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When deciding between renting a dumpster and hiring a junk removal service, the key factors are the type of project, the items you're discarding, and your timeline.

• Rent a dumpster for longer projects like remodeling or construction. It offers flexibility, allowing you to dispose of debris like broken tile, drywall, fixtures, and yard waste over several days. You will be responsible for loading the dumpster yourself.

• Hire a junk removal service for quick, hands-free disposal. This is ideal if you want to get rid of a pile of junk quickly, or if you have heavy or bulky items like furniture and boxes that you don't want to lift yourself. The professionals handle all the labor, often clearing everything out within a few hours.

Not every, but many, states classify fluorescent tubes and CFL light bulbs as hazardous waste that need to be disposed of in a specified manner. California defines its list of hazardous fluorescent tubes as follows:

• Fluorescent tubes, including low mercury tubes.

• Compact fluorescents, including low mercury lamps

• Metal halide lamps, such as floodlights for  large indoor and outdoor areas and gymnasiums

• Sodium lamps, such as those sometimes used as security lighting and outdoor floodlights

• Mercury vapor lamps, such as those sometimes used for street lighting

Most cement companies will haul away old concrete from your property, but they typically charge extra for the service. Expect to pay as low as $250 for haul-away services or an average of $1,100 to demolish and haul away a concrete landscaping feature. You should also confirm with your company that you want these added services, as they’ll need to bring additional equipment and machinery to dismantle the concrete and relocate it to a disposal site. It’s a good idea to have the concrete company handling the new concrete project do this work to save some money.

While a biohazard cleanup sounds like a scary process, knowing what to expect can help ease your concerns and set you up for success. It’s good to note that more than one professional might be needed depending on your situation, but that will be determined during the assessment. What you can expect during a home biohazard cleanup is the following:

• Assessment: The first step in this process is for a biohazard cleanup professional to assess the damage. They create a report that includes the biohazard safety level, the needed damage cleanup, and the time it should take to complete the project. 

• Setup: The cleanup professional prepares the site to prevent cross-contamination and reduce toxicity risk. This process can include tarping and creating decontamination zones. 

• Removal of surface contamination: Any contaminated materials are removed from the area, starting with large materials followed by small ones. The professional can assess any floor-related damage once everything is removed from the site. 

• Salvaging items: The biohazard cleanup professionals assess which items can be saved and which are contaminated beyond the point of saving. Those deemed unsafe will be disposed of immediately. 

• Waste disposal: The next step is carefully disposing of the hazardous waste. Your professional will place the contaminated items in specific containers to keep the contamination from spreading.   

• Disinfection: The house will be disinfected and odor-neutralized. Even more minor details, like light switches and bulbs, will be disinfected so that they do not recontaminate the area in the future. 

• Restoration: Once the decontamination is complete, the last step is to restore the home. This includes repairing the damage to flooring, walls, or even the home's foundation.