Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Junk removal is a truck, a dump account and strong backs. The truck choice sets your load size and your price per load.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Box truck or dump trailer with high sides | Sets how much you haul per trip | Varies by brand |
| Hand truck and appliance dolly | Heavy items down stairs | Varies by brand |
| Furniture dolly | Couches and dressers | $19.95 (U-Haul furniture dolly, U-Haul) |
| Moving pads | Protecting walls and door frames | $45 (U-Haul furniture pads, value pack of 6, U-Haul) |
| Ratchet straps and a cargo net | Securing loads on the road | Varies by brand |
| Shovels, rakes and a broom | Leaving the space clean | Varies by brand |
| Reciprocating saw and pry bar | Cutting up furniture and small demo | Varies by brand |
| Gloves, boots and eye protection | Daily safety | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most junk removal companies buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Second truck or dump trailer | Two crews on busy weekends | Varies by brand |
| Sledgehammer and demo tools | Shed and deck tear-downs | Varies by brand |
| Hot tub cutting kit | Hot tub removals | Varies by brand |
| Shop vacuum | Cleanouts and debris | Varies by brand |
| Tarps and contractor bags in bulk | Loose debris and yard waste | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- Contractor bags. Loose items.
- Fuel and dump fees cash or card on file. Every trip.
- Tie-downs and bungee cords. Securing loads.
- Spare gloves and masks. Dusty attics and basements.
What a junk removal kit costs
The 2 starter kit items we could price add up to $65 at the maker's listed price, out of 8 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
None of the 5 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
The truck is most of the starting cost, and dump fees are the biggest running cost. Price per load from your local dump rates.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most junk removal companies buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our junk removal suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the junk removal services list to set your prices.
Sources
- U-Haul: U-Haul furniture dolly, checked October 9, 2026
- U-Haul: U-Haul furniture pads, value pack of 6, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for contractors as a group, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.