How Do I Prepare for a House Clearance?

Preparing for clearance can be daunting, particularly if you are moving, downsizing, dealing with a bereavement or preparing a property for sale. If you follow a few simple steps, the process can be very straightforward.  Follow this step-by-step guide on how to prepare for a house clearance, what to expect and how to make sure that your clearance goes smoothly from start to finish.

What Should You Do Before a House Clearance?

A house clearance does not need to be stressful if you know what needs to be cleared and what you intend to keep before contacting house clearance companies. 

Walk through each room in the property identifying the items you want to keep. This will help the clearance team to avoid removing anything important during the clear out process. If there are any personal, sentimental or valuable items - you should remove these in advance so nothing gets lost.  Any large items that you might want to keep can be labelled with a post-it note so the clearance team know they're to be left.  This all helps to speed up the process. A professional company will always advise you on what a house clearance involves and how to prepare for their arrival. At Jettison it's our job to ensure that clearing a home is as simple and straightforward as possible for our customers. 

How Do You Sort Items Before Clearing a Property?

Sorting items in advance will help the clearance process move more efficiently. It also allows you to identify sentimental possessions and valuable items that you might want to keep before the clearance begins. Once you've taken out any belongings you wish to keep, the clearance team will take care of everything else for you. You don't have to empty cupboards or wardrobes, they'll take care of the packing, loading and disposal. 

Which Items Should You Keep?

Take time when clearing a house to keep important items like family photos, legal documents, jewellery, and financial paperwork.

Can You Donate or Reuse Unwanted Items?

Many unwanted items can be reused rather than thrown away. Furniture in good condition may be accepted by local charities. At Jettison we focus on recycling and reusing as much as possible. In order to avoid good, useable items going to landfill, we'll either donate or recycle on your behalf. Sustainability and responsible disposal are always key elements of our clearances as we aim for full circle recycling. Any good clearance company should do the same. 

How Should You Deal with Rubbish and Hazardous Waste?

Some items may need special processing -  for example, items classed as hazardous waste - things like chemicals, paints, mattresses, tyres and electrical equipment including TVs, fridges and freezers. Some clearance companies might not be licenced to take liquid paint but this can be taken to your local recycling centre to ensure it's handled responsibly. 

You should always ask your clearance provider for their Waste Carrier's Licence and ask how they dispose of all the waste they uplift.  They should also provide you with a Waste Transfer Note on completion of the job. This is your proof that you've given your waste to a licenced carrier. A reputable clearance provider will be more than happy to give you this information. 

At Jettison, everything we clear is separated and sorted into different waste streams and taken to licenced waste transfer stations.  This ensures compliance with environmental waste regulations, and ensures as little as possible goes to landfill. Our customers are also secure in the knowledge that there is no risk of any waste being fly-tipped. 

Why use a Professional House Clearance Service?

When you use a professional clearance company like Jettison - you'll save yourself a lot of time and a lot of hard work. At Jettison we have years of experience, and we also have appropriate vehicles, tools and man-power to get the job done quickly, safely and efficiently. 

We'll get the job done quicker than you could manage on your own and that frees you up to get on with other things. 

Once you book your clearance with Jettison, you can be confident that we'll turn up when we say we will and we'll ensure your clearance runs smoothly. 

How Do You Choose the Right House Clearance Company?

It's worth choosing your house clearance company wisely. Not all house clearance companies offer a trustworthy service. Be very wary of using anyone that offers 'cheap uplifts'. There is no such thing as a cheap clearance unless your waste is being fly-tipped. Processing waste in accordance with regulations is very expensive. A reputable company will always talk you through pricing and tell you how your waste is going to be handled. 

It's always worth asking for recommendations and checking online reviews. You should also ask for a copy of their waste carriers licence (sometimes their insurance- depending on the job) and you should receive a waste transfer note once the truck is loaded up and the clearance is complete.  

The best house clearance companies offer transparent advice, explain the costs of clearance clearly and will advise you throughout the whole house clearance process.

What Affects House Clearance Cost?

One of the most common questions is about house clearance costs. The cost of a house clearance will depend on the size of the property, access restrictions and how much stuff needs to be removed.

Generally, a three-bedroom house requires more time and resources than a smaller property. The final clearance costs will be mainly determined by the size of the house and the amount of contents inside it.

What Happens on Clearance Day?

Ensure there is access for the truck team arriving to start the clearance. You should have removed anything personal and labelled anything you want to keep. Before the truck team begin, it's worth pointing out anything that might need special attention. 

The simple steps along with clear communication always help make the clearance much easier. 

How Long Do House Clearances Take?

Many people ask how long a property clearance might take. The answer depends on the size of the house and the volume and type of contents. A small house clearance often takes a few hours. Depending on the size of the property, a full house or estate clearance can take a day or more.

How Can You Make Your House Clearance Easier?

A house clearance can feel like an overwhelming job, but a little bit of planning can make the clearance go more smoothly. Take out anything personal, sentimental or valuable. Label any big items you wish to keep and then let the clearance team get on with the job. 

Jettison offer professional house clearance solutions for homeowners, landlords, executors, and families. Our friendly, experienced  and professional clearance team can help with anything from a few bulky or heavy items  to clearing an entire house - always ensuring that the job runs as smoothly as possible. To find out more about our House Clearance Glasgow services check out our House Clearance Glasgow page .