Home Improvement & Debris Removal

[This article originally appeared here in November 2016. It has since been expanded and revised.]

As a new homeowner, or even if you’ve owned a house for many years, a home improvement project can always be exciting. What's not so fun is debris removal.

No matter whether you’re just redoing the backyard, adding another room, or remodeling the entire kitchen, you’re always going to end up with a lot of debris.

Drywall, Concrete, Dirt, or Wood - It's All Gotta Go 

We can often get so caught up in a home improvement project that we overlook one of the inevitable by-products: construction debris or yard waste.

It's easy to focus on the end results or get lost in the building process, but the waste is there.

From the smallest upgrade to the most extensive remodel of a room or rooms, debris, trash, and other junk will result. And it all has be gotten rid of somehow. If you're lucky and you hired a contractor for some or all of the hands-on work, that person may offer to clean up and haul out all the debris and waste material for you.

If you're not so lucky, you'll have to figure out the best way to get it done yourself.

When It Comes to Construction Debris Disposal You Have Options

One of the realities of larger home improvement projects is that oftentimes the debris has to be cleared out and removed several times during the course of the job. Piles of broken concrete, wood, glass, and other materials can be a hazard on a job site - even when it's your home!

For those embarking on their first major home improvement effort, the accumulation of rubble, junk, detritus, and debris can be a bit unnerving. It's one of these aspects of the job that they rarely show or discuss on the various home improvement shows on TV.

But debris happens.

So, the question then is, what do you do with it? Essentially, you have three options - or, if you don't own a truck, just two options:

       1. Haul it yourself 

Hauling your junk yourself could save you a lot of money. Simply find out where your local landfill or waste transfer station is and take it there. If you don’t have your own flatbed truck, you’ll have to hire one. Just remember that some facilities have restrictions and don’t accept certain items – so you have to separate them ahead of time.

We suggest making a special pile for recyclable items as well. This is a cheap debris removal option if you have all the equipment readily available, but if you add up the cost of the truck rental, fuel, dumping fees, and your time and labor, it might not be as cost-effective as you thought.

       2. Hire a dumpster

A roll-off dumpster is great for home renovation projects. Instead of having trash lying all over the place, or making many disposal trips at a time, you can store all your junk in one place.

Not only can you fill it at your own convenience and pace, but you can also schedule the pickup once you’re done with the project. This gives you the freedom to carry on with your project as you please. Most dumpsters are driveway-friendly and cost a fixed amount of money.

      3. Hire a professional

Hiring a professional debris removal company is by far the most convenient option. Professional junk removers will take care of everything for you – hauling your junk away, dropping it off at the appropriate facility, and some companies (like Junk King) will even recycle and donate as much as possible.

Our professional junk removal experts are well-trained and have the necessary experience to do a more thorough job. Hiring a professional firm like Junk King will also mitigate liability and injury risks, as debris removal can often be hazardous (especially when dealing with larger items).

Plan Ahead and Go Green with Your Demolition

One approach that can reduce the amount of junk and debris you'll have left to dispose of is to practice what is known as "deconstruction" as opposed to demolition.

Deconstruction takes a bit more time and work, but it allows you to recover much of what might otherwise end up in a landfill - and minimizes the amount of debris for disposal. Deconstruction targets materials and fixtures that can be removed with minimal damage and potentially reused.

As one article describes it, 

Demolition is a less precise method in which all materials from a structure are sent either to recycling or the landfill.

Deconstruction is a more methodical process in which materials from the original structure are assessed for reuse value (stay tuned for our blog post about appraisals), dismantled with the intent of maximizing this potential, and then reclaimed usually by nonprofits that focus on landfill diversion and materials reuse.

Some items that you no longer need or use could be a blessing to someone else. Whether it’s that old bookshelf, a mirror, or the fridge you replaced with a newer model. If some of your bigger items are still in good condition, you can donate them to charities or drop-off centers.

Donation centers take various items like countertops, light fixtures, appliances, and old furniture. Check with individual organizations in your area for donation requirements. Habitat for Humanity, for example, accepts donations for their Habitat ReStore home improvement stores.

So, once you've donated, reused, and repurposed all that you reasonably can, how do you get rid of the rest of your construction debris reliably and affordably?

When DIY Debris Removal is Not an Option

 If you’re not up to the task of a DIY debris removal project, we get it! Even folks with a pickup truck are not necessarily able to do what's required for heavy lifting and loading.  Which is why we invite you to contact us for an estimate.

At Junk King, we make junk removal easy by doing all the hard work for you. If you want more information on junk removal, give us a call.

We are proud to be North America’s greenest junk removal service.

In fact, Junk King pioneered recycling based junk removal in 2005 and we have been going greener ever since. But “going green” means much more than simply recycling. It also means we donate, repurpose, and reuse everything from clothing, toys, baby cribs and strollers to office furniture and supplies.

Our professional and insured junk and debris removal team will show up at your home and we'll call you 15 to 30 minutes before we arrive on site. Also, we will provide you with a free estimate based on how much room your construction debris and other junk takes up in our truck.

All you'll need to do is just point and we'll haul your waste materials and debris into our junk removal trucks, with no hidden fees. Ever.

So, ready to get rid of your home improvement debris? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3.

You can make an appointment by booking online above or by calling 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).