Preparation is mostly about clear decisions and accurate access information. You do not need to carry everything to the curb. Use this checklist to explain where the items are, protect what stays and make the onsite review straightforward.
Before the visit: confirm the scope
Review your item list and photos. If the pile has grown, a donation fell through or another room needs clearing, tell the team before the visit. Additional items may affect the material, labor, load size or route plan.
- List the furniture, appliances, boxes and other approved items.
- Flag heavy or oversized pieces and anything requiring special handling.
- Mark items that must stay, especially in mixed piles.
- Set aside documents, keys, valuables and other ordinary belongings you want to keep.
Make the access information useful
Describe the route from each pickup area to the loading location. A ground-floor garage and an upstairs room need different planning even when the items are similar.
- Give the floor and stair-flight count, including steps outside the entrance.
- Photograph tight turns and doorways; share elevator dimensions or reservation rules if known.
- Describe where loading is allowed and the distance from each pickup area, even if approximate.
- Share gate access, parking limits and permitted loading hours in advance.
- Arrange authorized entry and identify the person who can approve the job.
- Keep pets away from the carrying route and move vehicles if needed for agreed access.
- Leave heavy items in place for photo review so lifting and any extra help can be planned.
Leave uncertain material untouched
Chemicals, wet paint, fuel, asbestos, needles, biohazards and pressurized tanks are outside a standard pickup. Do not open, sort, move or disturb suspected hazardous material to prepare for removal. Tell the team what you can observe safely so the excluded material and appropriate next step are clear. Dense debris such as concrete or tile also needs its own material and weight review.
At pickup: check the agreed scope
Approve your complete quote and pay the Square invoice before the confirmed pickup. On arrival, check that the items and access match the agreed scope. Discuss changes before any extra work.
- Which items and pickup areas are included?
- What stays, and what is excluded?
- Has anything changed from the approved items, access or paid scope?
- What finish is included, and are completion photos needed?
- After loading, walk through the pickup areas and check the result.