How to get ready for a garage or attic cleanout

Make three decisions, not thirty

Mark a keep area, a possible donate or give-away area, and a haul-away area. If you aren't sure about an item, don't bury it in a pile. Put it aside and decide later. This protects the things you care about and makes the amount to be hauled easier to see.

Check the items that don't belong in a normal pile

Set aside paint, fuel, chemicals, batteries, and anything you think might require special disposal. Ask about them specifically rather than assuming they can go with furniture or boxes. Go through drawers and containers for documents, valuables, and personal items before moving them into the haul-away group.

Think about the route out

An attic cleanout has a different access challenge from a garage cleanout. Note steep stairs, low ceilings, narrow doors, or a long walk to the driveway. If something is too heavy or unsafe to move yourself, leave it in place and mention it when you ask for an estimate. You don't need to drag everything to the curb just to start the conversation.

Show the scope in a few photos

Take one photo from the doorway, another from the opposite side if you can, and close-ups only for unusual items. Tell Chris what you've already separated and what you still need to decide. A clear picture of the work lets you have a more useful conversation about the estimate.

Worth knowing: Still sorting? That's fine. Say what is definitely going, and flag what might be added later so the estimate is based on the right scope.