Garage Cleanout Loads, Shelf by Shelf
Shelving, bins and boxes
Boxes make up the bulk of most garages, and they load fast once someone has decided what's in them. Cost guides list a handful of boxes at $100 to $200. Freestanding metal shelving can go too: empty it, take it apart if it unbolts, and stack the uprights. Sealed boxes from a move years ago are worth opening before pickup; once they're on the truck, they're gone.
Old tools, workbenches and yard gear
A workbench fastened to the wall may need to be unbolted or cut apart, so mention it when you call. Rusty hand tools, coffee cans of screws and broken rakes load easily. The items that need planning are the ones with fluids or special rules: an old mower needs its gas and oil drained first (lawn mower disposal covers how), and leftover paint, solvents, pesticides and gas cans belong on the can't-take list rather than in the truck.
Bikes, sports gear and toys
Outgrown bikes, a hoop base, kayaks and plastic play sets take floor space but little sorting. Metal bike frames and old grills can carry scrap value; ask whether the hauler credits it or see scrap metal pickup. A basketball hoop base filled with sand or water has to be emptied before anyone can lift it.
Why Winston-Salem homeowners call Winston-Salem Junk Co.
- Your request goes to a single independent hauler
- Hear the all-in figure before anything is carried out
- Calling is free; the hauler bills only the job you OK
- Mention stairs, a gate code or a hot tub when you call
What Raises or Lowers a Garage Cleanout Quote
Garage size sets the starting range, and Angi's 2026 table steps up to $350 to $800 for a three-car garage. Beyond size, these move the number:
Bulky pieces
A few large items alone run about $200 to $300 in cost guides. Old fridges and chest freezers fall under the white-goods rules on appliance removal.Sorting
Haulers who only lift pre-sorted junk cost less than a crew that goes through every box with you, which is billed extra.Access
A garage packed to the rafters can draw a premium for the extra handling. Clearing a walkway to the door helps.Tires
Old tires can't ride along with the household junk; tire disposal covers the state ban and the local options.Batteries
Pull lithium-ion packs from cordless tools before the pickup; electronics disposal explains the ban.
Sorting the Garage Before Pickup Day
Sorting it yourself is the biggest saving, because the hauler then prices loading only. Pull everything onto the driveway on a dry weekend and split it three ways: keep, sell or give away, and haul. Big-ticket items such as a table saw, a riding mower that runs or a set of golf clubs can be listed online or held for a yard sale first. Working furniture and appliances may suit a charity pickup. Then book the hauler a week or two out rather than for the next morning; cost guides note that planning ahead can bring the price down, and a rush job sometimes costs more.
Set aside paint, gasoline, pesticides and antifreeze, and ask the hauler before adding them to the load. Forsyth County residents can take them to the 3RC EnviroStation for free; the hours and rules are on our homepage.
See basement and attic cleanouts for storage that has to come down stairs.