Hi, I’m Kayla. I live in Seminole Heights, in a small 1950s house with a one-car garage that tries to hold a three-car life. The storms roll in, the yard fills up, the garage groans, and then, boom—junk happens. So I booked three different junk removal crews around Tampa. Real jobs. Real money. Real sweat. Here’s what went right, what bugged me, and who I’d call again.
You know what? I didn’t plan to try three companies. Life just tossed me three messes.
If you love nitty-gritty Tampa home hacks, I’ve been binge-reading TBO Blogs for neighborhood tips that actually work.
That deep dive turned into a full write-up—check out the unfiltered play-by-play in my post, I Tried Junk Removal in Tampa So You Don’t Have To.
Job 1: The Garage Monster (Seminole Heights) — College Hunks
I booked College Hunks Hauling Junk for a half-garage cleanout in early May, right before the sticky rain started. I used their app. I got a two-hour window. They called 30 minutes out, which helped because my dog tries to make new friends with anyone in a neon shirt.
Two guys showed up in orange. They were upbeat, quick, and pretty careful. They rolled a big dolly, a ramp, and a broom. They loaded: an old fridge (the kind that hums like a jet), a busted push mower, four paint-flecked shelves, a mountain of cardboard, and five contractor bags. They even swept my garage floor at the end. It felt like a big exhale.
- Time: About 55 minutes
- Price on my invoice: $325 for about half a truck, plus $35 for the fridge because of the coolant
- Nice touch: I got an email saying my good dresser went to Habitat ReStore
What I liked:
- Clear heads-up call and time window
- They didn’t grumble about the heavy fridge
- Donation receipt made me feel less wasteful
What bugged me:
- The window was two hours; they arrived near the end
- They nudged me to add a couple more items “since the truck was already here”—not pushy, just a nudge
Would I use them again? Yep. For a bigger load or anything I hope can be donated, they’re easy.
Curious how my experience compares with other homeowners across the country? A quick scroll through the Trustpilot ratings for College Hunks shows I’m not alone.
Job 2: The Soaked Couch (South Tampa) — LoadUp
June storm. Sideways rain. The patio couch turned into a sponge. My friend in South Tampa called me, and we tag-teamed this mess at her condo. I booked LoadUp because the price shows up before they come. I sent photos and got a quote on the spot.
We went with curbside pickup since we could drag the couch out. That made it cheaper. They texted an ETA and showed up an hour later than planned because Gandy traffic is Gandy traffic. No drama.
- Time: 10 minutes, tops
- Price: $98 for one couch (they added a soggy rug for $15)
- Catch: Curbside price is cheaper than indoor pickup
What I liked:
- The price was clear right away
- No need to chat on the phone
- Perfect for one bulky thing
What bugged me:
- The delay, though the driver texted updates
- If you need stairs or inside help, the price jumps fast
Would I use them again? Yes, for single items. Fast and less pricey.
Job 3: The Hot Tub From 2009 (Carrollwood) — Junk King
This one wasn’t cute. The hot tub was cracked, faded, and home to lizards. I booked Junk King because they’re known for big stuff and they bring saws. Loud saws.
They showed up with a big red truck and laid out tarps. They cut the tub into pieces, hauled the shell, the foam, and the pump. They were kind and careful with the pavers. Still, a few foam bits stuck around my flower bed. I swept them up after. No biggie.
- Time: About 1.5 hours
- Price on my invoice: $475
- Note: They had to cut the thing apart, which takes time and noise
What I liked:
- They handled a tough job without drama
- Good gear and a strong crew
- Protecting the pavers was smart
What bugged me:
- It took three days to get a slot that fit my schedule
- Foam crumbs—tiny, but there
Would I use them again? For heavy, ugly, or tricky stuff, yes.
Quick Compare: Who Fit What
- For a full garage or lots of mixed junk: College Hunks felt smooth and friendly. Donation receipts helped.
- For a single big item at the curb: LoadUp was the cheapest for me and super simple.
- For hard, heavy, or awkward jobs: Junk King brought the tools and the calm.
Need an even deeper dive before you book? The nationwide breakdown in this moveBuddha review covers average costs, add-on fees, and pro tips I wish I’d read sooner.
Pricing hint from my receipts:
- Single items: ~$90–$150
- Half truck: ~$300–$400
- Big, tough removals (hot tubs, sheds): ~$400–$600
Prices move with volume, stairs, and special items like fridges, tires, or paint.
Tampa-Specific Stuff I Learned
- Storm season matters: Wet junk weighs more. That can raise the cost. If you can, keep items dry under a tarp till pickup.
- Curb rules: Some HOAs are fussy about what sits out and for how long. Ask first. Saves a headache.
- McKay Bay: If you DIY a small run, bring ID and be ready for a weight-based fee. I’ve done that with yard waste, but for big loads I just call the pros.
- Donation matters: Ask for donation routing if your items are still good. I felt better about that dresser getting a second life.
- Timing: Morning slots are more reliable in summer. Afternoon storms in Tampa love to blow up schedules.
- College kids move-out: Late July and early August get busy around USF and UT. Book ahead if you can.
- While you're tackling house projects, it might be worth giving your loan paperwork a once-over—my candid walkthrough of working with American Mortgage Consultants in Tampa saved me a surprise fee.
What I Wish I Knew Before
- Take photos before they come. You’ll get a tighter quote.
- Ask about special fees (fridges, mattresses, paint).
- Measure your gate and path if something big is going out.
- Clear a straight line. Crews work faster when they can roll a dolly.
- Keep cold water on hand. Tampa heat wins. People appreciate it.
- Clear space for the fun stuff: an empty bay means room for a future ride. I test-drove a few at BMW of Tampa and have thoughts.
The Human Part
Small thing, but it matters: every crew that came was kind. They laughed with me about the garage “before” photo. One tech petted my dog, then asked for a lint roller before he got back in the truck. That care shows. I tipped each team $10–$20 per person, based on time and how tough it felt.
Honestly, junk removal isn’t glamorous. But it feels amazing after. The garage echoed. The patio felt bigger. My head felt lighter.
While you’re waiting on a crew (or just cooling off afterward), you might flip open Twitch for some background noise. Just be aware that the platform’s rules about adult content are way stricter than any HOA bylaw—the quick guide at this breakdown of Twitch’s “spicy” do’s and don’ts explains exactly what’s allowed, what’ll get you flagged, and how to keep your streams fun without risking a ban. Need a different kind of stress relief after all that hauling? If your post-project road trip takes you through Franklin, Tennessee, this no-frills spa cheat sheet on Rubmaps Franklin lines up locations, pricing, and real-user notes so you can figure out where to loosen those sore shoulders without shooting in the dark.
And if your junk is staring at you right now? Take a picture, ask for a quote, and breathe. You’ve got this.