Which month are junk removal leads cheapest on Google Ads?
May was the cheapest month for junk removal Google Ads leads across 10 accounts (Nov 2025–Oct 2026): cost per conversion ran at 83 on an index where 100 is each account's normal month, against 125 in February.
- December ran at 111. April was 88.
- Spring (Mar-May 2026) to fall (Aug-Oct 2026), same 12 accounts: median cost per conversion $58.94 to $77.89, a median change of +23.01%. 8 of 12 paid more.
- Winter (Dec 2025-Feb 2026) to spring, same 11 accounts: cost per conversion fell a median 12.09%.
- Winter to fall, same 10 accounts: about the same (-1.33%).
By Justin Hubbard, who runs Adimize and has owned and operated a junk removal and dumpster rental company for over 12 years
Based on 10 junk removal Google Ads accounts (monthly index) and 10–13 accounts (season comparisons), Search campaigns, Nov 2025 - Oct 2026
Cost per conversion by month (100 = a normal month)
- Cost per conversion index
| Month | Accounts | Cost per conversion | Cost per click | Conversion rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 10 | 97 | 94 | 100 |
| Dec 2025 | 10 | 111 | 94 | 81 |
| Jan 2026 | 9 | 99 | 95 | 95 |
| Feb 2026 | 9 | 125 | 100 | 78 |
| Mar 2026 | 10 | 95 | 93 | 88 |
| Apr 2026 | 10 | 88 | 97 | 98 |
| May 2026 | 10 | 83 | 96 | 105 |
| Jun 2026 | 10 | 95 | 101 | 109 |
| Jul 2026 | 10 | 93 | 107 | 114 |
| Aug 2026 | 10 | 104 | 107 | 104 |
| Sep 2026 | 9 | 104 | 100 | 93 |
| Oct 2026 | 7 | 108 | 99 | 101 |
Same accounts, season to season
| Same accounts, season to season | Accounts | Median cost per conversion | Median change per account | Cost per click, median change | Conversion rate, median relative change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec 2025-Feb 2026) to spring (Mar-May 2026) | 11 | $79.03 to $50.64 | -12.09% (4 of 11 paid more) | -2.2% | +14.43% |
| Spring (Mar-May 2026) to summer (Jun-Aug 2026) | 13 | $50.64 to $75.75 | +10.42% (7 of 13 paid more) | +8.23% | +3.27% |
| Spring (Mar-May 2026) to fall (Aug-Oct 2026) | 12 | $58.94 to $77.89 | +23.01% (8 of 12 paid more) | +6.2% | -6.64% |
| Winter (Dec 2025-Feb 2026) to fall (Aug-Oct 2026) | 10 | $70.03 to $74.87 | -1.33% (4 of 10 paid more) | +18.12% | +7% |
What the numbers say
Slow season doesn't mean cheap leads. In these accounts the two priciest months were winter months: February at 125 and December at 111. In both, the conversion rate index dipped (78 in February, 81 in December) while cost per click stayed at 94 to 100. This data shows the two moved together. It doesn't show why.
This doesn't match every view of the data. Our cost trend page takes the median cost per lead across whichever junk removal and dumpster rental accounts ran each month, a bigger and changing group, and there winter came in below the 12-month median. Both agree that spring was cheap and fall cost more. This page compares each account with its own normal month, which is why winter looks worse here.
Spring was the cheap stretch. April came in at 88 and May at 83. Going from winter to spring, cost per conversion fell a median 12.09% in the same 11 accounts, and only 4 of 11 paid more.
Fall cost more than spring. From spring to fall the same 12 accounts got a median +26.67% more clicks, paid a median +6.2% more per click, and converted a median 6.64% less often (relative; 7 of 12 accounts were down). Median cost per conversion moved +23.01%. Winter and fall came out about even (-1.33%, 10 accounts).
What to do with it: don't plan your winter budget on the idea that slow-season leads are a bargain. In this data they weren't. That's not a reason to go dark in winter either. It's a reason to know your own cost per booked job by month, so you set budgets on your numbers. Demand by month is on junk removal busy season, and the longer cost trend is on are junk removal Google Ads getting more expensive. For what to do in the slow months, see slow season marketing and winter advertising for home services.
The year-round plan for junk haulers is on junk removal marketing. If you want a second set of eyes on your account, that's our paid ads work.
How we got this
- Source: Google Ads (Search campaigns), junk removal accounts Adimize manages or audits.
- Window: Nov 1 2025 - Oct 31 2026 (12 full months). Search campaigns only, junk removal campaigns only.
- Sample: 10 accounts in the monthly index (7 to 10 in a given month; 7 in Oct 2026). The season comparisons use 10 to 13 accounts, the same accounts in both windows of each comparison.
- Monthly index: an account counts in a month with $300+ spend, 30+ clicks, 5+ conversions and a 1–40% conversion rate, and needs that in 10 or more of the 12 months. Each month's cost per conversion is divided by that account's own 12-month cost per conversion, times 100. The page shows the median across accounts.
- Season comparisons: an account counts when each 3-month window has $900+ spend, 90+ clicks, 15+ conversions and a 1–40% conversion rate. Each account's change is worked out first, then the median is taken.
- Campaigns were sorted by service from the campaign name (junk, haul, cleanout or removal = junk removal), falling back to the account name.
- Exclusions: Local Services Ads, Performance Max, Display, Video and Smart campaigns; dumpster rental and other-trade campaigns; removed clients; November 2026 (month to date).
- Caveats: cost per conversion is what Google Ads reports, as counted in each account, not booked jobs. Conversion setups differ between accounts, which is why each account is compared with itself. This is a small sample.
FAQ
Are junk removal leads cheaper in winter?
Not in this data. February (125) and December (111) were the two most expensive months for cost per conversion, where 100 is each account's normal month. Going from winter to spring, cost per conversion fell a median 12.09% in the same 11 accounts.
What is the cheapest month for junk removal Google Ads leads?
May, at 83 on the index, across 10 accounts (Nov 2025–Oct 2026). April was next at 88.
Did junk removal leads get more expensive in fall 2026?
In these accounts, yes. From spring (Mar-May 2026) to fall (Aug-Oct 2026) the same 12 accounts' median cost per conversion went from $58.94 to $77.89, a median change of +23.01%, and 8 of 12 paid more. For a larger junk removal and dumpster rental sample, see are junk removal Google Ads getting more expensive.
Is a conversion the same as a booked job?
No. A conversion is whatever the account counts in Google Ads, usually calls and form fills. Some of those never book. Track cost per booked job in your own records next to this.
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.