The Reddit thread asks it every month. Here is the answer from free to fastest, with the two Lowcountry factors that move the price: the bridges and the stairs.
Free
City collection for what it takes on its schedule; the county convenience centers if you can haul it yourself; a donation pickup for furniture in good condition; a free-stuff post for anything someone will carry away.
A dumpster for a week
A 10-yard roll-off runs about $325 to $450 for the week, you load it, and it beats two truck loads. On the peninsula and the islands placement is the question, and a street placement needs a city permit.
A crew for one visit
Single item $99 to $175, quarter truck $225 to $325, full truck $625 to $800, labor and disposal included. The raised houses and the downtown staircases add carry time; leaving items in the garage or the carport saves it. Bundle items into one pickup and skip the same-day premium if it can wait a day.
Useful links
- Charleston County Environmental Management – convenience centers, hazardous-waste drop-off, what the county takes
- City of Charleston – garbage and bulky-item collection schedules, storm debris pickups
Questions on this
Why is a pickup on Folly Beach more expensive than one in Summerville?
The bridge, the parking and the stairs. Bundling with a neighbor's pickup brings it back down.
What is the cheapest way to get rid of one item in Charleston?
A single-item pickup, about $99 to $175, left in the carport or the garage on a weekday so nobody waits at home.
Can I take junk to the county convenience centers myself?
County residents can, within the centers' limits; the Environmental Management page linked above lists sites, hours and what they accept.
Does a dumpster on a downtown street need a permit?
Yes, a city right-of-way permit; on a driveway, none. The 10-yard runs $325 to $450 for the week.