Do you refuse to go into houses?

I have gone into quite a few houses and have yet to have an issue. I have an appliance dolly with the straps, and make sure it is extra tight so the appliance does not slip. Have not had an issue yet, but a couple of times I let the folks know I could try but since it is such a tight fit (even with taking the refrigerator doors off) something could get scratched. They said they just want it out of their house and they just asked that I be as careful as possible. Knock on wood, so far no scratches. One of those times even though I told them no charge they gave me $20 for fuel as they said they could tell I was being as careful as I could and they appreciated it.

thanks for bringing this up Mick. You guys also have the risk of crazy women attacking you and crying rape and I have the risk of being attacked or worse. I agree, it's better not to in.

My personal policy is I will not go into a home.

It needs to be outside, or at least to the garage.

Scratching or breaking something isn't worth the 5 to 20 bucks I'd get for whatever item I am hauling away.

for me its a financial decision. If it's small and valuable - yes, big and not worth much money - no.

It depends on what the item is. I carry liability insurance, it doesn't cost much a year and its good to cover your ass. If the item is in somebodies house I charge a removal fee, I offer free removal for curbside pickups only. Usually people don't give me a hard time about the fee, and the money I get goes into my account for the next insurance payment. I'm not like a lot on Craigslist or on this forum for that matter. I only offer free pickup for items in my zip code, everywhere else I charge a fuel surcharge and if there is extra work involved in removing the item I charge for my time. I rarely have problems with people not willing to pay. Most are happy getting rid of their items.


P.S. I have not had to use the insurance in the 15 years that I have been scrapping.

that's a good suggestion no matter what biz you're in

Interesting. I've gone in houses before but I don't think I'd remove and rehang a door for a dryer - it's just not worth that much.

I worry about accidents everytime I haul a load. I secure it well and try to stay off high traffic streets but people are so stupid they will expect you to manuver like you're driving a Ferrari and pull out in front of you and stuff. I take it slow and try to watch out for other guys but all I carry is my liability insurance.

Ive gone into peoples homes and unhooked and removed appliances. I have also had to take doors off the hinges to get them out. I have had to dismantle furnaces and take them up thru houses piece by piece. Now if I was only getting the appliances for my time I would say no go that's why I will charge a fee for my time, usually $20 for the first hour and $10 for every hour after. Believe it or not, people are willing to pay the money just to get the items out of their house.

One time I had to take apart a cast iron coal stove in a basement, take it up thru the house to my truck. It took me 5 hours to complete the work. I charged the person $60 for the work and I got another $75 at the scrap yard for the cast. So for 5 hours work, I made $135 for 5 hours of work. The reason it took so long was because I was being careful not to damage anything, and the client was appreciative for it.

You need to think of this as a service and business, your out there to make money. Taking items for free is all fine and dandy, but sometimes its not worth the money unless you get a little more out of the client. If they give me the line that they are giving me the appliance for my time, then I tell them to put it out by the curb and I will come and get it at no charge. If they say no, then I leave the item where it sits and go onto another client. Time is money, and if I'm not going to make any money then its not worth my time.