Did you know that in 2017 alone, over $4 billion was invested in the building of new self-storage facilities across the United States? Additionally, over 40 million square feet spread out over 800 new self-storage facilities are being built every year. It is probably safe to say that hidden inside the vast majority of those self-storage units are thousands of tons of unused junk that should probably either be recycled, donated, or thrown away. Here in the San Fernando Valley, you have most likely come across dozens of self-storage facilities, many of which have hundreds of individual units. Perhaps you even rent one of these units to store the stuff that no longer fit in your home, garage, or basement. 

If you need to free up space in your storage unit, or simply want to go through a major decluttering process in your life, it is important to think about the most effective way of getting rid of those unused items. In this short article, we offer a few ideas for how individuals and homeowners in the San Fernando Valley can get rid of their storage unit stuff that they no longer use. We also explain why Junk King of San Fernando Valley is the best option for helping you declutter your home and storage unit. We are proud to be the top-rated junk removal company in the southern California region. We provide our junk removal services to the San Fernando Valley area, including: Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Los Angeles, Newbury Park, North Hollywood, Oak Park, Porter Ranch, San Fernando, Thousand Oaks, West Hills, Westlake Village, and Woodland Hills. 

A Quick Look at Some Storage Facility Statistics 

Most people don’t know just how much STUFF the average family, individual, or household accumulates over time. According to one recent estimate by the LA Times, there are over 300,000 individual items in the average American home. This figure doesn’t even take into account the thousands of other items that end up in temporary (or permanent) storage in self-storage facilities across the country. In the United States alone, there are at least 52,000 storage units, which is actually more than all McDonalds, Subways, and Starbucks brick and mortar locations combined.

Furthermore, one company estimates that 155,000 storage units are auctioned off nationwide each year. Here in the state of California, over $3 million in belongings or possessions changes hands at the estimated 9,000 self-storage auctions every year. Auctions for abandoned junk occur at 800 of California’s nearly 3000 self-storage facilities each and every month. These statistics show that getting rid of storage unit stuff is not just the responsibility (or burden) of the owners of the junk, but often falls on the shoulders of the owners of the self-storage facilities. 

Options for Getting Rid of Self-Storage Junk? 

So what exactly are your options when it comes to getting rid of your junk items that are taking up space in your self-storage unit? Obviously, you cannot simply haul those items out to the curb in hopes that the garbage collection company miraculously hauls away your junk. Here are a few ideas for how homeowners, individuals, and even the owners of self-storage units can get rid of the unused junk items that are left in storage units. 

Sell the Storage Unit Stuff

If you have a 1965 Harley Davidson sitting in your self-storage unit, you most likely don’t simply want to “scrap” that item, even if it hasn’t been driven in over a decade. For items you have stored in your self-storage unit that have value, you may consider trying to sell the items on websites such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, EBay, or other similar websites. Make sure to mention that the purchaser is responsible for pickup at the self-storage unit, so you will not be responsible for any heavy hauling and towing of those items. Another option is to hire an auction company to auction off the contents that are stored in the storage facility unit. However, the auction company may charge a high rate, and there is the risk that you end up paying more than you earn.  

Donate your Extra Stuff 

Another option might be to donate the storage unit stuff to local charities, thrift stores, or other similar businesses. However, in most cases you will have to physically haul those items to the nearest drop-off location. If you don’t have a moving truck or a heavy duty pickup and trailer, this option may not be feasible. 

Hire Junk King for Storage Facility Cleanouts and All Other Junk Removal Needs 

If you don’t have the time, energy, or means to haul the contents stored in your storage unit to the nearest landfill or donation center, and if you don’t want to take the time to try and sell the items, then hiring Junk King may very well be the best way to get rid of the junk in an easy, efficient, and environmentally friendly manner. At all of our Junk King franchises, our junk removal teams will do all the hefty lifting and hauling. In many cases, we may be able to help you clean out the storage facility the same day you call us. 

Why Hire Junk King for your Storage Unit Cleanout Needs? 

Junk King is one of the few junk removal companies around the country that has an environmental ethic as a foundational element of our business model. We are proud to say that all of our franchises across the country are committed to recycling, donating, repurposing, or “upcycling” at least 60 percent of the junk that we pick up. When we come to clean out your storage unit, our teams take the extra time and effort to sort through the items in order to determine what can be recycled, donated, or otherwise repurposed. 

Furthermore, we also understand that getting rid of bulky junk items can be a difficult and cumbersome ordeal. Not everyone has the strength or physical means needed to haul a 300 pound, solid-wood couch out of a tiny storage unit. Thus, we are also committed to making it extremely easy for you to get rid of your any junk items that you need taken out of your storage unit. Once you have hired us, we will do all the heavy lifting and towing. You simply have to let us know where the junk is located and we will do the rest. Due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, we also offer no-contact service, meaning that you never have to physically interact with our junk removal technicians. 

Additionally, providing our customers with “fair and transparent” pricing is one of the hallmarks of our company and we even offer your four different ways to get a free estimate:

1. On-Site Pricing Estimate: On-site pricing is the best and most accurate way for us to assess the job and offer you the lowest price. Unlike other companies, our on-site pricing estimates are completely free, and come with no-obligation on your part. Our junk removal professionals will inspect the junk you need hauled away and offer you an upfront price. If a price agreed upon, we will often be able to get rid of your junk on the same day. 
2. Call to Talk with a Trained Customer Service Representative: If you’d prefer to talk with someone before making a decision, you can call us toll-free at 1-888-888-JUNK. Our customer service representatives can offer you a pricing estimate and help you plan the logistics of removing your junk from your storage unit. We also offer competitive pricing for businesses, so if you own a storage unit facility and regularly need cleanouts, don’t hesitate to call us. 
3. Text us a Photo: Also, you can simply take a photo of your junk and text us at 737-888-5865. We will promptly text you back a transparent price estimate. Once you accept the estimate, all you have to do is wait for the Junk King truck to arrive.
4. Online pricing estimator: Lastly, Junk King also offers an easy-to-use online pricing estimator. Simply enter your zip code to ensure that you are in right service area and provide a few more pieces of information regarding the type and size of the car junk you need removed. Our pricing estimator allows you to receive a transparent cost estimate based on either the actual items you need hauled away, or the anticipated volume in the Junk King truck you plan on taking up. The online pricing estimator is convenient, reliable, and time saving for those on a tight schedule. 

No matter what option you choose, as soon as a price is agreed upon, you choose a date and two-hour service window that works for your schedule. Our junk removal professionals will call you 15-30 minutes before we show up to promptly take your junk away! Our company is also fully insured, bonded, and licensed so that you can rest assured that you will never have to deal with unforeseen liabilities. 

No matter what type of junk you need to get rid of, we are here to help you efficiently get rid of your storage unit stuff in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK, text a photo to 1-737-888-5865, or book an appointment online to save $20 on orders totaling more than $99. Junk King continues to offer free, on-site written estimates, which is still the best way for us to give you our lowest pricing possible.