You knew this day was coming. You went into the garage to get a tape measure. It took you 15 minutes to comb thru the mess. Towering all around you are old can openers, a vacuum cleaner from 20 years ago, endless coffee cans containing 5 screws, an old lawnmower that hasn’t seen grass in decades, and countless cans of house paint and wood stain of unknown age. Oh boy. This has to get cleaned out if you plan to sell your home.
Fortunately here in the San Ramon Valley, there are resources and ecofriendly ways to help with disposing of many different types of things. Here are some resources that will help with this chore. Of course, convincing Dad is another issue…but here are some ideas on how to start this project.
Start with all those old paint cans, used up motor oil, and chemicals. Dispose of them safely without dumping them down the drain, which contaminates ground water. Waste Management Services will do a curbside hazardous waste pickup if you call them. 925-939-8900
•Automotive products (antifreeze, fluids, motor oil)
•Batteries (home and car)
•Cathode ray tubes (TVs, computer monitors)
•Fluorescent light bulbs and ballasts
•Household cleansers
•Medicines
•Mercury (thermometers, thermostats)
•Paints, latex and oil (must be dried)
•Pesticides
Phew! Now that all the hazardous stuff is gone, what about the old recliner with duct tape all over the arms, that old lawnmower, the vacuum cleaner, and 8 curtain rods from the 1950’s? What about the old hot tub that doesn’t work anymore? Oh dear, is that VCR? There are a lot of companies that will haul off your junk. Determine that it’s truly unusable, and then call Junk Pro’s at 925-968-9001. They do the loading, and hauling for you.
This project is really coming along! How about the boxes of clothing, boxes of books, lamps that need a bulb, or a few newfangled kitchen appliances that weren’t too popular? There are a number of charitable organizations here in our area that are always in need of donations. Here is a list of a few.
Shepherds Gate 1660 Portola Avenue Livermore, CA 94551 phone: (925) 443.GATE (4283)
Tri Valley Haven – 3663 Pacific Avenue Livermore, CA 94550 (925) 449-5845
Goodwill Industries – 7232 Regional Street, Dublin CA (925)-833-8610
With all the unnecessary items removed, what else needs to happen to make this garage a usable space? Check out the lighting. If it is lacking in lighting, perhaps the addition of a couple of those hanging florescent fixtures might help. Is there a work bench available and cleared off for occasional tinkering or a fix-it project? If storage is an issue in the garage, consider the addition of shelving units. The use of plastic tubs with lids on those shelves can protect any items that don’t get used frequently. If there are available rafters up above, a sheet or two of plywood can create instant storage space for items that aren’t often used, but can’t really be tossed out or donated. And of course, another big payoff of getting that garage cleaned out is that the car can actually be parked in there! Amazing!
We have been helping folks ready their homes for sale in the San Ramon Valley for 15+ years. Call or email us today. If you are getting ready to sell your home, and don’t know where to begin, just let us know. We’re here to help tame the beasts of real estate uncertainty!
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