I recently had some minor deck repairs done at my home where the contractors replaced about a dozen boards and stained the deck. While they packed up their materials afterward, they left all the old wood they removed. The quote I received didn't specify that they would remove debris, and I assumed it was included as part of their job. When I asked the contractor about it, they mentioned that they typically don't remove debris on smaller projects. Is this usually how it works, or should I have expected them to handle the cleanup?
1 Answer
In my experience, it’s pretty common for contractors to leave debris after smaller jobs. If they take care of trash removal, they usually charge extra for that. It can definitely increase the cost of the job. Some contractors might even base their pricing on the assumption that you'll handle debris yourself, especially in small projects.

I totally get that! I often include cleanup in my service because it makes things easier for the homeowner and helps with referrals. But yeah, if you want them to take everything, you should definitely ask for it upfront.