Junk removal costs in Charleston

A couch gets two days at the curb in Charleston, tops. The city's rule is to set out appliances, bedding and furniture in front of the house no more than two days before pickup, apart from the yard debris and the rest of the trash. City crews serve most neighborhoods. West Ashley west of I-526 and Johns Island get Carolina Waste instead, and Daniel Island and Cainhoy get Republic Services. TVs, computers and printers can't go to the curb at all. Neither can tires, car batteries, or more than 90 gallons of construction material, about a 3-by-4-by-1-foot pile. Those head to the landfill or a county drop-off.

Charleston County runs eight staffed convenience centers for county residents. Bring a government photo ID with a county address, or a matching utility or tax bill. The bulky zone takes furniture, mattresses, drywall, carpet, insulation and lumber, but not shingles, bricks or stucco. Appliances go in scrap metal, and you can bring four tires per visit, once a week, rims off. Wood has to be cut under 4 feet to fit the compactors. A double-axle trailer, a box truck or a moving van needs an appointment first, and nothing can be taken back out once it's dropped.

One more thing before you go: wear shoes and a shirt, and keep the kids and the dog in the car. The county lists both as site rules.