Clearing out a house is a big job. Whether you’re helping a family member move, dealing with a bereavement, or downsizing to a smaller home, the task can feel overwhelming. But with the right plan and approach, house clearance becomes much more manageable.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about emptying a property properly, safely, and responsibly.

 

What Is House Clearance?

House clearance means removing all the belongings and furniture from a property. It’s much bigger than your typical spring clean or rubbish removal. You might need to clear an entire house, from the attic to the garage, including everything from furniture and appliances to personal belongings and paperwork.

People need house clearances for many reasons:

• After someone passes away
• When moving to a smaller home
• Helping elderly relatives downsize
• Preparing a property for sale
• Clearing out rental properties
• Dealing with hoarding situations

 

Planning Your House Clearance

Step 1: Set Clear Goals

Before you start, decide what you want to achieve. Ask yourself:

• What items do you want to keep?
• What can be donated to charity?
• What might have value to sell?
• What needs to be recycled properly?
• What goes to general waste disposal?

Having clear goals helps you stay organised and makes the whole process less stressful.

Step 2: Allow Plenty of Time

House clearances always take longer than you think. Generally speaking, 2 people will take roughly half a day to clear a room, so 2 people clearing a 6-room house will take 3 days in total. If the house is very cluttered or you’re dealing with a hoarding situation, it could take much longer.

Don’t rush the process. Give yourself extra time, especially if you’re dealing with items that have emotional value.

Step 3: Gather Your Supplies

You’ll need proper equipment for the job:

• Strong cardboard boxes
• Black bin bags and recycling bags
• Packing tape
• Bubble wrap for fragile items
• Labels and markers
• Cleaning supplies
• Work gloves
• A notebook for making lists

Step 4: Get Help

We would recommend 3-4 people to clear a house, ideally more. House clearance is physically demanding work. Having extra hands makes the job safer and faster.

 

The House Clearance Process

Step 5: Sort Room by Room

Start with one room and work systematically through the house. Don’t jump between rooms – this creates confusion and makes the job feel endless.

Create four clear piles or areas:

• Keep: Items you definitely want to keep
• Donate: Good condition items for charity
• Sell: Valuable items worth selling
• Dispose: Everything else

Step 6: Handle Valuable Items Carefully

Some items might be worth money. Look out for:

• Antiques and collectables
• Jewellery and watches
• Artwork and photographs
• Books and vinyl records
• Quality furniture
• Electronics in good condition

If you’re not sure about value, consider getting items appraised. For probate situations, you might need professional valuations for inheritance tax purposes.

Step 7: Deal with Personal Documents

Be very careful with personal paperwork. You’ll find:

• Bank statements and financial records
• Legal documents like wills and property deeds
• Medical records
• Personal letters and photographs

Be mindful about properly shredding, burning, or disposing of documents and bank details – identity theft and fraud are rampant, don’t fall victim to it through complacency.

Keep important documents safe and shred anything with personal information before disposal.

Step 8: Consider What Can Be Donated

Many charities accept household items. Popular options include:

• Furniture in good condition
• Clothing and shoes
• Books and DVDs
• Kitchen equipment
• Children’s toys and games

Items that are in a good condition can be sold in our stores and we will take their resell value off your quote. Some charity organisations even offer house clearance services where they collect everything and sort it themselves.

 

House Clearance Costs and Options

DIY House Clearance

Doing it yourself is the cheapest option, but requires significant time and effort. You’ll need:

• Van rental (around £50-150 per day)
• Fuel costs
• Tip fees for waste disposal
• Time off work

Professional House Clearance Services

For an extra small clearance, that’s the equivalent of up to 250kg or a quarter of a large van, the average house clearance cost starts from £175. For a small clearance, which equates to up to 500kg or about half a large van load, the cost of house clearance will start from around £325.

For larger properties:

• Medium clearance (up to 750kg): £400+
• Large clearance (up to 1,000kg): £595+

Skip Hire Option

If you’re doing most of the work yourself but need help with waste disposal, skip hire in Essex can be a great middle ground. Skips handle large amounts of waste without multiple trips to the tip.

Clearance Size	Weight	Van Load	Average Cost
Extra Small	Up to 250kg	Quarter van	From £175
Small	Up to 500kg	Half van	From £325
Medium	Up to 750kg	Three-quarter van	From £400
Large	Up to 1,000kg	Full van	From £595

Legal Requirements and Environmental Responsibility

Waste Disposal Regulations

The duty of care applies to anyone who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats, disposes of, or are a dealer or broker that has control of controlled waste. This means you’re responsible for ensuring your waste is disposed of legally.

Always check that any waste removal company you hire:

• Has a valid waste carrier licence
• Provides proper waste transfer notes
• Disposes of items at licensed facilities

The UK Government’s waste duty of care guidance explains your legal responsibilities in detail.

Environmental Considerations

Modern house clearance should prioritise environmental protection. At Clearaway Recycling, we aim to recycle or recover 100% of the materials we receive. Look for clearance companies that:

• Maximise recycling and reuse
• Have proper waste sorting facilities
• Work with multiple charities
• Follow environmental best practices

 

Special Considerations

Hazardous Waste

Some household items need special disposal:

• Paint and chemicals
• Batteries
• Fluorescent light bulbs
• Asbestos (in older homes)
• Medical waste

These items can’t go in regular waste. Contact your local council for guidance on hazardous waste disposal.

White Goods and Electronics

Fridges, washing machines, and electronics need special handling. This is especially true for white goods like refrigerators, which must be disposed of properly to avoid releasing poisonous or toxic materials.

Many retailers offer collection services when you buy replacements, or your local council may have collection schemes.

Sentimental Items

House clearances often involve items with emotional value. Take your time with:

• Family photographs
• Personal letters
• Heirlooms and keepsakes
• Children’s artwork

Don’t make hasty decisions about sentimental items. Pack them separately and review them when you’re feeling less emotional.

 

Top Tips for Successful House Clearance

1. Start early: Begin planning weeks before you need to clear the property
2. Be realistic: Don’t try to do everything in one day
3. Stay organised: Use a system and stick to it
4. Take breaks: House clearance is emotionally and physically draining
5. Document valuable items: Take photos and make lists
6. Check everything: Look in all cupboards, drawers, and hidden spaces
7. Consider storage: You don’t have to decide on everything immediately
8. Clean as you go: It’s easier than leaving everything until the end

 

After the Clearance

Once the house is empty, you’ll probably need to:

• Give it a thorough clean
• Check for any repairs needed
• Organise carpet cleaning if required
• Arrange for utilities to be disconnected
• Return keys to landlords or estate agents

The results are often astounding, giving your old carpets a new lease on life. Professional cleaning can make a huge difference to how the property looks.

 

Working with Clearaway Recycling

At Clearaway Recycling, we understand that house clearances are often emotional and stressful times. Our family-run business has been helping people in Essex for over a decade. We treat every home with respect and ensure that as much as possible is recycled or reused rather than sent to landfill.

Our advanced recycling centre can process over 200,000 tonnes of material each year, and we work hard to recover and recycle as much as possible from every clearance.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long does a house clearance take?

For a regular two to three bedroom house with an average amount of furniture, possessions, junk and rubbish, it should take a good house clearance company 8 – 14 hours or a full day using a two or three-man team. However, this depends on how much stuff there is and how accessible the property is.

 

Do I need to be present during the clearance?

If you’re using a professional service, you don’t always need to be there the whole time. However, it’s helpful to be available at the start to point out any special instructions and at the end to check everything has been cleared properly.

 

What happens to the items after clearance?

Reputable clearance companies will sort items for reuse, recycling, and proper disposal. Items in good condition often go to charity, valuable items might be sold, recyclable materials go to appropriate facilities, and only genuine waste goes to licensed disposal sites.

 

Can house clearance companies pay me for valuable items?

Some companies will offset the cost of clearance against valuable items they can sell. However, if you think there are particularly valuable items, you might get better prices selling them yourself through auction houses or specialist dealers.

House clearance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With proper planning, the right help, and a responsible approach to disposal, you can clear any property efficiently and environmentally responsibly. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire professionals, the key is taking your time and staying organised throughout the process.