"I've never used a junk removal service before? What should I ask?"
A lot of our customer conversations start this way. Hiring a junk removal service is an easy solution for a difficult but common problem.
Getting rid of the stuff you no longer need.
Hiring the wrong company could be costly. So, whether you’re doing a full- scale cleanout or just a single item removal, a bit of homework is appropriate.
To be sure you’re making a wise choice, it’s important to ask the right questions before hiring a junk removal service. By doing so, you can avoid potential pitfalls and feel great about the job being done efficiently, safely, on budget and in a way that aligns with your values (especially when it comes to responsible disposal practices).
To get you started, here are the 5 questions you should ask before hiring a junk removal service.
1. How big is your truck?
Junk removal rates are based on volume and measured in truck space? You should know how much space you’re working with & the rates should be scaled accordingly.
2. Are you insured?
Hiring an insured junk removal service protects you. Otherwise you could be held responsible if a contractor gets hurt on your property. Also, if they damage your home, you’ll be stuck with the repair costs.
3. What happens to my stuff?
The disposal process needs to be honest & transparent. Junk removal services should donate, recycle or resell what they can. They’re also required to properly sort & dispose of certain chemicals & materials. Special handling may add additional costs.
4. Will the price change?
Once an in- person quote is given (& assuming the scope of the job doesn’t change), the invoice amount should match the quoted rate. An in- person quote is given in good faith & is based on the provider’s industry expertise. Estimating a job should be as objective as possible. It includes consideration for volume/ quantity, time on the job, disposal costs, equipment needs & travel time.
5. Who's doing the work?
Bringing a contractor into your home can be scary. You have a right to know who’s doing the work. The junk removal crew should be employees, background checked and drug tested. They should also be adequately trained.
Our answers...
There’s more than one right answer and not everybody’s needs and priorities are the same. That said, we think we’re the gold standard for professional, affordable and environmentally responsible junk removal in the greater Charlotte area.
1. How big is your truck?
Our rigs are 12ft. dump trailers being pulled by super duty pickups with an 8 ft. bed. When you combine the trailer and truck bed, we have over 15 cubic yards of carrying capacity. The benefit of this setup is we can use the 2 distinct spaces to sort and separate junk for proper disposal.
2. Are you insured?
Yes! We carry $1 million in coverage on our general liability, umbrella, commercial auto and workers comp policies.
3. What happens to my stuff?
We love this question! As America’s first and only B- Corp certified junk removal provider we accept it as our responsibility to reduce the amount of trash that ends up in the landfill. In 2023, we diverted about 30% of the material we handled (roughly 250,000 lbs) and are working hard to increase that number this year.
We sort and separate properly. Things like tires, paint and electronics are disposed of as directed.
4. Will the price change?
Assuming the scope of the job doesn’t change, the price we bill for will match the in- person quote.
Now, there is some nuance to this question, so I’ll explain.
First, a telephone quote and quote based on shared photos is not the same as an in- person quote. This is considered a ballpark quote. That ballpark quote will then be verified in- person and before any work is authorized. So, the in- person quote may change from the telephone quote once the full scope is known. But, the invoice should be consistent with that in- person quote.
If the job materially changes while in progress, that could change the invoiced amount. This may be situations like material is added, job access changes or additional services are requested.
Finally, some quotes have variables tied to actual costs. Jobs that include hourly or weight estimates will be billed for actuals.
For your convenience, we’ve created this load size calculator. This is an easy way to self assess your junk removal quote. It also reduces the subjective nature or estimating load size.
5. Who's doing the work?
We have a great team. They are W2 employees who are background checked and drug tested as part of a pre- employment screening. We have a rigorous training program and on-going education for our entire team. Furthermore, we carry a DOT number. The Department of Transportation provides an additional layer of professionalism as it dictates things like hiring and training standards and employee health screenings.
Give us a call.
Still have questions? We’d love to chat. Give as a call to ask these questions or any other ones you may still have. 855-52-TRASH. You can also contact us here.
