The Top 5 Things You Should Know About Junk Removal

To some, junk is junk but there is more to it than that. While one person’s trash might be another person’s treasure, everything has to be examined to ensure that it gets handled properly. There are a number of things you should consider when faced with a junk removal situation.

1. What do you need removed and how urgently do you need it removed?

For example, if you are selling your house and need to tidy or stage it before people start viewing it then you may need things removed quickly. If you are doing spring or fall cleanup then you may not have the same kind of time constraints and elect to remove junk at your convenience.

2. What kind of junk do you need removed (quantity, hazardous material, heavy, awkward and/or requiring a lot of space)?

Sometimes you have junk that is big and awkward but not necessarily heavy. Sometimes you have junk left over from renovations or construction that can be heavy and/or somewhat hazardous with sharp edges or contain nails. If you have appliances or machinery that have reached the end of their use then perhaps it is time for them to go. You might accumulate junk if you are renovating your office and/or moving to a new one (e.g. old cubicles and out of date office equipment).

Junk such as paint, chemicals, batteries, petroleum materials, medical/biohazardous waste, or asbestos may require special equipment and certain expertise which may mean calling a firm or firms that specialize in those types of materials.

3. Who are you going to call - two guys and a truck that drove through your neighbourhood or someone more reputable?

Don’t go with the person who just drove by or whose name and number on the truck look slapped on and temporary. Take some time and investigate. Do some research online. Ask friends, family, and colleagues who have used them in the past and what their experiences were like.

4.  Do you know where to go to find reputable junk removers?

See how long they have been in business. Google them! You never know what you will find. Maybe they have been praised or criticized online and Googling them will help you find that out. Check out review sites to hear directly from customers. See if their site includes testimonials and, if so, check them out.

5.  Do you know what kind of protection you have as a consumer?

Checkout their website. See what they say about their services and what kind of guarantee they offer. Call with questions and don’t commit til you feel comfortable. Asking questions when the company is already at your location creates unnecessary pressure. Call ahead and go through the process over the phone and confirm expectations in advance. Doing some online research doesn’t hurt either. Being an informed consumer helps you ask the right questions and companies appreciate dealing with well-informed customers. It makes it much smoother for everyone involved.

photo credit: Lawrence Whittemore via photopin cc