Dumpster Diving

This weeks topic on Dumpster Diving came about after seeing it pop up on numerous dumpster searches.  We do not condone dumpster diving nor is this any sort of recommendation around it, this article is just a review of some of the interesting and funny things we found about the topic on the internet.

Why do people dumpster dive?  Is it sport, fun, hobby, to live?  There are many reasons, but often it is about reducing the cost of living.  Reducing the cost of living comes in many forms ~ homesteading, collecting cans, dump pickin' and dumpster diving among them. Dump pickin' is pretty much obsolete since municipalities created landfills, although if you watch Alaskan Bush People, they still have a dump they can go to and find what was one persons junk, but still has a use for another.   Homesteading is a challenging lifestyle, and collecting cans consumes lots of time for a small return.  That leaves the 21st century version of trash-to-treasure aka dumpster diving.

To some, it's an occasional outing, to others a bona fide hobby and then there are freegans who use most of what they get and those who make a living [at some level] on repairing and selling dumpster finds.   Many share and consume reject food items like packaged foods with expired "sell by" dates. And, like every other pastime, there are networks, blogs and group associations.  Check out www.dumpsterdiving.meetup.com/cities/us/fl/tampa.

One aspect of paramount importance is the law with regard to trespassing, environmental concerns, invasion of privacy and theft.  For example, it is illegal (also dangerous) to enter a construction site dumpster where you might see one of Bin There Dump That dumpster rentals around Tampa.  Once you've cleared that legal hurdle and understand what you can and can not do, figure out what you want and where to go for it.  Learn trash pick up days and annual or semi-annual special trash collections in different neighborhoods.

For food items, check with grocery stores, restaurants and bakeries.  Furniture and electronics might be found next to trash cans following a yard sale or moving day.  In Clearwater, Thursdays is "bulky" day pick up, you can often find great items such as patio furniture on the roadside waiting for collection.  College apartment complexes are a wealth of treasure at the end of the semester when most move-outs take place. 

There are health risks along with the legal issues in dumpster diving.  When doing some research for this blog, we found an article of Wiki has a 15 tips on dumpster diving,  http://www.wikihow.com/Dumpster-Dive.  Here are some other helpful tips that were out there on the web as well.

• Know & OBEY the laws!  
• Wear old clothes
• Remove jewelry
• Think about protective gear like gloves, glasses, etc
• Pound the side of the dumpster first to alert rodents & critters inside
• Don't dig through with your hands, there might be sharp or broken glass
• Don't leave the area a mess
• Clean anything you find
• Bring a first aid kit
• Never take & reuse any baby items
• Never enter a dumpster that has a compactor
• Don't actually "jump" into it, that is a hypothetical term
• Do not trespass 

Keep in mind that trash trucks may come any time.  They are big and noisy, and no one will hear you shouting from inside as it grabs the dumpster.  In many cases, the skill of the dumpster pick up drivers is amazing and they move quickly and swiftly completing their job.  Remember, know the laws and take precautions to be safe.   We do not recommend ever going into a dumpster, this blog was just for fun!

Flipping Houses and Pocketing the Profit

House flipping ranges from picking up a one-time property deal and turning it around for a tidy profit to making a living at buying distressed, foreclosed, run-down or other properties, repairing, cleaning up, renovating, painting or all of the above.  It can be an occasional hobby or a bona-fide vocation.  It's not for the faint-hearted, as much planning, financial investment and hard work goes into house flipping ~ including, but not limited to, having a good relationship with a dumpster rental company that is reliable and can move quickly once you close on your deal and are ready to get started.  Reliable partners that can move as fast as you need are a major key to this game.

People buy, sell and move all the time, but house flippers are generally considered "in the business" when properties change hands in less than 12 months.  The serious ones may have several properties in various stages of fix-up at the same time, and others might do one a year on the side. 

The greater Tampa, St. Pete, & Clearwater region is prime for house flippers from the old beach condo to the foreclosed mansion.  The older homes in South Tampa and St. Pete seem to be hot areas of interest today.  Buying any property and re-selling it without doing anything happens, but real value and higher profits are found in the renovation or at the least major sprucing up of a house or condo.  


To get started, you need a few things besides a toolbox ~ 

• Knowledge of neighborhoods, real estate prices, demographics, current market trends
• Financial expertise in fees associated with home buying and selling, like Realtor commissions, appraiser, home inspection, bank financing, building permits, closing fees
• Vision of what can be and the repair and renovation work and associated costs
• Negotiating skills
• Good relationships with a dumpster rental company, plumbers, painters, electricians, landscapers and roofers, among others
• Management capabilities to prioritize, track expenses, deal with suppliers, etc. 

Earlier this year in the Tampa Bay times, reported in their article Tampa Bay Ranks Among Nation's Leaders in House-Flipping Profits that local flippers were averaging 57% gross profit during the first few months of 2015.  According to www.realtytrac.com, a leading source of housing data, close to 27,000 homes were flipped nationwide during the third quarter of last year with an average profit of $75,990. "The record-high average profits per flip in the quarter demonstrate that flippers are still filling an important niche in an aging housing market with historically low levels of new homes being built," states Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. "The most successful flippers are buying older, outdated homes in established neighborhoods and rehabbing them extensively to appeal to modern tastes."

House flipping has increased in popularity among the less experienced with a many TV shows dedicated to buying and selling homes.  You can see Bin There Dump That on a few TV shows like Property Brothers & Holmes on Homes.  Check out our "seen on TV" page on our website.

You cannot flip houses as fast as pancakes, but it is still a fast-paced endeavor that has financial risk as you have money tied up in the purchase price as well as labor and materials.   If you are a contractor and can do the work yourself, the profit is even bigger.  If wiring and roofing are involved, and you are neither an electrician nor professional roofer, it's wise to get an estimate from a licensed contractor before bidding on the property.  Having reliable partners is a must, without them, time is wasted, money is lost and your profits dwindle.  Many flippers use a combination of professionals alongside their own work.  When it's all said and done, there is probably blood, sweat and tears along with that tidy profit, and you can smile all the way to the bank.

If you are flipping a house, check out Bin There Dump That for your Tampa area projects.  They offer same day services, delivery on Saturdays, and help keep you moving.

Asbestos disposal & resources

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that comes from rock and soil that is used in manufacturing different products, mostly for construction purposes and also as a source of fire resistant materials.   Items ranging from PVC pipes, floor tiles, wood, cement, corrugated asbestos roofing, wallboards, and many construction materials.

Since asbestos can be airborne and be inhaled, necessary steps should be taken when disposing of these construction or demolition materials.   Government agencies have taken the lead in handling and disposing of these RACMs (Regulated Asbestos-Containing Materials) in any activities such as demolitions, renovations, maintenance of pipelines, paintings, flooring, roofings and all other activities that would require these materials-containing asbestos.

As a matter of fact, the components of Asbestos itself are considered as hazardous and have claimed thousands of lives every year for those who were exposed to the deadly chemicals.  Asbestosis,  Mesothelioma and lung cancer are leading major health problems caused by the exposure to asbestos.  But still some workers in the field have ignored it by keeping themselves to old practices.

Asbestos found in different products and materials, here are a few examples:  

• Adhesives
• Fire Blankets   
• Vinyl Wall Coverings
• Spackling Compounds   
• Cement Wallboard
• Vinyl Floor Tile
• Cement Pipes                                                                              
• HVAC Duct Insulation
• Asphalt Floor Tile                                                                        
• Ductwork Flexible Fabric
• Decorative Plaster   
• Textured Paints/Coatings
• Cement Siding   
• Electrical Wiring Insulation 
• Blow-in Insulation
• Fireproofing materials   
• Ceiling Tiles and Lay-in Panels
• Base Flashing     
• Fire Curtains   

….. And a whole lot more.

The following are activities which you may consider to be the causes of asbestos exposure:

• Demolition during a remodel or renovation
• Flooring repair
• Roofing repair
• Maintenance on piping and other systems in and around
• Cable installations as well as its maintenance
• Ceiling tile maintenance or repair
• Painting, either spray-applied or the old school brushes

Asbestos Management: 

Proper asbestos management procedures should be followed before beginning any activity, which might disturb materials containing asbestos:

1.  Written asbestos survey be prepared before any building renovations or demolitions,

2.  Get a licensed asbestos consultant to perform asbestos surveys in the State of Florida.

3.  Only licensed asbestos contractors can remove asbestos-containing materials

4.  All Regulated Asbestos-Containing Materials (RACM) must be removed from buildings, prior to demolition activities

5.  A written notification is required to be mailed ten (10) working days prior to any demolition, and ten (10) working days prior to removal of any Regulated Asbestos Containing Material (RACM).

Asbestos Resources:

http://www.bayareabuildinginspection.com/asbestos.asp

http://www.buildingofamerica.com/

http://www.secondhandsmokesyou.com/asbestos-removal/Hillsborough-county-FL/services.html

https://www.eec-tampabay.com/about_eec.html

http://www.contractors-license.org/fl/Florida.html

http://asbestoselimination.net/asbestos-removal/florida/pasco-county

http://www.pascocountyfl.net/index.aspx?NID=183

http://www.pascolife.com/local.asp?SIC=179926&DESC=Asbestos+Removal+Service

http://www.suncoasthomeinspection.com/environmental.html

Remembering Those Who Died in Service ~ Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for all who have died in our nation’s service.  It began when residents would place flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers. Southern states did not acknowledge Memorial Day until after World War I, when it was expanded to include all soldiers who fought in any war for our country.  Several states in the South set aside a day for honoring the Confederate war dead, and Florida's Confederate Memorial Day is April 26. When it falls on a Sunday, celebrations move to Monday. 

The poppy as a symbol can be attributed to Moina Michael, a Georgia native, who was inspired by John McCrae’s battlefront-theme poem “In Flanders Fields,” which begins “In Flanders fields the poppies blow…Between the crosses row on row.”  Ms. Michael vowed to wear a red poppy as a symbol of remembrance for those who served in World War I. She came up with the idea to sell silk poppies to raise money for disabled veterans. Known as the “Poppy Lady”, she wrote this:

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

May 30 was the original Memorial Day, but the government changed it for a 3-day weekend.  While it is widely heralded as the kick-off weekend for summer, there are many activities in the Tampa Bay area to honor service men and women who died to preserve our freedom.  Fireworks, parades, concerts and beach celebrations abound, and this is just a short list:

• Florida Orchestra Pops plays a "Stars and Stripes Hit Parade" in three locations (floridaorchestra.org)
• Food trucks, live music and fireworks take place at Channelside Bay Plaza (challensidebayplaza.com)
• Pasco County Memorial Day Parade begins in Land O' Lakes
• Sunset Ceremony in Largo
• Oldsmar Freedom Fest
• Family FunFest at the Armed Forces History Museum
• Remembrance Ceremony, American Legion USS Tampa Post 5

....And much more

The National Moment of Remembrance is 3 p.m. local time.  Americans are asked “to voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of Remembrance and Respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps’.”  Program this into your cell phone and share the time with anyone near you.  Taking a few moments or hours’ time on a vacation day to remember fallen soldiers is such a small sacrifice compared to what was given by those being honored. 

Ways to Commemorate Memorial Day with your Family:

• visit a cemetery and put flags or flowers out for fallen soldiers
• go to a memorial and talk about what it means
• fly the American flag half staff until noon.
• fly a POW/MIA flag
• participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. wherever you are
• contemplate what freedom means and the classic phrase that “freedom isn’t free” 
• thank those who serve today by honoring those who died in the past
• teach your children and grandchildren about freedom and the cost to those who gave their lives and those who live and serve to protect it. 

Kids go to high school dances, babies are born, people complete their schooling and find opportunity. All the freedom and security we take for granted is a direct result of the sacrifice of our nations veterans:

It is the Soldier

 It is the Soldier, not the minister

Who has given us freedom of religion.

 It is The Soldier, not the reporter,

Who has given us Freedom of the press.

 It is The Soldier, not the poet,

Who has given us Freedom of speech.

 It is The Soldier, not the campus organizer,

Who has given us Freedom to demonstrate.

 It is The Soldier, not the lawyer,

Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

 It is the Soldier, not the politician

Who has given us the right to vote.

 It is The Soldier who salutes the flag,

Who serves beneath the flag and

 Whose coffin is draped by the flag

 Who allows the protester to burn the flag

by Charles M. Province

Although this day is primarily to honor those warriors from the past who have sacrificed so much, let us not forget the sons and daughters of our nation who are standing guard over our freedoms around the world.  For those who lose faith in todays youth, a quick trip to a current Area of Operation would fully restore that faith.  Americas warriors of are in a word, magnificent.

Home rennovation is worth the dust

Homeownership comes with benefits, fun, challenges and expenses.  Remodeling is one of the big expense considerations you might be facing.  Should you update the kitchen, add a room or second story, expand the deck, change the siding, remodel or add a bathroom, renovate the first floor?

At remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2015/, several remodeling job costs are listed with their projected resale value.  Ones that top 80% for return include wood deck addition, steel entry door replacement, new garage doors, manufactured stone veneer and siding replacement.  Others recouping more than 60% are kitchen remodels, window replacement (vinyl or wood), attic bedroom, composite deck addition and garage or second story addition. 

While all remodeling costs may not come back to the homeowner at sale, they do improve the property and increase its overall value.  What cannot be measured and is worthy of discussion is the enjoyment of the improvements and remodels possibly for years to come.  Unless one is downsizing, it's less expensive to remodel than to move in many cases.  And, it's not generally a great idea to remodel a home to sell as opposed to remodel it to enjoy.

A couple noteworthy remodel jobs on the downward trend are home offices and sunrooms. Advancements in mobile technology and cloud storage have put the skids on many a home office anchored with a desktop computer station.  Sunrooms have always been expensive and difficult to cool or heat, and even in Florida, more homeowners are embracing open patios with a slatted or permanent roof or awning or screened porch that's not encased in the glass of a traditional sunroom. 

The hard to digest but necessary and costly remodels are unseen ones like HVAC replacement, plumbing update and a new roof.  Visible enhancements like getting rid of oh-so-outdated, cheesy wood paneling or popcorn ceilings, along with a front yard makeover, provide instant gratification to lifestyle. 

Choosing the right contractor is a huge piece of any remodel project, maybe one of the most important choices you will have to make.  Take the time to do reference checks, ensure the contractor is licensed, & has experience with the type of work you need done.  Locally there are some resources available to you, below are a few.

• National Association of The Remodeling Industry Tampa Bay (NARI)
• Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA)
• Pinellas County Contractors Licensing Board (PCCLB)
• Hillsborough County Contractor Licensing

Once you have a design, a contractor and required building permits, you need to be prepared for:

• dust, debris, & junk
• noise
• open doors with new materials and workers coming and going
• unexpected (faulty wiring, irregular framing, gerry-rigged something or other)
• delays (materials late, defective)
• decisions (where does this outlet go? how low on this chandelier?)
• cost overruns

One good way to reduce cost and save time is by choosing the right dumpster company, or requiring your contractor to use a specific company.   

Bin There Dump That is the reliable dumpster service, that works with contractors and homeowners to ensure smooth efficient waste removal from their projects.  These professionals deliver a clean green dumpster, on time, and place the dumpster on boards for driveway protection.   Here are just a few quick differences and why it will matter.

• Clean green dumpster - no one wants an unsightly rusty box staining their driveway
• On time - a late bin means waiting or moving stuff twice, don't waste time or money
• Driveway protection guarantee - why risk adding driveway repair to the remodel job

So get ready to tear things out, toss them into the dumpster rental outside your door, sweep and ready the room for a renovation you will enjoy immensely ~ once the dust settles.

How to save money on a dumpster rental?

Brown bagging your lunch, using coupons, shopping sales and being a prudent money manager makes sense to even the well-heeled.  So when it comes to a dumpster rental, you want to keep the costs reasonable yet get the job done.   

Even so, there are a few ways for you to reduce the cost of a dumpster rental.   

Dumpster rental cost saving suggestion #1
Make a list of local organizations that take things for re-use and re-sale. Habitat for Humanity's ReStore in Hillsborough County or ReStore in Pinellas County accepts working appliances (7 years old or newer; dishwashers 3 years old or newer), architectural items, kitchen and bath cabinets, some flooring, doors, lumber (full sheets/lengths only), lighting, windows, tools, paint (full/unopened cans only) and more. You receive a tax-deductible donation and contribute to the mission of Habitat for Humanity.   Check out their websites & give them a call, it is great way to help out others!  This, in turn, reduces the size of dumpster you need.

Dumpster rental cost saving suggestion #2

The American Red Cross has clothing donation drop boxes around the Tampa Bay area, and Donation Town, Salvation Army and Goodwill all offer pick up services. This not only means you need less dumpster space, but also helps the environment by keeping more stuff out of landfills. Electronics can be taken to some YMCAs and to Best Buy for recycling.   Some YMCAs have volunteer tech people who tinker with things to restore them to working order for re-sale. 

Dumpster rental cost saving suggestion #3

Taking the time to break down bulky items helps with space conservation in the dumpster.  Also, instead of tossing things inside willy-nilly, do a little organization on placing stuff by stacking and nesting, putting largest items on the bottom. 

Dumpster rental cost saving suggestion #4

You can't be the only one in your condo complex or neighborhood doing a deep cleaning or yard tidy up or eliminating storm damage.   Ask neighbors to chip in on perhaps a larger dumpster rental than you alone need. Share the cost, share the dumpster, share a pizza and a few stories during the cleanup and clean out process.

Dumpster rental cost saving suggestion #5
If your project timing is flexible, call the dumpster rental service you wish to use and ask what their slow time of year is.  They may be more willing to negotiate price or the number of days you can keep the dumpster during their slow time of season.

Dumpster rental cost saving suggestion #6
If you have really heavy items, ask your dumpster rental company if any of them are recyclable.  Concrete & Tile for example can sometimes be recycled if kept "clean" (no other debris mixed in).  You may be able to save on your weight with a recycling dumpster and in the end save some money.

Dumpster rental cost saving suggestion #7
Do you have metal items such as old patio furniture, appliances, tools or other metal items?  Often times there are local recyclers who will come and get those items for free, or if you place them at the road side someone will pick them up.  This will depend on your local area and any codes or ordinances that might apply, but here in Pinellas & Hillsborough County, we have recyclers always looking for material they can collect and not only are you helping them out, it doesn't cost you anything.

Hopefully one of these cost savings ideas will help you reduce your dumpster rental costs.!


Cost is measured in more than dollars.   Time, energy and efforts don't have a financial equivalent. The reliability and professionalism of Bin There Dump That cannot be calculated when you are waiting, for example, for another company that's running a day or two late on your dumpster rental delivery.   Piling your junk outside to be lifted and moved again into the dumpster is a waste of your time and effort. Peace of mind with your dumpster rental choice is worth a good night's sleep and hard day's work, which you can begin on time, every time, with Bin There Dump That. 

Bin There Dump That dumpster rental fees are affordable, and the company has integrity, reliability and excellence in all corners of the business. 

Estate Clean Out

Cleaning out a loved one's estate can be like a trip from heartache to headache and back. It's an emotional task at an emotional time, and the more organized you are, the smoother the process.  A Will designates financial and property distribution, but a house or condo's contents may not be called out item by item, and it needs to be cleaned out piece by piece. 

An early evaluation can determine how much help is needed. Family members may want to put sticky notes on items they especially want.  For family too far to travel, snapping photos for e-mail lets them see what's there that might be of interest. 

Going through everything is imperative as people stick things like cash in the freezer, an heirloom diamond ring in a vase, stock certificates in a book and so on.  There are many people who can help from a neighborhood teen, church friends, professional organizers and cleaning people, liquidators, appraisers and Bin There Dump That for dumpster rental service. 

Here are few suggestions to keep in mind:

• Change the locks and forward the mail.

• Remove papers like bank statements, insurance policies, deeds, titles and tax returns.

• Enlist trustworthy help to sift through clothes, closets, cupboards and drawers with instructions on setting things out for your review before donation, trash or keep.

• Tackle the home room by room. There's a sense of accomplishment when one room becomes vacant except for furnishings, and that in turn produces encouragement.

• Memories are more important than tangible things, so take lots of photos of a lamp or mirror or chair which holds special meaning to put into a family history book or CD. Scan documents, tickets and small mementos.

• Most clothes, except vintage (prior to 1960s), leather and upscale hold little value. Some thrift shops have free pick up service for unwanted but usable clothes and furniture. 

• Hire an appraiser for antiques, jewelry, coins and other potential valuables. Check the American Society of Appraisers (appraisors.org) membership list; there are more than 100 in Florida with ASA after their names. ASA = Accredited Senior Appraiser. 

• Consider buying a copy of "How to Clean Out Your Parents' Estate in 30 Days or Less, a solution-based guide to emptying the home without losing your mind," by Julie Hall.

Once things are sorted, shipped, removed, placed in the dumpster rental or taken to consignment and thrift stores, a liquidator can clear out all the rest.   Again, go professional -- this is an industry ripe for rip-off.   The American Society of Estate Liquidators offers information on its training and designations.   Some liquidators request payment for the work; others take it for free; and still more pay you if there is significant re-sale value. 

Hire a professional cleaning company to prepare property for sale or rent. 

You can find local resources from afar simply by asking the secretary at the attorney's office (who handles the Will), a Realtor, Chamber of Commerce, friends, neighbors and the good folks at Bin There Dump That.  A reliable company with an excellent reputation only recommends others with the same levels of integrity, compassion and dependability. 

Take breaks all along the way, even if you are on a tight time schedule. Stop for coffee. Walk away for lunch.  Sit on a box and remember something funny.  Embrace the memories and the good times, even if cleaning out an estate is not among them.  With assistance and a positive attitude, you can rise to the occasion with grace.