Hauling away debris

Ken C.

I usually take away the material I'm replacing, whether it be pipe, a faucet, boiler relief valve, etc. Recently, I had two jobs that involved replacing 4" cast iron drainage pipe, toilets, etc. I work out of one of the new Freightliner Sprinters, which are fairly narrow. The truck floor is also crowded with toolboxes, since two of us work to a truck. After both jobs, we had to leave the old cast iron behind since we didn't have room in the truck. On one of the jobs, the landlord wanted us to take away the old toilet. I offered to bring it to the curb, where it would be picked up with the regular trash, but he didn't like that option. I told him sorry, but our truck didn't have the room. We might have taken it if we were going back to our shop, where we could unload it in our dumpster, but we were going directly to another service call. Our truck is crowded enough, so having to climb over old cast iron and a toilet to get to a part would be nearly impossible. Other plumbers say they don't haul away old pipe that they replace, their argument is that it's the property owner's trash. I think differently, I really would like to remove the stuff I replace, but our truck doesn't have the room. How can I handle this situation with future customers? (I know someone might suggest a pickup truck, but our company doesn't have one, and we don't send two trucks on service jobs.)

Ken_8

The usual and customary

treatment of demo materials from a job we or you does is to ask the customer if they want any of the stuff, and if not, take it to the junk or garbage dump/yard.

In light of recent prices of scrap metals, especially copper and brass, it is insane not to take it.

Even the pallets from a boiler should be removed. The old adage, "If we made the mess - we should clean it up" is valid. Regardless of how easy or hard. Then too, if you leave iron or steel at the curb for a later pickup - it's usually gone before you return because everyone knows scrap is worth something these days.

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R. Kalia

Hauling of debris created by the job (including old pipes) is usual and customary. If you're not going to do it, you need to state it explicitly in the contract. You might lose business as a result. How you do it is up to you, but it is unprofessional not to do it.

Pat Clark

trash

We also haul off trash from the job. If there is too much to fit in the truck we would make arrangements to return to pick it up as soon as possible. We always ask if there are parts they want to keep (otherwise sure enough you will haul something off they want and think you are going to make a fortune on it) and then haul it back to the office where the scrappable materials are thrown in a recycle drum and all the rest goes in the dumpster.

Pat Clark

Dingo

We take it away......

if not right then for whatever reason, we make an appointment to go back and get it. IT's part of the job, and the techs are paid to do it... that makes it part of my follow up.

If a return trip is necessary ... then thats the way it is.. but we do it.

HTH

Peace
Dingo

Phil_6

Trash

We always take all the garbage EXCEPT boxes and packing materials from fixtures or appliances provided by the customer.If we have to go back for it, so be it. I keep a an old pickup truck I have just for those cases where it's too much to fit in the trucks. We may only need it every couple of weeks but it comes in handy. Plus I can leave the garbage in the truck for a day or 2 if we don't have time or if it's raining or whatever.

Weezbo

on a remodel...I suggest the owner take responsibility

for the garbage,after all i am not in the garbage business.
in most instances they own the place and are into saving a $ maybe they want to try to sell the stuff to a junk dealer? who knows?
Before you haul the stuff off you had best have that clarified...or you may be buying new piece for the dude for FREE.
up front state you arent in the garbage business,if they want it hauled off ok fine,if they want the junk ,ok fine.
dont assume a g-d thing. i belive you should clean the place up S.O.P. However the thing is to get the idea straight from the gate.