10 Amazing Before-and-After
Junk Removal Transformations
📱 Text Us a Photo for a Free Quote (951) 837-8072
There is something deeply satisfying about seeing a space reclaimed from decades of accumulated clutter, broken appliances, and forgotten furniture - and that satisfaction is exactly why before-and-after junk removal content resonates so powerfully with homeowners, renters, and property managers alike.
Wild West Junk Removal is a family-owned junk hauling business based in Temecula, CA, founded by brothers Weston and Jesse Molitor. In the years since Weston sold his painting tools and bought a dump trailer, Wild West has earned a Google 5-star reputation across Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, and the surrounding Inland Empire - one cleanout at a time. These are ten of their most dramatic transformations: the stories behind the spaces, the scope of what was hauled, and the results that left clients genuinely surprised by what their spaces could become.
Why Junk Removal Transformations Matter More Than You Think
Most people underestimate how much accumulated junk costs them - not just in storage space, but in mental and physical well-being, property value, and opportunity cost. The garage you can’t park in costs you money every summer when you can’t fit your car in the shade. The backyard your kids won’t play in because it’s become a dump. The rental property is sitting vacant because a prior tenant left it in an uninhabitable state. These aren’t just inconveniences - they’re real financial losses.
The potential fine for illegal dumping in California - up to $10,000 per offense under California Penal Code Section 374.3. Property owners who attempt DIY junk removal and improperly dispose of items can face significant legal liability. Professional junk removal ensures items are donated, recycled, or disposed of at licensed facilities - keeping you protected.
Beyond the legal risk, there’s the practical reality: most people procrastinate on junk removal because it feels overwhelming. The Wild West approach - texting a photo, getting a rough estimate, scheduling a crew who does all the lifting and hauls everything away in a few hours - removes every friction point from the process. The transformations below are not unusual results. They’re what happens every week in Temecula Valley.
Every space Wild West Junk Removal clears doesn’t just become empty - it becomes possible. The garage where three generations of tools, holiday decorations, and broken furniture once lived becomes a workshop, a home gym, or finally, a place to park the car. Possibility doesn’t cost extra. It comes with the job.
10 Real Junk Removal Transformations: The Stories Behind the Space
“The Garage We Couldn’t Enter” - 22 Years of Accumulated Stuff
⬛ Before
A three-car garage reduced to a single-file path. Visible items: two broken refrigerators, seven bicycles in various states of disassembly, holiday bins stacked 6 feet high, a broken treadmill, and 22 years of bags, boxes, and forgotten purchases.
✅ After
A fully clear three-car garage with swept concrete floors, visible wall studs, and enough room to park two vehicles. The client had forgotten the garage had a window.
The situation: The homeowner, a Murrieta couple in their mid-60s, had lived in the house for 22 years. Over time, the garage became the household’s default storage unit - and then the overflow for items that “might be useful someday.” By the time Wild West arrived, the garage had become impassable beyond the first six feet.
What Wild West hauled: Two broken appliances, seven non-functional bicycles, one treadmill, fourteen boxes of unsorted items, four broken patio chairs, rusted garden tools, scrap wood, and assorted holiday decorations. The bicycles in repairable condition were donated to a local Temecula charity. The appliances were disposed of at a certified facility. The client’s one working fridge - buried at the back - was moved to the kitchen.
Total job time: 3.5 hours. Two crew members. One full trailer load plus a partial second.
“The Backyard the Kids Wouldn’t Play In” - Overgrowth + Debris
⬛ Before
A 1,200 sq. ft. backyard buried under tree trimmings, a rotted wooden playset, three broken plastic patio sets, weathered landscape edging, and two tarps concealing what turned out to be a disassembled above-ground pool and concrete blocks.
✅ After
Open, usable outdoor space. Grass is visible for the first time in three years. The family had the yard replanted within two weeks of Wild West’s visit.
The situation: A young Temecula family with three children had inherited the backyard’s debris from a previous tenant and had been living around it for two years. The tarped pile in the corner - ominous, unmoved - turned out to be the disassembled remains of an above-ground pool left by the prior owner.
What Wild West hauled: One wooden playset (dismantled on-site), three plastic patio sets, one disassembled above-ground pool with liner, concrete blocks, 14 cubic yards of yard waste and tree debris, broken planters, landscape edging, and general outdoor junk. Green waste was separated for appropriate disposal. Reusable items were offered to a local charity partner.
Client quote: “We asked our kids what they wanted to do with the yard after Wild West finished. They said ‘play in it.’ That hadn’t happened in two years.”
“The Full House” - A Compassionate Hoarding Cleanup
⬛ Before
A three-bedroom home in Hemet with every room - including hallways - filled with accumulated belongings. Visible pathways existed in three rooms; the rest was floor-to-ceiling accumulation spanning approximately 15 years.
✅ After
Original hardwood floors visible throughout. All three bedrooms are accessible. The living room and kitchen are clear and functional. The client’s family was able to move in and help with transition to a care facility.
The situation: Hoarding cleanouts require more than brute force - they require patience, non-judgment, and a systematic approach that respects the emotional weight of the situation. This Hemet home had been accumulating dust for 15 years. The homeowner, an elderly woman transitioning to assisted living, needed the home cleared so family members could manage its sale or rental.
Wild West’s approach: The crew worked room by room, systematically sorting through items with the family’s guidance. Sentimental or valuable items were set aside for family review. Donations were separated from disposal items. The crew cleaned the floors in each room as they finished - leaving each space genuinely functional, not just empty. The full job required two full days and four trailer loads.
Hoarding cleanouts require special handling. Some items commonly found in hoarding situations - certain medications, paint cans, chemicals, and contaminated materials - cannot be placed in standard hauling trailers. Wild West identifies these items upfront and coordinates appropriate disposal. Never assume a standard junk removal price covers hazardous material disposal - always disclose the situation in advance.
“40 Years in One Home” - Full Estate Clearance
⬛ Before
A 2,400 sq. ft. Temecula home filled with the complete contents of a family’s 40-year occupancy - furniture, appliances, kitchen goods, tools, clothing, books, and collectibles spanning the entire house and a two-car garage.
✅ After
Move-in ready home, listed on the market within two weeks of Wild West’s visit. The realtor noted the clean presentation significantly improved buyer first impressions during showings.
The situation: “We get the greatest satisfaction helping people clean out their home of 40 years,” says Weston Molitor, Wild West’s founder. This estate cleanout - coordinated by adult children after the passing of their parents - was exactly that kind of job. The challenge: clearing an entire home’s worth of belongings on a tight timeline to allow the property to be listed.
What Wild West hauled: The family worked with Wild West to identify items going to family members, items suitable for donation, and items for disposal. Usable furniture was donated to Temecula-area charity partners. The remainder - including broken appliances, outdated electronics, and general accumulated household goods - were hauled and disposed of responsibly. Wild West swept the floors in every room as they finished.
Client quote: “We were dreading this. Wild West made it easy. They were respectful, fast, and fair. My sister and I both cried when we left - but not because of the junk removal. That part was actually a relief.”
“The Nightmare Tenant Departure” - Rental Flip in One Day
⬛ Before
A Murrieta rental unit abandoned by a tenant, leaving behind: a sofa, bed frame, broken dresser, bags of household trash, kitchen items, and scattered clothing - plus a garage full of the tenant’s remaining possessions.
✅ After
Vacant, broom-clean unit ready for paint and deep clean. The property manager had a new tenant confirmed within 10 days of Wild West’s job completing. Revenue loss from vacancy: minimized.
The situation: Every property manager in the Temecula Valley has a story like this. A tenant vacates, leaves behind more than they should, and suddenly a revenue-generating property becomes a liability. Wild West Junk Removal specializes in rapid rental turnover - getting units from nightmare state to ready-for-showing within a single day in most cases.
What Wild West hauled: Sofa, bed frame, broken dresser, 12 bags of household trash, kitchen items, scattered clothing and personal effects, garage contents. Items in usable condition were donated. The rest was responsibly disposed of. Wild West went the extra mile - sweeping the floors in every room, including under and behind the appliances - so the property manager could bring in cleaners and painters immediately after.
Why it matters for property managers: Every day a unit sits empty because of a junk-filled turnover is a day of lost rent. On a $2,200/month Murrieta rental, that’s $73/day. Wild West’s same-day or next-day availability for rental turnover jobs is a direct financial benefit for investors and property management companies.
“After the Remodel” - Post-Construction Debris Clearance
⬛ Before
A Lake Elsinore home following a full kitchen and bathroom remodel: the garage packed with drywall offcuts, lumber scraps, old tile, flooring packaging, broken fixtures, and old cabinetry - the contractor had left the debris and departed.
✅ After
A completely clear garage, swept floors, and the homeowner’s vehicles finally parked inside again. The remodel project was complete for the first time - the debris was the last piece.
The situation: Construction debris is one of the most common - and most frustrating - junk removal scenarios. Homeowners invest tens of thousands in remodels, then discover their contractor’s scope didn’t include hauling the waste. Wild West fills this gap consistently for homeowners across Lake Elsinore, Menifee, and surrounding areas.
What Wild West hauled: Drywall offcuts, lumber scraps, old tile and grout, flooring packaging, old cabinetry, broken fixtures, PVC pipe offcuts, construction dust bags, and miscellaneous packaging. Construction debris is heavy - this single-garage job filled one trailer to capacity.
Before hiring a contractor for your remodel, ask specifically about debris removal. Many contractors exclude it from their quote - meaning you’ll need to arrange and budget for it separately. Wild West Junk Removal provides rough estimates based on photos, so you can get a debris removal quote before the project even begins and build it into your total remodel budget.
“The Office Nobody Wanted to Clean” - Commercial Space Reclaimed
⬛ Before
A Temecula office suite following a company relocation: outdated desks, chairs, filing cabinets, old computers, monitors, printers, whiteboards, and years of accumulated storage - none of which the departing company wanted to take.
✅ After
Empty, clean commercial suite ready for the landlord’s next tenant. The property manager had a new lease signed within three weeks. The turnaround fee paid for itself within the first month of the new tenancy.
The situation: Commercial junk removal requires the same speed and professionalism as residential work - but often with tighter timelines and a higher volume of heavy items like metal filing cabinets, commercial furniture, and outdated electronics. Wild West’s commercial division handles office cleanouts, warehouse updates, and retail space turnovers across Temecula’s business districts.
What Wild West hauled: 14 office desks, 22 chairs, 8 metal filing cabinets, 7 computer monitors, 4 printers, 2 whiteboards, multiple sets of storage shelving, and general office miscellaneous items. Electronics were routed for responsible recycling - Wild West’s e-waste disposal process prevents monitors and computers from ending up in landfills.
“The Hot Tub That Time Forgot” - Massive Item Extraction
⬛ Before
A Murrieta backyard with a 6-person hot tub that hadn’t functioned in 8 years (cracked shell, no cover, algae-stained interior) and a fully collapsed wooden storage shed - both eyesores visible from the neighbor’s yard and the back window.
✅ After
Open backyard with clear fence line. The concrete pad where the hot tub stood was swept clean. The homeowner immediately began planning a new pergola and patio set - something they’d wanted for years.
The situation: Hot tubs and sheds are among the heaviest and most awkward residential junk removal challenges. A 6-person spa can weigh 800-1,200 lbs dry - and removing one requires breaking it down in-place before it can be hauled. Sheds require partial or full disassembly depending on condition. These are jobs most homeowners simply cannot do themselves.
What Wild West hauled: One 6-person acrylic hot tub (broken down on-site into manageable sections), one collapsed wooden storage shed (fully disassembled), all associated hardware, rotted wood, and debris. The crew swept the concrete pad where the hot tub had sat, leaving it clean and bare. Total job: 2.5 hours, two crew members, one full trailer.
“The Stable Situation” - Horse Manure & Equipment Removal
⬛ Before
A Winchester horse property with an overflowing manure pile that had exceeded the capacity of the designated area, plus broken stable equipment, old fencing materials, and accumulated debris around the paddock that had been building for two seasons.
✅ After
A clean paddock, properly cleared designated areas, and a property that was safe and hygienic for the animals again. The property owner noted that one of the horses - which had been showing signs of stress - settled immediately after the manure situation was resolved.
The situation: Horse property management is a specialized junk removal category - and one Wild West handles for clients across Winchester, Temecula, and Murrieta’s equestrian communities. A key part of stable management is quickly removing horse manure: it can harm horses’ health, attract pests, and create serious odor and hygiene problems if not managed consistently.
What Wild West hauled: Multiple cubic yards of horse manure, broken stable equipment (feeders, brackets, old hardware), weathered wooden fencing materials, general paddock debris, and discarded agricultural supplies. The team cleared the entire paddock perimeter and swept the stable floor clean.
For horse property owners: Wild West offers ongoing scheduled removal for properties with consistent manure management needs. Rather than letting accumulation become a crisis, a regular removal schedule keeps the property clean and the animals healthy. Text (951) 837-8072 to discuss a regular pickup arrangement.
“The Last-Day Panic” - Moving Day Junk Removal Rescue
⬛ Before
Moving day, 11 AM. The movers had taken everything they were hired to move. What remained: a sofa too big to fit in the new place, a king mattress the buyers didn’t want, an old washer and dryer, miscellaneous furniture, and a garage full of “figure-it-out-later” items.
✅ After
Broom-clean home, ready for the buyers’ final walkthrough at 3 PM the same day. The sellers made it to their new property by 5 PM - keys delivered on time, sale closed without incident.
The situation: Moving day junk removal is Wild West’s most common same-day emergency call. The scenario is almost always identical: moving day arrives, some things don’t fit in the new place, and suddenly there’s a pile of stuff in a house the sellers are supposed to hand over clean that afternoon. Wild West fields these calls weekly across Temecula and Murrieta - and they deliver.
What Wild West hauled: One king sofa, one king mattress, one washer/dryer set, one dining set, miscellaneous furniture, garage items including tools, holiday items, and accumulated boxes. The crew arrived within two hours of the call, worked through the list systematically, and were done in time for the buyers’ 3 PM walkthrough.
Client quote: “I was panicking. Weston picked up on the first ring, gave me a price within five minutes, and had a crew there by 1 PM. I don’t know what I would have done. They saved our closing.”
What to Keep, What to Donate, and What to Haul
Before Wild West Junk Removal arrives, a few minutes of sorting can save you money and ensure usable items find new homes rather than going to landfill. Here’s a practical framework for making those decisions quickly.
Keep - Items Worth Storing or SellingItems in good working condition with clear personal use or resale value. Tools in working order, furniture you’ll use in the new space, collectibles with documented value, electronics that function correctly, and seasonal items you actively use. If you haven’t touched it in two years, applying the “keep” label is probably wishful thinking.
Donate - Usable Items That Need New HomesFurniture in decent condition, clothing, kitchen goods, children’s toys, books, small appliances that work. Wild West works with local Temecula and Murrieta charities to ensure these items reach people who need them. Items that are clean, functional, and complete are the best candidates for donation. A single broken leg disqualifies most furniture from donation.
Recycle - Electronics and MetalsOld TVs, monitors, computers, phones, scrap metal, and certain appliances qualify for responsible recycling rather than landfill disposal. Wild West routes these items through appropriate e-waste and metal recycling facilities. Disposing of electronics in regular trash is illegal in California - professional removal ensures compliance.
Haul - Everything ElseBroken furniture, worn mattresses, non-functional appliances, construction debris, yard waste, and general junk. If it doesn’t qualify for keep, donate, or recycle - Wild West hauls it. This is the core of what they do: everything the other categories can’t handle, removed responsibly and efficiently.
Wild West goes the extra mile by cleaning the floors beneath every item they remove - not just hauling the junk, but leaving the space genuinely ready for its next use. That’s not standard in the industry. It’s the Wild West standard.
Hazardous Materials: What Cannot Go in the Trailer
California has strict regulations around the disposal of hazardous materials - and with good reason. The following items cannot be placed in a standard junk removal trailer and require separate, specialized disposal. If your cleanout includes any of these, disclose them upfront when scheduling with Wild West so they can advise on the appropriate disposal path.
Paint and SolventsLatex and oil-based paint, stains, varnishes, and solvents cannot go to standard landfills. Riverside County offers periodic Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events. Dried, solid paint cans (fully dried) may be acceptable - call to confirm.
Automotive Fluids and BatteriesMotor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and lead-acid car batteries require specialized disposal. AutoZone and O’Reilly Auto Parts locations accept used batteries and oil. Never dump automotive fluids - California fines can reach $10,000 per violation.
Propane TanksFull or partially full propane tanks cannot be hauled in standard trailers due to explosion risk. Empty, fully purged tanks may be accepted - but must be confirmed. Most hardware stores accept empty tanks for exchange or disposal.
Pesticides and HerbicidesOpened or sealed containers of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers with hazardous components, and pool chemicals require HHW facility disposal. California’s strict agricultural regulations make improper pesticide disposal a significant legal liability.
Asbestos-Containing MaterialsHomes built before 1980 may contain asbestos in floor tiles, pipe insulation, and ceiling textures. Suspected asbestos must be tested before removal - never disturb without professional assessment. This is a serious health and legal issue requiring licensed abatement contractors.
Medical Waste and SharpsNeedles, syringes, lancets, and other sharps from home medical use cannot be placed in regular trash or junk removal trailers in California. Pharmacies and many hospitals offer sharps disposal programs. Never leave sharps loose in bags or boxes during cleanouts.
Refrigerants and A/C EquipmentRefrigerators, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers contain refrigerants that must be professionally removed before the unit can be hauled. Certified appliance recyclers are required by California law to handle refrigerant recovery. Notify Wild West if appliances still contain refrigerants.
Certain Lithium BatteriesLarge lithium batteries from e-bikes, power tools, and solar storage systems can be fire hazards in compactors and landfills. Many retailers and recycling centers accept these for proper disposal. Standard AA/AAA alkaline batteries can typically be disposed of in regular trash in California.
Illegal dumping in California is a misdemeanor or felony depending on the material and volume - with fines up to $10,000 per offense under California Penal Code §374.3. Property owners can be liable for improper disposal even if they hired someone else to do it. Always confirm that your junk removal company disposes of items at licensed facilities.
The Before-and-After Cleanout Checklist
Whether you’re doing a single-room garage cleanout or a full estate clearance, this checklist prepares you to get the most out of your Wild West Junk Removal appointment.
Your Before-and-After Starts With One Text
Wild West Junk Removal serves Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Hemet, Fallbrook, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, Canyon Lake, and surrounding areas. Text a photo of your junk for a rough estimate - same-day and next-day service available. Written, firm pricing on-site. No surprises. No hassle. Just your space back.
Mon-Sat 7 AM-10 PM | Sunday 8 AM-8 PM | Same-Day Service Available
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Wild West Junk Removal: Your Questions Answered
Everything you need to know about scheduling a junk removal job with Wild West - pricing, process, what they take, and how quickly they can come.
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How does Wild West Junk Removal pricing work?
Wild West Junk Removal pricing is based on the volume of junk you need removed - essentially, how much space your items take up in their trailer. Text a photo of your junk to (951) 837-8072 for a rough estimate over the phone or via text. When the crew arrives on-site, they give you a written, firm price before any work begins - no surprise charges.
Fuel costs and landfill disposal fees are included in the price. They also beat all written estimates from competitors. For most residential jobs, pricing ranges from a minimum load to a full trailer load - call for current pricing for your specific situation.
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What types of junk does Wild West Junk Removal take?
Wild West hauls almost anything and everything - their slogan is “We Mean It When We Say We Haul ANYTHING and almost EVERYTHING.” This includes: furniture, mattresses, appliances, electronics and TVs, yard waste, construction debris, hot tubs and spas, sheds, scrap metal, exercise equipment, cardboard, general trash, garage junk, and hoarding cleanout items. They also handle horse manure removal.
The few exceptions are hazardous materials that legally require specialized disposal - like certain paint, chemicals, and batteries. Call to confirm any unusual items before scheduling.
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How quickly can Wild West Junk Removal come out?
Wild West offers same-day and next-day service in most cases for Temecula, Murrieta, and surrounding areas. They operate Monday through Saturday 7 AM-10 PM and Sunday 8 AM-8 PM. Because they serve Temecula Valley locally, they can often accommodate urgent requests with minimal lead time.
Text a photo to (951) 837-8072 to get a quick estimate and schedule a pickup time. For large jobs like estate cleanouts or hoarding situations, some scheduling lead time may be needed - call early in the day for the best same-day availability.
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Does Wild West Junk Removal donate or recycle items?
Yes - Wild West actively works with local charities and donation centers in Temecula and Murrieta to ensure usable furniture and other items get new homes rather than going to landfill. They also offer eco-friendly recycling options for electronics, scrap metal, and other recyclable materials.
Their approach: donation for usable items, recycling for materials that qualify, and responsible landfill disposal only for what cannot be reused or recycled. This commitment to eco-friendly disposal sets them apart from haulers who dump everything regardless of condition.
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What areas does Wild West Junk Removal serve?
Wild West Junk Removal serves Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Hemet, Fallbrook, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, Rainbow, Canyon Lake, and surrounding areas in the Inland Empire, Southwest Riverside County, and parts of San Diego County and Orange County.
They are based in Temecula, CA. If you’re unsure whether your location is in their service area, text them at (951) 837-8072 - they’ll confirm quickly.
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Can Wild West Junk Removal handle hoarding cleanouts?
Yes - hoarding cleanouts are one of the services Wild West is best equipped to handle. These jobs require patience, professionalism, and no-judgment execution. The process involves a full assessment, working systematically through the accumulation, separating items for donation or recycling from disposal items, and leaving the floors clean after removal.
Wild West goes the extra mile by sweeping and cleaning the floors beneath removed items - leaving the space genuinely ready for its next use. For sensitive situations, they handle the job discreetly and respectfully.
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Is Wild West Junk Removal licensed and insured?
Yes. Wild West Junk Removal is fully licensed and insured. This is an important distinction when choosing a junk removal company - unlicensed haulers may improperly dispose of items, potentially creating liability for the property owner.
Wild West carries full insurance coverage for any damage that might occur during hauling, and they operate in compliance with local and state disposal regulations. They are a family-owned business founded by Weston and Jesse Molitor, based in Temecula, CA, with a verifiable local presence and Google 5-star reviews.
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What is the Wild West Junk Removal process from start to finish?
Step 1: Text a photo of your junk to (951) 837-8072. Step 2: Receive a rough estimate over text or phone. Step 3: Schedule a pickup window - same-day or next-day often available. Step 4: The crew arrives and provides a written, firm, upfront price before touching anything.
Step 5: Once you approve, the crew hauls everything out - doing all the heavy lifting. Step 6: The crew cleans the floors beneath where the junk was. Step 7: Items are sorted for donation, recycling, or responsible disposal. Done. You get your space back.
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What makes Wild West Junk Removal different from other Temecula companies?
Several specific things: Family-owned and locally operated (Weston and Jesse Molitor grew up in Murrieta). Written, firm pricing before work begins - no bait-and-switch. They beat all written competitor estimates. They haul almost anything, with minimal exceptions. They clean the floors beneath the junk after removal - something most haulers skip.
They work with local charities to donate usable items. They are fully licensed and insured. They have documented 5-star Google and Yelp reviews. And they are available 7 days a week with extended hours. These aren’t marketing claims - they’re what their customers cite in reviews as the reason they recommend Wild West.
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How do I prepare for a junk removal appointment with Wild West?
Minimal preparation is needed - that’s part of what you’re paying for. A few things that make the appointment go faster: Identify “keep” items and move or mark them before the crew arrives. Ensure clear access to the area where the junk is located. Have a decision-maker present for estate or hoarding cleanouts.
For multi-area jobs, let them know upfront so they can plan accordingly. That’s it - no need to move the junk yourself, box anything up, or prep in any other way. That’s Wild West’s job.
