Hoarding Clearance FAQs

No. Please don't feel you have to tidy, sort or clean before contacting us or before we visit. We see homes exactly as they are, and seeing the property as it is helps us give an accurate quotation. There is no need to explain or apologise before contacting us. Many people find that simply starting the conversation is the hardest part.

Whatever you feel comfortable sharing. A rough idea of the property size, which rooms are affected, any access issues such as stairs or parking, and what you would like to happen is plenty to start with. Our guide on what to send with a quote request has a short checklist if that helps.

Yes. A first conversation is simply a chance to ask questions and hear how we would approach the work. You are under no obligation to book, and we will not chase you or apply pressure. Some people take weeks or months to decide, and that is completely fine. We are happy to talk again whenever you are ready.

We keep every clearance as low-key as we can. On request we wear plain clothing, park considerately, keep loading brief and close bags before they leave the property. We can also choose quieter times of day. If a neighbour asks, we simply say we are helping with a clearance and never discuss the home or the people who live there.

Yes. Relatives, friends, executors, landlords and support workers often contact us first. If the person still lives in the home, we will want their agreement before any work begins, and we can talk through how to involve them gently. Our page on sensitive clearances explains how we approach this.

Often, yes. A few photos of each affected room, plus the entrance, stairs and any outside space, usually give us enough for a first quotation. Photos help but are not essential. If we need to see more, or you would prefer not to send pictures, we can arrange a short, discreet visit to the property instead. Use our quote form to get started.

The quotation depends on how much there is to clear, how easy access is, how much careful sorting and searching is needed, and whether the work is full or staged. We set out what is included in writing before work starts, so you know where you stand. Our article on clearance costs explains the main factors.

We aim to give a clear quotation that reflects the work agreed. If the scope changes, for example you decide to clear extra rooms or we find a large volume hidden in a loft that was not mentioned, we will talk to you before doing any additional work. Nothing extra is added without your agreement.

It depends on our availability at the time you get in touch. If the work is urgent, perhaps because of a sale date, a tenancy ending or a safety concern, please tell us when you first contact us. We will be clear about the earliest date we can offer so you can plan around it.

We'll show our waste carrier registration and insurance details on request. Whoever you choose, you should always ask any clearance company for these before work begins. A registered waste carrier is required to take household waste away legally, and checking protects you from belongings being fly-tipped. You can check a registration on the GOV.UK public register.

Not unless you want to be. Some people like to be present throughout, others for the first hour or so, and some prefer to hand over keys and wait for an update. Keys can also be collected from a relative, solicitor or letting agent. We will agree what suits you before the first visit and keep you informed as we go.

Yes. We can clear a single room, a hallway, a loft, a garage or just enough space to make the home safer and easier to use. Many people start with one area, such as the kitchen or a route to the back door, and decide about the rest later. A staged clearance can grow at your pace.

It varies with the size of the property, the volume of belongings, access, and whether the work is done in one go or in stages. Some rooms take a few hours; a whole house can take several days. We will give you an estimate with your quotation. Read more in how long a clearance takes.

Often, yes. A staged clearance lets someone stay in the property while we work through it room by room, usually starting with the areas that make daily life safer, such as exits, the kitchen and the bathroom. We can plan short sessions and pause whenever needed, so the person keeps a sense of control.

We leave the cleared rooms clear and swept, ready for the next step. Deeper cleaning can be discussed when we plan the work. We do not offer specialist biohazard or trauma cleaning, but if conditions suggest that kind of service is needed, we will tell you so you can arrange it before or after the clearance.

We plan these clearances carefully, opening safe routes to exits first and working in from the doorways. We use suitable protective equipment and look out for hazards such as sharps, damp, pests and heavy loads on floors. Our page on severe hoarding clearance explains the approach in more detail.

We check as we go and set aside anything that looks important, including wills, bank and pension letters, deeds, passports, photographs and family papers. These are kept together and handed to you or to the person you nominate. We do not read personal papers beyond what is needed to recognise them. See our guide to personal documents during a clearance.

Yes. Before we start, give us a list of anything you want us to find, such as a will, a particular piece of jewellery, a set of keys or old photographs. We keep an eye out throughout the clearance and set aside anything that matches. If we are unsure whether something is important, we ask rather than guess.

Yes, where practical. Furniture and household items in usable condition can often be donated or passed on for reuse, and materials such as metal, paper, card and electrical items are separated for recycling. Whatever cannot be reused or recycled is disposed of responsibly through licensed facilities. We never fly-tip, and we are happy to explain where things are going.

No. Before any work begins we agree which items are staying and which rooms or cupboards are off-limits. Anything on your search list is set aside as we go. If you change your mind about something, just tell us; until it has left the property, plans can change, and we would always rather check with you first.

No. We are not valuers and we do not buy items from the homes we clear, which keeps our role clear. If you think something may be valuable, or an estate needs items valued for probate, it is best to arrange a valuation before the clearance. We can work around a valuer's visit and leave identified items in place.

Yes, with the agreement of the person concerned. We are happy to speak with support workers, social workers, housing officers or the council, share the plan, attend a meeting and fit visits around other appointments. North Yorkshire Council and organisations such as Hoarding UK can offer ongoing support that sits alongside the practical clearance work we do.

Yes. We can take instructions from an executor or solicitor, collect keys, search carefully for documents and valuables, and send written updates. Please check with the solicitor or executor about what the estate requires before items are removed; this is general information, not legal advice. Our bereavement and probate service page has more detail.

Yes, once you are entitled to dispose of them. Belongings left behind still belong to the former tenant, and landlords are generally expected to follow the notice process under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 first. We recommend taking advice before instructing a clearance. Our landlord and agent page explains how we help.