How to Deal with Remodeling Debris Material

You've finally tackled the attic clean out and now, you're ready to jump into a remodel. With all the planning necessary, it's important to take as many contingencies into account so something doesn't sneak-up on you and become an unpleasant surprise. Any experienced contractor will tell you there's far more to a kitchen, bath, or common space upgrade than just purchasing the right materials, getting the required permits, and doing a quality job -- there's always cleanup involved.

How to Deal with Remodeling Debris Material

Even if you've done something as small as converting a closet into a laundry room, you know this to be undeniably true. Just taking out a small section of a wall to open up a space generates far more waste than one would estimate. Unfortunately, it's all part of the process of getting what you want. What's more frustrating is that you can't do just anything with remodeling debris because there are laws regarding proper disposal.

Homeowners who plan to undertake a do-it-yourself job should know the difference between waste and salvageable building materials. Communities and builders are giving incentives to reduce waste and practice better recycling as first steps toward a more responsible building program. Homeowners may opt to manage the construction waste themselves or hire a professional service so that they can spend time on the remodel without worries about managing construction debris. --Bob Vila

If you want to avoid a code violation or a hefty fine for illegal dumping, you'll need to settle on a way to get rid of your remodeling waste. While it would be convenient to use every last piece of material, there will inevitably be debris left over from the job. Here are some helpful suggestions for how to deal with remodeling debris material:

• Plan ahead to use as much as possible. The single best way to make cleanup and disposal less of a burden is to plan ahead and use as much as you can during the project to leave a smaller amount of waste. Even in total gut demolition projects, there are fixtures and other materials which can be used in order to reduce waste.
• Repurpose construction materials for another use. Along the same lines is to repurpose construction materials for some other use around your home or elsewhere. For instance, sections of drywall can be used to patch damaged walls and there are many uses for such materials as useable 2' x 4' studs or lumber.
• Donate your unused remodeling materials to an entity. Churches, schools, and other entities are generally welcoming of unused remodeling materials. These can be put to good use, either at the school or church or somewhere else.
• Rent the right equipment and haul it away on your own. Another option to get rid of remodeling debris material is to rent a dumpster or truck. However, you should know that if you do rent a dumpster, there are certain prohibited materials and it's very easy to pay a lot more than you estimate. You'll find the same holds true if you rent a truck.

If the options listed above aren’t feasible or realistic, you can simply phone 800-737-5923 or visit Pro Junk Dispatch. We go on-site and do all the cleanup and construction and remodeling debris removal for you so you can move onto the next phase of your project or start enjoying your new space right away.