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Trash Haulers and Hazardous Waste Collection - Clearing Out Your Cambridge House - Part VII

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA

When you're selling your house you're usually required to leave it in broom clean condition and empty of all items and debris.  And empty means empty - that pile of stuff in the corner of the cellar? it's got to go. Those old bottles of weedkiller or cans of old paint?  You can't leave them.

Our possessions often seem to expand to fill whatever space is available. If you've lived in your house for a long time or if you're downsizing to a smaller home, there's a good chance that there's plenty of stuff you'd rather not bring with you.

In Cambridge we're lucky enough to have curbside trash pickup.  I was surprised however to find new rules on the City's website about how much trash can be left for pickup.  Cambridge has tightened the regulations in what I imagine is a cost cutting measure.  The rules allow for only one major piece of furniture to be left out each week.  You're not going to be ready to move at that rate.

So - who you should you call to dispose of unwanted goods?  And what about what we've learned to call "hazardous waste" - those ubiquitous bottles of chemicals, cans of paint, spare tires, old propane tanks, etc?

Trash Haulers and Clean-Out Companies

men filling a trash truckThe trash haulers who'll clear out your house or basement are the last step in the process of cleaning out your house before the sale.  Pricing is done by estimate, by weight, by the dumpster or by the partial or full truck load. They'll send a crew who'll haul your stuff out and away.  There are typically extra charges for some items - TVs, large appliances, computer monitors, etc. since the hauler has to pay an additional charge for disposal.  Household chemicals are typically not taken.

Companies include:

Jim's Clean-Up and Haul-Away of Cambridge....617-868-7066

Clean-Up - Clean-Out....617-846-5134

1-800-GOTJUNK....1-800-468-5865

Hazardous Waste Disposal

If you do have unwanted old paint cans, household chemicals, gasoline and other substances no longer allowed in the trash you'll need to plan in advance to drop them off at a Hazardous Waste Collection Day. Several are held in Cambridge each year and for a fee you can drop off at a collection day at the Minuteman Facility in Lexington.

Sometimes the new buyers of your house will want cans with current paint colors to be left with the house.  You should always have your agent check with the buyers to make sure they want the paint rather than discover the morning of your house sale that you've got to clear out those shelves of paint.

Hazardous Waste Facility Sign 

By the time you're done clearing out your house you'll probably resolve to never, ever collect so much stuff again.  Collecting stuff seems to part of the makeup of many of us however.  Here's George Carlin's take on the subject. 

For more ideas see the rest of the series about Cleaning Out Your Cambridge House:

Sell Your Stuff To Sell Your House

Appraisers, Auctions and Antique Dealers

Estate Sales and Garage Sales

Selling Your Stuff Online 

Consignment Shops

Donating Furniture, Household Goods and More

 

Comments (13)

Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Liz - this is great stuff. So often folks need help with the trash and hazardous waste. I loved being able to put out appliances too (with paid permits of course). I have use 1800GOTJUNK a couple of times and they are terrific. We have a couple of GREEN haulers out here now, too.

BTW I spoke with Paul Turcotte today at my old RE/MAX Destiny Office. he speaks highly of you, and of your bloggingl You ARE the top blogger in the Cambridge area without a doubt!!

Jeff

Aug 26, 2009 03:25 PM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Jeff ~ GotJunk is such an easy way to deal with unwanted stuff - what a concept. I remember reading about the guy who started it - it all took off when he got the phone number as I recall. 

As much as I want to shout about blogging from the rooftops I have to say it's pretty nifty that so few have jumped on board around here.  I'm amazed when I see how popular it's become in other parts of the country. Thank you!

Liz

Aug 26, 2009 03:46 PM
Michael Rohde
Sunstreet Mortgage LLC. Licensed Mortgage Professional - Tucson, AZ

You know Liz, It's so hard to part with our stuff. George Carlin's take is great. When we travel we take part of our stuff with us. We have too much. But as it relates to real estate, you are so correct. People have a hard time parting with what they need to for the property to look it's best. Nice post.

Aug 26, 2009 07:10 PM
Joseph D. Federico
MVP Realty - Naples, FL
Southwest Florida Homes with Joe Federico

Liz-Great post, great series.

Aug 27, 2009 12:06 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Michael ~ George definitely had my number with that routine.  It's a struggle - many of us do love our stuff!

Thanks Joe! It was fun and something I was dealing with recently so helped me too.

Liz

Aug 27, 2009 02:08 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Elizabeth, in this area, a wonderful Realtor's son started a company called College Hunks Hauling Junk.  Developing the business plan was a class project when he was getting his MBA.   They are opening up in other cities now.  I'm about to call them to clear out my garage!  Their web site is pretty cute.

Aug 27, 2009 02:39 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

HELLO ELIZABETH!  Great great stuff!  especially about hazard waste -- so often I see people dump paint cans or chemical buckets in the trash because they don't know what else to do!  Glad you got the word out! -- Gabrielle

Aug 27, 2009 08:32 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Pat ~ That is a company I will check out! Too funny.

Hi Gabrielle ~ The list of hazards grows all the time - it really does make you think about what you bring home.

Liz

Aug 27, 2009 01:10 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Most government agencies have lists of how to take care of household hazardous waste responsibly. People just aren't aware that this service exist...

Aug 28, 2009 01:30 AM
Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner
Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA
Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Hi Liz ~ Great topic for a post. Lots of good, important info for consumers.

Denise

Aug 28, 2009 02:42 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Paul ~ They do a pretty good job around here of getting the word out. In Cambridge Hazardous Waste Collection days are a big deal - lots of cops directing traffic, a big crew from the DPW - I always come away so impressed by the great job they do.

Hi Denise ~ I just read a Featured Post about a house filled with junk - it's time to call in the Trash Haulers or Clean-Out guys - it makes such a big difference if people can *see* the house that's for sale.

Liz

Aug 28, 2009 03:16 AM
Jen Bowman
Keller Williams on the Water - Holmes Beach, FL
Realtor - Anna Maria Island & Bradenton FL

Hi Liz, This is a great post with really good information. I've given half used cans of paint away on Craigslist and Freecyle, a yahoo group. It's a great way to get rid of things. In our area we have electronics recycling days twice a year. I wonder if they have that in the Cambridge area?

Aug 29, 2009 05:15 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Jen ~ That's a nifty thing for your town to do.  I don't know of a specific day for electronics recycling here though recently a group has started sponsoring electronics recycling days at various Massachusetts schools for a cost that is lower than that charged by local towns and cities.  Most municipalites require you to purchase a sticker and then the applicance, etc gets picked up on a particular day. I've got some neighbors who can't seem to get with the program - their huge TV, monitor etc gets left out on trash day, doesn't get picked up and then sits there for days.  Grrrrr.

Liz

Aug 29, 2009 10:54 AM