The short answer
Book the cleanout for a day or two before the movers, so you only pay to move what you want. Single items are flat-priced, such as a sofa at $126, a queen mattress and box spring set at $143 and a washer at $133. A whole leftover pile is priced by truck share: $241 for a quarter, $431 for a half. Same-day pickup is available when you book by 4 PM, which covers the move-outs that run late.
Why people move so much here
People in the Inland Empire move for a handful of very local reasons, and they stack up:
- Logistics jobs. Ontario International is the 8th-busiest US airport by cargo; Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto, Moreno Valley and Perris all have large distribution centers. Warehouse and trucking households move often.
- Commuter moves. Families come from Orange and Los Angeles counties for more affordable housing, and some move again closer to work, along the 91, the 15, the 10 or the 215.
- Students and residents. UC Riverside (26,000+ students), Cal State San Bernardino, La Sierra and Loma Linda turn over apartments every year.
- Upsizing and downsizing. From a Moreno Valley starter home to a Menifee or Murrieta tract, or from a Wood Streets family home to something smaller.
What is worth moving, and what is not
Moving trucks are priced by size and time, so every piece you do not need costs you twice: once to move and once to deal with at the other end. Common things not worth moving:
- A sofa that is already sagging, or that will not fit the new floor plan.
- Mattresses past their life. A queen set is $143 to remove now, versus paying to move it and then paying to get rid of it.
- Particleboard bookcases and wardrobes that will not survive disassembly.
- The garage fridge or freezer, if the new house does not have room for it.
- Outgrown kids' furniture and backyard play sets.
A useful test: if you would not buy it again for the new place, do not pay to move it there.
Typical move-out totals
| Item | Flat price |
|---|---|
| Bookcase — Particleboard / Flat-pack | $100 |
| Loveseat | $119 |
| Sofa / Couch | $126 |
| Dresser (Standard) | $126 |
| Dryer | $128 |
| Washer | $133 |
| Mattress + Box Spring Set | $143 |
| Wardrobe — Flat-pack / Particleboard | $143 |
| Swing Set | $143 |
| Freezer (Chest) | $146 |
- Downsizing from a Wood Streets home: sofa, loveseat and two mattress sets, $126 + $119 + $143 + $143 = $531.
- Leaving a rental with appliances you own: washer and dryer, $133 + $128 = $261.
- Tract-home backyard: swing set and chest freezer from the garage, $143 + $146 = $289.
Three Inland Empire moves, worked through
Fontana to a new job across the country: a warehouse family selling most of their furniture rather than shipping it. What does not sell, a sofa, a wardrobe, a dresser and two flat-pack bookcases, is $126 + $143 + $126 + $100 + $100 = $595, cleared the day before the movers come for the boxes.
Moreno Valley starter home to a Menifee tract: the new garage is smaller, so the chest freezer and the old washer stay behind: $146 + $133 = $279.
Orange County transplant leaving Eastvale: after ten years, the third garage bay is still full of boxes from the original move. That is a quarter truck at $241, or a three-eighths truck at $338 if the boxes reach the ceiling.
The leftover pile
Every move ends with a pile: the boxes that did not get packed, the broken lamp, the bags of clothes, the things nobody claimed. That is what truck share is for.
| Load | Flat price |
|---|---|
| 1/4 truck (~4 cubic yards) | $241 |
| 3/8 truck (~6 cubic yards) | $338 |
| 1/2 truck (~8 cubic yards) | $431 |
Book it for the evening after the movers leave. Crews work until midnight, seven days a week.
Timing a move-out cleanout
- One to two weeks out: walk the house, decide what is not coming, and get a photo quote.
- Two days before the movers: remove the big items you are not taking, so the movers' estimate and time are smaller.
- Move day evening: clear the leftover pile.
- Before the walk-through: check the garage, side yard and closets; landlords and buyers look there first.
Summer is peak moving season and also peak heat in the inland valleys, so morning or evening windows are easier from June through September. Mid-June brings UCR move-outs around Canyon Crest and University Avenue.
Renters, owners and HOAs
Renters protect their deposit by leaving nothing behind; most complexes charge for bulky items left at the enclosure. Sellers want the garage empty before listing photos. HOAs in Orangecrest, Eastvale and Temescal Valley dislike curb piles even for a day. A pickup loaded from inside the house or garage solves all three. Managed complexes that require a certificate of insurance get one emailed within 1 hour. Get a fixed price on the instant quote page, with a two-hour arrival window you pick.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book a move-out cleanout?
A day or two before the movers for big items you are not taking, and the evening after the move for the leftover pile. Same-day pickup is available when you book by 4 PM. In mid-June near UCR, book a little earlier.
How much does a move-out cleanout cost in Riverside?
Single items are flat-priced, such as a sofa at $126 or a queen set at $143. Leftover piles are priced by truck share: $241 for a quarter truck, $431 for a half. Photos set the price before booking.
Can you come late in the evening?
Yes. Crews work 8am to midnight, seven days a week. An evening window after the movers leave is common. In summer it is also cooler.
Do you charge for upstairs apartments?
No. There is no stairs fee and no walk-up fee. The crew carries everything down from the unit.
Can you take appliances I own in a rental?
Yes. A washer is $133, a dryer $128, and a washer and dryer together are $133 + $128 = $261. Disconnect water and gas lines first. The crew handles the carry-out.