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Junk Removal Tips to Simplify Decluttering
Junk removal with Trash and Stash is easy. So simple, in fact that calling us may be the only prep work you need to do. You point, we move and remove.
That said, here are a few tips to make your junk removal service call easy and effective.
1. Set a Date
The key to getting started is to start. So start with an appointment. The law of the imminent deadline is a real thing and it works. That looming appointment initiates an action plan and timeline for your decluttering project. Deadline or target… whatever you call it, people need one to get stuff done. Don’t put it off. SET YOUR APPPOINTMENT HERE AND NOW.
2. Condense
Junk removal costs are based on volume (quantity) and measured in truck space. Our team will break trash items down and pack the truck as efficiently as possible. Still, if you’re able to flatten boxes and compact bulky items before we get there, you’ll make better use of truck space. Potentially reducing your total costs.
Try our FREE junk removal load calculator. Junk removal costs are based on volume and measured in truck space.
See how much junk you have!
The more you know… check out our other blog post 5 Tips to Decluttering Your Life for more junk removal hacks & a decluttering checklist.
3. Collect & Batch
Junk removal costs are primarily determined by haul size and the pricing model accounts for bulk pricing. The more we pick up, the less per cubic yard it costs. So…your net costs are less when we haul away a 1/2 truck load versus a two 1/4 truck loads.
Also,<spoiler> , we offer a curbside discount (up to 50%). You’re prep work may be rewarded! We offer this discount because curbside bulk waste pickups allow for easy access and time flexibility.
Speaking of discounts, we also offer BLOCK PARTIES. If a few of your neighbors are also looking to declutter, y’all can share a truck to take advantage of a group discount.
4. Separate
We’re serious about environmentally responsible disposal practices. We want to make sure reusable items get a new lease on life, either through donation or as part of our 2nd Life Program. Similarly, we sort our trash that ends up in the landfill. Cardboard to recycle. Metal to scrap. Concrete to rubble. The process is infinitely harder when we start with a mixed pile (or improperly bagged trash). If you’re able to bag or separate items before our arrival, proper disposal is much easier.
To be even more direct, there are different dump fees for different trash types. This is usually where weight begins to affect junk removal costs (in particular, construction debris and yard waste). In these circumstances, good separation can save money.
5. Cherry Pick
There’s a lot of stuff we can accept. And most of it is included in our regular bulk prices. However, there are a few items we charge extra for because… well… the landfill charges us extra. Funny enough, the items they charge us extra for, are usually free for residents.
Specifically, I’m talking about electronics, paint and tires. The reason, as I understand it, is because these are things that are not processed our our local landfills. Rather, they’re collected and delivered to specialty disposal centers. As a tax payer, these materials are handled on your behalf. They do not, however, want businesses capitalizing on tax payer covered services. So, if you’re up for it, you could save some money by bringing these items to your local recycling center.
Redfin featured Trash and Stash as an expert in their recent article: Toss or Keep? How to Downsize Your Belongings and Simplify Your Life
Decluttering is an emotional process for a lot of people. To ease the guilt, I think it’s important to think of decluttering as an exercise in conservation. Regular clutter management conserves energy. This is important because the older and busier we get, the more stuff we accumulate and the less energy we have to deal with it. This is the clutter equation and it can get out of whack fast. There’s also environmental conservation. We live in an increasingly disposable world. When you make the decision to downsize via donation, these items can have a second life while they still have value. This keeps items out of the landfill, puts them in the hands of people who can use them and often raises money for a worthy cause.
6. Curbside
We offer up to 50% off curbside bulk waste pickup. You’ll save lots of money on junk removal by piling your trash on the curb/ driveway before we get there. To quality for curbside, the items need to be easily accessible by truck and you must be flexible on pickup time (the date will be confirmed, the time will be between 8a- 4p. So have items outside by 7:30a). You do not need to be home for a curbside pickup. We’ll call or text before we head your way and will text the invoice once the work is complete.
7. Generosity
Another discount option is our “Give and Save” promotion. Get 10% off junk removal (up to $100) when you donate $25 or more to the Isabella Santos Foundation. This means you’ll save money on ½ truck hauls or bigger in addition to helping a worthy cause.
8. Your Labor Source
Have a really big job? For these, sometimes it’s more cost effective to rent a dumpster and use us as labor. We can help secure the dumpster or can coordinate with you and your local provider. This cuts time, transport and dump fees… which are all savings passed on to you this way.
9. Prohibited Items
There are some items the landfill won’t take. And there are some items they’ll take with a surcharge. Tires, paint, electronics are usually the things we talk about here. When you set up your free quote, it’s helpful to know what we’ll be looking at. This way we can provide an accurate estimate but also make sure we’ve got a disposal game plan in place.
10. In-Person Estimate
Even with our simple pricing model, an in- person estimate is the only real way to assess junk removal costs. We can provide a ballpark estimate over the phone or with a text picture, but it’s really only a guess until we’re actually there, looking at it. Even with a picture, we can’t always tell what’s buried in a pile. Or how accessible the items are. Or even how heavy some of these things are. Size and scale is really difficult without context. So, if you’re comparison shopping junk removal based on a phone quote (we’ve already done that for you BTW), you could end up with an in- person surprise. We will always provide an in- person quote (even after providing a phone quote) before we start the work. This way you’ll know the total removal costs first. No surprises.
In most cases, we can quote the job and complete the work at the same time. We don’t have to though. If you just want a quote before making a decision, that’s totally fine. The quote is good for 30 days (assuming the job scope doesn’t change), so you can schedule the job whenever you’re ready.
“Trash & Stash was started as an act of defiance. A reaction to the goings on of 2020. To COVID- 19. To rabid consumerism. To political noise and to whatever other forces are pushing people away from each other.” We really believe in the benefits of a simplified life. We believe our work is important and that we’re providing a valuable service to our community. But we also know, sorting through our stuff can be stressful. Overwhelming even. And so, we’re prepared to support our customers wherever they are in the process and however we can. These are tips. They aren’t rules. Get the free estimate scheduled and we’ll work with you along the way to make sure your junk removal project is stress free and on budget.
4 thoughts on “10 Pro Junk Removal Tips To Save Time and Money”
I appreciate how you mentioned that the price of junk removal is determined on truck space and volume. As you pointed out, you would make greater use of the truck space if you flattened the boxes and packed up heavy goods in advance. I’ll definitely share this with my friends to keep in mind as they were planned on hiring one for a restoration project because it can help lower overall costs.
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Thanks for reading!
Thank you for the useful article. Special thanks for the tips like condensing items to maximize truck space and separating junk for more efficient disposal. It is nice to come across such good work!