1. How to choose a company
All junk haulers in the area won’t be equal. To begin with, it’s worth noting that there are some botched jobs out there and some shady companies who use deceptive business practices to try and drum up a few extra bucks at your expense. Before you put down any cash or make any service agreements, it’s important that you ask a handful of questions to figure out if they’re legitimate or not. Lucky for you we already answered them (read here).
2. What should my budget be?
The junk removal industry is uniquely dependent on supply and demand – meaning how much waste exists in a particular location determines how much can be charged. With that said, prices can vary rather wildly depending on the type of stuff you have, where you’re located, and what company is removing it. The best way to find out how much a service costs will be to give them a call and get an estimate from them.
3. What to know about “extra fees”
It’s worth noting that some junk removal companies will try and tack on additional fees (like fuel surcharges, hourly fees, minimum charges, etc.) to inflate your final price. If the end of the job is supposed to cost $250 but the company demands an extra $100 in order for them to get a crew out there – you’re being taken advantage of. You need to make sure all these little fees are included before signing on any dotted line or letting them start hauling away your stuff.
4. What about my appliances?
One thing that many people forget about when hiring a junk service company is how they handle appliances in their homes. In most cases, they’ll charge you by the appliance and have it either hauled away or recycled. If you’re planning on trying to recycle any appliances yourself, keep in mind that many of them can actually be donated for free – saving you a boatload of money.
5. How long should the process take?
This totally depends on how much stuff is in your home and how large your home is as well. In most cases, if there’s just furniture and other small objects lying around then it will probably only take a couple of hours. However, if you are moving out (or having someone else move out) then it could take all day depending on the size and volume of items left behind. The best advice we can give is to be prepared beforehand by cleaning up your home so it’s easier to remove the junk and clutter.
6. How to avoid identity theft or property damage
The best way to make sure your identity and belongings are safe is to simply check the company you’re using out ahead of time. Make sure they have a good reputation, are bonded and insured, and can provide business licenses. Trust us when we say that not every company with a truck is reputable – so take the time to look them up before agreeing on anything.
7. How do they get rid of it?
There are a few different ways that junk removal companies get rid of the stuff they haul off. In most cases, it’s either landfilled or recycled into new materials. When you call to set up an appointment with a company, make sure you ask how they handle the process so you know exactly what to expect when the time comes.
8. Do they recycle?
One thing that we haven’t talked about yet is whether or not the junk removal company recycles your stuff – which in all reality should be your number one priority (because as self-proclaimed environmentalists we care about these kinds of things). The neat thing about most junk service companies is that they do in fact recycle and reuse many of the items they collect. They might send a couch or table to be donated to goodwill, while other things are recycled into raw materials for new products and goods.
9. How long do I have before they come?
Since junk service companies don’t typically remove junk themselves – you can usually schedule them any time of the day or night (although there may be a few restrictions depending on their availability). This is good to know because some companies require a down payment upfront (or even a deposit) so make sure you ask about that when you prepare your budget for the job.
We know that getting rid of junk can be an overwhelming and daunting task. That’s why we want to make it as easy for you as possible with this article, which is full of helpful tips on how to find a reputable junk removal company.
We hope that our advice and guidelines will help make your decision easier when it comes time for hiring someone to haul away all your unwanted stuff. For more information on how you can find reputable companies in your area or any other questions about the process, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime!