Handyman Services
in Franklin, WI
Elmbrook Handyman provides professional handyman and small project services for homeowners and rental property managers throughout Franklin. We handle the everyday repairs and upgrades that keep homes functional and well maintained, including door and hardware fixes, fixture replacements, minor plumbing and electrical swaps, deck and exterior maintenance, punch lists, and general home improvements. Our service is built for efficiency and reliability, whether you need a single repair or several tasks completed in one visit. Many Franklin homeowners use us for move in and move out repairs, rental turnovers, deferred maintenance, and the smaller jobs that larger contractors typically will not take. If you already know what needs to be fixed, we can review your list and provide a clear labor only estimate so you can move forward without delays.
View Homeowner Resources Below
Franklin Homeowner Resources
This is your quick Franklin resource hub for city information that homeowners often need when planning repairs, upgrades, or property improvements. It is meant to save you time by keeping the most useful official references in one place.
Use the sections below to find permit and inspection information when a project requires approval, check seasonal notices that can affect access or scheduling, and locate general local references that are helpful for residents and property managers. Each section is separated by topic so you can scan, click what you need, and move on.
Garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection
Garbage Collection
Franklin uses an automated cart system for weekly trash pickup through Johns Disposal. The most important thing is having your cart placed correctly and out on time so the truck can service it without delays.
How often and when to set it out
Trash pickup is weekly
Place your brown trash cart at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day
Cart placement, do this to avoid missed service
Place the trash cart at the bottom of your driveway, not in the roadway
The arrows on the lid should point toward the street
If you are also setting out recycling the same day, place the trash and recycling carts on opposite sides of the driveway entrance so the truck arm has clearance
Bagging and keeping the cart clean
Franklin’s instructions recommend placing trash in tied bags before putting it in the cart to help keep carts cleaner and reduce loose debris
What belongs in the trash cart
Examples of common trash cart items include:
Food and household waste
Light bulbs
Plastic bags and plastic wrap
Styrofoam
Broken toys, ceramics, other loose household trash
What should NOT go in the trash cart
Do not place these in the trash cart:
Yard waste
Recyclables, including cardboard boxes
Household hazardous waste
Electronics
Construction materials
Medical waste and sharps
Propane tanks, helium tanks, fire extinguishers
Holiday delays
When a holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling pickup is delayed by one day for the remainder of that week
Franklin publishes the holiday list on the annual Trash and Recycling Information Card, so that is the best place to confirm what applies for the current year
If your trash was missed
First step is to contact Johns Disposal directly
If you still need help after contacting the hauler, Franklin’s DPW is listed as the backup contact on the City FAQ page
Official City Resources:
Trash and Recycling Instructions Card
Johns Disposal, Franklin Service Info
Drop off options
Franklin’s annual information card also lists approved drop off locations for trash and recycling. These can be useful when you have overflow, you missed your pickup day, or you need to clear out items quickly.
Bulk items and special pickups
If you have items that do not fit the cart, or you have bulky debris that is not considered regular household trash, Franklin directs residents to arrange a special pickup for a fee through Johns Disposal. These are scheduled directly with the hauler.
Recycling Collection
Franklin uses an automated cart system for weekly recycling pickup through Johns Disposal. The biggest causes of missed service and recycling contamination are cart placement, bagged recyclables, and putting non recyclables in the cart.
How often and when to set it out
Recycling pickup is weekly
Place your green recycling cart at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day
Cart placement, do this to avoid missed service
Place the recycling cart at the bottom of your driveway, not in the roadway
The arrows on the lid should point toward the street
If trash is collected the same day, place the trash and recycling carts on opposite sides of the driveway entrance so the truck arm has clearance
Keep carts clear of parked cars, mailboxes, and obstructions so the automated truck can reach them
What belongs in the green recycling cart
Franklin’s recycling guidance includes common household recyclables such as:
Aluminum cans and clean aluminum foil
Tin, steel, and aerosol cans
Empty, dried paint cans
Glass bottles and jars
Plastics labeled #1 through #7
Milk, soup, and juice cartons
Newspaper, magazines, books, paper, paper bags
Brown corrugated cardboard and boxes
Important rule about bags
Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags
The one exception noted by the City is shredded paper, which should be placed in a clear plastic bag, and only shredded paper should be in that bag
Keep these out of the recycling cart
To reduce contamination and avoid rejected pickups, keep these out:
Food, liquid, diapers, and household garbage
Batteries, electronics, sharps, flammables, compressed cylinders
Hoses, wires, chains, and other “tanglers” that wrap sorting equipment
Holiday delays
When a holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling pickup is delayed one day for the remainder of that week
The City’s annual information card lists the holidays that cause delays for the current year
If your recycling was missed
Contact Johns Disposal first for service issues, cart problems, and missed pickup questions
The City DPW is listed as the backup contact for general guidance on collection questions
Recycling Collection
Franklin uses an automated cart system for weekly recycling pickup through Johns Disposal. The biggest causes of missed service and recycling contamination are cart placement, bagged recyclables, and putting non recyclables in the cart.
How often and when to set it out
Recycling pickup is weekly
Place your green recycling cart at the curb by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day
Cart placement, do this to avoid missed service
Place the recycling cart at the bottom of your driveway, not in the roadway
The arrows on the lid should point toward the street
If trash is collected the same day, place the trash and recycling carts on opposite sides of the driveway entrance so the truck arm has clearance
Keep carts clear of parked cars, mailboxes, and obstructions so the automated truck can reach them
What belongs in the green recycling cart
Franklin’s recycling guidance includes common household recyclables such as:
Aluminum cans and clean aluminum foil
Tin, steel, and aerosol cans
Empty, dried paint cans
Glass bottles and jars
Plastics labeled #1 through #7
Milk, soup, and juice cartons
Newspaper, magazines, books, paper, paper bags
Brown corrugated cardboard and boxes
Important rule about bags
Do not bag recyclables in plastic bags
The one exception noted by the City is shredded paper, which should be placed in a clear plastic bag, and only shredded paper should be in that bag
Keep these out of the recycling cart
To reduce contamination and avoid rejected pickups, keep these out:
Food, liquid, diapers, and household garbage
Batteries, electronics, sharps, flammables, compressed cylinders
Hoses, wires, chains, and other “tanglers” that wrap sorting equipment
Holiday delays
When a holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling pickup is delayed one day for the remainder of that week
The City’s annual information card lists the holidays that cause delays for the current year
If your recycling was missed
Contact Johns Disposal first for service issues, cart problems, and missed pickup questions
The City DPW is listed as the backup contact for general guidance on collection questions
Yard Waste and Seasonal Pickups
Franklin’s yard waste program is not a weekly curbside service. Instead, the City schedules four brush and leaf pickups per year, and there are strict set out rules so the hauler can complete routes efficiently.
Brush and leaf pickup schedule
Franklin schedules 4 brush and leaf pickup cycles in 2026, starting on these Mondays:
May 4, 2026
July 27, 2026
September 21, 2026
November 16, 2026
When to set it out, and how the route works
Have brush piles and leaves curbside next to your driveway by 7:00 AM on the designated Monday
The hauler starts routes at 7:00 AM and works through the week until the citywide pickup is completed
Each street is collected one time, materials that are not out when the hauler passes are not picked up later
Your regular garbage pickup still happens on your normal day
Drop off and disposal options
Franklin notes the City’s Brush Drop Off and Recycling Center Yard is closed until further notice. If you need to dispose of brush or yard waste outside the scheduled pickup dates, the City directs residents to use the Waste Management Metro Landfill for disposal.
Waste Management Metro Landfill
12200 W South County Line Road
Phone, 414-529-6180
Brush requirements
Brush pickup is for branches and similar woody materials, prepared to be handled safely.
Cut brush no longer than 5 feet in length
Branches must be no larger than 6 inches in diameter
Limit is one pile per household, max pile size 4 ft x 4 ft x 5 ft, and total pile weight under 50 lbs
Bundle when possible, bundled piles are preferred
Larger piles, and brush thrown into the ditch, are not picked up
Leaves and yard waste, bagging and container rules
Leaves and yard waste must be placed in paper compostable yard waste bags, or 32 gallon or smaller containers that can be emptied into the collection truck
Plastic bags are not allowed, and they will not be picked up
Keep bagged leaves separate from your regular trash carts so they do not get missed
Leaves should not be raked into the street
Not accepted in this program
Franklin specifically notes that the following are not accepted in the brush and leaf pickup program:
Grass clippings
Flowers
Stumps
Fruit
Roots
Other garden debris
Permits and Home Improvement Guidelines
Franklin permit requirements are handled through the City’s Inspection Services Department. If your project involves structural changes, exterior changes, or any trade work like electrical, plumbing, or HVAC, it is smart to verify permit requirements before you schedule work, buy materials, or start demolition.
Projects that commonly require permits in Franklin
Decks, fences, pools, sheds, garages, and other accessory buildings
New construction, additions, remodels, and alterations
Roofing, siding, windows, foundation repair, demolition, moving structures
Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work
Signs, occupancy changes, and many commercial or multifamily updates
How to avoid permit delays
Verify permit needs early, especially for exterior work and anything involving trades
Have your scope clear, a short written description plus photos helps if you call with questions
If your project needs inspections, plan for inspection timing as part of the schedule so the job does not stall mid project
Inspection scheduling, what homeowners should know
Inspections are scheduled by phone through Inspection Services
Franklin requires inspections to be called in at least 24 hours in advance
If called in by 4:30 PM and the schedule allows, next day inspections are often possible
Same day inspections are not guaranteed
The City specifically asks that inspection requests are not emailed, faxed, or left on inspector voicemails
Online permit applications
Franklin offers an online permit application program, but it is for licensed contractors only. If you are a homeowner, use the permit guidance pages and the official forms and applications list to identify the correct permit path.
Fee schedule changes
Franklin posted that Inspection Services fee schedules increased as of January 1, 2026, so confirm current fees before you finalize your project plan.
Seasonal Services and City Notices
Franklin seasonal rules and city notices can directly impact scheduling, curb access, street parking, and outdoor work. Use the items below to avoid delays, towing, or last minute reschedules.
Winter plowing and street priority
Snow and ice operations are prioritized, main roads and higher traffic routes are typically serviced before neighborhood streets and cul-de-sacs
Crews may be out even when streets look clear. Follow-up work can include cutting back snowbanks and removing frozen edges to prepare for the next storm
If you are scheduling service during winter weather, plan for tighter parking, reduced curb access, and occasional timing adjustments
Overnight parking rules during the winter months
Franklin regulates overnight street parking during the winter season, which matters for homeowners who park on the street or have guests
If your street is narrow or has heavy snowbank buildup, even permitted street parking can interfere with plowing and service access
Snow emergencies and what changes
Snow emergency rules are stricter than normal winter parking rules.
A snow emergency may be declared when snow is falling heavily or when snow accumulation reaches a threshold
After a snow emergency is declared, street parking is restricted during the overnight window, vehicles parked in violation may be removed at the owner’s expense
Keep clear distance behind active snowplows, the City prohibits vehicles from following too closely behind snow removal equipment
Weather, pickup delays, and road closures
Franklin uses its notification system for time sensitive notices that impact residents.
Opt in groups include notifications for snow emergency declarations
There is also an opt in group for temporary or emergency changes to the solid waste and recycling pickup schedule
Road closures and local paving or construction project notices may also be available through the same system
Most notices are designed to be sent during daytime hours, not late night
Outdoor burning rules
Outdoor burning is regulated in Franklin and requires a permit.
Permits are residential use only and must be renewed annually
Burning is only allowed during specific seasonal windows
Key restrictions include wind limits, pile size limits, approved materials only, required supervision, required distances from buildings and roadways, and required extinguishment on hand
The Fire Department can revoke permits and can order burning to stop if conditions create a hazard or nuisance
Community and Local Information
This section is a quick hub for local calendars, public meetings, and community resources that help homeowners and property managers stay aware of events, closures, and schedules that can impact project timing, parking, and neighborhood access.
City calendar, meetings, and public notices
Use the City Calendar to check upcoming public meetings, commission schedules, and city events
If you are scheduling work near City Hall, public facilities, or busy community areas, scan the calendar first to avoid conflicts
Agendas, minutes, and what gets decided
For meeting packets, agendas, and minutes, use the City’s official Agendas and Minutes page
This is the best place to confirm what is on the agenda, and whether a meeting is in person, hybrid, or streamed
Annual events and seasonal community activity
Franklin publishes an Annual City Events hub that highlights recurring events and community dates
This is useful for planning around higher traffic weekends or facility use peaks
Library events and workshops
The Franklin Public Library maintains an events calendar with ongoing programs, workshops, and seasonal events
This is one of the easiest ways to find family friendly events and community programming
Parks, pavilions, and outdoor spaces
Franklin’s Parks and Recreation page includes park, trail, and pavilion information
If you are planning work near a park, or you are coordinating a community gathering that could impact access, this is the best starting point
Community Education and Recreation programs
Franklin Community Education and Recreation posts program updates, registration information, and seasonal guides
This is helpful if you want local programming schedules that may affect parking and facility availability around schools and community spaces