How Photo Quotes Work (and What to Photograph)
A photo quote means you don’t have to wait at home for someone to come and look at your stuff. You take a few pictures on your phone, text them over, and get a quote back. Here’s how it works, and how to take photos that give you a clear, accurate answer.
How a photo quote works
At Junk Runner, it’s simple:
You can send photos any time that suits you. If you text in the evening or over the weekend, we’ll get back to you during our working hours, Monday to Friday. Most people find the whole thing takes a few minutes: a quick walk around the house with a phone, a short message, and that’s it.
- Take photos of everything that needs to go.
- Text them to us at 717-434-4348, with a short note about the job.
- We reply with a free quote, in plain words, and answer any questions.
- Pick a day that works for you. We text you a photo of the crew before we arrive.
You can send photos any time that suits you. If you text in the evening or over the weekend, we’ll get back to you during our working hours, Monday to Friday. Most people find the whole thing takes a few minutes: a quick walk around the house with a phone, a short message, and that’s it.
Why photos help
A quote is only as good as the picture behind it. Clear photos let us see how much there is, what kind of items they are, and how easy they’ll be to reach. That means a quote you can rely on, without anyone needing to visit first.
Photo quotes are especially helpful when:
Photos also give you a record of the house before the job, which some families find useful later.
Photo quotes are especially helpful when:
- You live out of state and can’t be at the house
- A parent is home and you’d rather not have strangers visiting more than needed
- You’re working against a closing or move-in date
- You just want an idea before deciding what to do
Photos also give you a record of the house before the job, which some families find useful later.
What to photograph
Aim to show everything that’s going, and the path it will take out of the house.
For a whole-house job, it can help to work in the same order every time: start at the front door, go room by room on the main floor, then upstairs, then the basement, and finish outside. Name each photo in your message, like “living room” or “back bedroom”, or send them in order with a short note. That way nothing gets missed, and it’s easy for both of us to talk about a specific room later.
- Each room or space that needs clearing, taken from the doorway so we can see the whole room.
- Large items on their own, like sofas, beds, dressers, appliances and pianos.
- Piles and boxes, with something nearby for scale, like a door or a chair.
- Closets, cupboards and shelves if they’re being emptied too. Open the doors.
- Basement, attic, garage and sheds. These often hold more than people expect.
- Stairs, narrow hallways and doorways that items will need to pass through.
- The outside, if there’s yard debris, a shed, a hot tub or items on a porch or patio.
- Anything you’re unsure about, such as paint, chemicals, propane tanks or old bottles, since these usually need special handling.
For a whole-house job, it can help to work in the same order every time: start at the front door, go room by room on the main floor, then upstairs, then the basement, and finish outside. Name each photo in your message, like “living room” or “back bedroom”, or send them in order with a short note. That way nothing gets missed, and it’s easy for both of us to talk about a specific room later.
Tips for clear photos
You don’t need a fancy camera. Any phone will do. A few small things make a big difference:
If a parent or neighbour is taking the photos for you, send them this list. Ask them to take more pictures than they think are needed. It’s much easier to skip an extra photo than to go back for a missing one, especially if the house is far away.
- Turn on the lights and open curtains. Dark photos hide a lot.
- Stand back far enough to show the whole pile or room, then take a closer shot if needed.
- Take photos from more than one angle for big piles.
- Hold the phone level and steady.
- Short videos work well too, especially for basements, attics and full rooms.
- Don’t worry about tidying first. We’d rather see it as it is.
If a parent or neighbour is taking the photos for you, send them this list. Ask them to take more pictures than they think are needed. It’s much easier to skip an extra photo than to go back for a missing one, especially if the house is far away.
What to include in your message
A few details in your text help us give you a quote that matches the real job:
- The town and street, or nearest cross street
- Which floor the items are on, and whether there are stairs
- Anything that’s staying in the room
- Items you’d like donated if they’re in good condition
- Any deadline, like a closing date or move-in day
- Whether someone will be home, or whether you’d like updates by text and video
- The best time to reach you
What can change a quote
Our quotes are based on what we can see in your photos. If the job on the day is very different, say there’s a second room nobody mentioned or an attic that’s twice as full as it looked, we’ll talk it through with you first, in plain words, so you can decide what you’d like to do.
The best way to avoid changes is to photograph everything, including the spaces you might be tempted to skip. Our guide on what affects the cost of junk removal explains the things that make the biggest difference.
The best way to avoid changes is to photograph everything, including the spaces you might be tempted to skip. Our guide on what affects the cost of junk removal explains the things that make the biggest difference.
After you book
Once you’ve picked a day, the rest is simple. Before we arrive, we text you a photo of the crew so you know exactly who’s coming. For a parent who lives alone, knowing whose face to expect at the door can be a real comfort. On the day, we do all the lifting, set aside items in good condition to donate or rehome, sort recycling from trash and clean up before we leave.
If you’re ready, grab your phone and take a walk through the space. It only takes a few minutes. You can read more about our junk removal and downsizing cleanouts, or see what local families say on our reviews page.
If you’re ready, grab your phone and take a walk through the space. It only takes a few minutes. You can read more about our junk removal and downsizing cleanouts, or see what local families say on our reviews page.
Key takeaways
- Text photos of every room and item that’s going for a free quote, with no visit needed.
- Show the whole space, large items, stairs and tight doorways, plus anything you’re unsure about.
- Add a short note on location, floor, deadlines and what’s staying.
Need a hand?
Junk Runner is a family-owned team in East Berlin serving York County. Text us a photo for a free quote, or see our General Junk Removal.
Related
Common questions
Yes. Text us photos of what needs to go and we’ll reply with a free quote. There’s no obligation to book.
Usually, yes. A short video can help with full rooms, basements and attics. Photos work just as well, so send whatever is easiest.
We’ll talk it through with you first, in plain words, so you can decide what you’d like to do.