Junk removal is meant to be easy — that is the point of hiring someone. But a few minutes of prep before the crew arrives makes the job go faster, keeps the price where you expect it, and avoids back-and-forth on the day. Here is what actually matters.
Clear the path to the items
- Move cars out of the driveway so the truck can get close.
- Unlock side gates and leave the garage door open.
- Think about the route from each item to the truck — flagging tight corners or low ceilings up front saves a repeat conversation once the crew is there.
- For inside hauls, clear walking paths through hallways and stairwells before we arrive.
Walk through and decide what goes
Do this before the crew arrives, not during the quote walk-through. It keeps the job moving and prevents a decision pause on every item. If you are not sure about something, stage it in one spot — we can quote the maybe pile as its own line during the walk-through.
Flag items that need special handling
Some items carry a disposal surcharge because the transfer station charges separately for them. Flagging these in advance keeps your quote accurate:
- Appliances with Freon — refrigerators and window AC units. Freon recapture adds a small fee.
- Electronics — TVs, monitors, computers, printers. Transfer stations charge per item.
- Mattresses and box springs — disposal surcharge at most facilities.
- Tires — not accepted at standard transfer stations; need specialty disposal.
Some items we cannot haul in a standard pickup at all: paint cans, propane tanks, pool chemicals, motor oil, and medications. These go to county hazardous waste programs. King County Hazardous Waste and Pierce County SoundRecycles both accept them for free. If you have hazmat items, set them aside and we will point you to the right drop-off.
Items you want donated — stage them separately
We sort for donation where items qualify, but if it matters to you which specific pieces go to a donation center, pre-staging removes the guesswork. Put donation-bound items in a separate zone or mark them with tape. Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, and St. Vincent de Paul all serve the South Sound.
Appliances going with the haul
- Refrigerators: empty them and leave the door open for at least a few hours before pickup. A defrosted unit is easier to move and avoids water on the floor.
- Washing machines: disconnect the water lines and leave the lid open to dry.
- Dryers: disconnect from the dryer duct. For gas dryers, close the shutoff valve behind the unit before the crew arrives.
- Chest freezers: same as refrigerators — empty and leave the door open.
If you will not be home
- Include access details when you book — gate code, lockbox code, or a neighbor who can let us in.
- Mark the items going with painter's tape or sticky notes so there is no ambiguity.
- We send a photo confirmation when the job is done so you can review without being on site.
What to expect when the crew arrives
- Walk-through quote: we look at everything together, give you a number, and do not start loading until you confirm.
- Loading: the crew handles all the carrying. You do not need to move anything.
- Disposal: we sort for donation and recycling where items qualify. The rest goes to the transfer station.
- Payment at completion: cash or card. We confirm the final number before leaving.
FAQ
- Do I need to move everything to one spot before the crew arrives?
- No. We work from wherever items are — garage, basement, upstairs bedroom. Clearing the path to each item is more helpful than moving the items themselves.
- What if I find more to haul after the crew gives me a quote?
- Tell us before we start loading. Adding items after the walk-through quote usually just means a quick adjustment to the number — we confirm any change with you before continuing.
- Can you haul the same day I book?
- Same-day availability depends on the schedule. Many pickups in Seattle, Tacoma, and the South Sound can be arranged within a day or two. Share your location and the load description and we will give you the nearest open window.
- Do I need to be home during the pickup?
- It is preferred, especially for the quote walk-through. If you cannot be there, share access details in advance and mark the items. We send a photo update when the job is complete.
- What happens with items that can be donated?
- We sort during the haul and route donation-eligible items to local partners — Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, or St. Vincent de Paul depending on what fits. If you want to pre-stage donations separately, that works too.