Dumpster Rentals for Home/Estate Clean-Outs

Cleaning out a loved one’s home, (which is often the result of a death, a decision to downsize, or a necessary move to an assisted living community,) can be a huge undertaking... Especially when those who lived through the Great Depression tended to save everything, whether it had value or not! Before tackling an estate clean-out, create a plan! While paying for a dumpster rental might seem like an unnecessary expenditure, doing so helps ensure that the process goes smoothly.

Consider talking to neighbors about the estate clean-out ahead of time. It’s always a good idea to give them a heads up before the project begins. Plus, you never know… They, too, may be in need of a waste container, and that would allow you to split costs and save some money! Here are a few things to consider before contacting a waste management company to rent a dumpster:

• Consider talking to neighbors about the estate clean-out ahead of time. It’s always a good idea to give them a heads up before the project begins. Plus, you never know… They, too, may be in need of a waste container, and that would allow you to split costs and save some money! Here are a few things to consider before contacting a waste management company to rent a dumpster:
• Determine what size waste container you need by first assessing the number of rooms and amount of items you’ll be clearing out. Take note of the larger items you have, such as mattresses and furniture. Typically, estate clean-outs require a 20- or 30-yard container. To err on the side of caution, go bigger.
• Survey the type of items you’ll be disposing of. In the process, you may find you need to dispose of regulated items like hazardous chemicals and electronics, so call the city or your county landfill to determine the proper waste disposal procedures for these types of materials. If you have salvageable items you’d like to donate, contact local charities such as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul; depending on what you’ve got, they sometimes will pick up the items from the location themselves.
• Coordinate the dumpster drop-off/pick-up with your project schedule. Get the clean-out on everyone’s calendars well in advanced. This is especially important when there are a lot of people coming to help or when family is spread out across the US. When you call to order the waste container, don’t be afraid to negotiate the number of rental days! Add a day extra on the end if you think there may be a chance the job won’t get finished during your allotted timeframe.
• Decide where you want the container to be placed. Some companies don’t have trucks that are small enough to maneuver well in residential areas so using the driveway or street is sometimes necessary. Remember, asphalt and concrete driveways can get marked when dropping/picking up a dumpster; so be sure to lay down sheets of plywood ahead of time. If you plan to put it in the street, depending on where the property is located you may need a permit, so check with the city before scheduling the dumpster drop! 
• After the project begins, keep an eye on your progress. Waste disposal companies are responsible for safe transportation of the container after you're done, so don’t overfill it!
• Recycle when you can. Many waste disposal companies participate in special construction waste recycling programs, so get a list of recyclables before you start your project.