Storage unit cleanout services range from $150 to $600+ depending on unit size, how full it is, and whether you need full-service or curbside pickup. The average 10x10 unit costs $300–$500 for a two-person crew to empty completely. But if you can move items to the curb yourself, Dropcurb picks them up starting at $59, for less than full-service companies charge. With 67,000+ storage facilities in the US and one-third of Americans renting a unit, cleanout services are in massive demand. Here's how every option actually compares on price, speed, and hassle.
How Do Storage Unit Cleanout Services Work?
Most storage unit cleanout services follow the same basic process: you schedule a pickup, a crew arrives at your storage facility, they load everything into a truck, and haul it to a dump or donation center.
The difference is who does the heavy lifting, and how much you pay for it.
Full-service cleanout (national franchises and College Hunks): A 2-3 person crew enters your unit, sorts items, loads their truck, and handles disposal. Costs $248–$600+ for a 10x10 unit. You don't touch anything.
Curbside pickup (Dropcurb): You move items from your unit to the facility's loading dock or curb area. A solo hauler with a pickup truck grabs everything. Pricing starts at $59, and each additional item is added at a lower add-on price. You do the moving, and skip the full-service labor charge.
Dumpster rental (Budget Dumpster, WM): A dumpster is dropped at the facility. You load everything yourself over 3–7 days. Costs $300–$500 for a 10-yard dumpster. Cheapest option, but you do 100% of the work, and many storage facilities don't allow dumpsters on their property.
Scroll to compare all columns
| Service | Cost (10x10 unit) | Speed | You do | Booking | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dropcurb | From $59; a typical load is $273 | Same-day | Move items to curb/dock | Instant online pricing | Items must be outside first |
| Traditional full-service junk removal | Current local quote | Varies by local availability | Confirm with provider | Confirm with provider | Confirm with provider |
| College Hunks | $300–$500+ | 1–3 days | Nothing | Free estimate | Hidden $99 dispatch fee |
| Dumpster Rental | $300–$500 | 3–7 day rental | Load everything | Online booking | Many facilities don't allow |
How Much Does a Storage Unit Cleanout Cost by Size?
The size of your storage unit is the biggest cost driver. Here's what full-service cleanout typically costs by unit size:
- •5x5 unit (closet-sized, 200 cu ft): $100–$250 full-service
- •5x10 unit (walk-in closet, 400 cu ft): $150–$350 full-service
- •10x10 unit (bedroom-sized, 800 cu ft): $300–$500 full-service
- •10x15 unit (2-bedroom, 1,200 cu ft): $400–$700 full-service
- •10x20 unit (3-bedroom, 1,600 cu ft): $500–$900+ full-service
- •10x30 unit (garage-sized, 2,400 cu ft): $700–$1,200+ full-service
Curbside pickup through Dropcurb is priced by the items inside, starting at $59: a typical 10x10 load (a couch, a queen mattress and box spring, a dresser, a TV and five boxes) comes to $273.
The curbside option through Dropcurb saves you the most when you have furniture, appliances, and boxed items you can wheel out on a dolly. The full-service premium is essentially paying $200–$500 for the labor of moving items from inside the unit to a truck.
Can You Do a Storage Unit Cleanout Yourself?
You can, and it's the cheapest path if you have a truck. But most people don't, which is why cleanout services exist.
DIY cleanout costs:
The middle ground: Move everything from your unit to the loading dock or curb area yourself, then book Dropcurb for same-day pickup, with prices from $59. You skip the dump trip, and a hauler handles the rest. Most storage facilities have a loading area where you can stage items for pickup.
This hybrid approach costs less than calling a full-service company like traditional full-service junk removal, and you don't need your own truck.
How to Book a Storage Unit Cleanout with Dropcurb
Move items to the curb or loading dock
Most storage facilities have a loading area, roll-up access, or front curb where you can stage items. Move furniture, mattresses, appliances, and boxes out of your unit to the pickup area. Use a dolly — most facilities have them available.
Book your pickup on Dropcurb
Visit dropcurb.com and enter your zip code. Select the items you're disposing of. Pricing starts at $59, and each additional item is added at a lower add-on price. You get an instant price, with no waiting for quotes.
A local hauler picks it up same day
A Dropcurb hauler with a pickup truck arrives, loads your items, and hauls them away. Most pickups happen within hours. You cancel your storage unit and stop paying rent.
Storage Facility Managers: Partner with Dropcurb
If you manage a self-storage facility, abandoned and delinquent units are a constant headache. Tenants leave, units fill with junk, and you need them cleared fast to re-rent.
Why storage facilities choose Dropcurb as their cleanout vendor:
- •Per-item pricing your tenants understand: no confusing truck-fraction estimates, and the price is shown before booking
- •Same-day availability: units get cleared and re-rented faster, reducing vacancy loss
- •Zero liability for your staff: you don't need to send employees to handle junk
- •Tenants can self-serve: they book online, move items to the dock, and Dropcurb handles the rest. No coordination needed from your team.
- •Cover 56+ cities across 8 states: one vendor for multi-location portfolios
How it works for facility partners: You add Dropcurb to your move-out checklist or abandoned-unit process. When a tenant leaves items behind or a unit needs clearing, they (or you) book a curbside pickup. Items go from the unit to the loading dock, and a hauler picks them up the same day.
Interested? Email partners@dropcurb.com or visit dropcurb.com/partner to set up your facility.
What Items Can You Remove from a Storage Unit?
Storage units typically contain a mix of furniture, appliances, boxes, and personal items. Here's what Dropcurb can pick up from the curb or loading dock:
We pick up:
We don't pick up:
For a 10x10 storage unit with typical contents, such as a couch, a queen mattress and box spring, a dresser, a TV and five boxes, Dropcurb comes to $273, versus $300–$500+ with full-service.
Why Pay $170/Month to Store Junk?
The average self-storage renter pays $170 per month — that's $2,040 per year. If you haven't visited your unit in 6+ months, you've likely already spent more on rent than the items inside are worth.
A one-time cleanout with Dropcurb eliminates a recurring $170/month expense. That's about seven times the cleanout cost back in the first year alone.
The math:
Stop paying rent on things you forgot you owned. Curb it, book it, gone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of stuff in my storage unit?
You have three options: hire a full-service cleanout company like traditional full-service junk removal ($300–$600 for a 10x10 unit), move items to the curb and use a curbside pickup service like Dropcurb (starting at $59), or rent a truck and haul items to the dump yourself ($75–$200). The curbside option is the best balance of cost and convenience.
Does traditional full-service junk removal clean out storage units?
Yes, traditional full-service junk removal offers storage unit cleanout services. Their crew enters the unit, loads everything, and hauls it away. However, they don't provide upfront pricing — you need an on-site estimate. Typical costs for a 10x10 unit range from $248 to $600+ depending on contents.
How much does it cost to clean out a 10x10 storage unit?
A 10x10 storage unit cleanout costs $300–$500 with full-service companies like traditional full-service junk removal or College Hunks. Curbside pickup through Dropcurb is priced per item, starting at $59; a typical 10x10 load (a couch, a queen mattress and box spring, a dresser, a TV and five boxes) comes to $273. DIY with a truck rental and dump fees runs $75–$200.
What is the cheapest way to clean out a storage unit?
The cheapest option is moving items to the loading dock or curb area yourself and booking Dropcurb for curbside pickup, where pickup starts at $59 and each additional item is added at a lower add-on price. For a typical unit, this costs less than hiring a full-service crew at $300–$600.
Can a storage facility throw away my stuff?
Yes. After a tenant is delinquent for 30–90 days (varies by state lien laws), a storage facility can auction or dispose of the unit's contents. Facilities typically send multiple notices before taking action. If you're behind on rent, it's cheaper to book a cleanout yourself than lose everything at auction.