THE SHORT ANSWER
You barely need to prepare. Albemarle Moving handles everything. But a few simple steps — done in 10 minutes — help the crew work faster, donate more, and save you money.
Step 1: Identify What Stays (10 Minutes)
Walk through each room and mentally mark anything you definitely want to keep. You do NOT need to move or bag it. Just let the crew know when they arrive. They will confirm with you before touching anything you're unsure about. Albemarle Moving never removes anything without your explicit approval.
Step 2: Flag Anything Hazardous
Set aside paint cans, motor oil, pool chemicals, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs. Albemarle Moving is the only junk removal company in Charlottesville that accepts hazardous materials for an upcharge — but mention these when you call 434-230-4551 so they're included in your quote.
Step 3: Clear a Path (Optional but Helpful)
If possible, leave a clear walking path from each room to the front or garage door. You don't need to move any furniture — just enough space to walk through. The crew will carry everything. This is optional but speeds up the job.
Step 4: Know Your "Maybe" Items
Have a few items you're undecided about? That's totally fine. Albemarle Moving's crew will walk through with you first, confirm the price, and you can make final decisions before loading starts. No pressure.
What NOT to Do Before Junk Removal
- Do NOT pre-bag everything — bags make it harder for the crew to sort for donation. Loose items are better.
- Do NOT move furniture — that's what we're for. Leave it where it is.
- Do NOT rent a dumpster — compare prices first. Albemarle Moving often costs less and does the work for you.
- Do NOT sort for donation yourself — our crew does this as they load. You'll likely donate more by letting us sort.
What Happens During the Job
The crew does a quick walkthrough with you first, confirms the price, and gets your approval before loading. As they work, they sort items for donation. Usable furniture, appliances, and household goods are staged separately and driven to Habitat ReStore at 1221 Harris Street or Central Virginia families. When the truck is loaded, you inspect and pay. That's it.
No — Albemarle Moving's crew sorts during loading. Pre-bagging can actually reduce your donation rate. Leave items as-is.
No. The crew carries everything. You just need to identify what stays and what goes.
Single items: 30–60 minutes. Garage cleanout: 1–3 hours. Full estate: 4–8 hours. Time depends on volume and access.