Frequently Asked Questions

Real answers to real questions.

Everything we get asked about pricing, services, scheduling, and how we handle the work. If you don't see it here, call (978) 766-7781.

Services & Coverage
What services does Marblehead Helpers offer?+

We handle general home services across the North Shore: lawn care, mulching, junk removal and cleanouts, dump runs, organizing, small-to-medium tree removal, moving help, and special requests like firewood stacking, dog watching, trampoline assembly, and Peloton setup.

What towns do you cover?+

Marblehead, Swampscott, Beverly, and Salem, Massachusetts. We're based in Marblehead and we service the surrounding North Shore towns.

Are you available year-round or only seasonally?+

We run year-round. Yardwork and lawn care are seasonal (April through November), but cleanouts, organizing, junk removal, hauling, moving help, and special requests run all 12 months.

Do you handle commercial properties?+

Primarily residential, but we'll take on small commercial cleanouts, office moves, and property maintenance.

Can I book recurring service?+

Yes. Recurring weekly or biweekly mowing through the season is standard. We also do recurring monthly check-ins for second-home owners.

Pricing & Quotes
How do you quote a job?+

Quotes are based on scope, time required, disposal needed, and access. We give same-day or next-day quotes for most jobs — phone, text, or email is fastest.

Is the quote firm or can it change?+

Once we agree on the scope of a job, we stand by what we quoted. If a cleanout turns out to be substantially larger than what we discussed up front, we'll talk through it with you before doing the extra work.

Do you charge for estimates?+

No. Quotes are free, whether by phone, photo, or in-person walkthrough.

What forms of payment do you accept?+

Cash, check, Venmo, and credit card. We send digital invoices on request.

Do you offer discounts?+

We're often happy to be flexible on combined jobs — for example, lawn care plus a cleanout. Reach out and we can talk through what makes sense for your situation.

Yard Waste & Disposal
Where does my yard waste go?+

It depends on the town. We follow municipal rules: paper bags only, branches under 2–3 inches to local transfer stations, larger material to private disposal.

Can you haul away mattresses?+

Yes. Mattresses and box springs have been banned from regular trash by MassDEP since November 2022, so they need dedicated mattress recycling. We handle the routing.

Do you handle hazardous waste?+

Limited types. We do not haul paint, oils, chemicals, propane tanks, or batteries — these require designated hazardous waste collection days.

Can you remove electronics, TVs, computers?+

Yes. E-waste requires specific routing (Salem runs E-Waste Days at Salem High School) and there's typically a small per-item fee.

What about construction debris?+

Yes for moderate volumes — old fencing, broken decking, small project demolition. For full renovation debris, a roll-off dumpster is usually more cost-effective.

Lawn Care & Yardwork
How often should I mow my lawn?+

Weekly during peak growing season (May through July) on the North Shore, biweekly in spring and fall shoulder seasons.

When should I overseed?+

September is the best window — cool nights, warm days, reliable rainfall. Spring overseeding works but is secondary.

Do you use organic or synthetic fertilizers?+

Either, based on preference. We default to slow-release organic blends because they're gentler on the soil and safer near pets, kids, and the waterfront.

How much does a typical spring cleanup cost?+

Spring cleanups vary based on property size, leaf load, and how overgrown things have gotten over winter. We give a free quote after a quick walkthrough or photos of the yard.

Can you do leaf cleanup in the fall?+

Yes — fall cleanup is one of our biggest services from mid-October through November.

Organizing
Who runs the organizing service?+

Katie Hutchinson is our self-certified professional organizer. She handles kitchens, pantries, closets, garages, attics, basements, and playrooms.

How long does a typical organizing session take?+

Pantries: 4–8 hours. Closets: 3–6 hours. Garages: 8–16 hours depending on scope.

Do you provide bins, baskets, organizational products?+

We can source basic products or work with what you have. For premium organizational systems we'd refer you to a specialty firm.

Will you haul away the donate and toss piles same-day?+

Yes. That's one of the biggest reasons to hire us versus a standalone organizer — the cleanout and haul are part of the same job.

Do you charge by the hour or by the project?+

Most organizing jobs are quoted as a project, with an estimated time range upfront.

Tree Removal
What size tree can you remove?+

Small and medium — generally under 30 feet tall and under 12 inches in diameter, in a location with a clear drop zone.

Do you grind stumps?+

We can refer you to a stump grinder. Stump grinding requires specialized equipment we don't carry.

What do you do with the wood and brush?+

Brush under 2 inches goes to local transfer stations; larger limbs and logs are split for firewood or hauled.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree?+

Usually not for trees on your own property, but yes for: street trees, conservation areas, and historic districts. We can flag if your situation needs approval.

Special Requests & Booking
What kinds of special requests do you take?+

Firewood stacking, dog watching, trampoline assembly, swing set installation or breakdown, Peloton install, IKEA furniture assembly, holiday light installation and takedown — basically anything reasonable.

How quickly can you come?+

Same-day or next-day for emergencies and small jobs; usually within 3–5 days for routine work; 1–2 weeks during peak spring and fall cleanup season.

Do you work weekends?+

Yes. Saturdays especially. Sundays by arrangement for cleanouts and moving help.

Are you insured?+

Yes. Happy to share details if your property manager or HOA asks for documentation.

Who actually shows up to the job?+

Russell Hutchinson runs the crew, and we hire local Marblehead students. You'll typically have a consistent team across visits.

What if I'm not happy with the work?+

Let us know. We'll do our best to make it right — we're a small local business, and word of mouth is how we grow, so we take feedback seriously.