House Trash Outs/Junk Removal-How to get contracts

[Fedupwiththis]

See people always talk about the dump and cost to get rid of stuff... You'd be amazed what people will buy at auction houses. You find a farm auction coming up and drop off 20 paint cans I guarantee someone will bid $2 on them so they can paint their old barn for cheap. Unless it is actual "Trash" like papers or old food.. it can be sold at an auction.

[crown1424]

Originally Posted by nwmsfootball79

Hello,

I am starting a junk removal and residential trash/clean outs company while I am in college. I have been doing junk removal for about a year and had house trash outs here and there but want to get more residential house clean outs.


I would like to gain business/contracts from realtors in my area as well as apartments/student housing landlords.


Licensed and insured


What do you think is the best way to do this?
For realtors should I just email several and see what happens or stop in their office too?

Same with apartment complexes and landlords?


Thank you for any and all advice I really appreciate it

Do i need a specific license to remove and transport junk to a landfill?

[Arya Stark]

My town has a facebook group and a lot of small time vendors post something there.

[edgeair]

Originally Posted by crown1424

Do i need a specific license to remove and transport junk to a landfill?

You should check with your state DOT or environment ministry. Some areas do have restrictions or licences.

[NJ Brazen_3133]

Originally Posted by ericp501

I believe in this business its not just the cleanout itself that generates money. My wife and I dropped a pickup truck full of "junk" off at an auction house last spring and got a $150 check back. Imagine a box truck full of similar junk, would probably generate $500-$1000. Then on top of that you may have random big money items from time to time, a big old butcher block table, a zero turn lawn mower, flat screens, appliances.. these items could be kept at a storage location and sold on ebay or craigslist for top dollar. Any "trash" thats left over could likely be donated allowing you to keep more of your $.

I'd assume an average clean out that is charging $500 for a truck load, will also make another $750 with all the items sent to auction, and maybe another $750 if the "quality items" are sold on craigslist or ebay. Averaging 2 clean outs a day would probably get you to $2million. Could probably do it with a crew of 5 guys and 2 trucks with pretty limited overhead compared to most other businesses. With the ability to "writeoff" a lot of stuff.

I've thought about getting into this for a very long time.

Why would anyone want to buy that second hand junk? You can easily find similar products on sale/clearance at most retailers, and they never been used. Unless we talking about antiques. Antiques are usually not thrown out like that unless owner is ignorant. Those opportunities dont come around that often.

Originally Posted by ericp501

See people always talk about the dump and cost to get rid of stuff... You'd be amazed what people will buy at auction houses. You find a farm auction coming up and drop off 20 paint cans I guarantee someone will bid $2 on them so they can paint their old barn for cheap. Unless it is actual "Trash" like papers or old food.. it can be sold at an auction.

Unless they have these kinds of auctions, and there are always cans of paint available, timing the match of buyer and seller is going to rough.