Cheapest ways to clear a hoarded house?

Flugelhorn

you have to have to consider the cost of your own time in doing this - suspect a house clearance company will be very quick and will also shift larger items that you may struggle to move. Doing it every Sunday could take quite some time and is emotionally wearing

jonnygee2

What do you mean by 'hoarded'?

If you just mean they have a lot of stuff to clear, go room by room. Set furniture aside and put it on freecycle, facebook marketplace etc. You may well find a few people that want a lot of it - when I moved into my first unfurnished flat I found someone doing a house clear and basically filled a van up and furnished my whole house for free. Maybe take a couple of days off work and find some help.

If you mean actual hoarders, then call a professional company to throw it all away. There will probably be rotten bits, rodents and insects etc and so much stuff that you'll want professionals good at heavy lifting, a large van and proper procedures for waste disposal.

ka7e

The British Heart Foundation will collect anything suitable for their charity shops and also usable furniture. https://www.bhf.org.uk/shop/donating-goods/book-a-free-furniture-collection

Sea_Shell

Are you clearing the property as (or on behalf of) an Executor?? If so, you'll be needing to gather all relevant documentation to establish the estate or even find a will to start with.
If it's genuinely hoarded, rather than just cluttered, then finding paperwork will be even more difficult and a potential bio-hazard to boot.

kinger101

I don't think charities will be interested in sifting through 10 skips-worth of junk. You'll either have to cough-up some cash for a house-clearance company willing to take on this job, or find the time to do it by taking annual leave.

You might need to check the local household recycling centre's policy on vans. Some councils will also require you to prove you reside in the area.

Bossypants

ACG wrote: »

Thank god im not your friend! You can come round help me clear a load of rubbish which you are free to take unless it has any value? So you are basically saying to your friends they are free to take a load of some old couples rubbish?

If I get an invite to a "pizza party" I know where that invite will be going. :rotfl:

I dunno, I actually think it sounds like fun. Obviously you need to be clear about exactly what is expected up front, but I would definitely go to a 'party' like that if I had no other plans.

Sea_Shell

Believe me food and a hoarded house DO NOT go together, especially one that's been unlived in for a while. Just don't open the fridge!!!! That's all I'll say!!! (retch)

Cakeguts

Bossypants wrote: »

I dunno, I actually think it sounds like fun. Obviously you need to be clear about exactly what is expected up front, but I would definitely go to a 'party' like that if I had no other plans.

I think with the pizza party the guests will need to bring a shovel.
:rotfl:

Davesnave

I think the problem is nobody knows exactly what's meant by 'hoarded' in this instance.

I've cleared a few garages and attics of stuff collected (or hoarded .... you decide!) over many years. It's a lottery.

In one, I found thousands of geological specimens wrapped in newspaper, and in another, dozens of weatherproof electrical boxes and car parts, some of which had value. In a third there was a grotty old piano stool, an easel and a wind-up gramophone, all of which made £100+ as a mixed lot in a local auction house.

I'd come to the party for the chance of a few potential finds, and as I have a big van and accommodating staff at the local recycling centre, I might well remove some more junk if the pizza's good!


Ah, but....


On a serious note: Be careful whom you entrust with disposal and make sure they are fully licenced waste carriers. If you give material to a fly-tipper and some of it is later traced to you, prosecution will follow and there is no defence.

Norman_Castle

does anyone have a link or advice for a good methodical way to clear a house?

For repeated tip runs plastic boxes are ideal. Separate boxes for however the tip accepts the waste. Empty them at the tip then re use. Much quicker to fill than countless bin bags.
You haven't said how close you were to the occupants, be methodical and decisive, start near the door to save climbing over stuff. Use specific rooms or piles for stuff, keep, bin, recycle, charity shop, its much quicker to decide where something is going this way.
Don't underestimate the amount of work this will be. Take food and tea or coffee.