Yard Cleanup in Irving, TX: Scope and Hauling

Define the cleanup before requesting quotes

Write a task list that separates leaf removal, loose branch collection, mowing, edging, bed weeding, and shrub trimming. Tell the crew which tasks you want and which plants to preserve. Avoid a broad request to clear everything, especially around planted beds or vegetation you want to keep.

Photograph the front and back yards, side passages, and any debris piles. Include a close view of mixed materials so the contractor can distinguish vegetation from fencing, rubble, or household trash. Give the crew gate measurements and explain where they can park and load.

Agree on the finish you expect: leaves removed from beds, pavement swept, clippings collected, and generated waste hauled away. Ask the contractor to list tree cutting, stump removal, chemical treatments, and repairs as separate work if you want them considered.

Compare the full job price

Request a written total with labor, loading, hauling, disposal, and any applicable charges identified. For an hourly offer, ask how many workers the rate covers, whether travel and disposal time count, and what spending limit requires your approval. Ask how the contractor will price hidden debris discovered after mowing.

Treat a proposal to leave contractor-generated bags or brush at the curb as an unresolved scope problem. Irving requires the service provider to remove waste the provider produces. Have the bidder explain the disposal plan and include removal in the agreed price before work starts. [1]

Ask for proof of insurance and identify who will perform the work. Set a completion date, a weather rescheduling arrangement, and a process for approving extra tasks. At completion, walk the agreed areas with the crew and compare the result with your task list before closing out the job.

Choose a disposal route for work you do yourself

For homeowner-generated material, Irving lists unlimited bagged leaves and grass clippings for collection. The city requires tied or closed bags of 13 to 30 gallons weighing no more than 50 pounds. Trim brush to 4 feet; bundled brush must weigh no more than 50 pounds per bundle. Stumps and logs must measure no more than 2 feet in diameter. [1]

Check your address in the city's collection map before planning a DIY cleanup. Residential brush and bulky collection runs once a week. The collection guidelines say to set waste out after 6 p.m. the night before or by 7 a.m. on collection day, with piles separated by 2 to 3 feet and clear of obstructions. A holiday on the brush collection day delays that service until the following week. [1]

For self-hauling, confirm eligibility and charges with Hunter Ferrell Landfill before loading. The city accepts only waste generated within Irving and requires matching identification and residency documentation. Keep clean leaves, grass, and brush separate from trash. The landfill page describes resident drop-off provisions, but its fee wording differs from the waste collection page; do not assume a load or a contractor's trip qualifies for free disposal. [1] [2]

Include boundary areas in an overgrowth cleanup

Irving's code prohibits weeds above 10 inches on covered premises and requires mowing, trimming, or edging to prevent ground cover from encroaching over sidewalks, driveways, curbs, and street pavement. The specified maintenance areas include the parkway between sidewalk and curb and certain areas beyond fences or beside drainage easements. Ask the contractor to inspect those edges with you. [3]

If you received a violation notice, share the notice and photos with the bidder and confirm the required correction with Code Enforcement. Under the cited ordinance, the city may arrange corrective work if the recipient fails or refuses to correct the violation within seven days of notice. Book against the notice requirements and document the completed work. [3]

Plan access and a weather alternative

Ask the crew how it will handle wet ground, heat, and interrupted hauling. DFW's 1991–2020 normal high temperatures reach 95.6°F in July, while October's normal precipitation totals 4.37 inches. These regional averages justify discussing a weather alternative; use the forecast and conditions at your property to choose the workday. [4]

Before arrival, move toys and furniture out of the work area, secure pets, and mark irrigation heads or other features the crew should avoid. Identify plants you want preserved during the walkthrough. Agree on where the crew can stage equipment and load debris without blocking your access.

Regional temperatures for planning outdoor cleanup

Choose the right cleanup arrangement

Your hiring checklist

1. Send photos of all work areas, debris piles, and the loading route.
2. List the tasks and identify plants or features to preserve.
3. Confirm gate access, parking, pets, and equipment staging.
4. Ask for a written total and approval terms for extra work.
5. Require removal of debris generated by the contractor.
6. Share any violation notice before agreeing on the scope and deadline.
7. Walk the completed areas with the crew before closing out the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a cleanup crew leave its debris for city pickup?

Irving says waste produced by contractors, landscapers, and tree trimmers must leave with the service provider. Include loading, hauling, and disposal in the written agreement. [1]

Does Irving limit the number of leaf bags I set out?

The city lists unlimited bagged leaves and grass clippings. Its guidelines require tied or closed bags of 13 to 30 gallons, each weighing no more than 50 pounds. This residential option does not override the contractor-waste exclusion. [1]

What should I ask about landfill fees?

Ask whether your material, weight, and residency documents qualify for the resident drop-off provisions. The landfill page lists a tipping rate of $52 per ton, charged at $13 per 500 pounds, effective October 1, 2025. The waste collection page still lists lower rates, so confirm the applicable charge before hauling. [1] [2]

How do I get comparable cleanup quotes?

Give each bidder the same photos and task list. Ask each to state the total, exclusions, hauling arrangements, and completion terms. For hourly quotes, confirm crew size and which activities count as billable time.