How to Hire Yard Waste Removal Services

After cleaning up an outdoor space, the question of what to do with your freshly gathered yard waste can be tricky. You could rent a dumpster and do it all yourself or finish the job sooner by hiring a yard waste removal service. These companies pick up yard waste from your home and dispose of it properly. That way, all you need to worry about is how to soothe your muscles after all that raking and shoveling.

How to Find a Yard Waste Removal Pro

Finding a yard waste removal pro can be as easy as searching online for a yard waste removal service near you. From there, you can read company reviews and check qualifications to narrow down your pick. Alternatively, ask your neighbors if they have any yard waste removal pros in mind whose services they can vouch for.

Before Hiring a Yard Waste Removal Service

Before you decide which yard waste removal service you want to hire, it's important to check the following things off your list to ensure the process goes smoothly.

Plan Your Yard Project for Accurate Quotes

Whether you’re making the first phone call to a pro or having them come over to your property to view the job site, one thing’s for sure: you want to have a solid plan. A clear idea of your project will help you get the most accurate quotes from prospective service companies. 

Here are some variables that you should keep in mind as you plan:

• Determine whether or not the project requires wood-chipping equipment: This factor can add to the cost of your quote, as large pieces of wood and waste may need to be reduced to smaller pieces to be removed or recycled. Any tree stumps or large branches greater than one inch in diameter need to go through a chipper, so check with a pro if you’re not sure about the tools used for tree removal.

• Know where the waste goes: If making green choices is important to you, make sure the garbage removal companies near you use sustainable practices to get rid of waste. Most yard waste can be recycled and reused—especially old metal—and some companies go out of their way to adhere to strict recycling programs.

• Get at least three quotes: Don’t take one company’s word for it when it comes to estimates. Research different pros near you by looking at online reviews and testimonials, then aim for three quotes from different lawn waste removal companies. Be sure to talk with different pros about what criteria they use for their pricing models to ensure you’re getting the best rate.

Projects That May Require Yard Waste Removal Services 

• Landscaping. Most changes to your outdoor space require the removal of plant growth. Whether you’re changing the layout of your garden, clearing space for a patio, or just reshaping your lawn, you’ll probably end up with multiple bags full of organic matter like old brush, grass clippings, and more. 

• Seasonal clean-up. Outdoor lovers know the spring cleaning routine: out with the old, in with the new. That includes yard waste, as many people find themselves with tons of leaves they need to rake into bags before a yard waste removal service hauls them off. 

• Trimming trees. Most removal services will take branches and pieces of trimmed trees. So next time you give the trees on your property their annual haircut, think of your local yard waste removal company to take the clippings away. 

Check Your Yard Waste Hauling Pro’s Qualifications and References

Once you have a pro who picks up yard waste in mind, now it’s time to check their qualifications and make sure the company is reputable. Make sure your pro has the following attributes:

• License or permit to dispose of waste and handle hazardous material (if needed in your area)

• Certificate of insurance and bonding

Also, it’s a good idea to ask for references from previous customers, especially if you’ve already looked up their website and haven’t found any testimonials.

Questions to Ask Your Yard Waste Hauling Professional

Even if your plan is all laid out, it’s still a good idea to make a list of questions to ask your pro before the project day. Consider the questions below as a good starting point on what to ask about the yard debris hauling process:

What kind of equipment is needed to complete the removal?

You’ll want to know if the pro needs large machines to saw or grind up large pieces of wood, as this may mean an increase in expenses. Boulder removal costs rise if a pro needs to bring in an excavator or dumpster rental.

What do you do with the junk you remove from my property?

Eco-conscious consumers should quiz hauling companies about what they do with the waste they collect. Does it go straight to a dump or landfill, or is it recycled? This question is especially important if you’re hoping to work with an environmentally friendly yard waste company.

Is there a recycling processing charge?

Some companies tack on additional fees for recycling potentially hazardous waste, so check with the company to see if you’ll need to pay for recycling.

How long will the project take?

Different types of jobs require different timeframes. For example, deck teardowns often take extra time because a crew needs to divide the materials before loading them onto the truck so that metal, concrete, wood, and yard waste are separate, making recycling easier.

Tips for Hiring Your Yard Waste Hauling Pro

Now that you’ve established plans and the pro has answered any questions you have, it’s time to get down to business. Hiring a yard waste service to recycle yard waste can seem a little daunting, as you’ll want to obtain and review a contract, set up a payment plan before signing off, and keep track of the progress of your project.

Let’s take a look at these sections more closely.

Get a Contract and Arrange Payments with Your Pro

Ensure that you and your pro agree on the down payment, payment structure, plan for unexpected expenses, and any insurance info before the project start date.

Keep Records of Your Project

Yes, your pro or service company should be in charge of keeping track of the project’s progress, but you should do the same. Keep tabs on the hours they’re working, the progress made, and whether or not it looks like they’re on schedule to finish on the agreed-upon date. Raise any concerns ASAP.

After Your Yard Waste Removal Pro Has Finished

Once the job is complete, you’ll likely need to make a final payment. In addition, don’t hesitate to play inspector and survey the site to make sure they have completed the project as planned. 

If you think they did a good job, consider leaving a positive review and serving as a reference for future customers for that company.

Sophie Yalkezian contributed to this article.