Anyone looking to have a space cleared out will quickly be asked, "How much will it cost, roughly?" Cleanout companies don’t charge by the square meter, but by the cubic meter (m³): how much space your belongings take up in the truck. But how many m³ does a full basement, a bedroom, or an entire apartment take up?
In this article, you'll learn what 1 m³ is, how much space the most common pieces of furniture take up, how many m³ a basement, garage, or home typically measures, and how to use that volume to estimate a price.
Short answer: 1 m³ is roughly the size of a two-seater sofa or a large wardrobe. When clearing out a space, a full basement or storage room is often 2 to 4 m³, a studio apartment about 3 m³, and a two-bedroom apartment about 6 m³: a little more than half a load. For us, a full load is 10 to 12 m³. A fully furnished townhouse with a basement and attic often amounts to one load or more.
1. What is 1 m³?
A cubic meter is a cube that is 1 meter long, 1 meter wide, and 1 meter high. For comparison: 1 m³ is approximately
- 10 full moving boxes
- a two-seater sofa
- a large two-door wardrobe
- 6 large 160-liter trash bags
2. How many cubic meters is a piece of furniture?
These are approximate measurements for assembled furniture, as used by movers. If you disassemble a piece of furniture, it will take up less space.
3. How many cubic meters is a room or a house?
During a clearance, the volume is lower than during a move. Movers factor in furniture that needs to arrive intact, protective blankets, and empty space between the boxes. Items that can be discarded can be packed more compactly. This way, the same household goods take up less space.
Here's what we see in practice:
Those are averages. If everything is packed to the ceiling, or if there’s also a full basement, attic, or garage, the total will be higher. A fully furnished townhouse with a basement, attic, and garden shed can easily amount to one full truckload or more.
4. Here's how to estimate it yourself, in 3 steps
- Walk through each room, also in the basement, the attic, the garage, and the yard. Those are the ones you forget the fastest.
- Count the large pieces Based on the table above: chairs, beds, cabinets, tables, and appliances.
- Add the loose items to the total. Count the boxes and bags: 10 boxes or 6 large bags is about 1 m³. Are there any full cabinets left? If so, count the cabinet and its contents separately.
Take photos of each room right away, from a slight distance so that everything is in the frame. We'll use those photos to give you a price, so you don't have to do the math yourself.
5. From cubic meters to price
At JunkBrothers, you choose a size. These are the approximate prices, excluding VAT and including transportation and disposal fees:
The following guide prices apply to entire homes: a studio starting at €300, a two-bedroom apartment starting at €600, and a townhouse starting at €800. For more details, see house clearance and on our prices page.
What else could drive up the price? A floor without an elevator, a long walk to the parking lot, furniture that needs to be disassembled first, or a location outside Antwerp. We always discuss these things in advance. And if the job turns out to be less work than expected, you’ll pay less.
Before and after: a living room we cleared out.
Money-saving tip: You don't have to pay for any cubic meters that have already been removed. Sell or give away anything that's still usable, and take small amounts to the recycling center yourself. In our article about a Get rid of an old couch or mattress You can read about the options available in Antwerp.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic meters can fit in your truck?
For us, a full load is about 10 to 12 m³. That’s the “Large” size. If it’s more than one load, it’s the “Extra Large” size.
Do you charge by the cubic meter or by the hour?
You'll receive a quote in advance based on the volume and the amount of work involved. We'll estimate this based on your photos or an on-site visit. If the work turns out to be less than expected, you'll pay less.
What if I misjudge the volume?
No problem. We always call first to confirm the size and price. If it turns out to be more once we get there, we'll discuss it with you before we start.
Does a disassembled cabinet take up less space?
Yes, a disassembled cabinet takes up much less space. If we have to disassemble a piece of furniture to get it outside, there’s an additional charge of €80 per item. If you take it apart yourself, you’ll save that amount.
Not sure about the volume? Send a photo
- Free estimate based on your photos
- A price upfront, and less work = lower costs
- We'll take everything outside, including items from the basement and the attic
- Reusable items are sent for reuse; the rest goes to certified processors
Would you rather call or send a photo? Call us or send us a message on WhatsApp at +32 469 63 55 62.
