Preparation before the truck arrives will save you time, money and heartache. Some preparation will allow the crews to work more efficiently and keep the house safe. By applying this simple step by step series of solutions it will allow for smooth sailing for all involved from then on in. You will also eliminate some of the last-minute decisions that tend to slow down the pickup. You can also visit this site for more guidance.

By following these steps and solutions on the day before and day of your appointment, it will also help to keep the surprises off your billing.

Confirm Your Pickup Date

First thing is to verify date, time frames for arrival and what items are cover by your provider. Check your confirmation text or email and plug the times into your calendar. If you have special things like a mattress, shirts of paint or a piano to have moved. Find out if those will take more attention and require a different charge or estimate. Confirm the charges, minimums and how they will measure the volume.

If this is for prep work for an estate clean out let them know which areas of the house are off limits or what items they should be careful not to discard. Provide codes to give them access into the property, if there are pets, let them know what type and what they are called. Give them a good number to get to you for day of pick-up updates. If sending them photos of your pile of rubbish will cut down on waiting time for estimates asked if that would help.

Get a Plan B for time dates if they are stuck in heavy traffic and can’t make the scheduled time. If it turns into a last minute reschedule, it is best to do so early to void a no pickup fee.

Move Junk to One Area

Getting everything prepared in one spot where it is easier to gather together at a remote staging area will save time and energy. It will also give the crews more room and ease of access so that walkways aren’t blocked. The closer the area is to one of the exits the less time they will have to be in your house since their crew will be back and forth outside the house. This reduces labor rates for junk haulers and makes junk removal better, and more efficient, especially during a big garage clean out!

• Choose a staging area near the front door, garage door or main gate.
• Use strong boxes or contractor bags and fill to a safe level for lifting.
• Have a corner for “don’t take” items you are still going through.
• Separate out e-waste (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_waste) items, batteries, paint and chemicals from regular junk.
• Sweep or vacuum the staging area so crews can load fast and safe!

If you can’t lift an item safely, leave it where it is and flag it for a team lift! Keep hallways and stairs clear for your emergency exit!

Label Fragile or Heavy Items

Proper labeling prevents accidents and damage. Use painters’ tape and a thick marker to make notes visible. Designate items as “Fragile,” “Heavy Team Lift,” or “Do Not Remove!” and also tag sharp edge items.

Also, if you are coordinating with a demolition contractor Gulph mills for a small bath or kitchen tear out, label debris from the demo job separately from household items. Note what goes for appliance recycling (like fridges or microwaves) and what is regular debris removal. Tape cords to appliances, take out loose shelves, and empty drawers so pieces are safer to carry.

On bags or boxes, write what is in them, i.e., “glass,” “books,” “mixed metal” to guide loading and disposal. Keep screws in a zip bag and tape it to the object. Photograph each area with a label so you have a record before loading. Use clear containers for small hardware, so crews can see the contents without opening.

Clear Driveway Access

Easy access can cut loading time in half. Think of how loads are prepared. Think how complete a straight path lies from your staging area to the truck. Make sure to remove obstacles. It is good to put pets in a safe room. Also make sure that there is room for parking.

• Park cars on the street so that the truck can back in straight.
• Measuer gates and be on lookout for low branches or wires that the truck might hit.
• Lay down cardboard or a sheet of plywood to protect new pavers.
• Turn on outside lights for early morning or evening pickups.
• If it is raining this is a good time to lay mats by outside doors so as to guard against slipping or muddy floors.

If you are in King of Prussia or nearby Gulph Mills it is to be noted that many homeowners stage items in their garage and meet the crews out at the curb. An example of this is All Around Removal King of Prussia. Refer to the map below to see the area in which they serve and plan an easy handoff.

What to Do After Pickup

Be certain to walk through the area with the crew leader before they leave for their next pickup. Make sure the floors are clear, doors and gates shut and that all that you meant should remain is there. Ask for a receipt, which lists items taken, in case you wish to deduct donations at tax time.

Do a last sweep through and run magnet over the place or a strong permanent magnet (or, if window spills cannot be erased, use a strong fridge magnet in a sock, over the floors to pick up metal tacks or screws that might remain. Take pictures of the cleaned-up areas for your records.

Set up recurring reminder to call for pickup semi-annually for bulky items, thus preventing them from piling up. Also take a moment to gather or donate or list remaining usable things instead of tossing them aside later. Finally, wipe touch points with Clorox wipes, wash your hands and enjoy the extra room you have created, your home will have become lighter and safer and ready for whatever is to come next!