How To Prepare For A House Clearance

House clearance is a tough job, but a necessary one. It’s not something that can be avoided easily, and in order to get the best results from it, you’ll have to make sure that your house is properly prepared for it. This article will go over what exactly needs to be done in preparation for house clearance.

Our Rubbish Removal Process

Houses must be emptied of all items ready for rubbish disposal.
In order for a house clearances company to do their work properly, they need access to every room of the building. For this reason alone, any items found inside of closets or other small spaces (e.g., boxes under beds) must be removed before anyone arrives on-site; if they are not taken out of the home before the house clearance company does their work, it will make the process take much longer and reduce its overall quality.

Clutter must be removed from all rooms

Most of us have a tendency to fill every space we can find with items that we don’t need or use anymore. This is known as clutter, and while many houses that are about to be cleared may look quite clean on the outside, there’s usually a lot of it inside – and this can cause problems when you come to clear everything out yourself. For instance: if you want to get rid of your old furniture but it’s covered in other things (making it difficult to move), or if you need room for all the new things coming into the home at the same time, or even if you just want to get the entire job done as quickly and efficiently as possible, it’s very helpful to tidy everything up first.

Get rid of old clothes

If you’re about to start a new chapter in your life then it makes sense that you’ll probably want to buy some new things for yourself soon – including some spare clothing! If this is the case, make a decision now on what can be given away or sold before you come to clear out the house.

Obviously, do not throw anything worth selling away – give it a price and put up a sign advertising its presence at your front gate. Make sure only appropriate people see this sign – something like ‘Free wardrobe with contents’ could mean less-than-savvy types drooling all over your good clothes and taking them for free.

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Sell those things you will not need any more

Now that you’ve decided what to give away or sell, it’s time to make a few phone calls. You may want to do this as early as possible as it might take a while before someone would like your items – particularly the bigger-ticket items such as furniture and appliances; try your relatives first, if they’re looking for something particular and you know they’d like it then give it them (or at least offer), after all, ‘it’s the thought that counts. If you think there is no one who would be interested in giving these things a new home, there are always local second-hand shops where you can take these things for free, but remember to drop them off as early as the shop closes.

As you might have noticed already, there are definitely a lot of places where your old items can go! If you have time before your house clearance arrives then try checking out some of these websites or shops yourself because you never know what you’ll find! However, if time is against you and it’s all happening so fast, don’t worry – just leave it to the professionals. We are lucky as we have our own second hand furniture outlet to sell these goods in Nottingham.

What about all that junk in my house?

Some people have a habit of keeping ‘things’ that they plan on doing something with later on, usually thinking that they’ll get around to doing this at some point in their lives… Well, I hate to break it to you, but the professionals will definitely want to get rid of it! If you can’t take all your junk with you when you leave then there are some other options. You could try selling or donating all that old stuff, many charity shops need donations so it’s always worth giving them a go.
Alternatively, you could have a garage sale where people can come and buy your unwanted items for cheap… But this is only if they’re small things like books or DVDs etc because garages aren’t very big! The professionals may also be able to collect any pre-packed large items for free which is another bonus.

Is there anything I should prepare?

There isn’t usually much time before a house clearance arrives so it’s best to have your stuff all bagged up, ready for removal. If you are selling items then you should price them beforehand so the house clearance company can just take away everything that has a price on it straight away. If you’re just having a garage sale then put all your things into piles by what they are, e.g sweaters in one pile, pictures in another etc.

What if I’m still living there?

If you’re still living in the house when the company arrives to clear it then there are some special things to know about. Firstly make sure that if any of your kids or loved ones live with you at home they are not at the property during the time of the clearance as this could cause arguments or unnecessary stress. You will have to ensure that you are also not on the property when they arrive, so try and clear everything out beforehand. If you want them to leave things in your bedroom for example then let the company know in advance so they do not take it all away with them.

However, if there is anything in your bedroom that contains confidential information concerning any of your customers (if you’re self-employed) then make sure that you inform the workplace clearance company about this kind of stuff beforehand so no details slip through the net.

What sort of things can house clearance companies dispose of?

House clearance companies will dispose of pretty much anything, but if you are not sure of anything it’s always best to call them to confirm any suspicious materials or items. Some house clearance companies will make exceptions like gas appliances, televisions even if they don’t work anymore, etc. However, if your house clearance company does offer a service to take care of hazardous materials such as gas appliances then it would be best to ask them what the costs are before you book in because certain companies do charge more for this kind of job and definitely leave this until last.

House and garden clearance companies can dispose of everything from old furniture, books, toys, and clothes to building materials like bricks and sand. So basically anything you choose they can get rid of including things like old computers which most often than not will need some technical knowledge in order to break down, recycle or just simply dump safely.

Who should I contact about a house clearance?

You could personally contact a local home clearance company like us that is situated near where you live by just doing a basic search on the web to be able to get a rough idea about prices and what they offer.

After the house has been emptied of everything you will need to decide if you want to sell it or just give it away. If you do choose to replace it then I recommend that you change as much as possible because you never know who is going through your rubbish, especially if there are any documents with important financial information on them.

Why should I not do my own house clearance?

You should NEVER attempt tearing down walls, ceilings or removing any type of fixtures inside or outside your home yourself unless you have all the proper tools for this kind of work which could be quite costly, even dangerous without these tools so let’s save both your wallet and your body from harm, don’t do it yourself. There are a LOT of things to consider if you decide to tear down walls inside or out yourself, especially electrical fixtures and most important pipes, you’ll cause a leak in the process even if you think that they’re not connected anymore, so this is definitely another reason not to try tearing down your own house.

What can I throw away?

You can dispose of anything that is no longer being used nor wanted at home such as old furniture, appliances, decorations no one likes… basically everything that doesn’t have any value for either sentimental reasons or because there’s something wrong with them which makes it hard or almost impossible to repair them even if someone would want to take a look at them.

What can I donate?

You can also donate everything that is still in a good condition to different organisations or centers that accept donations for this specific purpose, if you don’t have the possibility to bring those items yourself there might be a pick-up service which will take those goods from your home and deliver them where they need to go as soon as possible, so keep an eye out for pick-up services near your area or find places online that accept donated stuff. In case you want to give some items away but it looks like no one wants them anymore – think about ways of recycling these materials instead of throwing them into the garbage; you’ll save space and help protect the environment and nature too.
What next?
Firstly, start by finding out what your council’s/city’s policy is on taking away items that are no longer wanted. If you’re not sure about this, call them up and inquire. Some councils only allow certain days of the week for these kinds of things to be done – if it isn’t possible at all then you might need to consider hiring a skip outside your house or property for temporary storage. If neither of these options is available then ask yourself if it really is important enough to sort through now rather than later… Are you planning on moving somewhere else soon? Or staying put but wanting to do this after having already moved all the essentials in first?

Make a list- Before any house clearances begin, write out a list of all the things that you want to get rid of. If something is already broken or ruined it isn’t going to be worth anything – getting rid of these items will make it easier for you and the council workers who do the clearance. Include appliances such as stoves, fridges and microwaves along with any other bulky household items which you might not use anymore at the end of your list.

Pack up everything from your house into boxes which are either old carrier bags or bin bags (if they’re not too heavy). Make sure that you don’t pack up anything that doesn’t belong to you! And if there’s anything really important that can’t fit in a plastic bag then wrap it up and tie it up securely to take with you

Dispose of anything that needs to be recycled such as old paint cans, newspapers and magazines, batteries etc. If there are any hazardous materials which need disposing of then look up the local guidelines on how to do this safely – for example old engine oil or pesticides can be taken to a household waste recycling centre but should not go in your normal rubbish bins.

When you’re done, give yourself a pat on the back! All that’s left is just for the house clearance team to clear away the rubbish, load it into their van/truck and drive off with it.

Checklist and tips that will make your house clearance go smoothly

House clearance in Nottingham might sound like a good idea in order to get rid of all the stuff you don’t use anymore. But before you hire us, consider carefully whether this is really what you want. For example, who do you want to be liable for any damage that may occur when we break open your walls? And how will you deal with the clearing away afterward, when it’s time for rubbish removal?
House clearance can create more stress than just moving home. If not done properly, you might find yourself in the middle of an environmental health Hazard. Don’t take responsibility for other people’s actions; make sure the process goes smoothly and safely by considering these steps below:

Decide if it's necessary

Do you really want everything to go? Think about what you actually need at your new place, and if the old things are still wearable or usable – even if it’s just a box of books. Also, consider what you don’t need at all. For example, if you’ve been commuting recently, do you need the extra set of clothes that will stay in the wardrobe until retirement?

Start early

It’s important to give yourself enough time for planning. Think through every single item in your home, room by room, with scrutiny. Try working out how much rubbish there is per bag or box (see below), then order extra bags accordingly. When will you have space to put them somewhere safely? This is also important when arranging storage space for the things you won’t use just yet, or that can be sold on.

Work out how much rubbish there is

How many black bin bags (or standard bin liners) will each room produce? It’s surprising how little some people get rid of. Aim for one bag per person – and remember to include bathroom waste! If your family is bigger than four, factor in another whole bin bag for items like broken chairs and toys (not necessarily with wheels). Make a note and check before the day if you’re close to running out. And make sure everybody knows not to generate more rubbish on the day itself!

Decide who goes where

You might find it simpler to divide up into ‘zones’. For example, dividing the house into ground floor and upstairs. Or setting up a pen and cutting off all but one exit so you can contain everybody within a certain area of the house.

Let people know what's going on

Make sure your friends and family know when and where to turn up, how long it will take, removing or covering personal items like pictures or posters before they arrive – as well as any other restrictions that will be in place. If anybody has special requirements (mobility difficulties etc), best to let them know beforehand.

Get rid of clutter first!

No point in having extra help if there’s nothing for them to do! That pile of papers on your desk, those toys under the stairs…even the contents of that one room you always tell yourself you’ll get around to – better to sort them out before your helpers arrive.

Get your disposals sorted

Once everything’s been cleared it doesn’t help anyone if the things you no longer want are still sitting there… Particularly if they’re in boxes ready for recycling! Make sure any items earmarked for charity (you can claim back tax on anything donated over four years old) or disposal have already gone before your helpers arrive – otherwise, they’ll be at risk of other people taking them away. The same goes for bulky waste like unwanted electrical equipment, furniture and clothing – best to deal with these too before your team turns up (or simply meet them at their destination). You can place these items outside your house with a free pre-paid label – they’ll be collected within five working days.

Deliveries to keep

It’s likely you’ve arranged for the removals firm to call the day after the house clearance, to transport whatever’s leftover. Try not to schedule this any earlier than necessary, as it means there’s more chance of your belongings being broken or damaged during transit – or disappearing into other people’s homes! Schedule the delivery later on in the day instead, so that if it doesn’t arrive until lunchtime all is not lost.

Check what's supposed to go where

Arrange for someone to meet the removal van at its destination before it turns up so they can walk through everything with the removal guys and point out where everything goes. This makes it easier for the removals team to do their job, plus it means they won’t damage anything by assuming things are going to be put in the wrong place or without thinking.

Donate before you go

If your electricity’s about to be turned off, make sure you switch the meter off at the socket first. If you haven’t got enough money on your credit card don’t use it until after the house clearance has finished – otherwise, if there’s not enough money to charge your card then any leftovers may end up getting carted away with all the rest of your belongings (and deemed rubbish). Make sure appliances like fridges and freezers are switched off at least 48 hours before you’re due to have your house clearance done.
Don’t just assume that if they’re not on the list then they won’t be taken away – it’s a lot easier for them to take things with them rather than having to come back and give it back later. Don’t forget the stuff outside either, like sheds and gates. If there are photos on display make sure your family knows which ones they want as it might otherwise end up with a stranger taking away from your walls those special images from happy holidays or birthdays. It’s also useful to label boxes clearly as well, otherwise, you’ll end up with two lots of stuff in one room and nothing where it should be.

Donate anything valuable

If you find anything valuable like jewellery or antiques and you don’t want it, you can put it in the charity shop box so that your clearance company knows not to take it. You can also donate things of value if for some reason they are left behind by the people who clear everything out e.g – if they didn’t have time to sell on eBay before moving on.

Pack up personal belongings

If there are some things your family does want then make sure they go into boxes that are clearly labelled with their names so employees only carry away what belongs to them. It might be worth putting post-it notes outside each room too for extra security! This also makes it easy when unpacking at the other end as everyone knows where everything goes straight away.

Pack up small valuable items

If you have any jewellery, art or antiques then think about taking them out of the house. That way, they won’t accidentally go missing during the clearance process. If you really want to keep them in your home then why not pack them into a suitcase that can be locked? You could even put that into another room so it isn’t unsupervised for too long.

Clear rooms out completely

Tidying up rooms doesn’t mean much if your junk is still there at the end of it all – make sure anything you are getting rid of is taken away by an expert company who doesn’t mind throwing things away! All belongings should be packed up and for removal on day one.

Prepare a list of all your belongings

If you ever thought about creating a spreadsheet document on your computer then now would be the time to do it. These documents will come in very handy as they can be referenced during any house clearance you undertake. That way, there won’t be any confusion over what has been taken away and what is meant to remain at the property. If your personal items are not listed then how will the company know that they should take them away?

Premium House Clearance Nottingham makes clearing homes of junk, rubbish and unwanted items a quick easy process. Please do not underestimate the amount of work and preparation involved, let our professionals do the work for you, in a timely and efficient manner.

Contact: Premium House Clearance of Nottingham

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