Large furniture can be difficult to remove due to its size, weight, and shape. Items like sofas, wardrobes, and bed frames often require careful handling, especially when they need to be moved through narrow hallways, doorways, or staircases.
Whether you’re downsizing, moving, or clearing out unused furniture, professional furniture removal is often the most practical option. This guide explains how furniture removal costs are calculated and why certain items may cost more to remove than others.
1. General Pricing Overview
In the United States, furniture removal typically costs between $75 and $300 per item.
While that might seem like a wide range, it’s because “furniture” covers everything from a light plastic chair to a massive, three-piece sectional sofa. Generally, it is much more cost-effective to have multiple pieces picked up at once rather than scheduling separate trips for each item.
2. Common Items and Their Estimated Costs
The type of furniture is the biggest factor in your quote. Here’s a look at the most common requests:
- Couches and Sofas ($75 – $150): A standard couch is a routine job. However, if you have a large sectional or a heavy sleeper sofa (the ones with the metal pull-out frames), expect the price to be higher because they require more muscle and more truck space.
- Mattresses and Box Springs ($75 – $130): Many states now have strict laws requiring mattresses to be recycled rather than thrown in a landfill. Because of these environmental regulations, disposal fees are a bit higher for beds.
- Dressers and Wardrobes ($60 – $150): These depend on size. A small nightstand is easy, but a floor-to-ceiling armoire might even require some disassembly to get it out the door.
- Dining Sets ($100 – $200): A simple wooden table is straightforward, but if your table has a heavy glass top or a stone base, the risk and effort involved in moving it safely will increase the price.
3. Factors That “Weight” the Price
It’s not just about the size of the item; it’s about the logistics of moving it.
- The “Staircase Challenge”: Items on the ground floor near the driveway are the cheapest to remove. If the crew has to carry a dresser down three flights of stairs or navigate a “tight squeeze” in a narrow hallway, the labor cost will go up.
- Disassembly: If a bed frame or a large desk needs to be taken apart with tools before it can fit through the door, you are paying for that extra time and expertise.
- Minimum Service Fees: Most companies have a “base price” just to show up. Even if you only have one small chair, you might still pay a minimum fee (often around $75) to cover the truck’s fuel and the crew’s time.
4. Donation vs. Disposal
One of the best parts of hiring a professional crew is that many of them prioritize donations. If your furniture is still in good condition, they may take it to a local charity instead of the dump.
Note: While this is better for the environment and reduces landfill fees, it usually doesn’t make the service free. You are still paying for the labor and the transportation required to get the item to the donation center.
5. Why Choose Pros Over DIY?
It’s tempting to try and move furniture yourself to save money. However, furniture is the leading cause of “DIY injuries” and home damage.
- Safety: Professional crews have back braces, dollies, and straps to move heavy items without getting hurt.
- Property Protection: They know the “angles” to get a couch through a door without scratching your floors or putting a hole in the drywall.
- The Right Vehicle: You don’t have to worry about scratching your own car or renting a truck that’s too small for the job.
Final Thoughts
Before booking a service, it’s helpful to give the company a clear description of the items being removed. Providing photos of the furniture and any staircases or access points can help ensure a more accurate estimate and reduce the chance of unexpected changes on pickup day.
Furniture removal is ultimately about handling large, heavy items safely and efficiently. With the right preparation, professional removal can simplify the process and eliminate the physical strain involved in moving bulky furniture on your own.