House clearance,how does it work?

mumpig

Hi
This is the nearest thread I could find, so after a bit of advice.
I have to sort out a 1 bedroom flat for a relative. Small amount of items are going into storage but the rest hast to go. I don't have the time or inclination to ebay for a few quid or time to sit around at the other end of my town waiting for possible no shows from freecycle etc., so was thinking the easiest, quickest solution to empty the flat is to get in a house clearance company.
There will be, now second hand, bedroom furniture, 2 piece suite, desk, side tables, curtains, etc., kitchen stuff, plates, kettle, microwave etc.,plus a decent fridge freezer and a nearly new electric cooker plus about 30 black bags of rubbish.
How does it work? Do they give a price depending on how long it will take/size of van needed, how many people etc., it takes to clear? How much they think the stuff is worth to resell? or just a flat fee?
Also any idea on what is a reasonable price, its a 1 bed flat, I think 2 people could clear it in a luton type van in half a day.
Thanks in advance for any help

PasturesNew

They will all work a bit differently. The one I used in the South West comes round to look - and they guess/judge whether the items they see that can be resold will cover the cost of their time, in which case they take it all free.

If there's nothing there they think they can resell to make it worth their time they'll give you a price to clear it.

RuthnJasper

Have you thought about having a one-day-only sale? Stick a sign up by the house and put something in the local free ads - 'household goods/furniture sale, Saturday 10-4, everything sold as seen', something like that. The cash from that could pay the house clearers for whatever didn't go.

A couple of people local to me did this recently, it went quite well.

quidsy

Or phone a lcoal charity shop, tell them what you havem they will send a couple of guys round in their van & take it away for free as it is a donation. Whatever is left call the council & enquire about their excess rubibish collection, in our area they noramlly charge £25.00 to take stuff to the dump if you can't be bothered, sofas & such

phill99

quidsy wrote: »

Or phone a lcoal charity shop, tell them what you havem they will send a couple of guys round in their van & take it away for free as it is a donation. Whatever is left call the council & enquire about their excess rubibish collection, in our area they noramlly charge £25.00 to take stuff to the dump if you can't be bothered, sofas & such

Unfortunately it doesn't work that way anymore.

Charity resellers are the same as any secondhand furniture shop and will only take what they can sell. They won't dark old style 'brown furniture' as there is no market for it. Also, soft furnishings have to have a fire retardant label on it or they wont take it.

Realistically, you will be looking at paying a guy to dump it all. Don't expect anything for it.

quidsy

Unfortunately it doesn't work that way anymore.

I've had several items removed the way suggested in recent months, including beds & sofas, all of differing quality & all without an issue. Fire labels will be required for soft furnishings but depending on which charity you speak to, the ones dealing with housing the homeless & womens shelters will take any decent furniture regardless of era/style as the non profitable pieces will be used to furnish shelters & homes for those in need.

Speak to animal charities, one with rescue centres as they will normally take bedding, duvets etc, i got rid of 6-7 different duvets to our local donkey rescue, they were thrilled as they use it for their bedding.

It is worth a few phone calls anyway.

mumpig

Hi
Thanks for the quick answers; I'm not looking to make any money, just the cheapest quickest way to empty the flat. Our council take up to 8 items for £25, and only 4 collections per year, but it has to be left outside, no way can I get it all downstairs and as the outside areas are communal this would be a massive issue with neighbours, kids starting fires etc.,
Thanks Pasture New, if thats how it works round here I think they would make money, the cooker & freezer would fetch £150-200
Any ideas on price if they think its not going to turn a proft?

catshark88

I had to do the same thing for a relative.

The funeral director recommended a firm, who came round, saw what was there and thought they would make a profit and so removed it for free.

It was a painless process and useful as I was in an area quite a way from home and didn't know local dealers etc., etc.

teddysmum

A kennel based dog rescue near me, and I'm sure many more, will be really grateful for duvets, covers, sheets blankets, throws, towels or even curtains which can be used for bedding, as they get through huge amounts. They may even take other items to sell on their stalls.


If you don't know of any local rescues, you can find ones interested by joining the Dogpages website (frequented by dozens of rescues) and making your offer.