She told me over the phone that the moving truck was arriving in two days and she needed every foot of the driveway cleared. Her parents had left behind a 24-foot pontoon boat sitting on a flat-tired trailer in the side yard of their Rich, IL home. Relatives had parked three cars along the fence, squeezing the space down tight.
The vessel had sat through too many winters. Rust was deep along the keel, and there was a hole the size of my fist near the stern. The original title was gone, so we helped her sort out the registration records and a bill of sale, while she signed the release of liability when booking the job. Before we hooked up, our crew checked the pontoon for any fuel or oil leaks to keep hazardous fluids off the grass. The trailer tires were dry-rotted down to the rims, so instead of towing that old rig, we pulled the pontoon and its rusted trailer right onto our trailer, strapped the load down tight, and moved out past the parked cars.
Usable fittings were salvaged for resale, the heavy aluminum pontoons went for scrap metal recycling, and the rest was taken to a licensed disposal facility. The daughter had a clean driveway in time for the movers, and a signed receipt showing the boat was off her hands. If you have an unwanted vessel sitting on your property in Cook County, call 866-994-1769.
What a trailer says about the boat on it
Typically, we see more damage on old hulls after the spring thaw, when trapped ice expands and leaves split aluminum or cracked fiberglass behind. Photos help us give an upfront estimate for your boat removal. When you send pictures, show us the side profile of the hull, the state of the tires, and any low trees or narrow gates along the path out to the street.
The Rich, IL boat removal in brief
| Job | Boat removal and disposal |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1970 pontoon boat, about 24 feet |
| Where it sat | On a trailer in the yard of an estate the family was settling |
| Who called | A daughter settling her parents’ estate |
| What was wrong | Corrosion along the keel and a hole the size of a fist near the stern |
| Estimate | Estimate up front, no charge |
| Paperwork | Release of liability signed at booking |
| Area | Cook County, IL |
Illustrative case from Cook County. It does not describe a particular customer, and the photos are examples.
Cost questions from Rich, IL owners
Are your haulers in Rich licensed and insured?
Yes, our crew is fully licensed and insured for all boat removal and junk removal work. We handle the entire boat removal process using our own trucks, gear, and heavy trailers, so you do not have to worry about uninsured haulers on your property.
How much does boat removal cost in Rich?
Our pricing starts at a $400 minimum service charge. The final price depends on the size of the boat, its condition, where it sits on the property, and whether we have to dismantle the hull to haul it. We give a free estimate from your photos before booking.
Our boat removal service areas in Cook County
We pick up boats across Cook County, in Arlington Heights, Glenview, Des Plaines and Palatine. In April, heavy spring rain fills derelict decks and rots out wooden crossmembers fast. That extra weight makes a sunken or lawn-bound pontoon pull much heavier, turning a quick winch job into a tricky lift if the frame gives way.
Ready to let the boat go in Rich? Call 866-994-1769 and we’ll walk you through it.