10 Expert Tips in Choosing a Rubbish Removal Company

Streamline Your Rubbish Removal Selection

Moving to a new home or doing a big cleanup around the house often means you’ll have unwanted junk and rubbish to dispose of.

Hiring a professional rubbish removal company can save you time and effort getting rid of it all.

But not all rubbish removal companies are created equal.

Follow these 10 tips from ABC Rubbish Removal Melbourne to choose the best rubbish removal company for your needs.

1. Look for Licensed and Insured Companies

When hiring any service professional to come to your home, you want to make sure they are properly licensed and insured. This protects you in case any damages or injuries occur on your property.

Before choosing a rubbish removal company, verify they have a current license to operate in your state and local area. Ask to see proof of insurance as well, including liability and workers’ compensation policies. Reputable companies will have no problem providing this documentation.

2. Compare Multiple Quotes

Don’t go with the first rubbish removal company you come across. Take the time to get quotes from at least three different companies so you can compare pricing. The quotes should clearly explain what is included—the size of the truck, number of workers, hours, disposal fees, etc. Make sure you are comparing equivalent services in the quotes.

Getting multiple quotes allows you to assess which reliable company offers the best value. Just make sure to get quotes far enough in advance so you have time to thoughtfully consider your options.

3. Ask About Pricing Details

As mentioned above, the quote should spell out exactly what is included in the quoted price. Make sure to ask questions about any unclear fees or charges. Here are some key pricing details to ask about:

  • Minimum service fees – Many companies charge a minimum 1 or 2-hour service fee. Even if the job takes less time, you pay the minimum.
  • Hourly rates – What is the hourly rate after the minimum service fee is met? Make sure to clarify if this is based on time on site or active working time.
  • Disposal fees – Will you be charged additional dump or disposal fees? How are these calculated?
  • Fuel surcharges – With fluctuating gas prices, there may be fuel surcharges added.
  • Weight-based pricing – Some companies charge by the ton for debris removal. Make sure to find out their rates for this.
  • Extra labor fees – If you help with loading debris, there may be an additional fee for the extra worker.

Getting clarification on these pricing details will help prevent any surprise charges on the final bill. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions!

4. Verify They Have Proper Equipment and Vehicles

Removing large amounts of junk and rubbish requires heavy-duty equipment and trucks. Before hiring a rubbish removal company, you’ll want to make sure they have access to the proper vehicles and tools for the job.

Some key equipment to ask about includes:

  • Truck size – Make sure they have a truck big enough to handle the amount of debris you need removed. Bigger jobs may require a larger truck than a standard pickup.
  • Loading tools – Do they have access to equipment like forklifts, dollies, and ramps to assist with loading? Handloading a huge pile of junk into a truck bed can be difficult.
  • Protective gear – Rubbish removal can be a dirty job. Ensure the crew uses proper protective equipment like gloves and boots.
  • Safety tools – It’s crucial for them to have tools like traffic cones and signs to safely block off the work area from traffic.

Taking a look at the company’s truck fleet and equipment can give you confidence they are well-equipped for rubbish removal.

5. Read Reviews from Past Customers

One of the best ways to evaluate a rubbish removal company is to read reviews from their past customers. Look for reviews on Google, Yelp, and other review websites. Pay attention to how long the company has been in business and how frequently they receive positive reviews.

Here are some key things to look for in customer reviews:

  • Timeliness – Did they show up on schedule? Finish in the quoted timeframe?
  • Professionalism – Were the workers polite, friendly, and hard-working?
  • Care for property – Did they take care in not damaging anything on the property?
  • Fair pricing – Does the final bill match the quoted price? Any hidden fees?
  • Responsiveness – How quickly did the company respond to inquiries or issues?
  • Overall satisfaction – Would the customer use the company again in the future?

Positive reviews build trust that the company provides quality rubbish removal services and cares about customer satisfaction. But don’t ignore negative reviews either—look for responses from the company addressing concerns raised.

6. Ask About Their Sustainability Practices

These days more people are concerned about hiring green companies with sustainable practices. When reaching out to rubbish removal companies, ask them about how they handle recycling and all types of waste disposal.

Here are some key sustainability questions to ask:

  • Do they recycle debris like wood, metal, electronics, cardboard, etc.?
  • Will they donate any usable furniture or household items you no longer need?
  • Do they deliver material to facilities that convert waste to energy?
  • What percentage of waste do they recycle or divert from landfills on average?
  • Are their truck fleet and equipment fuel efficient?

A company dedicated to sustainability will happily answer these questions and explain its “green” business practices.

7. See If They Offer Guarantees

Reputable rubbish removal companies will stand behind their service by offering customer guarantees. Here are some key guarantees to look for:

  • Satisfaction guarantee – Do they promise you’ll be happy with the service or your money back?
  • Upfront pricing guarantee – This guarantees your final bill won’t exceed the quoted price.
  • Workmanship guarantee – This guarantees care will be taken not to damage your property. If any damage does occur, they promise to repair or compensate.
  • Timing guarantee – Do they guarantee to complete the work in a set timeframe, or do you get a percentage discount?
  • Eco-friendly guarantee – For companies emphasizing sustainability, do they guarantee a certain percentage of waste will be recycled or diverted?

Strong guarantees like these demonstrate the company values customer service and has confidence in the quality of work they provide.

8. Ask About Their Hiring and Screening Process

You want to make sure the rubbish removal crew that shows up at your home is trustworthy and professional. When contacting companies, ask them to explain their hiring process and what screening steps are taken.

Here are important things to ask about their hiring and screening practices:

  • Background checks – At a minimum, employees should have passed a criminal background check. Some companies also run drug tests and DMV record checks.
  • Interviews – Does the company conduct thorough in-person interviews to evaluate work ethic, professionalism, and reliability?
  • Reference checks – Speaking with references can reveal past issues with unreliability, complaints from customers, problems with substance abuse, etc.
  • Orientation & training – Is there a formal orientation process? Do new hires go through job skills and safety training?

Learning about the hiring process can help you decide if the company recruits and selects responsible, professional staff.

9. Confirm They Have Proper Licenses for Hazardous Materials

Does the junk you need to haul away include hazardous materials like chemicals, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, or oil-based paints? If so, you need to make sure the rubbish removal company has proper licenses to handle these types of hazardous wastes.

Businesses that transport and dispose of hazardous materials must have an EPA ID number proving they are certified to do so safely and legally. Don’t take their word for it—ask to see a copy of the hazmat licenses and confirm the ID number is valid by contacting your state’s EPA office.

Improper disposal of hazardous waste can result in serious environmental damage and hefty fines. A licensed company will know how to properly transport and dispose of hazardous materials.

10. Get Everything in Writing

Before hiring a rubbish removal company, make sure to get all agreements in a written contract. The contract should clearly state:

  • The date and timeframe when the work will be performed
  • Exact services to be provided – size of truck, number of workers, hours on site, etc.
  • Full pricing details including fees, surcharges, hourly rates, weight-based rates, minimums, etc.
  • How final payment will be calculated – hourly, by weight tickets, flat fee, etc.
  • Guarantees provided by the company

Do not make any assumptions about what is included. Carefully review the contract to ensure it reflects everything verbally agreed upon. Only sign the contract when you fully understand and agree to all the terms and pricing.

By following these tips and doing thorough research, you can hire a professional, ethical rubbish removal company you can trust. Taking the time to carefully evaluate multiple companies will give you peace of mind that your project is in capable hands. So don’t settle for less than excellence when outsourcing your junk-hauling needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size truck do I need for rubbish removal?

The truck size needed depends on the amount of junk you have. A standard pickup truck can hold 1-2 cubic yards. Larger loads require a 10-14 cubic yard truck. Extra large amounts of rubbish may need a 20+ cubic yard roll-off dumpster brought onsite. Tell the company how much junk you have so they send the properly sized truck.

Should I be home during the rubbish removal?

You do not need to be home for rubbish removal as long as you are comfortable giving the crew access. Make sure valuables are secured. Review the photo ID of workers before letting them onsite. You may want to arrange to be home at the end to inspect the site and sign off on completion.

How can I get the lowest price on rubbish removal?

Getting quotes from at least 3 companies is the best way to get the lowest price. Compare the exact services included to make sure pricing is equivalent. Offering to help load debris yourself can also sometimes lower labor costs. Avoid peak seasons like summer when demand goes up. Ask if they offer any discounts for seniors, military, teachers, etc.

Should I tip the rubbish removal crew?

Tipping etiquette for rubbish removal is similar to furniture delivery. Crews work hard loading tons of junk by hand, so $10-$20 tips per mover are appreciated tokens of thanks. Bigger teams may have a single tip jar to split among workers. Tipping is optional but does show you value their labor.

Conclusion

Finding the right rubbish removal company takes a bit of research and comparison shopping. But taking the time upfront is well worth it.

Having professionals you can trust handle the junk-hauling process will give you great peace of mind.

Just be sure to verify licenses, experience, and proper equipment and read reviews before choosing your removal team.

Hire a company that instills confidence they will handle the job in an ethical, eco-friendly manner while providing excellent service.