Garage Cleanout Cost by City: KC, STL, ATX, DFW, CHI, PHX
Garage cleanout cost varies more by city than most homeowners expect. The same garage in Kansas City and in Phoenix can produce two very different quotes because the contents are different — climate, lifestyle, and home age all change what ends up stored in the garage. We have run garage cleanouts in six markets across the country and seen every variation. This guide breaks down the typical garage cleanout cost in Kansas City, St. Louis, Austin, Dallas, Chicago, and Phoenix — what drives the price up or down in each market, what items are most common, and where homeowners can save by coordinating with local pickup partners or transfer stations. If you are pricing a garage cleanout, start with the section for your city.
Section 01
Kansas City: $300 to $750 typical
Kansas City garages run two-car standard with finished basements next door. Most KC homes were built in the 1960s through 1990s in suburbs like Overland Park and Lee's Summit, with newer construction in the south metro. The typical garage cleanout in KC runs $300 to $750 depending on volume — a quarter truck for a basic clear-out, a full truck for a deep cleanout with old appliances and yard equipment. Common items: lawn mowers, gas grills, kids' bikes outgrown five years ago, old paint cans (which we cannot legally haul — drop those at the household hazardous waste facility), and a surprising volume of holiday decorations. Coordinate with the local transfer station for any items the crew flags as non-haulable. Schedule a [Kansas City](/kansas-city) garage cleanout when you are ready to move.
Section 02
St. Louis: $325 to $725 typical
St. Louis garages skew older than KC because the housing stock skews older. Many St. Louis County and South County homes were built in the 1920s through 1950s with detached garages that were not built for modern SUV-and-stuff lifestyles. The typical St. Louis garage cleanout runs $325 to $725. Common items: old basement-storage overflow that migrated to the garage, decades-old workbenches, manual tools nobody has used since the 1990s, and old window AC units. Refrigerant recovery surcharges apply if you have an old window unit or chest freezer. The St. Louis transfer station network is good — we direct customers to the local solid waste district for tires, electronics, and hazardous materials. Book a [St. Louis](/st-louis) cleanout when you are ready.
Section 03
Austin: $400 to $850 typical
Austin garages run hot. Heat-stressed plastic, deteriorating foam, and heat-damaged electronics are everywhere. The typical Austin garage cleanout runs $400 to $850 — slightly higher than KC or STL because Austin labor is more expensive and disposal fees are higher. Common items: old kayaks and paddleboards (Austin lifestyle), surplus camping gear, brittle plastic storage bins that crumble when you touch them, and old patio furniture that has been heat-cycled to failure. Austin homeowners often have an outsized volume of fitness equipment in the garage from the pandemic-era home gym surge. Disposal coordinates with Travis County or Williamson County depending on address. Schedule an [Austin](/austin) garage cleanout to clear it out.
Section 04
Dallas-Fort Worth: $375 to $900 typical
DFW garages are larger on average than any of our other markets — three-car garages are common in Plano, Frisco, and most of the northern suburbs. That means more volume, longer cleanouts, and a higher typical price. The typical DFW garage cleanout runs $375 to $900. Common items: old hot tubs (yes, in the garage), oversized propane grills, lawn equipment for outsized lots, old patio sets for the outdoor entertaining culture, and an unusual volume of holiday decorations driven by the Texas tradition of seasonal yard displays. Hot tubs require disassembly and add labor cost — plan for the full truck quote if a hot tub is in scope. Disposal coordinates through Dallas, Plano, or Fort Worth municipal facilities depending on address. Book a [Dallas](/dallas) cleanout to start.
Section 05
Chicago: $400 to $950 typical
Chicago is the outlier in our portfolio. Garages are smaller (city of Chicago detached garages are tiny by suburban standards) but basement-extension storage is enormous. Most Chicago homeowners use the garage as overflow for the basement, which means we are pricing what is functionally basement contents in a garage shell. The typical Chicago garage cleanout runs $400 to $950 — higher than other markets because of disposal fees, urban access challenges, and the volume of basement-extension storage that ends up in the garage. Common items: decades of holiday decorations, old furniture awaiting a basement remodel that never happened, child-rearing artifacts from kids who are now adults, and an unusual volume of construction debris from owner-completed home improvements. Coordinate with Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation or suburban municipal pickup for items the crew flags. Schedule a [Chicago](/chicago) cleanout to clear it out.
Section 06
Phoenix: $425 to $950 typical
Phoenix is the second outlier. Garages here are typically 2 or 3 car, attached, and full of patio furniture. Phoenix homeowners cycle outdoor furniture more frequently than any other market we run because heat and UV destroy cushions, fade umbrellas, and degrade plastic in 3 to 5 years. The typical Phoenix garage cleanout runs $425 to $950. Common items: 2 to 3 generations of patio furniture, deteriorated pool equipment, old grills (Phoenix grills hard year-round), heat-damaged storage bins, and a surprising volume of snowbird turnover items — Phoenix has a population that arrives, stays for 5 to 10 years, then leaves furniture behind. Surge demand hits in Q1 (snowbirds clearing out before heading north) and Q4 (snowbirds arriving and clearing for new furniture). Disposal coordinates through Phoenix Public Works or Mesa, Gilbert, or Surprise municipal facilities. Book a [Phoenix](/phoenix) cleanout when you are ready.
Section 07
What is consistent across every market
Three things hold across all six markets. First, full-service garage cleanouts price by volume — typically a quarter, half, or full truckload — not by the hour. Second, hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, oil, propane tanks) cannot be hauled by any junk removal crew in any market and must go to a household hazardous waste facility. Third, refrigerant recovery surcharges apply on any old fridge, freezer, or window AC unit. Knowing these three rules saves the average homeowner a 10-minute conversation on the day of the job.
Frequently Asked
Questions, answered.
How much does a garage cleanout cost in 2026?
Typical garage cleanout cost ranges from $300 to $950 depending on city, volume, and contents. Most full-service crews price by volume in fractions of a truckload — quarter, half, three-quarter, or full truck.
Why is garage cleanout cost different by city?
Local labor cost, disposal fees, and the type of items stored in garages all vary by climate and lifestyle. Phoenix garages have more patio furniture, Chicago garages have more basement-extension storage, DFW garages have more hot tubs and oversized grills.
What does a garage cleanout NOT include?
Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, propane, oil, batteries) cannot be hauled and must go to your local household hazardous waste facility. Refrigerant-containing items (old fridges, freezers, window AC units) are accepted but carry a recovery surcharge.
Can I do a garage cleanout in stages?
Yes. Some homeowners coordinate a full-service cleanout for the bulk and then put smaller items at the curb for the next municipal bulk pickup day. Ask your crew if they will leave a few items at the curb rather than haul them — most will.
How long does a garage cleanout take?
A two-person crew clears a typical two-car garage in 60 to 90 minutes. Three-car garages and garages with hot tubs or large workshop equipment can take 2 to 3 hours.
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