So, I recently got my hands on this duplex property that was filled to the brim with trash. I decided to tackle the mess head-on by renting a 20′ U-Haul truck for 24 hours, which cost me $65 plus an additional $15 for gas. To make the cleanup process more manageable, I hired two helpers at $17 per hour each. The whole cleanup operation involved unloading the trash at the transfer station, which I had to do in two trips. The total cost for this part of the cleanup came to $139 for the first trip and $162 for the second trip. It took us about 30 minutes to travel to the transfer station and unload everything.
In addition to the garbage from the duplex, I also used the U-Haul to pick up a load of oblong building materials. This turned out to be a smart move because getting a static dumpster would have set me back around $400 plus an additional $400 for disposal. By opting for the U-Haul and taking two trips to the transfer station, I managed to save a total of $419 compared to the dumpster option, although it did require an hour of my time.
Looking back, there are a few things I would have done differently to make the whole cleanup process smoother. For starters, I would have scheduled 3-4 helpers instead of just two. The first helper canceled on me last minute, and the second one got too tired after three hours. Thankfully, his cousin stepped in to help, but then the replacement helper wasn’t as reliable and kept disappearing every hour.
In terms of pricing, I realized that paying a flat rate per day would have been more cost-effective than paying by the hour. My suggestion would be $50 for a half-day of work and $100 for a full day. I also learned the importance of having enough contractor bags on hand. We almost ran out of bags during the cleanup, so it’s better to be prepared with a full box of bags.
One important lesson I learned is to communicate clearly from the start about the nature of the job. It’s a dirty and potentially moldy task, so warning anyone who is squeamish about these things is crucial. I provide all the necessary personal protective equipment, like respirators and goggles, but it’s important to make sure everyone is aware of what they’re getting into.
To make the cleanup process more efficient, I would recommend moving any items worth saving to a designated area beforehand.