Let’s face it, a home or office relocation, renovation or downsizing can leave behind a substantial amount of junk you’ll need to remove. Usually, the junk that accumulates is more than a typical home trash can or commercial dumpster can handle.
To avoid multiple trips to the local dump and trying to figure out how to dispose of massive piles of junk including larger items, it’s a good idea to hire a junk removal service.
A junk removal service can save you time, a lot of heavy lifting, and ensure items are disposed of responsibly.
Here’s what Michigan homeowners and business owners should know before the junk removal crew arrives to make the job easier from start to finish.
Preparing for Residential Junk Removal
Clearing junk out of your home can be stressful. However, if you approach it systematically, you can minimize stress.
Things to Do Before the Crew Arrives
First, sort your junk into separate piles labeled “Keep,” “Toss,” or “Donate.” The junk company will take the “Toss” pile, but you can handle the others as you see fit. Another thing you’ll want to do is create clear pathways for the junk removers. Remove all trip hazards and put away any valuables you don’t want them to knock over as they move things. Also, put your pets in a secured space.
In addition to these tasks, make sure that you group all small items together in a box or bag. Grouping small clutter together makes it easier for the junk service team to remove and load it into their truck without using as much space.
Finally, don’t include any hazardous waste with the junk being hauled away. Junk haulers typically can’t transport these items, and you must dispose of them through municipal hazardous waste collection.
What to Expect on Service Day
On junk removal day, expect the crew within the scheduled timeframe. Most services will call ahead to confirm their estimated arrival. Once the team arrives, they will assess the items you need removed and provide an estimate before the work begins.
Once you agree, they will retrieve the junk wherever it is in your house, carefully remove the items, and load them onto the truck. When they finish, they will leave your home neat and tidy. After hauling away your junk, a responsible junk hauler will dispose of it in an eco-friendly way, sometimes even donating some reusable items.
Preparing for Commercial Junk Removal
Cleaning out an office can be equally stressful, especially for smaller companies. But as with residential cleanouts, if you approach commercial junk removal in an organized way, you’ll finish quickly with as little stress as possible.
Things to Do Before the Crew Arrives
Because offices may contain confidential information, it is best to remove all paperwork and other sensitive documents from desks and cabinets before tossing them. This helps minimize the risk of a data breach.
Before the junk removal team arrives, ensure that they have adequate access, especially if your office is in a shared building with other office tenants. The removal team may need exclusive access to the freight elevator.
They may also need to know how to enter and exit through the alleys and loading zones. So, it’s a good idea to involve your property manager.
In addition to notifying your property manager, it’s also a good idea to inform your neighbors, especially if removing your junk could block their access. If possible, instead of having junk removal teams move items from your office to their truck, try to load them in a designated area so they can easily take them to their destination.
This may reduce friction with your neighbors and labor hours, inevitably speeding up the process.
What to Expect on Service Day
In some cases, commercial haulers may avoid other tenants’ traffic during the day. As a result, they may offer to move items early in the morning, in the evenings, or on weekends, if allowed.
If requested, the junk hauling company must also provide the property manager with a certificate of insurance showing general liability insurance and workers’ comp. They are also expected to arrive with the proper moving equipment, including dollies, pallet jacks, and hand trucks to efficiently remove old furniture and electronics.
Downsizing, Moving, or Clearing Out? Let Mitten Junk Removal Help
Whether you’re clearing out a garage, the home of a loved one, renovating your home, or removing old office furniture and equipment, Mitten Junk Removal makes getting rid of unwanted items easier.
Serving homeowners and businesses throughout the Howell, Brighton, and surrounding Southeast Michigan communities, we provide residential and commercial junk removal services, including furniture removal, appliance removal, garage cleanouts, and property cleanouts.
Contact Mitten Junk Removal today or simply upload a photo of your space online to request a free estimate!