Short update about one of the specifics of the property:

As many of you already know, when we acquired the property, we also acquired about 20 years worth of neglected junk. Things, you know, like tires; many, many windows and miscellaneous glass; piles of rusted metal; metal barrels of more metal and/or general trash; etc. Mucho junko, as the Spanglish may say.

First, there were fires. Controlled ones, of course. A few very big ones that allowed us to remove many unwanted materials–like newspapers, boxes, magazines–as well as other fun things like wooden boxes, a doghouse, and a sectional couch. Beyond that, we have taken about 5 trips to the dump, and 6-7 to the metal recyclers. The dump costs money; metal recyclers pay us. To date, I’d estimate we’ve spent about $20 more than we’ve earned. Not too bad, considering the multitude of crap.

So this gets us to now. Now, what remains is the detritus.

Tired of looking at it, Michelle and I started checking into options… Well, basically hiring someone else to remove that crap. We came up with two services: ‘Got Junk’ and ‘Junk Away’.

Got Junk is a national outfit, I think. You may have seen the ads or even the pretty green trucks driving around. They have an 800 number and a web site where you can schedule things and so on. Junk Away is a local deal. No 800 number, no web site.

We asked both to come out and give an estimate. The 2 Got Junk guys showed up in their pretty truck, all smiley-like and walked around with us and estimated 5-6 truckloads. $500 bones a truckload, plus surcharge for tire disposal, and a discount… all told about $2600.

The owner of Junk Away showed up in his beater 1993 Toyota Camry (or something like that), dressed appropriately and very professional. We walked around, he estimated 5-6 truckloads. No surcharge for the tires, “not really that many”, he says. All told, $425. Total price, and can get it done the following Friday.

Couldn’t believe the difference. Skepticism said no way… but all impressions and gut feelings said good deal. We asked for references, which checked out. The final decision was we don’t pay til the work’s done…not even a “down payment”. So, Friday, junk-be-gone.