A garage cleanout in Calgary is rarely just junk. It is old furniture next to paint cans, winter tires next to broken bikes, and boxes nobody has opened since the last move. The trick to keeping the cost down is sorting before anyone loads a truck, because some of it is free to drop off, some of it is hazardous, and only the rest needs paid removal.
Step 1: Sort into five piles
| Pile | Examples | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Keep | Tools, seasonal gear, sports equipment you use | Back on shelves |
| Sell / donate | Working bikes, tools, furniture in good condition | Online marketplace or charity |
| Free City drop-off | Electronics, tires, household hazardous waste | City Eco Centre: free for residents |
| Scrap metal | Old BBQs, lawn mowers (drained), metal shelving | Scrap recycler or landfill ($113/tonne) |
| Junk | Broken furniture, boxes, mixed garbage | Junk removal or landfill |
What is free to drop off in Calgary
For residents, the City of Calgary accepts these at no charge (2026):
- Electronics (free when not mixed with garbage)
- Tires
- Household hazardous waste: paint, solvents, propane tanks, pesticides, car fluids and batteries, at designated drop-off locations
- Clothing and shoes at recycling locations
Removing these yourself first can shrink the load you pay a hauler for. Most junk removal companies will not take hazardous waste in any case. See what we take.
Garage cleanout cost in Calgary
Garage cleanouts are priced by truck volume. Based on published Calgary hauler prices we reviewed in October 2026:
- Light clear-out (a corner of a garage, a few large items): about a quarter load, $149–$199
- Single-car garage, moderately full: about a half load, $200–$300
- Packed single or double garage: three-quarter to full load, $300–$600+
Tires may carry a small surcharge (one Calgary list: $5 without rim, $10 with rim). These are market ranges; your hauler confirms your price. More detail is in the price guide.
Common garage items haulers take
Old furniture and mattresses, bikes and exercise equipment, shelving, lumber and renovation leftovers, BBQs (propane tank removed), lawn mowers and snowblowers (fuel and oil drained), boxes and bags of household junk, carpet, and broken toys and sports gear.
Tips for a faster, cheaper garage cleanout
- Do the sorting over a weekend before the crew arrives
- Drain fuel from mowers, snowblowers and trimmers
- Remove propane tanks from BBQs and take them to hazardous waste drop-off
- Pile the junk near the garage door so loading is quick
- Take photos and send them with your quote request
Garage cleanouts across Calgary and area
Requests are accepted from Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks and Chestermere. Doing the basement too? See basement cleanouts. Have yard debris as well? See yard waste removal.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a garage cleanout cost in Calgary?
A single-car garage with mixed junk is often a half to full truckload: roughly $200–$600+ on published Calgary price lists we reviewed. Removing free-to-recycle items first can cut the volume.
What do I do with old paint and chemicals?
Paint, solvents, propane tanks and other household hazardous waste go to City household hazardous waste drop-off, free for residents. Most junk removal companies will not take them.
Can tires go in a junk removal load?
Usually yes, often with a small per-tire fee. One Calgary price list we reviewed charges $5 per tire without rim and $10 with rim. Residents can also drop tires at City Eco Centres for free.