House clearance

Typical jobs

• Emptying a parent's 3 bedroom house after probate, with paperwork and photographs set aside for the family first
• Clearing a rented flat of furniture, bedding and kitchenware before it goes back on the market
• Part clearance of a family home before a downsizing move, keeping the items going to the new flat
• A gradual, room by room clearance of a cluttered home with the resident involved in every decision
• Clearing a house for sale, including the loft, garden shed and an old fridge freezer

A house clearance empties a property of furniture, belongings and rubbish. The crew sorts as it goes: items to sell or donate, items to recycle, and items for disposal. Many firms also clear lofts, sheds and gardens, and some offer a clean afterwards. Ask what is included, because a quote for "the house" may not cover the garage.

Some contents need separate handling. Sofas and other upholstered seating containing POPs must be kept apart from other waste and incinerated (GOV.UK, since 1 January 2023). Fridges, freezers and other electricals go to treatment sites for electrical waste. RubbishBids lists fridge and freezer surcharges of £10 to £25 each within a clearance (July 2026).

Probate and bereavement clearances. Clearing the home of someone who has died is often done by executors who live some distance away. Before the clearance, set aside anything needed for the estate: the will, bank and pension letters, property deeds, jewellery and anything of sentimental value. A good firm will stop and hand over personal papers, photographs and cash it finds. If you are unsure whether the estate is ready to be cleared, check with the solicitor or whoever is dealing with probate first. RubbishBids prices probate clearances at £600 to £1,500, at the higher end because of the careful sorting involved (July 2026).

Clearing a hoarded home. When a home has become very cluttered, the person living there is often still in it, and the clearance goes more smoothly at their pace, with them deciding what stays. Ask whether the firm has done this kind of work before, whether it can work in short sessions, and how it handles hazards such as damp, mould or sharp objects. Volume can be much higher than a standard house: RubbishBids says heavily cluttered properties can double the volume and price of a standard 3 bedroom clearance (July 2026). If the person is struggling, the council's adult social care team or a hoarding support charity can help alongside the clearance.

Get a written quote that says what is included: every room, the loft, shed and garden, removal of fitted items, and a sweep or clean at the end. Ask whether items with resale value are credited against the price, how the firm handles personal papers it finds, and whether it holds public liability insurance.

The rubbish removal page covers the rules.

Read next

Common questions