valley, which is part of Los Angeles. Your ZIP also tells us whether a same-day slot is realistic, since jobs closer to North Hollywood are easier to fit in.

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