Handyman services in

Franklin, WI

Elmbrook Handyman helps homeowners and property managers in Franklin with professional home repair, maintenance, and improvement projects. Whether you are handling a punch list, getting a property ready for move in, or taking care of overdue fixes, our team focuses on clear communication, clean workmanship, and practical solutions that move the project forward. This page also includes official Franklin homeowner resources so you can quickly find permit guidance, collection schedules, seasonal notices, and helpful local information.

Request a quote
Book Instantly

Services we offer in FRanklin

Franklin Homeowner Resources

Garbage, recycling, and yard waste Collection

Franklin uses an automated cart system for weekly trash and recycling pickup through its contracted hauler, Johns Disposal. Use the disclosures below for set-out rules, accepted materials, seasonal brush and leaf pickup dates, and contacts.

Garbage collection

Weekly · Set out by 7 AM · 262-473-4700

Franklin’s brown trash cart is collected weekly on your scheduled day. The most important thing is having the cart placed correctly and out on time so the automated truck can service it without delays.

Set-out rules

  • Set the cart out the night before, or by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
  • Place the cart at the bottom of your driveway — not in the roadway.
  • If trash and recycling are collected the same day, place the two carts on opposite sides of the bottom of the driveway so the truck arm has clearance.
  • The arrows on the cart lid should point toward the street.

Bagging

  • Place trash in tied bags before putting it in the cart to keep the cart cleaner and reduce loose debris.

What belongs in the trash cart

  • Food and household waste, light bulbs, plastic bags and plastic wrap, Styrofoam, broken toys, ceramics, and other loose household trash.
  • Regular (non-rechargeable, non-button) batteries.

What does NOT belong in the trash cart

  • Yard waste, recyclables (including cardboard boxes), household hazardous waste, electronics, construction materials, medical waste/sharps, and propane, helium, or fire extinguisher tanks/cylinders.

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’s annual Trash and Recycling Information Card lists the specific holidays that trigger a delay each year — that card is the source of truth for the current year’s dates.

Bulk items and special pickups

  • Items that don’t fit the cart, or bulky debris that isn’t regular household trash, require a special pickup for a fee arranged directly with Johns Disposal (pre-pay by credit card).

Drop-off option

  • Waste Management Metro Landfill accepts trash and recycling (2 cubic yards/week max) as well as unlimited yard waste. Proof of residency is required.

If your trash was missed

  • Contact Johns Disposal directly first.
  • If you still need help, Franklin’s DPW is the backup contact.

Quick links

Johns Disposal: Call 262-473-4700 or 1-888-473-4701 · Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM, Sat 8 AM–12 PM · office@johnsdisposal.com

Franklin DPW (backup contact): Call 414-425-2592 · Mon–Fri 7 AM–3 PM

Recycling collection

Weekly · Loose in cart · 262-473-4700

Franklin’s green recycling cart is collected weekly through Johns Disposal. The biggest causes of missed service and contamination are cart placement, bagged recyclables, and non-recyclables placed in the cart.

Set-out rules

  • Set the cart out the night before, or by 7:00 AM on your scheduled collection day.
  • Place the cart at the bottom of your driveway — not in the roadway.
  • 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.
  • The arrows on the lid should point toward the street. Keep carts clear of parked cars, mailboxes, and other obstructions.

Accepted in the green recycling cart

  • 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.

Bagging rule

  • Do not bag recyclables. The one exception is shredded paper, which should go in a clear plastic bag — and only shredded paper should be in that bag.

Keep out of the recycling cart

  • Styrofoam, yard waste, trash, hazardous waste, electronics, clothing, construction material, propane tanks, helium tanks, fire extinguishers, and “tanglers” like hoses, wires, and chains.

Holiday delays

  • When a holiday falls on a weekday, recycling pickup is delayed by one day for the remainder of that week, same as trash.

If your recycling was missed

  • Contact Johns Disposal first for service issues, cart problems, or missed pickups.
  • Franklin DPW is the backup contact for general collection questions.

Quick links

Johns Disposal: Call 262-473-4700 or 1-888-473-4701 · office@johnsdisposal.com

Yard waste & seasonal pickups

4 pickups in 2026 · Curbside by 7 AM · 262-473-4700

Franklin’s yard waste program is not a weekly curbside service. Instead, the City schedules four brush and leaf pickups per year, with strict set-out rules so the hauler can complete routes efficiently.

2026 brush & leaf pickup dates

  • May 4, 2026
  • July 27, 2026
  • September 21, 2026
  • November 16, 2026

Have piles and leaves curbside, next to your driveway, by 7:00 AM on the listed Monday. The hauler starts at 7 AM and works through the city over the week; each street is collected one time only — materials not out when the hauler passes are not picked up later. Your regular garbage pickup is unaffected and continues on its normal day.

Brush requirements

  • Cut branches to no longer than 5 feet and no larger than 6 inches in diameter.
  • Limit of one pile per household, no larger than 4’ x 4’ x 5’, and under 50 lbs.
  • Bundle if possible — bundled piles are preferred. Larger piles and brush thrown in the ditch will not be picked up.

Leaves and yard waste

  • Must go in paper compostable yard waste bags or a 32-gallon or smaller container that can be emptied into the collection truck.
  • Plastic bags are not allowed and will not be picked up.
  • Keep bagged leaves separate from your regular trash cart so it isn’t missed.
  • Leaves should not be raked into the street.

Not accepted in this program

  • Grass clippings, flowers, stumps, fruit, roots, or other garden debris.

Drop-off / disposal alternative

  • The City’s Brush Drop-Off and Recycling Center Yard is currently closed until further notice.
  • Brush, leaves, grass clippings, and other garden debris not covered by the scheduled pickups can be taken to Waste Management Metro Landfill, 12200 W South County Line Rd (yard waste accepted in unlimited quantity; proof of residency required).

Christmas tree pickup

  • Pickup dates: January 12, 2026 and January 4, 2027. Franklin DPW begins picking up at 7 AM.
  • Place the tree at the end of your driveway no more than 24 hours in advance.
  • Trees must be free of decorations, lights, and stands, and should not be covered in snow or placed in a bag.
  • Wreaths can be disposed of with regular trash.

Quick links

Johns Disposal: Call 262-473-4700 or 1-888-473-4701 · Franklin DPW: 414-425-2592

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 trade work like electrical, plumbing, or HVAC, it's smart to verify permit requirements before you schedule work, buy materials, or start demolition.

Does my project need a permit?

Online portal for licensed contractors only · 414-425-0084

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, and moving structures.
  • Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work.
  • Signs, occupancy changes, and many commercial or multifamily updates.

How to avoid 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, build inspection timing into your schedule so the job doesn’t stall mid-project.

Applying online

  • Franklin’s online permit application system (BS&A) is for licensed contractors only.
  • Homeowners should use the permit guidance pages and the official forms/applications list to identify the correct permit path, or call Inspection Services directly.

Fees

  • Franklin’s Inspection Services fee schedule increased as of January 1, 2026 — confirm current fees before finalizing your project plan.

Quick links

Call 414-425-0084 or email generalinspection@franklinwi.gov to request a City PIN or ask which permit applies

Plan prep & inspections

Phone only · 24-hour notice required · 414-425-0084

Scheduling an inspection

  • Inspections are scheduled by phone only at 414-425-0084, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM.
  • The City 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.
  • Do not fax, email, or leave inspection requests on an inspector’s voicemail.

Inspection Services contact

  • Address: 9229 W Loomis Road, Franklin, WI 53132
  • Phone: 414-425-0084 · Fax: 414-425-7513
  • Email: generalinspection@franklinwi.gov
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Quick links

Call 414-425-0084

Seasonal Services and City Notices

Franklin seasonal rules and city notices can directly impact scheduling, curb access, street parking, and outdoor work. Use the disclosures below to avoid delays, towing, or last-minute reschedules.

Snow operations & winter parking

Main roads plowed first · Overnight parking restricted during emergencies

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 ahead of the next storm.
  • If scheduling service during winter weather, plan for tighter parking, reduced curb access, and occasional timing adjustments.

Overnight parking during winter

  • Franklin regulates overnight street parking during the winter season — relevant if you or guests park on the street.
  • On narrow streets or where snowbanks build up, even permitted street parking can interfere with plowing and service access.

Snow emergencies

  • Snow emergency rules are stricter than normal winter parking rules. A snow emergency may be declared when snow is falling heavily or accumulation reaches a set threshold.
  • Once 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 — following too closely behind snow removal equipment is prohibited.

Quick links

Road closures, construction & city notices

Opt-in text/email/voice alerts · Franklin Notification System

Franklin uses an official notification system for time-sensitive notices that affect residents, plus dedicated pages for road work and public notices.

Franklin Notification System

  • Opt-in groups include snow emergency declarations and temporary/emergency changes to the trash and recycling pickup schedule.
  • Road closures and local paving or construction project notices may also be available through the same system.
  • Most notices are sent during daytime hours, not late at night.
  • Delivered by text, email, and voice.

Road construction, closures, and detours

  • For local project updates and planned impacts, use the City’s Public Construction page.
  • For statewide roadwork visibility, use Wisconsin 511.

Public notices and news

  • The City posts official notices, news items, and newsletters on its News page — a good place to check for time-sensitive updates.

Quick links

Engineering Department: Call 414-425-7510 · Mon–Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM

Outdoor burning permits

Annual permit required · Residential use only · Seasonal windows

Outdoor burning is regulated in Franklin and requires a permit.

  • Permits are for 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 distance from buildings and roadways, and having extinguishment on hand.
  • The Fire Department can revoke a permit or order burning to stop if conditions create a hazard or nuisance.

Quick links

Holiday collection changes

6 holidays affect 2026 schedule · Delayed by 1 day that week

When a holiday falls on a weekday, trash and recycling pickup is delayed by one day for the remainder of that week.

2026 holidays that trigger a delay

  • January 1
  • May 25
  • September 7
  • November 26
  • December 25

Franklin’s annual Trash and Recycling Information Card is the source of truth for the current year’s holiday delay dates.

Quick links

Community and Local Information

A quick hub for Franklin city contacts, meetings, and property tools — useful when planning projects that affect street access, parking, or neighborhood timing.

City Hall & property tools

City Hall: 9229 W Loomis Rd · 414-425-7500

City Hall

  • Address: 9229 W. Loomis Road, Franklin, WI 53132
  • Phone: 414-425-7500
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Property, zoning & map tools

  • GIS Property Viewer for parcel and zoning lookups.
  • Planning Property Inquiry Form for zoning or planning questions.
  • Property Information page for tax and assessment records.

Quick links

Call 414-425-7500

City meetings, agendas & calendars

City Calendar · Agendas & Minutes portal
  • Use the City Calendar to check upcoming public meetings, commission schedules, and city events — helpful for avoiding conflicts if scheduling work near City Hall or busy community areas.
  • For meeting packets, agendas, and minutes, use the City’s official Agendas and Minutes page. This is also the best place to confirm whether a meeting is in-person, hybrid, or streamed.

Quick links

Library, parks & community programs

Franklin Public Library · Parks & Recreation

Franklin Public Library

  • Events calendar with ongoing programs, workshops, and seasonal events — one of the easiest ways to find family-friendly programming.

Parks and Recreation

  • Park, trail, and pavilion information. If planning work near a park, or coordinating a gathering that could affect access, this is the best starting point.
  • Includes Kayla’s Playground at Franklin Woods.

Annual events & community education

  • Franklin publishes an Annual City Events hub highlighting recurring events and community dates — useful for planning around higher-traffic weekends.
  • Franklin Community Education and Recreation posts program updates, registration info, and seasonal guides that may affect parking and facility availability around schools and community spaces.

Quick links

Planning a project in FRanklin?

Ready to get that project off the list? Elmbrook works with Franklin homeowners and property managers on repairs and improvements of every size — locally operated, easy to schedule.

Request a quote
Book Instantly