House clearances can be daunting, stressful, and sometimes difficult for those involved. Whether you’re moving, downsizing, or dealing with the home of a loved one, you must plan your house clearance accordingly to make it an efficient and manageable process.
To clear a house efficiently, start by sorting items into keep, donate, sell and dispose, then choose whether to use a professional house clearance service, local council collection, or manage removal yourself.
If you’d prefer a professional to handle your house clearance, Just Clear’s professional house clearance service can take the stress away for you. Our teams can clear your home with next-day collections available.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand and execute all the steps necessary to complete a top-to-bottom clear out of any household.
What is a house clearance?
A house clearance involves removing furniture, appliances, clothing and other household items from a home. This may be done before or after the occupants move out or in preparation for a sale or other disposal of the property.
How to clear a house in 5 steps
- assess what needs removing
- sort items into categories
- set aside valuables and documents
- choose DIY or professional clearance
- arrange disposal and final clean
How much do house clearances cost?
There are many different costs associated with a house clearance, which will vary depending on the items cleared. Costs can fluctuate depending on the type, size, weight and quantity of items for removal.
Costs will also vary depending on how much of the clearance you plan on doing yourself. Whilst this can save money on labour costs, you will likely incur additional costs compared to using a house clearance service. When doing a house clearance yourself, you may need to spend money on renting a van or skip to dispose of your items.
As a guide, here are the average costs you can expect for a house clearance:
| Job | Price |
| Small Clearance (up to 500kg) | £180 – £250 |
| Medium Clearance (up to 750kg) | £300 – £500 |
| Large Clearance (up to 1000kg) | £600+ |
It’s also important to note that in the UK prices will vary depending on your location. For example, house clearances in London will likely be more expensive than most other UK locations.
Three ways to clear your house
Method one: Hire a removal service
Engaging a professional removal service like Just Clear offers a hassle-free and efficient solution for house clearance. Here’s how it works:
- Get a quote: Find a house clearance company, such as Just Clear, and provide details about the items to be cleared to receive a free, no-obligation quote.
- Schedule a time: Choose a convenient date and time for the clearance. With Just Clear, next-day collections are often available.
- Efficient clearance: The team will handle all aspects of the clearance, including packing, loading, and disposing of items responsibly.
- Environmentally friendly disposal: Just Clear ensures items are recycled or donated where possible, minimising landfill waste.
Pros:
- Easy and convenient
- Fast and reliable collection
- Professional and efficient
- Environmentally responsible and licensed disposal
Cons:
- Cost (though often not much more than DIY)
Method two: Ask your local council
Some local councils offer house clearance services, which might seem like a convenient option. Here’s what to expect:
- Contact your local council: Reach out to your local council’s waste management department to inquire about house clearance services.
- Service availability: Check if the service is available in your area and understand the scope of their offering.
- Get a quote: Obtain a quote for the service. Note that prices and availability can vary widely.
- Schedule a pickup: Arrange a date and time for the clearance service to visit your property. This can often take 2-4 weeks.
- Prepare items: Ensure items are ready for collection as per the council’s guidelines.
- Collection and disposal: The council service will collect and dispose of the items.
Pros:
- Provided by local authorities
Cons:
- Often unreliable and subject to availability
- Can be less cost-effective than expected
- Limited service scope and flexibility
- Most councils limit the number of bulky items they can take
Method three: Do it yourself
Clearing your house on your own can be a cost-effective option if you have the time, energy, and resources. Here’s how you can do it:
- Plan and assess: Start by evaluating the size of the job. Determine what items need to be cleared and the amount of space they occupy.
- Acquire permits: Check with your local council to find out if you need any permits for disposal, especially for large items or hazardous materials.
- Rent a van: Hire a suitable van that can accommodate the items you need to clear.
- Gather supplies: Stock up on packing materials such as boxes, tape, and protective wrapping for fragile items.
- Enlist help: Depending on the size of the clearance, ask friends and family members to assist you with packing and moving.
- Sort items: Separate items into categories: keep, donate, recycle, and dispose.
- Load the van: Carefully load the van, ensuring items are securely packed to avoid damage during transit.
- Dispose of items: Take items to the appropriate disposal or recycling centres, ensuring you adhere to local regulations.
- Clean up: After clearing out the house, clean up any debris or remaining items.
Pros:
- Potentially cost-effective, depending on whether van rental is required
- Full control over the process
Cons:
- Time-consuming and labour-intensive
- Requires permits and sometimes vehicle rental
- May need significant help from others
Top tip: When sorting through your items, don’t pause to read through letters or paperwork. This will only slow you down. Instead, bag or box them up and put aside to go through once you’re done with the clearance.
Tips to minimise costs
There are many ways to minimise costs without making too many sacrifices. Here are a few tips to help you decide whether to do your household clearance yourself or hire a professional team.
1. Use online marketplaces to sell or give away big items
Sites like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace can be a place to list items for sale and get some cash before you start throwing things away. The buyer might also collect the item from you.
Be mindful that sales are not guaranteed and if you need to clear a house fast then this may not be a good option.
2. Communicate clearly with your clearance company
Preparation and communication are key when planning a house clearance. If you’re using a clearance company, you should tell them how many bags and boxes must be taken away. Better still, prepare a list of specific items to be removed and highlight special pieces that require extra care.
3. Check what permits or documents you’ll need
You may need different permits to dispose of different items. If you have lots of electronic equipment like TVs, computer monitors, or fluorescent lights, you can’t throw these in a skip. They have to be taken to a recycling centre and you may be asked to prove you’re not a commercial operator.
The proof you’re not a commercial operator is usually a utility bill or council tax receipt.
House clearances for when a loved one has passed away
Probate asset management services can be very helpful when a loved one has passed. This service helps someone refurbish, renovate, or make a property ready for sale during a very emotional and stressful time.
Probate clearance can be long and complex, but our process is simple; following an initial consultation and approval of the quotation, you need to simply arrange a convenient time for the company to come and carry out the work. They take care of everything, including liaising with local authorities and obtaining the necessary permits.
If you’re clearing a property after a loss, see our bereavement house clearance guide for more specific advice.
Contact Just Clear For a Free Quote
Whatever the reason for clearing your home, you can rely on Just Clear to get the job done quickly and professionally. We keep stress levels at a minimum by handling everything you need. We’re the UK’s favourite house clearance company on TrustPilot, and in most cases we can clear your home the next day.
House Clearance FAQs
What Is The Average Cost of a House Clearance in The UK?
House Clearances in the UK can cost between £170 and £300 but can go upwards of £800 depending on the type, size, weight and quantity of items to be removed.
Why Can House Clearances Be Expensive?
House Clearances can be expensive due to multiple factors, including location and the quantity of items to be cleared. However, another important factor is the cost of disposing and recycling items properly and legally.
Do Local Councils do House Clearance?
Some local councils do offer a house clearance service. It should be noted that council collection services are usually expensive, unreliable, and often have large waiting lists. This can make them an impractical option for most people. Some councils have a limit on the number of items they can collect, too.
How Long Does It Take To Clear a House?
The time needed to clear a house depends on the items that need to be removed. It can take a professional team a full working day or slightly longer to clear a house. If you do it yourself, it might take much longer depending on how much help you have and how many items are being removed.
