If you live in San José, you may not need to pay anyone to haul away an old couch. The city runs a free curbside Junk Pickup program, and for a few large items it’s hard to beat. But it has limits, and for bigger jobs, items inside the house, or a tight deadline, a paid junk removal crew is often the better fit. Here’s how to decide.
How San José’s free Junk Pickup works
- It’s free and appointments are unlimited. You can book as often as you need.
- Up to 12 items per appointment. Large items such as furniture, mattresses and appliances count toward the limit. Check the city’s list of acceptable items before you book.
- Items must come from your home. The program is for household items, not business waste or construction material.
- Book through San José 311. Request an appointment at 311.SanJoseCA.gov, in the San José 311 app, or by calling 3-1-1 (or 408-535-3500). Watch for the confirmation email and follow its set-out instructions.
- Set items out no more than 24 hours before your appointment. Putting them out earlier can count as illegal dumping.
- Apartment residents: check with your property manager first about where items should go.
When the free city pickup is the right choice
- You have a few large items, and they’re already easy to move to the curb.
- You can wait for an appointment.
- You can carry everything out yourself, or have help to do it.
- Everything on your list is accepted by the program.
When a paid junk removal crew makes more sense
- More than 12 items, or a whole garage, house or estate to clear.
- Items that are hard to move: upstairs, in a basement, or too heavy to carry to the curb, like pianos, hot tubs or a full-size fridge.
- A deadline: a move-out date, a closing or a new tenant arriving.
- Things the city program doesn’t take, or business and rental-property junk.
- You want the sorting done for you: donating what’s usable and recycling the rest.
What paid junk removal costs with Dalux
Every Dalux pickup has a $299 minimum charge, and the final price depends on the size of the job. We give you a free quote first, from photos or a quick walkthrough. You only pay if you approve it, and there are no surprise fees. See how our pricing works.
Use both
Many San José residents mix the two: the city takes the couch and the old mattress at the curb, and a crew clears the garage or the rest of the house. If you’re not sure which fits, send us photos and we’ll tell you honestly whether the free pickup would cover it.
FAQ
How many items can I put out for San José’s free Junk Pickup?
Up to 12 items per appointment, according to the city. Appointments are unlimited, so you can book again for more.
Can I put my items out early?
No more than 24 hours before your appointment. Earlier set-out can be treated as illegal dumping.
Does the free pickup take construction debris?
No. The program is for household items. Construction and demolition material has to go through a city-authorized hauler.
When should I pay for junk removal instead?
When you have more than 12 items, items that are hard to move, a deadline, or a whole space to clear.
Too much for the curb? Call 408-466-0288 or send photos for a free quote.
