If you are looking for a Black-owned junk removal company in Somerville, Boston, or Cambridge, MA, I want to introduce you to my company, Velney Task Force 1.

I’m Josué Velney, the founder of Velney Task Force 1. I wanted to write this article myself to give homeowners, landlords, property managers, contractors, real estate investors, and business owners across Greater Boston a better feel for who we are, what we do, and why I started this company.

We specialize in full house cleanouts, basement cleanouts, apartment cleanouts, estate cleanouts, garage cleanouts, attic cleanouts, junk removal, dumpster rentals, construction debris removal, and demolition services.

One thing I have learned from working in construction and real estate is that getting rid of unwanted material can become a project all by itself.

Sometimes you are cleaning out a basement because you simply want your space back. Other times, that cleanout is the first step before selling a property, turning over an apartment, starting demolition, renovating a building, or beginning a construction project.

Either way, the stuff has to go.

That is where we come in.

Table of Contents

1. Why I Started Velney Task Force 1
2. Black-Owned & Veteran-Owned Junk Removal in Greater Boston
3. Junk Removal in Somerville, Boston & Cambridge
4. Basement Cleanouts
5. What a Typical Basement Cleanout Looks Like
6. Full House & Estate Cleanouts
7. Apartment & Multifamily Cleanouts
8. Garage & Attic Cleanouts
9. Large Property & Hoarder Cleanouts
10. Junk Removal vs. Dumpster Rental
11. How Much Does Junk Removal Cost?
12. Why We Use 15-Yard Dumpsters
13. Junk Removal for Contractors, Investors & Property Managers
14. Looking for a Black-Owned Junk Removal Company Near Me?
15. Areas We Serve
16. Frequently Asked Questions

Why I Started Velney Task Force 1

Before I get too far into junk removal, I think it is important for you to know a little about who is writing this article and the company behind it.

I’m Josué Velney, a Somerville native, U.S. Marine veteran, licensed Massachusetts real estate broker, and licensed general contractor.

I grew up in Somerville, and today Velney Task Force 1 is headquartered right here in Somerville, MA as part of the Velney family of businesses I founded.

My background in construction, real estate, development, and property ownership has allowed me to see properties from several different angles.

I have seen the homeowner who wants their basement back.

I have seen the landlord who has a new tenant moving in and needs an apartment cleared quickly.

I have seen the contractor who cannot start demolition because the building is still full of stuff.

And I have seen the investor who just purchased a property and wants to get construction started as soon as possible.

That experience is one of the reasons I saw an opportunity for Velney Task Force 1.

We are not trying to be just another company that shows up with a truck and takes a couch away.

I want us to understand why the cleanout is happening and what needs to happen next.

A Black-Owned & Veteran-Owned Junk Removal Company in Greater Boston

I am proud that Velney Task Force 1 is a Black-owned junk removal company in Massachusetts. I am equally proud that we are veteran-owned and headquartered in the community where I grew up.

But I also believe being Black-owned or veteran-owned only gives us an opportunity to earn your business.

We still have to perform.

For me, that means communicating clearly, showing up ready to work, understanding the scope, respecting the property, and getting the job done.

Our services include:

• Full house cleanouts
• Basement cleanouts
• Apartment cleanouts
• Estate cleanouts
• Garage cleanouts
• Attic cleanouts
• Junk removal
• Construction debris removal
• Dumpster rentals
• Interior and selective demolition
• Contractor support

Our headquarters are in Somerville, but we are intentionally building Velney Task Force 1 to serve Somerville, Boston, Cambridge, and neighboring Greater Boston communities.

Junk Removal in Somerville, Boston & Cambridge

One reason I like working in Somerville, Boston, and Cambridge is that these communities have something in common:

The buildings can make simple jobs complicated.

Anyone who owns or works on property around here knows what I mean.

We have older homes, triple-deckers, multifamily buildings, apartment buildings, narrow stairways, tight basements, small lots, limited parking, and buildings sitting very close to their neighbors.

Getting an old couch out of a suburban two-car garage is one thing.

Getting that same couch out of the basement of an older Greater Boston multifamily property can be an entirely different project.

That is why I believe local experience matters.

Junk Removal in Somerville, MA

Somerville is home for us.

Our company is headquartered in Somerville, I grew up here, and a significant amount of our work is performed here.

We provide junk removal in Somerville, MA for homeowners, landlords, property managers, contractors, investors, businesses, and commercial property owners.

Junk Removal in Boston, MA

Boston represents a major opportunity for our company.

We provide junk removal and cleanout services in Boston for residential, commercial, construction, and real estate clients.

That could mean clearing a Boston apartment between tenants, cleaning out a basement, removing material before construction, cleaning an investment property after closing, or providing a dumpster for a renovation project.

Junk Removal in Cambridge, MA

We also serve Cambridge and neighboring communities.

Cambridge presents many of the same challenges we see in Somerville and Boston: dense neighborhoods, older buildings, multifamily properties, limited access, and projects where planning the removal is just as important as providing the labor.

Basement Cleanouts in Somerville, Boston & Cambridge

Basements have an interesting way of becoming permanent storage.

One old couch goes downstairs.

Then a television.

Then some boxes.

Then leftover material from a renovation.

Then something else you are going to deal with “later.”

Before you know it, years have passed.

Our basement cleanout services in Somerville, Boston, and Cambridge are designed for exactly these situations.

We can help remove approved unwanted:

• Furniture
• Household items
• Boxes
• Mattresses
• Electronics
• Appliances
• Old shelving
• Wood
• Construction debris
• Renovation materials
• General clutter

Certain specialty items require separate handling and disposal costs, which is something we can discuss before starting the cleanout.

Older Greater Boston Basements Can Be Tough

This is another area where I think our construction experience helps.

Many older basements around Somerville, Boston, and Cambridge were not designed with modern furniture removal in mind.

You may have narrow stairs, low ceilings, small doors, bulkhead access, or a tight path between the basement and the street.

Sometimes getting the material out of the building is half the job.

Our crew handles that labor.

You show us what stays and what goes.

We take it from there.

What Does a Typical Basement Cleanout Look Like?

Every cleanout is different, but I like to understand the project before we arrive.

Photos help tremendously.

I want to know how much material is there, what type of material we are dealing with, whether there are stairs, how we access the property, whether there are heavy items, and whether anything requires specialty disposal.

From there, we can determine what combination of labor, hauling, and dumpster capacity makes sense.

For larger cleanouts, one of our 15-yard dumpsters may be used so our crew can continuously move and load material.

At the end of the project, hopefully you see something you have not seen in a while:

your basement floor.

Full House & Estate Cleanouts

Sometimes the basement is only part of the problem.

We also provide full house cleanouts and estate cleanouts throughout Somerville, Boston, Cambridge, and Greater Boston.

A full property cleanout may be necessary because of:

• A property sale
• Estate transition
• Property acquisition
• Foreclosure
• Major renovation
• Tenant turnover
• Preparing a property for listing
• Years of accumulated belongings

For larger cleanouts, I think planning becomes especially important.

A house full of furniture may not look overwhelming when everything is spread throughout multiple rooms. Once it starts coming through the front door, you quickly realize how much material is actually there.

Depending on the project, Velney Task Force 1 can provide cleanout labor, dumpsters, hauling, and debris removal.

Apartment & Multifamily Cleanouts

Apartment cleanouts are another service where I see a significant need throughout Boston, Somerville, and Cambridge.

Timing matters in rental property.

One tenant moves out.

The painter is scheduled.

The flooring contractor is waiting.

The cleaners need access.

And another tenant may already have a move-in date.

Then the landlord discovers furniture, mattresses, boxes, and unwanted items still inside the unit.

Once the property owner has handled any applicable requirements regarding the former tenant’s belongings, our team can provide apartment cleanout services to help get the unit ready for its next phase.

This service can be especially useful for absentee landlords and busy property managers.

You should not necessarily have to spend your Saturday carrying furniture down three flights of stairs.

Garage & Attic Cleanouts

Basements are not the only places where stuff accumulates.

Garages and attics are usually not far behind.

We provide garage cleanouts and attic cleanouts for homeowners, landlords, investors, and property managers throughout our Greater Boston service area.

Whether you are moving, selling, renovating, or simply tired of looking at everything, our crew can help you reclaim the space.

Large Property & Hoarder Cleanouts

Some properties require more than a normal cleanout.

Years or decades of accumulated belongings may require multiple workers, dumpsters, and a more carefully planned approach.

We can evaluate large property and hoarder cleanouts and determine the labor, equipment, dumpster capacity, and time required.

I think it is important to approach these projects professionally and respectfully.

We are not there to judge how a property reached its current condition.

We are there to help figure out what happens next.

Junk Removal vs. Dumpster Rental: Which One Do You Need?

People regularly ask me whether they should hire us for junk removal or simply rent a dumpster.

My answer is:

How much work do you want to do yourself?

Full-Service Junk Removal

If you want us to handle the heavy lifting, junk removal probably makes the most sense.

Our crew removes approved items from the property, loads them, and handles the hauling.

Dumpster Rental

If you would rather clean the property yourself over several days, a dumpster rental may be the better option.

We deliver the dumpster.

You load it.

We pick it up.

Dumpster + Labor

There is also a third option that I think gets overlooked.

We can provide both.

Velney Task Force 1 can provide the dumpster and the crew to load it.

For larger cleanouts, this can be a very efficient approach.

How Much Does Junk Removal Cost in Greater Boston?

Another question I hear is:

How much does junk removal cost?

There is no single price that makes sense for every cleanout.

A few pieces of furniture on the first floor are very different from an entire basement filled with household goods and heavy construction material.

Pricing can depend on:

• Volume of material
• Weight
• Type of debris
• Labor required
• Number of workers
• Stairs
• Property access
• Heavy items
• Specialty disposal items
• Number of dumpster loads
• Parking and site conditions

That is why photos can be extremely helpful.

Show us what you have, tell us where the property is, and explain the access.

That gives us a much better starting point.

Why We Use 15-Yard Dumpsters

One thing I have learned working around Somerville, Boston, and Cambridge is that bigger equipment is not always better equipment.

Space matters.

That is one reason we use 15-yard dumpsters.

They provide useful capacity while remaining a practical option for many tighter residential and construction sites.

For customers who want to do their own cleanout, we provide dumpster rentals in Somerville, Boston, Cambridge, and neighboring communities, subject to availability and site conditions.

For customers who want us to do everything, we can provide the dumpster and labor.

Junk Removal for Contractors, Investors & Property Managers

This is one area where I think Velney Task Force 1 is different from a traditional junk removal company.

Because of my background in construction and real estate, I understand that sometimes the cleanout isn’t really the project.

It is the thing preventing the project from starting.

A general contractor may need a building cleared before demolition.

An investor may close on a property Friday and want construction starting Monday.

A property manager may need an apartment ready for painters.

A real estate broker may need a house cleaned before photography.

A business owner may need a commercial space cleared before a buildout.

We work with:

• General contractors
• Construction managers
• Developers
• Real estate investors
• Property managers
• Landlords
• Real estate brokers
• Homeowners
• Commercial property owners

When the next phase is waiting, getting the property cleared matters.

Looking for a Black-Owned Junk Removal Company Near Me?

If you found this article because you searched for a Black-owned junk removal company near me, Black-owned junk removal company in Boston, or Black-owned junk removal company in Massachusetts, I appreciate you taking the time to learn about us.

Velney Task Force 1 is Black-owned, veteran-owned, and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Our primary focus is serving Somerville, Boston, Cambridge, and neighboring Greater Boston communities.

We still have to earn your business.

My goal is to build Velney Task Force 1 into a company that homeowners, contractors, landlords, investors, property managers, and businesses throughout Greater Boston feel comfortable calling—and comfortable referring to someone else.

Areas We Serve

Velney Task Force 1 is headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, with a primary service focus on:

Somerville | Boston | Cambridge | Neighboring Greater Boston Communities

Depending on the size, scope, and location of the project, we may also be able to assist with cleanouts, junk removal, dumpster rentals, demolition, and debris removal elsewhere in Massachusetts.

If you are unsure whether we serve your area, contact us and tell us about the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Velney Task Force 1 a Black-owned junk removal company?

Yes. Velney Task Force 1 is a Black-owned and veteran-owned junk removal company headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts. We primarily serve Somerville, Boston, Cambridge, and neighboring Greater Boston communities.

Who owns Velney Task Force 1?

I do. I’m Josué Velney, the founder of Velney Task Force 1 and the author of this article. I am a Somerville native, U.S. Marine veteran, licensed Massachusetts real estate broker, and licensed general contractor.

Do you provide junk removal in Boston?

Yes. Boston is one of our primary target service areas. We provide junk removal and property cleanout services for residential, commercial, construction, and real estate clients.

Do you provide junk removal in Somerville?

Yes. Velney Task Force 1 is headquartered in Somerville, and Somerville remains one of our primary service areas.

Do you provide junk removal in Cambridge?

Yes. Cambridge is another important part of our Greater Boston service area.

Do you provide basement cleanouts?

Yes. We provide basement cleanouts in Somerville, Boston, Cambridge, and neighboring communities.

Can you clean out an entire house?

Yes. We provide full house and property cleanouts for homeowners, estates, landlords, investors, property managers, and real estate professionals.

Do you clean out apartments?

Yes. We provide apartment and multifamily cleanouts. Property owners should first make sure they have satisfied any applicable requirements regarding a former tenant’s belongings.

Do you offer dumpster rentals?

Yes. Velney Task Force 1 provides dumpster rentals, including our 15-yard dumpsters, for cleanouts, construction projects, and other approved uses.

Can you provide the dumpster and the workers?

Yes. Depending on the project, we can provide both the dumpster and cleanout labor.

Do you provide demolition services?

Yes. In addition to junk removal and dumpster rentals, Velney Task Force 1 provides demolition and construction-support services.

Do you serve other communities in Massachusetts?

Our primary focus is Somerville, Boston, Cambridge, and neighboring Greater Boston communities. For projects elsewhere in Massachusetts, contact us with the location and scope so we can determine whether we can help.

Ready to Get Your Space Back?

If you have made it this far, hopefully you know a little more about my company and why I started Velney Task Force 1.

Maybe you have a basement in Somerville that has not been cleaned out in 15 years.

Maybe you are a Boston landlord with an apartment that needs to be turned over.

Maybe you bought an investment property in Cambridge and need everything removed before construction starts.

Or maybe you simply looked around one day and said:

This stuff has to go.

I get it.

Velney Task Force 1 is a Black-owned and veteran-owned junk removal company headquartered in Somerville, MA, serving Somerville, Boston, Cambridge, and neighboring Greater Boston communities.

We provide full house cleanouts, basement cleanouts, apartment cleanouts, estate cleanouts, garage cleanouts, attic cleanouts, junk removal, dumpster rentals, construction debris removal, and demolition services.