The Blueprint for a Stress-Free Renovation

Planning a remodel? Home renovations create more debris than most homeowners expect. That’s why responsible waste disposal is an important practice—not only will the environment thank you but you will save money, headaches and stay compliant with local rules. A total winner! 

In this 2-part blog series, we’ll cover everything you need to know to begin with the end in mind and take you through to the home stretch. 

Part 1: Lessons Learned from My Renovation Projects: How Smart Research Sets Up a Successful Renovation

Renovation projects can quickly become overwhelming, turning a simple task into a chaotic mess of debris and wasted time. But with proper planning, you can prevent the headache before it starts.

Take my recent project, for example. I was helping an out-of-state homeowner sell her house and signed on to clear the debris from her backyard. My intent was to get the job done quickly and efficiently, so I went with the first recology company that had good ratings, assuming they'd set me up correctly. Never assume. I had no idea I wasn't asking the right questions, which sent me down the wrong path—a detour I'm now sharing to get you on the right track.

The company I chose recommended I find out if I needed a permit to put the dumpster on the street. Easy enough, right? Wrong. When I called the city, I found out they had an exclusive service agreement with another company. By then, I had already put time and money into a company I couldn't even use. This caused so many frustrating delays. My attempt to quickly get the job done ended up costing me my deposit on the first container, only to have to pay a second deposit with the city's designated provider.

When I first got the keys, this is what the backyard looked like.

This lesson cost me a good amount of time and money, proving that smart research is the first step toward a successful renovation. To help you avoid a similar mess, I've broken down my experience into a simple, two-step process that will keep your projects precise and cost-effective.

Step 1: Contact Your City's Recology Department When speaking to the city's recology department, ask:

• How many curbside bulk garbage pickups are you allowed per year? What is allowed/not allowed in these pickups?

• Where can you dump the remaining items and debris?

• Do waste items need to be separated by category (appliances, wood, metal, etc.)?

• How are hazardous materials to be handled?

• What are the costs per item? Per dump visit?

  
  

If your city does allow third-party vendors, also ask:

• Is a permit required to place the dumpster on the street, or is my driveway okay?

• Are there any space clearance requirements when dropping off a container?

• Will the third-party vendor separate the different materials for you, or will you have to rent multiple containers?

• What are the extra costs if the container overflows?

• When can they deliver and pick up the container?

  
  

The second and most often overlooked step before executing your plan is preparing for the physical work. On a separate project, a simple backyard cleanup, I showed up like a total rookie in a tee shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes. The next day, my allergies flared up, dust and debris were in my eyes, and my whole body was itchy. I spent the rest of the week soaking in salt baths and drenched in calamine itch cream.

Check if you have the following to get started on your reno project:

• Gloves, masks, goggles, and headwear

• Standard necessities like shovels, rakes, garbage bags, brooms, deck mops, buckets, sponges, soap, bleach, vinegar, a trolley, and extension cords

• And if you can, invest in a new pair of coveralls and steel-toe boots—even better!

These items are worth including in your overall renovation budget. When you're considering quality and quantity, remember that these tools will likely be used for future projects, making them a worthwhile investment rather than a one-time cost.

Stephen R. Covey famously wrote, "Begin with the end in mind." For my recent renovation projects, that meant doing my research first—and I learned that lesson the hard way, both with my wallet and my health.

Two weeks later, it looked like a house again, lol!

My biggest lesson? Always contact your city's recology department to find out if they have an exclusive service agreement with specific companies.

Ready to tackle the tougher side of renovation cleanup? Look for Part 2: Dispose of Renovation Materials: Hazardous Waste & Cleanup for tips on safe disposal, dumpster rentals, and eco-friendly strategies.