Yes, yard signs can work for junk removal. They put your service in front of local homeowners, make it easy to contact you, and can keep your business visible to literally every car that passes by.
Think about someone driving home past your sign. They’ve had an old couch sitting in the garage for months. Seeing “JUNK REMOVAL” gives them a reminder and a number to call.
You can also start with a small order and test a few locations without committing to a large advertising budget. Pricing for 100 yard signs is typically $300-$400 with shipping. You can test A LOT of locations with 100 yard signs. 1 booked job can pay off your investment.
Keep in mind your city laws and how they enforce yard signs. Some cities are stricter than others and you can only place them on a customer’s property, with their permission of course.
How to Set Up Your Yard Signs
Your sign has one job: help someone understand what you do and how to reach you.
Keep the design simple:
- Lead with “JUNK REMOVAL.” Make the service obvious.
- Use a large phone number. People should be able to read it without stopping beside the sign.
- Choose strong contrast. Black lettering on white.
- Add a clear CTA. “Call or Text” works if you actually do both.
Your business name can be included, but only if you’re putting them on customers’ lawn with their permission or if your city is not strict about yard signs. If not, I’d keep the sign with no name, no brand, and a separate number.
Weather-resistant corrugated plastic and sturdy stakes are a must. Double-sided printing if people will approach from both directions.
Where to Place Your Yard Signs
Start where you’re already working. A customer’s front yard, with their permission, puts your sign near potential customers nearby.
Other locations worth testing include:
- Private property along local routes your customers regularly use.
- A partner business’s property, such as a storage facility, with permission.
- Busy intersections (proceed with caution)
- Near dumps & transfer stations (proceed with caution)
Look for clear visibility and enough time for someone to read the message. A busy road won’t help much if everyone passes too quickly.
Check local sign rules, HOA restrictions, and public right-of-way boundaries before placing anything. Property-owner permission alone may not cover every requirement. Keep sidewalks, driveway views, and traffic signs clear.
Use a Second Phone Number to Track Results
A separate number is optional, but it can make tracking easier and keeps your business separate from an unbranded yard sign.
Use a dedicated number only on your yard signs and forward calls to your regular business phone. If your sign says “Text,” make sure messages reach you too. Test everything before printing.
One number across all signs helps measure the campaign overall. It won’t tell you which location worked, so ask callers where they saw the sign.
You can also start with your regular number and ask every lead how they found you. The goal is to understand what’s producing work.
Yard Sign Mistakes to Avoid
Too much information. Small lettering, multiple offers, and crowded graphics make your sign harder to read.
Placing signs without checking first. Get permission and confirm the rules before spending time on a location.
Leaving damaged signs out. Crooked stakes, faded lettering, and overgrown grass hurt visibility. Check your placements regularly.
Missing the calls. Answer when you can and follow up promptly. Getting someone’s attention is only the first step.
Ordering hundreds before testing. Start with a manageable batch. Track which areas generate actual jobs before expanding.
Yard signs can earn a place in your marketing plan. Keep them readable, choose your locations carefully, and measure the booked work.