How do I prepare for junk removal day?

The night before the job

1. Walk the spaces being cleared

Take 15 minutes to walk each space — basement, garage, attic, individual rooms. Mentally (or actually) list what’s going. This makes the morning walkthrough faster and more accurate.

2. Mark anything that stays

Painter’s tape with “KEEP” written on it is the gold standard. Post-it notes work too. The goal is to remove ambiguity. If a workbench in the garage is staying, mark it. If a corner of bins in the basement is yours, mark them. We always ask before touching anything borderline, but marking eliminates the question entirely.

3. Pull hazmat aside

We can’t take: paint (liquid), propane tanks, motor oil, gasoline, antifreeze, pesticides, asbestos, sharps, prescription medications. If any of these are in the cleanout zone, set them aside in a separate spot before we arrive so we don’t accidentally load them. We’ll point you to county HHW options at the walkthrough.

4. Check for sentimental items

Pull out anything sentimental that you want to verify or keep — photo albums, paperwork, jewelry. We’ll pause and ask about anything that looks personal, but if you’ve already set it aside, there’s no chance of error.

The morning of the job

1. Clear truck parking

We need about 25–30 feet of length and 10 feet of width to park and operate. As close to where the items are as practical. If you’re in a condo or townhouse with reserved parking, confirm the spot we’ll use.

2. Clear access paths

Open interior doors. Make sure hallways are clear. Prop the basement door open if we’re working downstairs. Move floor mats or rugs from main paths.

3. Secure pets

Put dogs and cats in a room we won’t be entering, or have someone walk the dog. Pets get stressed by furniture moving and doors opening.

4. Manage kids

Heavy items moving through the house is a hazard for younger kids. Designate a safe room or arrange childcare.

5. Have payment ready

We accept credit/debit cards, checks, and cash. Cards are processed at the end of the job. You don’t need to prepay.

What you don’t need to do

• You don’t need to bag or box items. Loose is fine.
• You don’t need to sort by type. We sort on the truck.
• You don’t need to disassemble furniture. We bring tools.
• You don’t need to drag items closer to the truck. Pricing accounts for the carry distance.
• You don’t need to clean items. Dust and dirt are fine.
• You don’t need to be there the whole time. Just at start and end.

What to flag when you book

Some items or situations are easier if we know ahead:

• Refrigerators, freezers, AC units (refrigerant recovery)
• Pianos, hot tubs, gun safes (extra crew/equipment)
• Hoarding-level volume (multiple trucks)
• Properties with parking restrictions or HOA rules
• Tight access (steep driveway, narrow alley, second-floor walkup)
• Biohazard concerns

For deeper coverage of the day-of experience, see How to Prepare for Junk Removal Day and What to Expect During Junk Removal.