Are junk removal Google Ads getting more expensive?
Yes, in the second half of 2026. We compared the same 26 junk removal and dumpster rental Google Ads accounts in Jul–Oct 2026 against Mar–Jun 2026:
- Median cost per click rose 15.9%, and 16 of the 26 accounts paid more.
- Median cost per lead rose 19.5%, and 17 of the 26 paid more.
- Median conversion rate barely moved (−0.6 points).
- Click volume was flat (+1.6%).
The leads got more expensive mainly because each click did. Conversion rate barely moved.
By Justin Hubbard, who runs Adimize and has owned and operated a junk removal and dumpster rental company for over 12 years
Based on 34 junk removal and dumpster rental Google Ads accounts, Nov 2025 - Oct 2026
Monthly median across accounts
- Median cost per lead
| Month | Accounts | Median CPC | Median cost per lead | Median conv. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 21 | $5.27 | $56.52 | 10.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 25 | $4.71 | $57.45 | 8.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 26 | $5.01 | $61.31 | 9.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 26 | $5.84 | $57.16 | 10.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 25 | $5.47 | $53.68 | 9.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 27 | $5.56 | $50.11 | 12.4% |
| May 2026 | 27 | $5.40 | $56.48 | 11.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 25 | $5.79 | $55.18 | 11.0% |
| Jul 2026 | 27 | $5.70 | $71.70 | 10.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 27 | $6.86 | $71.27 | 8.6% |
| Sep 2026 | 28 | $6.71 | $79.24 | 9.7% |
| Oct 2026 | 28 | $6.56 | $70.93 | 7.5% |
Same accounts, before and after
| Comparison | Accounts | Median CPC change | Median CPL change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul–Oct vs Mar–Jun 2026 | 26 | +15.9% | +19.5% |
| Jul–Oct 2026 vs Nov 2025–Jun 2026 | 25 | +22.5% | +21.8% |
What the numbers say
From November through June, the median cost per lead stayed between $50 and $61. From July on, it never dropped below $70. The jump shows up in the same accounts, not just in a changing mix of accounts.
We can't yet say how much of this is seasonal. Twelve months of data can't separate a busy-season bump from a lasting price increase. That takes a year-over-year comparison, which this data can't make yet.
What to do with this:
- Budget for a higher cost per lead in summer and fall than in spring.
- Since conversion rate barely moved in the same accounts, the fix isn't your website. The fix is waste: wrong-intent searches, bad locations and bad hours.
- Track booked jobs, not just leads. A $70 lead that books is better than a $50 lead that doesn't.
How we got this
- Source: Google Ads data for 44 junk removal and dumpster rental accounts we manage or audit, Nov 1, 2025 to Oct 31, 2026.
- We dropped accounts with under $2,000 spend over the year and accounts with broken or inflated conversion tracking (conversion rate under 1% or over 40%). That left 34 accounts and $1.72M in spend.
- The monthly table includes accounts with $300+ spend and 30+ clicks that month. Cost per lead uses only accounts with 5+ conversions that month.
- A "lead" is a Google Ads conversion, meaning a tracked call or form. It isn't a booked job.
FAQ
What's a normal junk removal cost per lead in 2026?
Across 34 accounts over 12 months, the median was $67.81. The middle half ran from about $40 to $95.
What's a normal cost per click?
The 12-month median was $5.73. From August to October it ran $6.56 to $6.86 a click.
Related questions
From the Desk of Justin Hubbard
One move a week, every Sunday.
Short, useful, written from inside a $2M home service company. Read by 2,000+ service business owners.