Property Cleanout in Spokane: Removing Items Left Behind by a Previous Tenant - TMD Junk #1
After moving into their Spokane property, our client began clearing the clutter that remained from inside of the house. With items already outside, the pile quickly became bigger than anticipated.
Using their own truck, it became apparent that this job would require more trips to the dump than they were willing to make. At this point, they decided to give TMD Junk a call.
Job At A Glance:
Service - Property Cleanout
Area - Spokane, WA - Hillyard
Items Removed - Wood, Metal, Furniture, Garbage
Load Size: FULL Trailer
Main Challenge: Waterlogged items are heavier after sitting outside
Before:
We parked on the street, directly in front of the house with plenty of space for the truck and trailer, which is not always the case. The junk needing removed was only a short walk over the freshly prepared ground for the new pavers. Access was straightforward with more than enough room to navigate comfortably.
The pile included old wood, scrap metal, plastic children's toys, exercise equipment, a washing machine, clothing that had seen much better days, a recliner, hoses, a broken fish tank, and bags of garbage.
How We Handled The Job:
Before starting the job, we walked through the area with the customer and had him point out the items that he wanted to remain. The wood in good condition and the pallets could be used for future projects that he had in mind after finishing the paver job.
We loaded the unwanted and broken wood first because its flat shape gives us a base to work with. Attempting to throw long pieces of wood onto a pile of junk will create pockets or gaps that other junk items will not be able to fill, causing the trailer to fill with air pockets.
The broken glass required extra care. We put the fish tank in first, position it towards the center of the trailer so it can be covered by all of the following junk. Keeping glass away from the edges of the trailer is important for not only our safety, but for the safety of others and their equipment after the trailer has been dumped.
We also take the time to separate the metal and keep it in it's own location for both weight purposes and dumping purposes. At the dump, metal items need to go into their own section, so doing this can save us time and energy. For most of the metal, we take it and set it into a designated spot on my property, so we can then take the metal at a later date to a metal recycle facility.
The removal took approximately an hour and a half and filled the entire trailer. Once everything was loaded, we hauled it to the disposal location in Airway Heights.
After:
By the end of the removal, with the quality wood and pallets stacked off to the side, the customer had more room to continue the planned improvements, starting with the pavers. The ground that had been prepared was no longer surrounded or cluttered by the mix of old furniture, appliances, toys and everything else that had been sun bleached by resting outside in the elements.
We had a good laugh with the customer afterwards who was blown away at how quickly the items were removed. When you do not have a 16' trailer meant for dumping big jobs, you quickly learn how many back and forth trips you have to take to get the same job done.
"I should have called you guys sooner!"
Don't worry, we hear this quite a bit! With that being said, we greatly respect the work ethic and dedication of those who do make the plethora of trips back and forth to the dump!
Planning a Property Cleanout? Here's What Helps.
Decide what stays before removal begins
Not everything in a pile always needs to go. On this job, the customer wanted to keep useful wood and some pallets for future projects. Point those items out during the walkthrough, or separate them beforehand if it is practical to do so. That helps the TMD crew remove the unwanted material without taking something intended to use.
Look at the whole load before hauling it yourself
A pickup truck can handle smaller amounts, but bulky furniture, appliances, and mixed debris can quickly turn into several trips, if not more. This customer had already made a few runs before calling us, and the remaining items still filled out entire trailer. Consider the loadig, driving, unloading, and disposal time when deciding whether to handle the removal yourself. A good rule of thumb: For every two pieces of furniture or appliance combo, you are looking at one run in a truck.
Show the access route and flag anything that needs extra care
When requesting an estimate for the TMD crew to come out and look at your job, include photos of the items and the route between them and the available parking. Mention heavy appliances, broken glass, stairs, or ground being prepared for another project. Here, nearby street parking and a short walk made access straightforward, while the broken fish tank required careful handling during loading.
Questions About Property Cleanouts
Can one property cleanout include furniture, appliances, and outdoor junk?
Yes, and this is quite common. When discussing your cleanout, let us know the different types of items involved so we can identify anything requiring special handling. Property Cleanout can involve any item that has been left outside.
How much junk fits in a full trailer?
Our trailer measures 16 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 4 feet high (junk area). The space your items require depends on their dimensions, shape, and how they fit together. Heavy materials can also reach weight limits before the trailer is full.
How long does a property cleanout take?
It depends on the amount of material being removed, the items in involved and the access route. This removal took approximately an hour and a half, with nearby street parking, a short carrying distance, and plenty of room to work. Stairs, longer carrying distances, or items requiring dismantling can add time. This job's duration is merely an example, rather than a guaranteed timeframe for every full load.
Can you remove junk before a landscaping or entrance project?
Yes. A cleanout can clear unwanted items from any area you plan to work in or update. On this property, the customer had already started preparing the ground for a new paver entrance. Our role was to remove the items getting in the way; the ground preparation and paving were separate from the junk removal.
Need Help Clearing Your Property?
Whether you've moved into a property with items left behind or need to clear space for your next project, TMD Junk provides property cleanouts in the Spokane area. Tell us what need to go and where it's located, and we'll talk through the removal with you.
Need More Information?
Have questions about junk removal or planning a cleanout of your own? Explore our services and frequently asked questions, or contact TMD Junk to talk through what you need removed. We'll help you understand what to expect and how to get started.
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