Have you ever received a request like this?

Originally Posted by Garbagemandave

I'm just starting out. So this is the type of requests you generally get from residential customers? Is it worth it as you start to build your business or are you going to run yourself into the ground with too high a cost?

Yes, you'll get a lot of these. Even if you figure out a service radius, you're going to get calls for little stuff that'll wind up costing you - especially if you put a value on your labor/time. You'll get people call you saying they've got "a lot" or "a big pile" and it turns out to be less than 100 pounds if tin/light iron. Just expect it in the beginning until you develop that "instinct" of what's worth it and what's not. The first thing I ask is "what have you got" not "how much have you got". I want to hear specific items, not how big the pile is. The next thing I ask is "is it all outside". I don't want the hassle nor responsibility (liability) of getting anything out of a house. There are exceptions to the latter - like when I subcontract for estate cleanouts.