There is something cathartic about removing unwanted furniture and other items from a home or business, even if it’s not officially spring cleaning season. While most junk hauling companies handle all aspects of removing the items, people getting rid of junk can do several things to make the process go smoother and lower their costs. One such tip is to move the unwanted items to the curb or another point that provides easy access for the haulers. This saves money since it’s common for junk haulers to charge extra when employees have to move the items themselves, especially up or down stairs.

Some other tried-and-true advice for saving money on getting rid of junk and improving efficiency while cleaning include:

  1. Disassemble larger items to reduce the size of the haul and the junk removal bill. Those planning an upcoming purge of their home or business can click here for rates and to budget for the expense.
  2. Separate hazardous materials such as paint thinner, unused electronics, and oil to avoid incurring additional fees for dumping.
  3. Clean one room at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed and giving up on the project altogether. Getting the most challenging room out of the way first will make the remainder of the cleaning seem much easier.
  4. While cleaning, separate items into piles for hauling away, donating, and keeping. A general rule of thumb with cleaning is to get rid of anything that hasn’t been worn, used, or looked at in more than a year. People who feel concerned about throwing away paper records can scan them to their computer for safekeeping first.
  5. Break down boxes and place smaller items inside of larger ones. This conserves space in the hauling truck and is an effective way to keep rates low.
  6. Get an estimate for the entire job in advance and in person. Junk haulers that offer price quotes over the phone often increase prices after seeing the size of the job.
  7. Recycle as many things as possible before contacting a junk hauler. This requires home and business owners to know the recycling rules in their own city to avoid having certain items refused. Even though junk haulers charge a fee to take items the city won’t recycle, most have connections with charitable organizations that can use larger discarded items such as televisions and computers.

Plan for an Efficient Junk Haul by Knowing What Is and Isn’t Accepted

Junk haulers typically accept the following items:

  • Appliances
  • Bulk trash
  • Carpet
  • Clothes
  • Concrete
  • Construction waste
  • Electronics
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
  • Metal
  • Play sets
  • Sheds
  • Wood scraps

This is good news for people with a wide range of things they no longer want. However, they need to make other arrangements for getting rid of the following:

  • Batteries
  • Chemicals
  • Equipment that contains gas or oil
  • Explosives
  • Florescent lights
  • Hazardous waste
  • Liquid waste such as Freon
  • Medical or biohazardous waste
  • Paint
  • PCBs or asbestos
  • Scrap tires

Local city government officials can advise residents on proper procedures for home or business owners who no longer want these items. You can also contact us to discuss pricing and options for custom jobs such as these.