Junk Removal Equipment Checklist

Appliance dolly rated 600+ lbs (Cosco, Milwaukee, or Harper brand recommended): $80–$150. This is your most-used tool on every single job.

Furniture dolly or 4-wheel flat cart rated 1,000 lbs (18×30 inch minimum platform): $40–$80. Handles dressers, desks, and stacked boxes efficiently.

Ratchet straps — buy a mixed 4-pack with both 1-inch (furniture) and 2-inch (appliances) widths: $30–$50. Never haul without securing your load.

Moving blankets or furniture pads, 6-pack minimum (72×80 inch, 65 lb/dozen weight): $30–$60. Protects customer walls, floors, and your truck bed.

Cut-resistant work gloves, 2 pairs (ANSI A4 rating minimum): $15–$30. You'll encounter broken glass, nails, and sharp metal on nearly every job.

ANSI Z87.1-rated safety glasses, 2 pairs (clear and tinted): $10–$20. Flying debris during loading is more common than you think — protect your eyes.

Steel-toe work boots with slip-resistant soles (ASTM F2413 compliant): $60–$120. Worn every job. Don't cheap out — your feet carry 500-lb loads.

Broom and dustpan set (commercial-grade, not household): $15–$25. Post-job cleanup is what earns you five-star reviews and repeat customers.

Wheelbarrow or heavy-duty yard cart (6 cubic foot minimum capacity): $60–$120. Essential for yard waste, gravel, and loose debris that doesn't fit on a dolly.

36-inch pry bar or demolition bar (forged steel, not cast): $20–$40. Speeds up furniture disassembly and helps separate nailed-together items on demo jobs.

LED headlamp (250+ lumens) and a corded work light: $15–$30. Attics, basements, garages at dusk — you'll work in low-light conditions more than you expect.

OSHA-compliant first aid kit (ANSI Class A minimum for 2–5 workers): $25–$40. Required if you have any employees. Keep it in the cab, not buried in the truck bed.

Truck bed liner or 3/4-inch plywood floor protection with L-brackets: $300–$800. Prevents bed damage that lowers your truck's resale value by $1,500–$3,000.

Aluminum loading ramp rated for 750+ lbs (if no lift gate): $150–$400. Non-negotiable if your truck bed is 3+ feet off the ground. Reduces per-job loading time by 10–15 minutes.

Cargo net or bungee cord set (heavy-duty, not dollar-store grade): $20–$40. Secondary load securing for odd-shaped items that ratchet straps can't grip cleanly.

Knee pads (gel or foam): $15–$25. You'll kneel on concrete, gravel, and wood more often than you expect — protect your knees now or pay the chiropractor later.

Reciprocating saw (corded or 20V cordless) with demolition blades: $80–$150. Required for hot tub removal, shed teardown, and fence demo — jobs that pay $350–$800 each.

Cordless drill/driver (20V, impact-rated preferred): $60–$120. Speeds up furniture disassembly by 60% versus manual screwdrivers. Useful on every third job.

E-track system with tie-down straps for truck interior: $100–$200. Creates anchor points for vertical stacking — increases effective truck capacity by 20–30%.

Heavy-duty tarp set in 2–3 sizes (for open trailer loads): $30–$60. Required for open trailers to prevent debris blowout — some states issue $500+ litter fines.

Magnetic truck signs or professional vinyl lettering (minimum: company name, phone, USDOT number): $50–$200. Legally required DOT markings plus cheap lead generation while driving.

Dual dash cam (front-facing and rear/interior): $100–$250. Protects you from false damage claims. A single disputed claim can cost $2,000–$5,000 without video evidence.

Bolt cutters (24-inch) and padlock shim set: $30–$60. Needed for cleanout jobs where old locks need removal — always get written authorization from the property owner first.

Hand truck stair climber attachment or powered stair-climbing dolly: $80–$400. If you're doing apartment or multi-story work regularly, this cuts job time by 25% on stair carries.

Mount a tool rack or pegboard system on one interior wall: $40–$80. Keeps hand tools visible, accessible, and off the floor where they become tripping hazards.

Install tie-down hooks or D-rings every 24 inches along both truck walls: $30–$60. Provides anchor points that prevent load shifting during transit — a DOT compliance factor.

Designate a 'clean supplies' bin (broom, dustpan, rags, spray cleaner): $15–$25. Post-job cleanup takes 5 minutes but generates more five-star reviews than any other habit.

Keep a PPE bag in the cab with extra gloves, glasses, and a dust mask: $20–$35. When your crew forgets PPE, you lose 30 minutes driving to a store or risk OSHA violations on-site.

Install a weatherproof toolbox (crossbed or side-mount) for small tools: $80–$200. Prevents theft when truck is parked and keeps tools dry — rust kills hand tools within one season.

Add reflective DOT tape to rear bumper and loading ramp: $10–$20. Required by FMCSA for vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR. A $10 roll of tape prevents a $250+ citation.