what to do with all the furniture etc?

poppasmurf_bewdley

When my Mum passed away almost four years ago, I just got the British Heart Foundation to come along and they took everything away.

I could have got a dealer in but the thought of someone going through her belongings saying "I'll have this" and "I don't want that" was not something I wanted.

At least you have the thought that some good will come from donating it to a charity. As I type this, I'm looking at a lovely Welsh Dresser that I bought about three years ago from BHF and which I paid £120 for. I don't know if it once belonged to some old dear, but I do know that Ken Barlow in Corrie has an identical one.

carefullycautious

Do make sure all of his personal effects are taken out and stored safely. Bank books etc. Also check he has not hidden money somewhere as it is amazing how many elderly people do this.


When we moved and had to give away most of our furniture we used the British Heart foundation who called and collected it, plus a local charity who provided furniture to people who were starting up a home.

John_Gray

Depending on where you live, there might be an Emmaus community/shop which will collect furniture and general bric-a-brac for sale. As stated above, the British Heart Foundation will also take stuff, and we have a "Furniture Recycling Project" nearby which does what it says. If you do a small amount of research in your area, you'll find the possible local charities who could benefit from your sad situation.

HOWMUCH

I would second British Heart Foundation, they will collect free of charge

McKneff

I am so sorry about your mum and of course your dad,


Please, please ask him what he wants done with HIS belongings now that he no longer needs them.

Savvy_Sue

And all this may be about to become my next research project ...

Armorica

could try local women's refuge as well - when people manage to leave for a new home they are often starting again with nothing

rjlarke

Ilona wrote: »

There has been a couple of houses near me that have been cleared due to elderly person moving into a care home, and a downsizing where they couldn't take it all with them. They had a skip on the front, and left useful items outside the skip with a notice on, 'Free to take'. A lot of things did get taken from both skips, a lot of it by me, with permission of course. A few bits and bobs for my own use, but most of it to pass on to charity shops, because I can't bare to see useful things dumped.

A skip would be your cheapest option but you would have to load it yourself. You would need to break the large stuff down so it could all fit in and go in one load, to keep the cost down.

If the house is in a built up area, you could put a notice in a shop window saying you are having a garage sale. Get everything out on the front, and ask for offers. You would still have to dispose of what's left.
Ilona

A skip wouldn't be the cheapest option depending on where you are (and what size you need) skips are expensive. You'll pay roughly £220 for a builders skip. The cheapest option is to find a community recycling centre. Most areas have them. They are social enterprises that will collect the furniture. Usually free. Refurbish it and sell it on to those on benefits at a discounted rate.

Newly_retired

When we had to clear my parents' house, after taking out things family members wanted of course, we got a local house clearance firm in. They priced up what they could sell in their junk shop, and a deal was reached whereby the value of what they could sell was offset against the cost of clearing the rest, and we broke even. So no money changed hands. We had to pay for a skip which they filled, breaking up wardrobes etc, so they did
all the work.
When we ourselves downsized, we sold some, made endless trips to the tip and charity shops, got British Heart Foundation to collect some furniture, and hired a rubbish company to clear the rest of the junk from loft and cellar. we have still brought too much with us to our smaller house!
Hope this helps.

whitewing

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

And all this may be about to become my next research project ...

Post your conclusions on the dehoarding thread then, if you don't mind. I'd find it fascinating.