Yard waste removal: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What yard waste removal is

Yard waste removal is a crew that hauls branches, grass clippings, leaves, brush and stumps left after yard work. The crew loads the waste from your property and takes it to a facility that accepts green waste, so you are not left with piles on the lawn.

Signs you need it

  • A storm has dropped limbs and branches across the yard and driveway
  • Leaves and grass clippings have piled up in corners and along fences faster than you can bag them
  • A tree was trimmed or removed and the brush is still on the lawn
  • Old stumps, root balls or brush need to leave the property after clearing
  • You have bags of green waste that you cannot fit in the household bin

What the pro does

  • Walk the yard with you to identify the waste, the access route and any material that must stay
  • Cut large branches to a size that fits the truck, and stack them neatly for loading
  • Rake, bag and load leaves, grass clippings and loose brush from the lawn and beds
  • Load the truck, keeping heavy stumps and root balls separate and secured
  • Take the green waste to a facility that accepts it, and separate any material that does not belong there
  • Sweep the driveway and walkway, and leave the lawn free of loose debris

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Volume of waste in cubic yards, which is usually the main factor in the final amount
  • Weight of stumps, root balls and heavy brush
  • Access, such as a long driveway, a back yard with no truck access or a steep slope
  • Tree work needed to cut down branches or remove a tree before hauling
  • Whether the crew does the cutting and stacking, or only loads what is already piled
  • Whether the site needs a cleanup pass after the hauling

What a written quote should spell out

  • The volume of waste to be removed and how it is measured
  • Whether stumps and root balls are included, and how they are handled
  • Whether the crew cuts and stacks branches or only loads piles
  • Where the waste is taken, and whether it is composted or chipped
  • Whether the lawn and driveway are swept after the load is removed

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you take stumps and root balls, and how big a stump can you haul
  • Will you cut the branches down to fit the truck, or do I need to cut them
  • Where does the green waste go, and is it composted or chipped
  • How do you access the back yard, and what happens if the truck cannot reach it
  • Do you clean up the leftover leaves and sweep the driveway
  • How is the volume measured, and what changes the final amount

Red flags

  • A crew that dumps green waste in a wooded area or on another property
  • No plan for the stumps or the root balls, and no quote for them
  • A crew that cuts large trees without any safety plan or the right equipment
  • A quote that does not say whether the lawn and driveway will be cleaned

What you can do yourself

You can rake leaves, bag grass clippings and cut small branches that fit in a household bin. Call a professional for large limbs, stumps, root balls and any tree work near power lines, a roof or a fence, since those are the jobs most likely to cause injury.

Licenses and permits

Tree removal and tree work near power lines are commonly licensed or regulated, and yard waste hauling may need registration. Check with your state or local licensing agency for the rules that apply to the company and to any tree work it does.

Yard waste removal questions

Will the crew take the tree trunk?

Often yes if it is cut to length. Ask whether the crew hauls large logs or only brush, and whether there is a fee for logs and stumps.

Can I put yard waste in the curbside bin?

It depends on the local rules for size and bundling. Check with your local waste service, since a hauling crew may be the better choice for a large load.

Do I need to clear the leaves first?

No. The crew can rake and bag leaves as part of the job. Ask them to include the leaves in the quote so you know what is covered.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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