Older adults choosing smaller homes, families managing estates and residents seeking simpler spaces are driving a steady rise in full-service junk removal in Sault Ste. Marie, says Just Junk franchise owner Jason Biggar.
“What we see most is people moving from a house to a condo or apartment and realizing they do not need two living rooms' worth of furniture,” Biggar said in an interview. “People my age and older want less to look after, more time and a bit more money to travel. People do not want the stuff anymore.”
Calls also come at life’s difficult moments. “Estate cleanouts are a big part of what we do,” he said. “When someone has passed away or is moving into care, our job is to take stress off the family and handle the work with care.”
Biggar said demand rose across the company’s franchises after 2020 and has not let up. He links part of that to younger renters and first-time buyers who live in smaller spaces. He also sees more office closures and downsizing, which has led to more commercial work.
“Some businesses moved from a large office to a smaller one or to home offices. We clear out the surplus,” he said.
The trend shows up in what gets left behind. China cabinets, once a staple in many homes, are now among the most frequently hauled items. “You cannot even give them away for free now,” Biggar said. “My parents and grandparents had china. We do not. My kids definitely will not.”
Just Junk operates as a full-service hauler. Residents can book online at any time or by phone through an extended-hours call centre. Crews provide free on-site estimates and, in most cases, remove items immediately. Pricing is based on how much space a load takes in the truck rather than a flat bin fee.
“You only pay for the room you use,” Biggar said. “A full truck includes two hours of labour, and most loads take an hour to an hour and a half, so people get lots of time built in.”
If the final volume comes in under the estimate, he reduces the bill. If it runs over, he does not charge more than quoted.
The company will take almost anything except hazardous materials such as paint, oil and chemicals. Typical residential jobs range from single-item pickups to multi-truck moves. Biggar’s trucks hold about 18 cubic yards.
“A small one-bedroom apartment can be close to a truck,” he said. “A full house is often three to four.”
For families handling a whole-home cleanout, Biggar prefers a walk-through before the work begins.
“We go room by room and mark what stays and what goes,” he said. “We remove items from closets and cupboards, sort as we go, and set aside anything that looks personal so families can decide.”
Crews of two arrive with lifting straps, flat and appliance dollies and basic tools to disassemble bulky items. Treadmills in basements are a familiar challenge.
“We take them apart to avoid damage and move them safely,” Biggar said. Customers do not need to prepare, although those who stage a “driveway pickup” can get a discount because the team can back up and load quickly.
Donation and recycling are part of every job, but Biggar said the donation landscape has tightened as volumes increase.
“We used to have more places taking clothing and household goods,” he said. “Now it is often Habitat for Humanity, one church and sometimes Children’s Aid. Even big thrift outlets get full and pause intake.”
Smaller items such as dishes and housewares are easier to rehome. Furniture depends on condition and the receiving agency’s capacity.
The company also handles sensitive cleanups. Abandoned properties are approached methodically and quickly. Hoarding cases connected to mental health issues require a slower pace and more communication.
“It is about being careful and not taking anything people do not want us to take,” Biggar said. Estate work is approached with the same care. “It is an emotional time. We try to make things easier.”
“We are there to make people’s lives easier, whether that is removing a couch or clearing a whole house for someone who lives out of town,” he said.
For residents testing the waters of decluttering, he suggests 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
“Start with the closet you never open, not the main one,” he said. “Grab a few things you know you do not want and move them out to the garage or by the door. If it is too much, call us and we will go through it for you.”
Just Junk is a Canadian company with locally owned franchises. Biggar owns and operates the Sault Ste. Marie location.
“We are local,” he said. “We live here and work here.”
Bookings can be made online at any time or by phone through the call centre at 705-910-0006, with most pickups scheduled within 24 to 48 hours.
Estimates are free on-site, and most jobs are completed the same day.