Serving the Temecula Valley since 2016 · 120+ five-star Google reviews
Carpet Removal & Disposal
Carpet Removal in Temecula, Torn Out and Hauled the Same Day
Old carpet, padding, and tack strips pulled up and carried out by a family-owned Temecula crew. We score it, section it, load it, sweep the subfloor, and route what qualifies into California's certified carpet recycling stream instead of the landfill.
Ripping out wall-to-wall carpet is one of those projects that feels doable right up until the carpet is off the tack strips and you are standing in a bedroom holding forty pounds of rolled, dusty, awkward material that will not fit in a car and that the trash hauler flatly refuses. Then there are the tack strips still nailed to the slab, the staples down the stairs, and the padding that shredded into a hundred pieces on the way up. That is the exact job we take off your hands. Wild West Junk Removal is a family-owned crew based on Sandhill Lane, founded by Weston Molitor in 2016, and carpet removal Temecula homeowners call us for runs the full range: a single bedroom in Harveston, a whole downstairs in Redhawk before new flooring goes in, a water-damaged living room in Paseo del Sol, and office suites off Jefferson and Ynez that need to be bare by Monday.
One visit covers the entire tear-out. We cut the carpet into manageable sections, pull the padding, lift the tack strips with flat pry bars, scrape any glued residue, load it all, and sweep the subfloor so it is ready for whatever comes next. Carpet disposal Temecula residents book with us comes with a written price before anything moves, availability Monday through Friday with same-day windows when you call before noon, and a two-person crew that knows the tight stairwells and second-floor landings of the Valley's two-story tract homes.
California handles carpet differently than ordinary bulk trash, and for good reason. The state's carpet stewardship law, AB 2398, built a statewide recycling system administered by the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE). Every load we pull that qualifies goes into that certified stream, where the fiber, backing, and padding are recovered instead of buried. You already paid the recycling assessment when the carpet was purchased new; hauling it through the certified channel is simply using the program you funded.
Timing
Four Signs It's Time to Pull the Carpet
Carpet wears out from the bottom up, so the surface can still look passable while the padding underneath has gone flat and the backing has started to break down. If two or more of these apply, tear-out is usually overdue.
- It's 8 to 12 years old. That's the typical lifespan for residential carpet in a lived-in home. Past it, the fiber mats down permanently and the padding loses its cushion no matter how often it's cleaned.
- Odors that cleaning can't reach. Pet accidents, spills, and years of moisture soak through the backing into the padding and subfloor. Once it's in the pad, surface cleaning is a temporary mask, not a fix.
- Persistent allergies indoors. Aged carpet holds dust, dander, and mold spores deep in the fibers. If congestion clears when you leave the house, the flooring is a suspect worth pulling.
- You're replacing the floor anyway. New tile, vinyl plank, or hardwood needs a clean, bare subfloor. Old carpet, padding, and tack strips all have to come out first, and that's a haul job by definition.
35%
California's Record Carpet Recycling Rate
California runs the only comprehensive carpet stewardship program in the country. It reached a record 35 percent recycling rate in 2023, and CARE members have collected and recycled hundreds of millions of pounds of carpet since 2011, according to CARE. Every load Wild West hauls that qualifies enters that certified stream.The Problem
Why Carpet Disposal in Temecula Is Harder Than a Quick Rip
Pulling the carpet is only the first third of the job. The padding, the tack strips, and the disposal are what turn a Saturday afternoon into a whole weekend, and each one has its own catch.
Standard Temecula residential trash service will not take rolled carpet, and a queen-sized room's worth of carpet plus padding fills a truck bed you probably do not own. That is before you factor in the tipping fee at the transfer station and the fact that a general landfill run skips the state's certified recycling channel entirely.
- Curbside won't touch it. Rolled carpet left at the curb outside a scheduled bulky pickup is far likelier to draw a code-enforcement notice than a collection truck.
- Tack strips are a hazard. Hundreds of upward-facing nails around every room perimeter and stair tread. Pulled wrong, they gouge the slab, snap off, or end up in someone's foot.
- Padding disintegrates. Old bonded padding tears into confetti and often sticks to the subfloor, which means scraping, not just lifting, before a new floor can go down.
- Stairs multiply the work. Every tread has its own strip, the carpet is usually stapled at each nose, and the working space is tight, so a staircase alone can take as long as a bedroom.
6.3%
The National Carpet Recycling Rate California Blows Past
Outside California, only about 6 percent of carpet is recycled nationally, per Californians Against Waste. That gap is exactly why routing your tear-out through a certified California collector matters, and why a random landfill run wastes the program you already paid into.Where It Goes
What Actually Happens to Your Old Carpet
The assumption is landfill. Through a certified collector, that is usually wrong. Post-consumer carpet gets separated by material and routed to licensed processors, and carpet padding follows its own recovery pathway. Here is roughly what comes out of the load we pull from your house.Face Fiber
Nylon and PET fibers are reclaimed and re-spun into new carpet fiber, industrial pellets, and molded plastic parts.Carpet Backing
Latex and polypropylene backing is processed into backing components, engineered materials, and composite feedstock.Foam Padding
Polyurethane padding follows a separate stream, compressed into bonded urethane for new carpet cushion and automotive uses.Tack Strip Wood
Wood strips and staples are sorted out; the steel is scrapped and clean wood is chipped where facilities accept it.~71%
Of Collected California Carpet Gets Recycled
CARE reports the program typically recycles roughly 71 percent of the carpet it collects. Drop-off options also exist through the CalRecycle carpet collection network if you would rather self-haul. We are simply the version where you do not lift, roll, or drive anything.Condition Matters
Water, Pet, and Mold Damage: Tell Us Before We Come
We remove carpet in any condition, including the messy jobs most people would rather not describe on the phone. But condition changes how a load is handled and where it can go, so a two-minute heads-up when you book keeps the job smooth and the quote honest.Water-Damaged
Soaked carpet is heavy and can hide mold underneath. Recyclable if it dried clean; contaminated sections go to licensed disposal.Pet-Damaged
Urine-saturated carpet and padding usually can't be recycled and often reveals subfloor staining that's worth flagging before new flooring.Visible Mold
Needs containment first. Heavily contaminated carpet is bagged and routed to a licensed facility rather than the recycling stream.Glued to the Slab
Direct-glue carpet over concrete is common in Temecula slab homes. It takes longer and different tools, so it belongs in the estimate up front.A quick note on subfloors
Once the carpet is up, that is your one clean look at the subfloor before new flooring covers it. If you see soft spots, deep staining, or standing-moisture marks, say so during the walk-through. We can't do remediation, but flagging it while the floor is bare saves you tearing a brand-new floor back up later. Call or text (951) 837-8072 with photos and we'll tell you what we're seeing.The Comparison
DIY Carpet Tear-Out vs. One Phone Call
| Tearing It Out Yourself | Wild West Full-Service Removal |
|---|---|
| Truck rental — rolled carpet won't fit a standard vehicle | No vehicle needed — crew and trailer come to your address |
| Utility knives, pry bars, and pliers you have to buy or borrow | Crew arrives with the right tools for tack strips and glue |
| Hundreds of tack-strip nails and staples to pull safely | Padding, tack strips, and staples all handled in one pass |
| Transfer-station run plus the tipping fee, one load at a time | One call closes the job — no facility trips on your end |
| A landfill run skips the state's certified recycling channel | Qualifying loads routed through CARE-certified collection |
| Curbside dumping risks a Penal Code 374.3 citation | Written price before anything moves — no driveway surprises |
What We Handle
Every Kind of Carpet Job, Start to Swept Floor
Full-Room & Whole-House Tear-Out
Bedrooms, living rooms, and full downstairs replacements. Carpet, padding, and tack strips out and the subfloor swept clean for new flooring.Carpet Padding Removal
Carpet padding removal Temecula projects almost always ride along with the carpet. We pull bonded and rebond padding and scrape residue off the slab.Tack Strip & Staple Removal
Perimeter tack strips lifted with flat pry bars and staples pulled from stairs and subfloor, so the floor is ready for the next install.Glued-Down & Commercial Carpet
Direct-glue carpet and commercial glue-down from offices and retail off Jefferson, Ynez, and Winchester. After-hours scheduling available.Stairs, Hallways & Landings
Staircases, tight second-floor landings, and gated complexes across Temecula, Murrieta, and Menifee. Describe the access and we send the right team.Remodel & Cleanout Add-Ons
Carpet plus the rest of the debris in one load — pair it with construction debris removal or an estate cleanout.Before We Arrive
How to Prep the Room for Carpet Removal
Ten minutes the night before keeps haul day quick and the quote accurate.✓
Clear the furniture. Empty carpeted rooms let the crew work fast and cut cleanly. Move beds, dressers, and sofas out before the appointment where you can.
✓
Empty the closets. Closets have carpet too, and they're easy to forget. Clear them to bare floor so nothing stops the crew mid-room.
✓
Note glued or stapled areas. If you know a room is direct-glued or the stairs are stapled, say so at booking so the estimate reflects the real labor.
✓
Flag stairs and tight turns. Multiple flights, narrow landings, or a long carry to the driveway all change the approach. Tell us up front.
✓
List everything going. Padding, tack strips, transition strips, old baseboard? Say so and the written quote covers the whole job at once.
✓
Mention damage. Water, pet, or mold contamination changes handling and routing. A quick description on the phone avoids a wasted trip.
Booking
How a Wild West Carpet Removal Works
-
Text a photo with the rooms and square footage
Call or text (951) 837-8072 with how many rooms, rough square footage, whether stairs are involved, and if any of it is glued or damaged. Most written quotes come back within a few minutes, free and firm. -
Pick a date and a two-hour window
Same-day service is available when booked before noon; next-day is almost always open. Share the gate code or suite access at booking so the crew arrives ready to work. -
Clear the rooms and empty the closets
Do the quick prep above the night before. Someone should be home for interior tear-outs, or arrange access if the crew is working an empty rental or office. -
We cut, pull, load, and sweep the subfloor
The crew confirms the written price on-site, sections the carpet, pulls padding and tack strips, loads everything, and sweeps the space. Qualifying loads go to California-certified collection. Load-size pricing is on the junk removal pricing page.
Replacing the floor with an installer? Many flooring installers will tear out old carpet as part of the install, but plenty won't, or they charge a premium and leave the padding and tack strips for you. If the quote's high or the haul-away is not included, that's exactly the gap we fill, often for less.
From the Owner
A Few Things Weston Wants Temecula to Know
Weston Molitor, founder, Wild West Junk Removal
"Carpet is the job people underestimate more than any other. Pulling it up looks easy on a video. What the video skips is the padding tearing into a hundred pieces, the tack strips lining every wall with nails pointed up, and the staples down a whole staircase. A single bedroom is manageable. A whole downstairs before a remodel is a real day of work, and it's the part I don't want a homeowner throwing their back out over." "The other thing I tell every caller: don't drag the roll to the curb the night before. Temecula's standard trash won't take it, and a carpet roll sitting out is a code letter waiting to happen. And on the slab homes down here, a lot of carpet is glued straight to the concrete. That changes the tools and the time, so just tell me on the phone and I'll price it right the first time instead of surprising you in the driveway."Ready to Get That Carpet Out?
One call. Free written estimate. We tear out the carpet, padding, and tack strips, route qualifying loads to certified recycling, and leave the subfloor swept — same day when booked before noon.
Get a Free Quote
or call / text (951) 837-8072
Reviews
What Temecula Customers Say About Us
Verbatim from our published Google reviews.★★★★★
"Wild West Junk Removal is the real deal! They showed up on time, worked fast, and were super professional. The crew was friendly, respectful, and went above and beyond to make sure everything was cleaned up perfectly. I couldn't believe how quickly they got the job done. Fair prices, great service I highly recommend them to anyone needing junk gone fast. Will definitely be using them again!"
— Rose Sharp, Google review, June 2025
★★★★★
"Nick and the crew were on time and very professional. They removed reclining couches, entertainment center, coffee table, end tables from our upstairs loft. They were very careful and cleaned the area afterwards. Great price!! I would definitely recommend Wild West junk removal."
— Desert Maverick, Google review, June 2025
★★★★★
"Weston and his team are on it. I run a commercial operation and sometimes we need to bring in some professionals to get rid of some insane types of junk. They respond as fast as any company I have seen, and get the job done 100% of the way with no shortcuts. Good people over at Wild West, recommend highly without any reservation."
— Sean Meer, Google review, March 2025
★★★★★
"Wild West Junk Removal Service was great. Nick and Jake were friendly, fast, and really efficient. They gave me a fair price and were quick in and out, making the whole process hassle-free. I definitely recommend them."
— Ashley Moya, Google review, June 2025
★★★★★
"This company is amazing! I was in need of junk removal…I called, they came, it was done! They are so professional in every way! Courteous and friendly. What can I say….I will use this company forever!"
— Grace Hodgson, Google review, March 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Carpet Removal & Disposal FAQ
What Temecula residents ask before booking a carpet tear-out.01How fast can you remove carpet in Temecula?▼
Same-day carpet removal is available across Temecula when you book before noon, subject to crew availability. Next-day windows are almost always open in Temecula, Murrieta, and Menifee. Text a photo of the rooms and rough square footage to (951) 837-8072 and you will usually have a confirmed time within minutes.
02How much does carpet removal cost in Temecula?▼
We price by how much space the material takes in the trailer rather than by the square foot, so a single bedroom is a small partial load and a full downstairs is larger. You get a firm written price before we touch anything, and it does not change unless you add rooms or items. Text a photo of the space for a free quote in about two minutes.
03Do you remove the carpet padding and tack strips too?▼
Yes. Carpet padding removal in Temecula is included in a standard tear-out, and we pull the perimeter tack strips with flat pry bars and remove staples so the subfloor is ready for new flooring. If you are keeping the tack strips for a reinstall, tell us and we will leave sound ones in place.
04Can you pull up glued-down carpet?▼
Yes. Direct-glue carpet bonded to a concrete slab is common in Temecula slab-on-grade homes and in commercial spaces, and we handle it regularly. It takes longer and uses different tools than tacked carpet, so mention it when you book and the written estimate will reflect the actual labor involved.
05Do I need to move the furniture before you arrive?▼
Cleared rooms let the crew work faster and cut cleaner, so moving furniture out ahead of time is ideal. We can work around very large pieces that are difficult to move, but standard furniture like beds, dressers, and sofas should be out of the carpeted rooms and closets before the appointment.
06Will pulling the carpet damage the subfloor or hardwood underneath?▼
Professional removal is designed to minimize subfloor impact. Tack strips are pried at the correct angle instead of yanked, and carpet is cut into sections rather than dragged. Older flooring or heavily bonded adhesive carries more inherent risk, so the crew works carefully but cannot guarantee zero marks on already-compromised material. The walk-through right after removal is the time to flag anything before new flooring goes down.
07Can you remove carpet from stairs and hallways?▼
Yes. Stairs are more labor-intensive because each tread has its own tack strips, the carpet is usually stapled at the nose of every step, and the working space is tight. We handle them as part of a standard job, but stair removal adds time and should be confirmed at booking so the estimate accounts for it. Hallways are generally straightforward.
08Do you take water-damaged, pet-damaged, or moldy carpet?▼
Yes, we remove carpet in any condition. Condition affects handling and where the material can go: carpet that dried clean can often be recycled, while urine-saturated or mold-contaminated carpet is routed to a licensed disposal facility instead. Describe the damage when you call so the crew arrives prepared and the quote is accurate.
09Where does my old carpet actually go, landfill or recycling?▼
Carpet in acceptable condition is routed into California's certified carpet recycling network under the AB 2398 stewardship program administered by CARE, where the fiber, backing, and padding are separated and recovered. CARE reports the program typically recycles around 71 percent of collected carpet. Only material too contaminated to recycle goes to a licensed disposal facility.
10Can you remove commercial carpet from an office or retail space?▼
Yes. We handle commercial carpet removal from offices, retail floors, and open floor plans across the Temecula Valley, including glued-down carpet and carpet tile. Early-morning and after-hours scheduling keeps your operation running, so describe the installation type and the access when you call for an estimate.
11What areas do you cover for carpet removal near me?▼
We cover carpet removal in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Winchester, French Valley, Lake Elsinore, and Canyon Lake, plus De Luz, Rainbow, and Fallbrook. If you are on a rural property with a long driveway, mention it when booking so we bring the right vehicle on the first trip.
12Can you remove carpet during a remodel along with the other debris?▼
Yes. Carpet, padding, and tack strips load right alongside drywall, old baseboard, cabinets, and other renovation debris, and combining it into one haul is cheaper than booking separate pickups. Describe the full scope when you call so the written estimate covers everything going in the same load.
Wild West Junk Removal · 31815 Sandhill Ln, Temecula, CA 92591 · (951) 837-8072
service@wildwestjunkremoval.com · Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Sat & Sun closed