Dumpster

If a large amount of trash will need to be removed from the job site, then an efficient method is to use a dumpster. It is time to order the size you will need. Have it delivered when you need it. Set a date for pick-up. Then release the hold on delivery.

Request a delivery date which fits into the demolition schedule. A dumpster left on a job site indefinitely motivates neighbors to contribute large bulky items on weekends. Schedule the dumpster to be removed on a Friday. Sure. If you are not done with a demo by that day, keep it for another week. But that should be about it.

If you have small amounts of trash to be removed, contract with a cleaning service or hauling service to remove the trash. This will likely cost less than a dumpster.

Note this. As a condition of their contract with you, require each individual contractor to remove all the trash which they generate. Each trade should also sweep the job clean when they are finished with their work. Keeping the job site clean will result in better work by all tradesmen.

An effective way to make sure each trade removes their trash is to schedule a meeting on the job site when it is time to make payment. You can be sure the job is clean before passing on the check. But this agreement must be made when the contract originates. That way, if a contractor has a large amount of trash to remove, they can calculate what it will cost and include that amount in their contract.

Do not overlook the local garbage service for the property. Contact the municipality garbage collection service to determine what they will remove from a remodel jobsite. They may remove nothing from a new construction jobsite and everything from a flip. Find out to save money. You will probably need to pay for trash bags and a few garbage cans. This will be much less expensive than any other trash removal method.

On one flip I did, the house was full of personal items left by the former owner. I did not want anything that was left. So I simply made a couple signs which offered everything free to anyone who would remove the items from the house. I put the signs near the street. In this way neighbors and passers-by helped to me to remove the items from the house. So I did not have to carry out beds, chairs, clothing, and kitchen utensils. When the last person took what they wanted, then there was much less to remove. I really like the free U haul idea. Even now when I have something to get rid of, I like to put it near the curb and see if it will still be there when the garbage truck comes. Usually things like furniture, lawn movers, cabinets, sinks, and all building materials will be gone. This is a great way to recycle.

On another flip, I took all the elements of a building I was redoing to the flea market. I sold everything in minutes. In fact as soon as I took it out of the back of the truck there was someone there to buy it. I am getting too old to do this now, but it is still a great way to pick up a couple hundred dollars as opposed to throwing the stuff away.

Oh, and if you have excess building materials when the job is complete, Habitat For Humanity will usually come to your place to pick it all up for use in their program. Give them a call to save a dump fee. If the house you buy has appliances which you will replace, Goodwill may be interested in coming uot to get them. Or call around. I found that offering free stuff to the neighbors also works. By getting someone to take away the items you do not want, you will lower the dump fee.