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This past weekend I was given permission to clean out a house that a contractor is working on. I gave them my number and asked them to call me if they have any other houses I can grab metal out of. The house was abandoned and this guy was flipping it.
Is there anything I need to watch out for regarding this? Be it legal, business etc… I’m brand new to this so hit me with all of it please.
Food in refrigerators. Have some kind of evidence that the person/company that gave you the stuff had the right to do so. Is "this guy" the legal owner? When I cleaned out houses, I subcontracted with the guy who had the State contract to empty property of people who were in State care. If your house includes clothing, consider taking it and donating to a charity that works with the homeless (you may be able to take a tax deduction).
Are you taking basically only metal stuff or cleaning everything? Have a good idea of rolloff rentals, tipping fees and landfill/dump charges. Will this involves "broom clean" cleaning?
Also, I've dealt with "unbelievable" stuff - One had a pile (literally) of hypodermic syringes, several dead cats, feces several inches thick, food that had been in a refrigerator without electricity for two years (we strapped the door shut, threw it out a window, the contractor's employee emptied it and we let it air out over night before I closed the door and loaded it. It still stunk a week later.). Found a couple dead rats.
The best option is if you can "cherry pick" stuff. Leave anything you don't want for the main contractor to deal with.
This one I've been able to cherry pick, I've kept myself outside and on the ground. Basically stayed outta their way and didn't get on any ladders. Didn't want to go getting myself hurt on their property. Any metal they find, they're gonna drop at the curb for me.
The ownership thing, they were obviously contractors, and there was a Notice of Abandonment on the window. Is that enough? I talked with the workers and it sounded like they were flipping the house.
Appreciate your help Mick
I would say between the notice and knowing a company name, that's enough. And I'd say your tactics are good - taking only stuff that's obviously given to you.
So I can keep at it just like that... That's what I wanted to hear. Thanks. :-)