Quick Verdict
National guides put appliance removal at $60 to $180, with a national average of $100, with price driven primarily by weight, whether the appliance contains refrigerant, and how far it has to be carried. A washer or dryer on a ground-floor garage is at the low end. A built-in double oven on a second-floor walkup is at the high end. Bundling multiple units in one pickup lowers the per-unit cost significantly.
Refrigerant-containing units (fridges, freezers, window AC units) have extra handling cost because federal law requires certified refrigerant recovery before the unit can be recycled.
What Drives the Price
Weight
Most appliances weigh between 80 and 350 pounds. Someone has to lift, dolly, and load each unit, which is the primary labor cost. Heavier appliances (ranges, older fridges, commercial units) add labor and often require two-person carry.
Refrigerant Recovery
EPA rules require certified refrigerant recovery from refrigerators, freezers, window AC units, dehumidifiers, and wine coolers before disposal. Oregon recyclers charge a per-unit refrigerant handling fee, which passes through to the customer. See how appliance freon recovery works for the mechanics.
Access
Upper floors, narrow stairs, tight doorways, and blocked access driveways all add labor. Any crew that has to carry a 300-pound washer down a basement staircase charges differently than one that rolls it out of a garage.
Disconnection Required
If the appliance is still hooked to a gas line, water line, or hardwired electrical, disconnection labor (or a licensed trade referral) adds to the quote.
Bundling Discount
Adding a second or third appliance to the same pickup typically runs 40 to 70 percent of the solo-unit price because fuel, overhead, and drive time are already covered.
Donation or Recycling Value
Working appliances in good condition may reduce the cost -- some crews offset the haul fee if they can resell or donate. See where to donate appliances.
Industry Baseline Range
Industry Baseline Range
| Appliance removal | Industry baseline range |
|---|---|
| Appliance removal | $60 to $180 |
| National average | $100 |
Source: Angi, "Appliance Removal Cost" national cost guide.
These are industry baseline ranges for planning only and may not reflect Otesse's price. Otesse pricing is calculated for your specific home and ZIP code, so enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Current Market Reality
Appliance removal pricing has shifted notably since 2022:
- Scrap metal values dropped sharply in 2023 and have not fully recovered. Crews used to offset haul costs with scrap credits; they now get far less back.
- Refrigerant recovery fees at Oregon recyclers have climbed as EPA oversight tightened and certified handling labor got more expensive.
- Transfer station rates for appliances have risen at nearly every Metro and county facility in the state.
- Disposal of older units with mercury switches, PCB-era capacitors, or older refrigerants (R-22) costs more because of regulated handling.
A fridge haul advertised far below the going rate is either a loss leader attached to a bigger job or a quote that will change on arrival. Refrigerators cost more than most appliances because of refrigerant recovery.
How the common appliances compare on relative cost:
| Appliance | Typical Weight | Relative cost (lower to higher) |
|---|---|---|
| Microwave (countertop) | 30-50 lb | Lower |
| Over-the-range microwave | 50-90 lb | Lower |
| Dishwasher | 80-120 lb | Moderate |
| Standard washer | 150-200 lb | Moderate |
| Standard dryer | 100-150 lb | Lower |
| Gas or electric range/stove | 150-250 lb | Moderate |
| Built-in wall oven | 150-250 lb | Higher |
| Standard refrigerator (top/bottom freezer) | 200-300 lb | Higher |
| Side-by-side or French-door fridge | 300-400 lb | Higher |
| Chest or upright freezer | 150-300 lb | Higher |
| Window AC unit | 50-100 lb | Lower |
| Water heater (40-50 gal) | 125-200 lb | Moderate |
| Tankless water heater | 30-60 lb | Lower |
| Garbage disposal | 10-15 lb | Lowest |
| Bundled (2-3 appliances one trip) | --- | Highest |
Every home is different, so enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Real-World Scenarios
A Beaverton homeowner with one dead washer in a first-floor laundry room. Easy access, no stairs. The quote was low, and the job took 15 minutes. Final bill matched the quote.
A Salem couple replacing their fridge and stove in the same week. Bundled pickup. The two-unit price came in lower than booking each one separately. Refrigerator refrigerant fee was line-itemed.
A Portland homeowner with a basement side-by-side fridge (narrow stairs). Three-person crew needed. Quote came in on the high side for a side-by-side because of the lift. Oregon refrigerant fee added on top.
An Eugene landlord with a broken electric water heater on a second floor. Required pipe disconnection and drain-down. Quote included a labor surcharge for the disconnection and landed above the standard water heater range.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Know the Model and Rough Weight
Most appliance labels list weight. Photograph the front, back, and the data plate.
Describe Access Clearly
Stairs (how many, how tight), hallways, doorway widths, whether the unit is in a basement, whether it is bolted or strapped.
Disclose Disconnection State
Is the gas line capped? Is the water off? Is the dryer vented through the wall?
Ask About Refrigerant Handling
For fridges, freezers, and AC units, confirm the crew includes certified refrigerant recovery (or partners with a recycler that does). This protects you legally under Oregon and federal regs. See Oregon appliance disposal regulations.
Consider a Rebate Program
Energy Trust of Oregon has historically offered rebates for recycling old, working secondary fridges and freezers. Check current eligibility before disposal -- a working unit may net you a rebate instead of a fee.
FAQ
Can I just put my old fridge at the curb? No. Oregon cities do not accept refrigerators in curbside bulk pickup because of the refrigerant. You must use an appliance recycler or a junk removal service that partners with one.
What about old appliances that still work? See if they are rebate-eligible through Energy Trust, or donate to a Habitat ReStore. Some metro ReStore locations accept working appliances; call first.
Do I have to disconnect the appliance myself? If it involves gas or plumbing, a licensed trade is safer. Most junk crews disconnect simple electric connections for free or a small fee but refuse gas work without paperwork.
Why is a fridge more expensive than a stove when they weigh similar amounts? Refrigerant recovery. That is the single biggest cost difference.
Will you buy my old appliance? Most junk removal crews do not pay for appliances. A scrap metal yard will pay a small amount for steel weight; resellers will pay more if it works.
Appliance Removal Done Right
For appliance removal, see junk removal, and ask how refrigerant recovery is handled. Enter your ZIP in the price box to see which services are available at your address. Book a pickup or see our full appliance removal cost guide and related best way to get rid of old appliances Oregon.
