Moving is expensive. Between the truck rental, the boxes, and the professional movers, the costs add up fast.
But there is one hidden cost most homeowners forget until it is too late: paying to move junk.
Most long-distance moving companies charge by weight, while local movers often charge by the hour or volume. This means every broken chair, old mattress, and box of “I might use this someday” clutter is literally costing you cash to transport.
At Home Team Haulers, we believe you should start fresh in your new home, not weighed down by the past. Here is why renting a dumpster before the moving truck arrives is the smartest financial move you can make.
The Strategy: The “2-Week Rule”
If you wait until the day before the movers arrive to declutter, you will fail. You will panic-pack everything into boxes just to get it out of the house.
Instead, follow the 2-Week Rule with a 7-day dumpster rental:
Week 1 (The Storage Purge): Focus on the attic, basement, and garage. These areas hold 80% of your junk.
Week 2 (The Living Areas): Tackle the closets and bedrooms. If you haven’t worn it in a year, toss it.
Moving Day: Your house is lean, clean, and ready to pack.
What to Toss vs. Keep (And What Movers Won’t Take)
You might be surprised to learn that professional movers are legally prohibited from taking certain items. If you pack them, they will leave them behind on your driveway.
1. Hazardous Materials
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), movers cannot transport hazardous items. This includes:
Paint and paint thinner
Batteries
Cleaning solvents
Propane tanks
2. Perishable Food
Most moving companies will not transport food that can spoil. LiteMovers notes that even non-perishables can attract pests in a moving truck. Instead of tossing these in the trash, we recommend donating unopened non-perishables to a local Utah food bank.
3. Broken Furniture
Is it worth paying $50 in mover weight fees to transport a $20 IKEA bookshelf that is wobbling? Probably not. Use your dumpster to offload bulky, low-value furniture so you can buy new pieces that actually fit your new space.
Need a dumpster fast? Contact Home Team Haulers for same-day or next-day drop-off.
The Economics: Dumpster vs. Moving Truck
Why spend money to rent a dumpster just to save money on movers? Because the math usually works in your favor.
Long-distance moves are typically priced by weight. As MoveBuddha explains, the heavier your load, the higher your bill. By removing 2,000 lbs of junk (about one small dumpster load), you could save significantly on your moving quote—often enough to cover the cost of the dumpster rental itself.
Plus, you save time. Movers charge by the hour for local moves. If they have to navigate around piles of junk or move boxes you are going to throw away later anyway, you are paying for wasted time.
Logistics: Where to Put the Dumpster
When you call us to book your bin, let us know you are moving. We need to be strategic about placement.
Don’t block the loading zone: We need to place the dumpster so the moving truck can still back up to your front door or garage.
Leave a path: Ensure there is a clear walkway between the house and the dumpster for easy loading.
Start Your Next Chapter Clutter-Free
Don’t bring your old trash to your new castle.
A pre-move cleanout gives you closure. It lets you say goodbye to the past and ensures that when you unpack in your new home, you are only surrounding yourself with the things you truly love.
Closing date coming up fast?
We know moving timelines are tight. We offer flexible rental periods and fast pickup so you aren’t stuck with a bin on closing day.
