Every May, and again in August, the Triad's college neighborhoods fill up with couches on curbs. With Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State in Winston-Salem, UNCG, NC A&T, and Guilford College in Greensboro, High Point University in High Point, and Elon right next to Gibsonville, move-out season means a lot of furniture needs to go somewhere, fast.
For students: plan the last week
Two to three weeks before move-out
- Decide what is going home, what you can sell, and what needs to go.
- Post furniture for sale early. Incoming students and summer renters are looking.
- Check your lease for move-out requirements. Many leases charge for items left behind.
The week of move-out
- Coordinate with roommates on shared furniture. Someone needs to own the decision on the couch.
- Schedule a pickup for anything not sold, and do it early, because this is the busiest week of the year for haulers.
- Do not leave furniture on the curb unless your city's rules allow it. It can lead to fines and landlord charges.
For parents: helping from a distance
If you are coordinating a move-out from out of town, a pickup can take a lot off your plate. Have your student text photos of what needs to go, and we can give you a price before moving day. We carry it down the stairs so nobody's parents have to.
For landlords: get ahead of the rush
Landlords renting to students know the pattern: units turn over all at once, and the furniture left behind can hold up cleaning and the next lease. A few ways to stay ahead:
- Remind tenants of move-out requirements a month ahead.
- Pre-book a cleanout for the day after leases end, then cancel if you do not need it.
- Follow proper North Carolina procedures for any tenant belongings left behind before disposing of them.
- Ask for completion photos if you cannot be on site.
More detail is in our landlord's guide to faster rental turnovers.
What we pick up during move-out season
- Futons, couches, and sectionals
- Mattresses and bed frames, including lofted beds
- Desks, chairs, and bookshelves
- Mini fridges and microwaves
- TVs and gaming chairs
- Bags of trash and general clutter
Where it all goes
A lot of student furniture still has life left in it. When items are in usable shape and a local charity will accept them, we donate. Metal and electronics are recycled. The rest goes to proper disposal, not the curb.
We cover Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, Gibsonville, and the rest of the Triad.