Appliance removal means getting an old washer, dryer, fridge, stove or dishwasher out of your home and to the right place. In Los Angeles you have three routes: a free city pickup, a store haul-away when you buy new, or a local business that charges per item. This page covers each, plus the rules on refrigerant and gas. If you want a price, we'll pass your enquiry to a local business for a quote. Start from the Cleanout Compass home page or use the form below.
How much does appliance removal cost in Los Angeles?
Expect roughly $60 to $180 per appliance, with about $100 as a common average in published national guides. Los Angeles prices can differ. The business that looks at the job gives the real quote, so treat these numbers as a guide only.
What moves the price:
- Size and weight. A fridge or washer costs more than a microwave or window air conditioner.
- Access. Stairs, a tight hallway, or a unit in a basement or on a high floor adds labor.
- Number of items. Several appliances in one visit often cost less each than one alone.
- Disposal needs. Fridges and freezers hold refrigerant that has to be recovered, which can add to the cost.
- Timing. See same-day junk removal if you need it fast.
For wider hauling jobs, see junk removal pricing.
What is the best way to get rid of an old appliance?
The best way depends on whether it still works and how fast you need it gone. A working unit can be donated or sold. A dead one can go through the city's metal appliance pickup, a store haul-away with a new purchase, or a local business. Pick the free option if you can wait, and the paid one if you can't.
Quick guide:
- Still works: donate it, or let a buyer collect it. EPA advises against reselling old refrigerators, since they use a lot of electricity.
- Dead, and you can wait: use the city pickup described below.
- Buying a replacement: ask the seller about haul-away at checkout.
- Need it gone on a set day: ask a local business for a quote. We'll pass your enquiry on, and they quote the price.
Can I get an old appliance picked up for free in Los Angeles?
Often yes. LA Sanitation says it collects large metal appliances such as refrigerators, washers and dryers at no extra charge for homes on its curbside service. You request it through MyLA311 or by calling 311, and you ask for the metal and household appliance type, not general bulky items. Check MyLA311 for current rules before you set anything out.
Points to know:
- Book first. Items put out without a request can count as illegal dumping.
- Eligibility. Apartment buildings and some properties are served differently. Confirm yours with 311.
- Electronics. TVs, computers and microwaves are e-waste and use a different request type.
- Fridge rebates. LADWP has run a refrigerator recycling program with pickup and a rebate for its electric customers. Eligibility rules apply, so check its site.
If the free route does not fit your timing, a local business can take the item and quote you for it.
Do Home Depot and Lowe's take away old appliances?
Usually only when you buy a replacement from them, and often for a fee. Published guides report haul-away fees of about $25 to $50 per appliance, and some deliveries include it free. Policies and fees change by store and by delivery contractor, so ask at checkout and get the price in writing.
Common conditions reported:
- The old unit must be disconnected, empty and ready to move.
- Haul-away is often one-for-one and like-for-like.
- Built-in units, water heaters and air conditioners may be refused.
Without a purchase, a store will often decline. That is when a local business or the city pickup makes more sense.
What do I need to do before an old appliance leaves my home?
Empty it, unplug it and disconnect water lines. If it runs on gas, do not disconnect the gas yourself. California generally requires a licensed contractor for gas piping work, and a business moving the appliance may ask you to have the gas capped first. Check the rules at the Contractors State License Board (cslb.ca.gov) or call your gas utility.
Refrigerant is the other rule. Fridges, freezers and air conditioners contain it, and under EPA rules the final disposer of an appliance is responsible for recovering the refrigerant. Someone earlier in the chain can do it instead, with a signed statement of who and when. Never vent it. Hazardous parts such as mercury, PCBs and compressor oil must also come out before scrapping.
Also:
- Take food and loose shelves out of the fridge.
- Tape doors shut so they do not swing open.
- Measure the doorways so the appliance can get out.
Clearing a whole property? See house clean-out. Ready for a price? Get quotes.
Questions people ask
Does Home Depot take away your old appliances for free?
Sometimes. Some delivery packages include haul-away of the old unit when you buy a replacement, and others charge roughly $25 to $50, according to published guides. It is rarely offered without a purchase. Ask the store before you pay, and confirm that your type of appliance is accepted.
Do seniors get discounts at Home Depot?
We could not confirm a senior discount on appliance haul-away from an official source, so we won't say there is one. Ask the store directly. If you are an LADWP customer on a senior or low-income rate, check LADWP for its own refrigerator program instead.
How to get rid of an old kitchen for free?
Try donating usable cabinets, a working stove or a fridge, and let the taker collect them. Metal appliances that no longer work may qualify for the city's metal appliance pickup. Cabinets and countertops are not appliances, so they need a hauler. A local business can quote a whole kitchen tear-out.
Does Lowe's haul away old appliances for free?
Published guides usually report a fee of about $15 to $30 per appliance, and some say it is free with certain deliveries. Fees vary by location and delivery contractor. Haul-away normally needs a replacement purchase. Check the price at checkout.
What should I tell a local business about my appliance?
Tell them the type, size, floor and whether there are stairs. Say whether it runs on gas, and whether it is a fridge or freezer. Photos help them quote more accurately. We'll pass your enquiry to a local business, and they confirm the price before the job.
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