Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of Hoarders? 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has been working with the show since 2009. After so many seasons we can definitely give a unique behind the scenes perspective of the show.
These shoots take place all over the United States and Canada, so our first order of business is to work with the production company to identify which one of our more than 150 franchises locations would be the best match. After that’s completed we start coordinating resources with the local Franchise Partner. What we usually orchestrate for each episode:
- 4 1-800-GOT-JUNK? trucks
- 8-10 uniformed Truck Team Members
Each episode is shot over a four day period, with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? showing up on the third and fourth day. This timing allows the homeowners to work with the professional organizer and the clinical psychologist before we arrive, which gives homeowners the opportunity to prepare themselves for the actual junk removal process.
The cleanup is done at the pace of the homeowner and they dictate how much junk is hauled away, but our Truck Team Members are prepared to remove it all if necessary. From the initial ‘Morning Huddle’ at 8:00 am until the professional organizer calls it a day around 5:00 pm, our franchise is dedicated to helping the homeowner.
Many people ask why we help out on hoarders and the answer is the people. An example of a homeowner who really made an impression on us was in the fifth season. We had five 1-800-GOT-JUNK? trucks and ten Truck Team Members working in the summer, with high temperatures and long hours of loading and lifting outside.
The acreage that was full of hoarded renovation debris was a daunting sight – but after three days of solid work, we cleared it out. As we battened down the junk trucks and prepared for our convoy back into town, the homeowner and their family ran over to us to say goodbye. It was then that one family member pulled out a dozen red roses. She handed a beautiful rose to each of our dirty, exhausted junk haulers.
With tears in her eyes and one remaining rose in her hand, she thanked our men with the statement, “you have turned an experience that was so ugly into something more beautiful than this rose. You have no idea how much you’ve helped us.” See the photo above that she took moments after to remember the day we helped her family get back on track.
Remembering moments like that is why we help out on Hoarders. To date, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has helped more than 80 homeowners rid themselves of their debilitating hoard on the set of Hoarders. We look forward to many more successful clean outs in the future. Stay tuned!
