Why dump runs cost more than you think.
If you are a general contractor, junk removal probably feels like a necessary but frustrating part of every job.
Debris piles up, someone has to deal with it, and too often that means pulling your own crew away from productive work to make dump runs.
At 505-Junk, we provide construction junk removal services for general contractors across residential, renovation, and commercial job sites. One thing we see consistently is that most contractors underestimate the true cost of handling debris internally.
Once those costs are clear, professional junk removal stops looking like an expense and starts looking like a practical decision.
The Real Cost of Sending Your Crew to the Dump
On paper, using your own team for dump runs seems simple. You already have staff on site, so it feels efficient.
In practice, it is usually one of the most expensive ways to manage construction debris.
When your crew leaves the job site to handle disposal, the cost includes much more than hourly wages.
Costs General Contractors Often Overlook
- Hourly wages
- Payroll costs such as CPP or FICA, WCB or WSIB, insurance, and taxes
- Fuel and landfill fees
- Vehicle wear and tear
- Time lost to traffic and wait lines
- Lost production on site
- Schedule delays that increase overhead
Even one short dump run can have a noticeable impact on productivity.
A Common Scenario We See
Two workers leave the site for half a day to handle debris.
- 4 hours × 2 workers × approximately $55 to $65 per hour fully burdened
- $480 to $520 in labour cost alone
- Additional fuel, disposal, and lost production
The total cost often reaches $650 to $1,000 or more for a single trip. Most projects require several of these runs.
Is Professional Junk Removal More Expensive Than a Bin?
This is one of the most common questions we hear from general contractors.
Bins appear cheaper at first glance, but they usually shift the workload back onto your crew.
Common Challenges With Bins
- Take up valuable space on site
- Remain on location longer than planned
- Require your crew to load them
- Create overage fees and permit issues
- Add coordination and site management time
Bins remove debris eventually, but they do not reduce labour or disruption.
How 505-Junk Supports Active Job Sites
Our approach is designed specifically for construction environments where timelines matter.
How Our Construction Junk Removal Service Works
- Scheduled arrival that fits your job timeline
- Our crew handles all loading
- Same-day removal of debris
- Clean, professional job sites
- Minimal disruption to active trades
This allows your crew to stay focused on building while we handle cleanup and disposal.
Comparing Total Cost, Not Just Line Items
When general contractors compare total job costs instead of just service pricing, professional junk removal often comes out ahead.
Based on real job site comparisons:
- Bin plus internal labour commonly totals $1,600 to $1,800
- Professional live-load junk removal typically ranges from $900 to $1,200
- Average savings of approximately $650 per cleanup
- Fewer delays and less site congestion
This is why most contractors switch after just one project.
What General Contractors Look for in a Junk Removal Partner
Price matters, but reliability matters more.
Contractors tell us they value partners who:
- Show up when scheduled
- Understand active construction sites
- Communicate clearly
- Work safely and professionally
- Keep sites clean for inspections and clients
That is how 505-Junk operates on every job.
Why General Contractors Choose 505-Junk
We are not a bin rental company, and we are not a one-time pickup service.
We work alongside general contractors to keep projects moving.
General contractors choose 505-Junk because we:
- Offer reliable scheduling
- Provide clear, predictable pricing
- Handle debris without pulling trades off task
- Keep job sites clean and organized
- Reduce the stress around cleanup and disposal
As many contractors put it:
Stop paying carpenter rates for garbage work.
The Bottom Line
Construction debris removal does not have to slow your job down or inflate labour costs.
Professional junk removal allows your crew to stay productive, keeps your site cleaner, and often reduces total project costs.
If you are a general contractor looking for a construction junk removal company that understands job sites, 505-Junk is built for that work.
Ready to Talk Through Your Next Project?
Call 604-505-5865 to discuss construction junk removal services designed for general contractors, renovation teams, and active job sites.