Welcome back to our If We Were Starting a Service Business in 2026 series, where we ask the lead generation experts at 99 Calls what service area business they would start today and why. Last time, Jake let us know why he’d choose a pressure washing business.
This time, we asked Keely.
Her answer was immediate.
Junk removal.
And when you look at the data and demand patterns, it makes a lot of sense. It’s also one of the top businesses to start in 2026, based on this research.
A Problem That Never Goes Away
“If I were to start a business, I would start a junk removal company,” Keely told us. “It is a service that stays in demand year-round because people are constantly moving, remodeling, downsizing, cleaning out garages, or dealing with property cleanouts. It also solves a problem that most homeowners and businesses cannot or do not want to handle themselves, which makes it an easy service to sell when someone needs it.”
That’s the key. Junk removal isn’t seasonal. It’s tied to life events. People move, they renovate, inherit properties, and then finally decide to clean out the garage after “planning to” for many years. And when they reach that moment, they usually want it handled fast.
From a business perspective, that creates consistent, year-round demand across residential and commercial markets. Simple Model, scalable growth; Junk removal scales cleanly. “Junk removal can scale well over time since you can expand into more crews, more trucks, and more service areas while keeping the business model simple,” Keely explained.
You start with one truck, then two, then three. Add crews, expand service areas, or layer in light demolition or specialty cleanouts. The core service remains straightforward, which makes training, operations, and expansion manageable compared to more technical trades. It’s operationally simple, but growth-friendly.
Marketing That Captures High-Intent Demand
From a lead generation standpoint, junk removal performs extremely well on Google properties, especially when set up correctly.
Keely would prioritize Google Local Services Ads first.
“I would prioritize Google Local Services Ads because it is a pay-per-lead platform, and I have seen junk removal companies get strong volume from it. It puts your business in front of customers who are actively searching for the service, and it can consistently generate inbound calls and requests when set up correctly.”
LSAs place the business at the very top of search results and charge per qualified lead rather than per click. For high-intent services like junk removal, that model works well.
But she wouldn’t stop there.
“I would also run Google Ads to capture additional search traffic and target specific keywords, locations, and service types. Google Ads gives you more control over your messaging and targeting, and it pairs well with LSAs because it helps you show up in multiple places on Google at the same time.”
That dual approach matters. When your company appears in LSAs and traditional search ads, you dominate more real estate on the page. That visibility builds trust and increases call volume.
Additional Cost Breakdown: LSAs vs Google Ads
When comparing Google Local Services Ads and traditional Google Ads, understanding the pricing structure is important. Local Services Ads operate on a pay-per-lead model, meaning you only pay when a valid call or message is delivered. Across many home service categories, typical costs range from $25 to $45 per lead, with broader industry estimates between $30 and $80, depending on competition. In junk removal specifically, many active markets see leads fall roughly in the $30 to $60 range. Google Ads, on the other hand, operate on a pay-per-click model. Junk removal cost-per-click rates range from $4.75 to $30 or more, depending on the city and competition. Because you pay for clicks rather than contacts, the true cost per lead depends on your conversion rate. In most competitive Florida markets, junk removal businesses see cost-per-lead ranges from approximately $60 to $400, depending on targeting, competition, and landing page performance. This is why many contractors use both platforms together: LSAs provide predictable pay-per-lead volume, while Google Ads offer more targeting control and scalability.
Best Practice for Junk Removal Businesses
Many successful junk removal companies run both platforms simultaneously. LSAs generate consistent inbound calls with predictable lead costs, while Google Ads capture specialized searches such as estate cleanouts, hot tub removal, or large commercial jobs.
Combining the two increases visibility across the entire search results page and reduces reliance on a single acquisition channel. And as a third and far more cost-effective option, SEO-generated leads, via Google Business Profiles or a well-optimized website, run from $0 to $74. For example, 99 Calls charges just $12.99 for exclusive junk removal leads.
Reviews Make the Difference
In competitive markets, reviews can be the deciding factor.
“To stay competitive on the platform, I would focus heavily on getting reviews on my Google Business Profile,” Keely said. “Reviews play a major role in trust and visibility and can help me stand out against other companies in the same market.”
For junk removal, especially, trust is critical. Customers are inviting someone to their home, sometimes during stressful situations such as moves or estate cleanouts. A strong review profile reduces hesitation and increases conversions.
The Big Takeaway
Junk removal checks a lot of boxes for 2026
- Year-round demand tied to real-life events.
- A simple, scalable business model.
- Strong performance on Local Services Ads and Google Ads.
- Clear opportunities to grow through reviews and reputation.
It solves a problem most people don’t want to solve themselves, which makes it highly sellable when the need arises. For Keely, that combination makes junk removal not just a good service business, but a practical and reliable one.
Stay tuned as we continue the series and ask more of our experts what they would build if they were starting from scratch today.