There are two reasons A Hand to Help does not use skips.
These are respect and cost.
We had cleared a home for a client who moved into supported living. There was a short time frame, and the property needed to be cleared quickly. The neighbour spoke with us mentioning “You didn’t use a skip”
This is true. Even when a clearance is done quickly, we choose not to use skips. We had a conversation with the neighbour and wanted to share it with you.
A Hand to Help does not “throw lives” in skips.
Here is why.
Respect:
Yes, the cost of downsizing, clearing a home or deceased estate is important. At A Hand to Help we find being respectful for people and the environment doesn’t cost anymore. Yet it has a massive impact on people’s health and our environment.
- It’s fundamental to A Hand to Help that clients and their belongings are respected.
It is traumatic for clients, family and neighbours to see “a life” thrown into a skip. It feels disrespectful. - There are better disposal options than a skip for the environment. Keeping as much out of land fill is important. Many donations to a wide range of organisations are done by A Hand to Help before final items are disposed of.
Cost:
Cost is important. No one has a bottomless budget. We have found that using a skip isn’t the most cost effective for us and this is why.
- Permits can be required for skips in some council areas and this can create delays and added cost.
- Hiring the correct size is important. If the skip is big and not filled, money is wasted. If the skip is to small then money is still wasted because there are added disposal costs for what’s left.
- The hiring cost of a skip doesn’t include special items like mattresses, tires and oils which adds an additional cost of a skip hire.
- Time inflexibility. A skip is on site for a short amount of time. The longer it is onsite the more it will cost.
- If a skip is accessible to others, it will be filled by the neighbourhood! This is not cost effective.
- To get the best value from a skip it needs be packed well. This is not everyone’s skill. If a skip is not packed well, it is wasting money.
A Hand to Help disposes of items. But does not use skips because we find it disrespectable and not cost effective.
We have other cost effective and respectable ways to move items on. It’s a good outcome for the client’s budget, emotional health, wellbeing and better for the environment.
Clearing a home is more than throwing a life in a skip.
If you need respectful decluttering or downsizing help, reach out to us today to book a free discovery call to see how we can help you.
