Now’s the perfect time to get rid of all that trash, junk and just plain stuff you don’t need anymore. Tons of companies in the junk pick up business are out there, competing for you as a customer. That’s the good news. The not-so-good news is that it can be a challenge to choose the best junk pick up service for your needs. To help you make an informed choice, we proudly present the following guidelines. Where To Look For Professional Junk Pick Up Searching online for a junk management service is a good start, but from there, you’ll want to narrow down the selection a little. The best advice is usually, “Stay close to home.” Local junk pick up companies can get a truck to your home easily (and make follow-up visits on a regular basis, if that’s what you’re looking for.) They are also familiar with nearby resources for recycling and trash disposal. How To Get Estimates Focus your search even more by concentrating on junk pick up service businesses that offer free estimates as part of their service package. When their company reps come to your home, all you’ll need to do is point toward the trash or other items you want removed. For most jobs, the junk pros will calculate your cost estimate based on volume measured in cubic yards. (FYI, one cubic yard is roughly equivalent to five to six filled 13-gallon trash bags.) The quoted cost is clear and simple; it includes everything up front -- all labor, truck service and dump or recycling fees. Special Requests Before speaking with the junk pick up firms, make a list of your priorities and any special needs. For example, you may be looking for a company with a good-sized truck fleet who can haul away a high volume of trash within a very short time. Or you could have several large appliances to get rid of. In the case of a tenant move out or an estate clean up, the crew might need to remove both trash and personal items from multiple rooms, and perhaps sweep up afterward. Whatever circumstances you are facing, make sure that the service you hire is prepared to handle your pick up in the most efficient and careful way.