A house clearance runs smoothly when both sides know what to expect. You don't need to do much — that's the point of hiring a professional team — but a little preparation beforehand saves time on the day and makes sure nothing important gets missed.
Step 1 — Walk through the property before booking
Before you call for a quote, do a quick mental inventory. Think about the volume of contents (rooms, loft, garage, shed, garden), any large or awkward items (pianos, safes, gym equipment), and whether there's vehicle access. The more accurate your description, the more accurate your fixed-price quote.
Step 2 — Remove what you want to keep
Before the team arrives, take out anything you or your family want to keep. This includes documents, photographs, jewellery, heirlooms and any items with sentimental value. Once a clearance begins it moves quickly — it's easier to remove things beforehand than to ask the team to stop and wait.
If you can't be there in person, label items clearly with a sticker or note: "KEEP — do not remove". Tape drawers or cupboards shut if the contents should stay untouched.
Step 3 — Deal with valuables and important paperwork
Walk through the property specifically looking for anything of financial value — cash, jewellery, watches, collectibles, artwork. Check unusual places: inside books, at the back of drawers, in coat pockets, in the loft. For probate clearances, do this walkthrough with the executor present.
Gather and secure all important documents: deeds, wills, insurance certificates, bank statements, passports, driving licences. These should leave the property with you, not with the clearance team.
Step 4 — Sort medications and chemicals separately
Return unused medications to a pharmacy — we cannot take these. Old paint, solvents and garden chemicals can be dropped at your local household waste recycling centre. We can take empty containers but not full ones. Flagging these beforehand saves everyone time on the day.
Step 5 — Clear the fridge and any perishables
Empty the fridge and freezer a day or two before the clearance. Defrost if needed. Leave sealed, non-perishable food — we'll donate it where possible. Bin anything open or out of date.
Step 6 — Ensure access
Make sure we can get to the property — a set of keys, a code for a key safe, or a family member present. Check access for the vehicle: can a transit van park close to the front door? If there are parking restrictions or narrow lanes, let us know when you book so we can plan accordingly.
If there's a loft with a hatch, a garage with a padlock, or an outbuilding — make sure we can get into all the areas included in the quote.
Step 7 — On the day
We'll arrive at the agreed time and do a quick walkthrough with you (or with whoever holds the keys) before we start. This is the moment to point out anything to keep, anything fragile, or any area to avoid. Once we're clear, you can leave us to it — most clients do. We'll call if there's anything unexpected, and send photos when we're done.
What you'll receive on completion
- A Waste Transfer Note — legal proof that all waste was removed by a licensed carrier.
- Confirmation photos of the emptied property.
- For probate clearances: an itemised report and an invoice addressed to the estate if needed.
If you're not sure whether your situation needs anything extra — a specialist for high-value items, a deep clean after the clearance, or coordination with an estate agent — just ask when you get in touch. We'll point you in the right direction.
Ready to get a quote? Use the online quote form or call 07879 168 829 — free, fixed-price, no obligation.