House clearance

How does a house clearance work?

1. Fill out our collection form, detailing the initial information we need about the property, the items that require clearing and their condition. You will also select a preferred start date and time, but please note this isn't guaranteed until we have reviewed your enquiry. An estimated total will be generated based on your answers.
   
   
2. If your initial estimate comes up at more than £1,000, we will need to arrange a preliminary home visit to get a better understanding of how long the job will take and whether items can be sold or will need to be recycled.
   
   
3. After reviewing the information, taking into consideration the condition of your items and how long the collection will take, we will schedule your booking. You will receive an email with an exact date and time for your collection and a final quote, containing VAT and any additional waste and labour charges.
   
   
4. Our professional team will arrive during your confirmed time slot, collect the specified items efficiently, and ensure the property is left clean and tidy.
   
   
5. We will handle the sorting, recycling, and disposal of items, adhering to all environmental regulations. Items suitable for reuse are refurbished where necessary and sold in our stores, supporting our commitment to sustainability.

Do you charge for house clearances?

Yes, this will depend on how much you need clearing. We will provide you an estimate following an initial discussion and carrying out a preliminary home visit if required. Labour and waste charges may also be added to your quote if it is a large job requiring the recycling of items, but this will be discussed with you and agreed prior to carrying out the clearance.

If you have a smaller number of items and wish to donate furniture to Garden House Hospice Care, we can also arrange collection of these. Our furniture collection service is free for up to five items and £50 (including VAT) for up to ten items.

What area do you cover?

We collect donated furniture from the Garden House Hospice Care catchment area, which includes Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock, Royston, Biggleswade and all the villages in between. If you live outside this area, additional charges may incur.

If you're unsure whether we cover your location, please call us on 01462 678076 (option 1) and we'll be happy to assist.

Is there a minimum size of house clearance?

No, there is no minimal size of property, but fewer than 10 items will be treated as a furniture collection. These are free for up to five items and £50 (including VAT) for up to 10, rather than charged on a per item basis.

We also clear lofts, sheds, garages, offices and gardens in addition to houses.

What items do you accept?

We can also collect boxes/bags of smaller donations with your furniture, such as large and small electrical appliances, clothing, shoes, accessories and jewellery, CDs, books and homeware.

Are there any items you can't/won't accept?

We are incredibly grateful for the donations we receive through house clearances, however there are some things that we cannot sell for safety or legal reasons:

• Oil / chemicals / medical waste / paint
• Explosives / ammunition / weapons
• Petrol / fuel / petrol machinery
• Asbestos
• Drugs of any kind (medication etc.)
• Building materials
• Gas / compressed bottles
• Any unknown substances
  

If you are in any doubt, please call us on 01462 678076 (option 1) or request a call back.

What are additional waste and labour charges?

These will be calculated once we have reviewed your initial estimate, depending on the condition of your items. For example, mattresses and sofas without a fire safety label, unusable dishwashers or kitchen cabinets that are full of crockery will incur an additional charge. This is to cover the extra time taken to empty them, and/or the costs incurred by us to recycling any items that can't be resold.