How to Choose the Right Junk Removal Company in Oakland

What is the best junk removal service in Oakland CA? Here’s what to look for in a junk removal company.   Junk in your home can start to feel overwhelming. From excess bulky waste to old toys your kids have outgrown, going through each item and figuring out what to do with it can be both a very tedious and time-consuming task.    If you are ready to rid your home of junk accumulation but need some help, it may be time to start looking for an Oakland junk removal company to help you.   When choosing the right junk removal professional for the job, it’s important to know what to look out for, what questions to ask, and what kind of outcome you should expect.   The right Oakland junk removal company can tackle jobs of any size, from bulky item pick-ups, garage cleanouts, and even full estate cleanouts. Here, we will tell you what to look for and what you should know when searching for the best junk removal company in Oakland for your next junk removal project.  

Tips for Choosing the Best Oakland Junk Removal Company

Whether you are a contractor looking to get rid of excess debris, or just an individual who has accumulated too many unwanted things, professional junk removal services can be your savior.   When you want to get rid of stuff but don’t have the time, energy, or resources to do it yourself, it is best to go with a junk removal service.   There are lots of junk haulers in Oakland to choose from, and it can be hard to know how to determine which one is the best for you and your junk project.   Not everyone has used a junk removal service, so it can be hard making that judgment. Or maybe you just don’t know where to begin, here are some tips for finding the best junk removal company in Oakland.  

Full-service junk removal

If you’re hiring a company to help you declutter, you want to make sure you’re receiving full white-glove treatment.   Some companies, like Nixxit, have workers that come and collect all your junk items from right inside your house and will take care of all the labor. This comes in handy when you’re disposing of heavy items such as appliances, furniture, or miscellaneous knick-knacks. This would be considered full-service and usually is included with any reputable junk removal company.   Other companies will ask you to move everything to a central location, like the end of your driveway, or even load the truck yourself.   You will want to make sure you know in advance who will be doing the heavy lifting.   You should also check to make sure the junk removal company can handle any size, weight, and type of junk item.  

Proper tools and equipment

A junk hauler without the right trucks and equipment is like a contractor showing up to a job site without tools.    Make sure the junk removal company you choose has plenty of labor force, a large enough truck, and the right equipment for the job.   Most junk removal services will arrive in a dump truck or a pickup truck with a trailer to haul your items away. A good junk hauler will also have any dollies or tools needed to handle heavier items or disassemble items if needed.   Knowing what kinds of trucks and equipment a junk removal company has at their disposal will help you know whether they’re going to be prepared and won’t have to make more than one trip to get all your unwanted junk out of your way.    For example, a junk remover with a pick-up truck may not be the most efficient vehicle for a large junk removal project like an estate cleanout that may require multiple large loads.  

Do they provide on-site estimates?

Many junk removal professionals offer free no-obligation on-site estimates as a part of their service before the start of any job. This is generally the best and most accurate way for them to assess the job and see what it will require.   Simply describing your load over the phone can oftentimes lead to miscommunication as “a lot” of debris or “not much” can mean something different depending on who you ask and photos don’t always show the true scale of the job size.   The last thing you want to do is be bait-and-switched when the junk remover arrives on-site because your load was larger than they expected after they provided you with a quote over the phone.   

Do they provide eco-friendly junk removal disposal?

While the easy solution is to dump unwanted items in the trash or call someone to come pick it up and take it away – these items simply just don’t “disappear ”once they’ve been thrown away.   The waste has to go somewhere and if it’s not carefully sorted, it may end up in our growing landfill problem.   This means that junk requires some planning to make sure it gets properly tended to.    Plus, when mattresses, appliances, and other junk items end up in a landfill, it causes pollution of the surrounding air, water, and soil.   It’s important to find an Oakland junk removal company with a strong environmental commitment that uses eco-friendly disposal methods like recycling and donating.   Some Oakland junk haulers, such as Nixxit, will not only take junk items to be recycled but will also donate them or make sure they are reused in other ways in an effort to positively impact the environment and give back.   

Make sure they are licensed & insured

Oakland, CA has struggled with the effects of illegal dumping for years and their garbage crisis is currently at its worst. Illegally dumped household garbage, commercial waste, and construction debris garbage is choking city streets and sidewalks, overwhelming Oakland cleanup crews, distressing residents, and wreaking havoc on the environment.   

While some assume illegal dumping and homelessness go hand-in-hand, SaveTheBay.org reports that only 3% of all street trash comes from homeless encampments. The rest comes from fly-by-night haulers who dump waste illegally.

  A professional junk removal company that means business will carry insurance to protect themselves, and more importantly, you! Always opt to only work with a company that is insured. This will not only protect you and your home or business, it will also help you weed out unprofessional junk haulers that will most likely take your items, pocket the money, and illegally dump you items in a back alley.  

Tip – If you aren’t sure whether a company is insured, ask them to see a copy of their Certificate of Insurance (COI). A company should be willing to easily show you or email you a copy.

 

Are they a local small business, franchise, or are they a large corporation that subcontracts out work?

  When searching for an Oakland junk removal service, you will find 3 different types of companies. 

• Small locally owned and operated business – Small locally owned businesses, like Nixxit, are usually owner-operated and their team generally has years of experience under their belt. They usually charge less than larger companies as well. 

 

• Large franchise junk removal company – Franchise companies have their pros and cons. While many of these companies have been in the industry for a while, they often have high employee turnover rates and inexperienced staff to do the work. Not only this, but franchises also have franchise fees built into their pricing structure, meaning they are often more expensive and the customer absorbs this added cost. 

 

• Large corporations that subcontract out work – Companies like LoadUp, Trashwarrior, or Thumbtack are big tech companies that aren’t actually doing any of the work, just collecting Leads. They simply contract out jobs to smaller independent hauling companies. There are several nuisances to this. First, you can’t be sure who’s really coming to your door. Additionally, they take a large percentage of money from jobs – think hefty “finders fees”. Meaning your money doesn’t stay local. 

  Now, more than ever, it’s important to support local businesses that capture the spirit and reflect the diversity of the Oakland community. By supporting small local businesses, you’re also supporting neighbors who are also employed by small businesses.   Nixxit is a locally owned junk removal business, based right here in Oakland, CA. Our team has over 10 years of experience in the junk removal industry and has the skills to tackle any Oakland junk removal project. When you contract our team for junk removal services, your money is staying local and you can count on a team of professionals that know what they are doing.    Think of Nixxit as your local neighborhood-friendly junk removal team.   

Check reviews!

Professionalism and good customer service are crucial to ensure that you have a good experience. When trying to find a perfect match for your junk removal needs, go through the customer reviews on multiple different review sites such as Yelp or Google. Reading through the reviews and looking at the ratings will help you get a general idea of the service you can expect.  

Customer Service Oriented

Even if you don’t like talking on the phone, we encourage you to contact the junk removal company before hiring them! First impressions will be a tell-tale sign of their customer service and what you can expect.    Although, be wary that oftentimes large franchise companies and corporations have highly trained call center staff. This may not always be the best representation of what to expect when it actually comes down to working with the people that are boots on the ground and handling the actual day-to-day service.    Here are some strong indicators of good junk removal customer service.   

• They have a website that is professional, up to date, and informative.
• They offer flexible scheduling that works with your availability.
• They offer streamlined communication with appointment bookings.  
• They are active in the local Oakland neighborhood and community.
• Customer service team members are able to answer any questions.
• They can put you directly in touch with Field Leads for any very technical questions. 

Best Junk Removal Service in Oakland CA

When your “junk removal near me” search turns up too many options, keeping these points in mind can help you with your junk removal selection process and find the best service to adequately fit your junk removal needs. It’s important to take the time to research the company properly and verify that they handle their junk responsibly.   Though it can be a daunting task on its own, choosing the right Oakland junk removal service doesn’t have to be a huge chore when you’re armed with the information you need to make the best decision.  

Nixxit makes Oakland junk disposal easy

If you’re planning or already in the middle of a project that would be made simpler by using an Oakland junk removal company, give Nixxit a call. Nixxit is an active member of the Oakland Community and a proud supporter of the City of Oakland’s efforts to combat illegal dumping in the Oakland community. We recently were one of the sponsors for the 2021 Inaugural Conference on Illegal Dumping hosted by Alameda County District 4 Supervisor, Nate Miley.    After our junk removal professionals arrive and provide you with a final estimate, they get to work, efficiently removing the materials from your home or business.   Whenever possible, items are disposed of in an eco-friendly way, either through recycling, rehoming, or donating.  At Nixxit, we’re happy to handle your junk removal needs, whether you’ve got a single refrigerator or a storage unit full of stuff. If you want to know more about the junk removal process and what it’s like to have Nixxit haul away your junk in Oakland, give us a call or send us an email. We’d love to hear from you.