How to Find Jobs When Starting Your Junk Removal Business
How to find junk removal jobs is a challenge even for established removal businesses!
You’ve got your truck, insurance, and registration handled, but finding that first job—and steady work after that—can be tricky.
Where do you find junk removal customers?
How do you find junk removal jobs?
Where do you get your first paying job?
Let’s go through some practical ways to connect with clients and establish a reliable stream of junk removal jobs.
1. Use Local Social Media Groups
Leverage Facebook Groups For Junk Removal Jobs
This is an excellent place to start, you can do it on you lunch break or while laying in bed. All you need is a personal facebook profile and to set aside some time. Many neighborhoods have local groups where people search for everything from movers to junk removal specialists. As a local business owner, you have a unique edge! Join local community groups and engage in a genuine way—offer advice, ask questions, and make personal connections.
When you see someone asking for a recommendation, offer help without being overly salesy. Build trust by presenting yourself as a member of the community first, business second. Over time, members will think of you first when they need junk removed or have friends and family asking for recommendations.
You don’t have to be a polished junk removal franchise to capture business from groups like these. In fact, a lot of people in groups like these will often respond better to a more personal engagement.
Introduce yourself, tell people what community you’re from and the business you are working to grow. Individuals who are motivated to support local business will respond to a personal name and a story much more than a company name. They will want to know who they are supporting personally.
Continue to stay plugged in with these pages, offering free value where possible. Eventually, someone will write a post looking for help with something that you can charge for. Or, someone from the local page may tag you somewhere else on Facebook, connecting you to some work.
If you have the capacity to, you could buy some good will within these groups. Many community groups have neighbours who have their finger on the pulse. They will often post regarding illegal dumping, unsightly yards or excessive garbage. In situations where the junk isn’t obviously any one resident’s, consider volunteering to remove it at your cost. People will take notice and consider you for their next removal or recommend you to family & friends.
Facebook Marketplace Monitoring
Although direct advertising is restricted on Marketplace, monitor it for people who need quick help getting rid of items. Keep an eye out for posts where someone mentions a tight timeline, such as a move or a renovation project. Garage sales or estate sales can be good listings to monitor as its often uncommon to sell everything, leaving them with leftover items. Offer to help with the removal if a listing doesn’t sell, building goodwill and possibly leading to future recommendations.
Be informed, these efforts will not convert very well, BUT, when you’re starting out, no effort is wasted!
2. Craigslist, Kijiji and Nextdoor
Local classifieds are another free and straightforward way to connect with customers. Create listings on Craigslist, Kijiji, and Nextdoor that outline your services. Mention specific items you handle, such as bulky furniture, appliances, and yard waste. Posting regular updates and responding promptly to inquiries can help keep your business top of mind.
For greater reach, consider following up with people whose items haven’t sold. Offer your services as a “last resort” solution, which may be exactly what they need if they’re eager to clear out. This can lead to you securing removal work!
3. Driving For Dollars – Finding Your Own Removal Jobs
A term used in the real estate world, “driving for dollars” is about driving around and spotting leads. The same principle works for junk removal. Look for homes or sites where there’s visible junk, such as homes being renovated or yards with excess clutter. And don’t forget to drive back alleys!
Now this approach isn’t for the easily discouraged, you not only have to find the junk, then you have to find a sell the customer on your services. But, if you have time on your hands and fuel in the tank, you can drive around your city, searching for customers to land junk removal jobs.
Pro Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for the Waste Management Bagster. It is common for homeowners to ignore the Bagster rules and have WM refuse the pick-up. WM requires the bag to be 5′ from any structures, no further than 16′ from the curb, and have nothing overhead (18′ of clearance from trees, overhead lines, etc). They may refuse to pick-up bags that are damaged or overloaded (the straps must connect and they recommend only loading to the top of the bag). Make note of the address or leave a card at these homes, letting them know you offer manual removal to Bagster customers if they require the assistance.
4. Set Up Your Google Business Profile
In a service based industry where customers compare one company to another, establishing yourself on the worlds biggest search engine is an easy and free step you need to take. Although this most likely won’t return junk removal jobs to you instantly, its a very important step that you should take sooner than later! Google verifies your business by sending a code to your physical location, so make sure to complete this setup process as soon as possible.
Having a Google Business Profile not only allows you to start receiving reviews from your customers, it also allows you to appear in search results. When creating this profile, be sure to fill out as many of the fields as applicable. The general rule of thumb with working with Google’s is to utilize their and and all of their features. Google tends to reward users who use their products more completely than others who only upload the bare minimum.
Add details, upload photos, add “products” (think of products as “Couch Removal”, “Fridge Removal”, etc.) and ask customers to leave reviews. Consistency with your Google profile can lead to more calls and website clicks from local clients.
FAQ’s – How to Find Junk Removal Jobs
Engage with local Facebook groups, set up a Google Business profile, and post on classifieds to connect with nearby clients. Look for free or low cost opportunities to get your name out there. Be sure to communicate promptly, professionally and nurture all leads that come in.
Begin with free resources and focus on organic connections. Paid advertising often requires methods to convert customers once they click your ad. A well built website, or sales funnel is key for advertising. Once you have a few clients, you can assess if ads make sense for you.
Ask any hauler, review are the lifeblood of our industry. When you begin to cast a wider, less personal net for customers, reviews begin to have more value. Reviews are vital for establishing credibility and building a strong presence online, so make it a habit to request them from satisfied customers.
In the industry of Junk Removal, the barrier to entry is quite low. This can mean there are a lot of competitors, but it also creates an opportunity to make your company stand out. Focus on excellent customer service, transparency in pricing, and going the extra mile. Positive word of mouth and reliable service will help build a loyal customer base.
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