Tips For Choosing The Right Junk Hauling Service For Large-Scale Clean-Outs
Junk. It’s been said throughout history that “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” That may have been true at one time. However, now there needs to be an addendum to that saying: One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, until that junk becomes so bothersome that it needs the help of junk removal services. Junk removal has become big business in the U.S. Long gone are the days when a person could pile up the junk in front of their house and watch it go away once a week.
Oh, you can still get that done, but removing anything but trash can cost a hefty fee.
There are more than 20,000 junk removal services options in America, and the industry has becomea $75 billion businessannually.
We’ve become a society that doesn’t throw trash away…until the junk starts driving us crazy. Raise your hand if your garage isn’t a place to park cars but has instead become a junk pick destination for items that you don’t have room for. Another common occurrence when your garage door needs to be opened is to have at least two people handy.
One person removes more junk from the garage, one looks for neighbors coming down the street, and a third person closes the garage door quickly so the unwanted items remain hidden.
If it gets to that point, it’s time to call a junk hauling company. Once youweigh the benefitsof a professionally trained company that specializes in junk removal services, it’s time to make that call.
Since it’s unwanted junk or other debris, does it matter what company you call?
You obviously aren’t concerned with the junk that’s going to be hauled away, so aren’t all junk removal services created equal? They aren’t if you want your junk removed safely, cleanly, cost-effectively, and sustainably.
Here are some tips for choosing the right junk-hauling service for large-scale jobs:
Be sure you know what type of junk removal service you need
Before you get too far in finding the right junk hauling company, think about what the project will entail.
Do you simply need a company to come in and haul junk away, or do you need to go through what will be removed to ensure that there isn’t anything you want to keep? If your junk needs to be organized before it is hauled away, you might need to hire a company that offers different removal options. A roll-off dumpster is a good option that is left on your property until you fill it.
Then when you are finished filling it, thejunk removal company will pick it up and haul it away.
Look for companies that offer both junk removal and leave-behind dumpsters so that if your needs change, you can modify your agreement with them.
Make sure that the junk-hauling service is licensed and insured
Whether you own a home, are a business owner or have rental properties, you need to ensure that it is licensed and insured, and a junk service is no different. Most junk removal services have their licensing and insurance information on their website. However, if the one you are considering doesn’t, make sure to call them and ask about this.
A licensed and insured company will protect against an employee injury on your property, damage to your home or business and the disposal of any hazardous waste or yard debris.
Don’t make your unwanted junk the next generation’s trash
Your junk is gone and you’re at peace with the world. But are you and the environment still on speaking terms?
Just because you are rid of your junk doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be concerned about it. When looking for the best junk removal services company look on a company’s website to see if they recycle items after they have been removed.
If there is no mention of recycling or donating items to charities, ask the company about this before hiring them.
If any unwanted items are simply disposed of at a landfill, then you are contributing to the pollution of our planet. Your home or business may be cleaner, but our planet will be polluted for many more years.
Money isn’t the bottom line, but it is an important one
Whether you are shopping for a car or something as small as a vacuum cleaner, the first thing to do is to compare prices.
Shopping for a junk removal serviceis the same. Visit websites and call, if necessary, to get quotes on your junk-hauling project.
A good way to get a price quote is by utilizing an online price calculator that some junk removal services companies have on their website. It allows potential customers to get a quote by filling in the details of their job (number of and types of items to be removed, the weight of the items and whether there are any hazardous items).
What kind of reputation do they have?
You obviously can’t ask a junk removal company if they’re good because they won’t say anything bad about themselves. However, you can search a company for positive reviews and you can look for testimonials on their website.
You can even ask companies if they will share any photos they have from previous jobs, especially ones that are of similar size and materials. You can also see if a company is a member of the Better Business Bureau and whether they give back to the communities that they serve, like contributing to local donation centers after removing unwanted items.
Ease of communication
A key to a trustworthy junk removal company is one that is easy to reach. During your junk removal job, you should be able to find someone to answer your questions anytime during business hours while your project is ongoing. If you find that the owner or project manager is the only one who can help you, then that might be a red flag. Every professional junk removal service should have digital record-keeping files that are accessible to multiple employees.
Even if a question needs to be escalated to someone in management, you should be able to speak with an employee who can answer your question in a timely manner.
Do they look professional, or do they look…like junk?
Though it might not be a deal breaker, a junk removal company should have a professional image. Employees should look coordinated and the vehicles they bring to your home or business should appear well-maintained.
Part of a professional appearance is employees who are friendly and communicative. Even if you have limited communication with them, employees should make a positive impression and represent the company well.
Junk removal isn’t something to rush into
No matter what type of junk removal project you have, just remember that it didn’t happen overnight. Junk takes years to accumulate, so getting rid of it takes some time, unless a company offers same-day service.
The time isn’t in getting your junk removed, but in making sure that you are ready and that you find the junk removal service is the right fit.
Another thing to remember before setting a date with a junk removal service is to take the time to separate yourself emotionally from any items that you intend to get rid of.
It feels like junk now, but will it also tomorrow?
There’s nothing worse in junk removal than getting rid of unwanted items and having second thoughts afterward.
If an item is something that has a history with extended family, it might be good to see if any family members have an interest in it before it’s gone. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the area where the project will take place before a junk removal service begins.
This will help to ensure that there was no damage done to your property during the junk removal process.
Try to make the removal job easier for everyone
Once you make a decision on a junk removal service, ask them if there is anything you can do to make the entire process easier or their quote cheaper.
Sometimes things like grouping waste items together, labeling boxes or packages, cleaning off old appliances or water heaters and separating hazardous materials will save companies time and money.
It is also a good idea to make sure that a path to the space where your unwanted items can be easily accessed to minimize heavy lifting.
If the junk removal employees have to move clutter before they start a job, it’s more likely to cost you more and increase the chance for accidents, damaged items or injury. You and junk hauling employees want the whole process to go smoothly.
Don’t get surprised by the fine print
Before any unwanted items are removed, be sure to read the contract for the job carefully. It’s only trash, you ask yourself.
If you don’t want it, what is there to worry about? You might be surprised.
Here are some of the things that can cause problems with a junk removal job:
Damage to your property
Injury to yourself or to company employees
Accidental removal of items not meant for disposal
Hidden costs in the contract
Unclear or misunderstood project timelines
Improper disposal of hazardous materials.
Remember that you - the customer - are in charge
You don’t know the finer points of junk removal services. And you shouldn’t be expected to.
However, that doesn’t mean that you should feel lost or vulnerable about the company you hire for your disposal job. With a reputable company, fluid communication and a clear understanding of what will take place should make you feel empowered from start to project completion. And if you reach a point during a junk removal job where that empowerment feels more like uncertainty, contact the company immediately.
A question or concern made known earlier can reach a positive conclusion. One that isn’t raised sooner might be too late to be resolved in your favor. A junk removal company is there to complete a job to your satisfaction, even if it means that it has to put in more time or effort to do an awesome job.