Homeowner Advice

General tips and advice for homeowners covering maintenance, seasonal tips and everyday property care.

House Clearance Tips

5th May 2022

If clutter is getting you down, or you have experienced a life event that has resulted in you needing to get rid of furniture, ornaments and mementos that have been amassed over a lifetime, it may be worth securing the services of a house clearance specialist.

House clearance firms are most often called in to take on large, more daunting clearance projects. However, they can be very useful for clearing specific rooms, or for getting rid of larger items of furniture.

How to plan a house clearance

Often the need for a house clearance arises as the result of a major, often distressing, event such as a bereavement, divorce, or loss of the home for whatever reason. It can, therefore, be helpful to be able to leave the process to a professional so that you can focus on yourself and your loved ones.

Before you book a house clearance service, take a good look around and start making a list of what will be going, and what you (or someone else) will keep. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself plenty of time as this can be an emotional process.

Keep, chuck, sell, give away

Once you know what is staying and what is going, you need to decide whether the “go” pile will be thrown away, given away, or sold. "Give away" items can them become the responsibility of the beneficiary, which leaves you with the throw and sell piles to deal with.

DIY house clearances

You may decide to hold your own “house clearance” sale where the property is opened up to the public. This can be very effective, but you will inevitably end up with a few bits that you still need to get rid of. It is important that you think about the practicalities, such as hiring a suitable vehicle if needed, and restrictions on items at your local recycling centre.

Professional house clearance

If the thought of clearing the house is too daunting, then you can get a professional company in to do it for you. There are different types of house clearance services. Most companies will pack and load everything for you and dispose of it appropriately. Some will clear your entire property for an up-front cost, while others may offer to sell items on your behalf. Some charities even offer a house clearance service, with them clearing a property and, in return, they sell items and keep the proceeds.

Choosing a house clearance company

If you are unsure of the value of goods held within a property, it is very important that you use a house clearance service or valuation specialist that you trust. A distressing time will become much more so if you realise that someone made money by selling your goods.

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Looking for more homeowner advice advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common homeowner advice questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What home repairs should I never attempt myself?

Gas work - full stop. Any work on gas appliances must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer by law. Structural changes like removing walls, altering roof timbers, or touching anything load-bearing need professional assessment and often Building Regulations sign-off. Electrical work involving the consumer unit or new circuits must meet Part P. And if your property was built before 2000, be aware asbestos may be present - it can only be handled by a licensed specialist.
Which home improvements add the most value to a property?

Improvements that add usable space or modernise the rooms buyers scrutinise most tend to deliver the strongest returns. Loft conversions consistently top the list - adding a bedroom and bathroom can add more value than the work costs in many areas. Kitchen and bathroom updates are next. Open-plan ground-floor extensions connecting to a kitchen-diner have become one of the most sought-after layouts in UK family homes. And energy improvements - insulation, a new boiler, solar panels - are increasingly influencing buyer decisions as running costs become a bigger part of the conversation.
Should I renovate my home or move house?

There's no universal right answer - it depends on your situation. Moving gets you what you want without living through a building site, but stamp duty, estate agent fees, and moving costs can easily add up to tens of thousands of pounds. Renovating lets you stay put and invest in your own property, but comes with disruption and unexpected costs. The most useful comparison: get a clear view of what your home could realistically be worth after the work, and what a move would actually cost end to end. A local estate agent and a builder's quote can give you those two numbers.
What does a home survey actually cover and do I need one when buying?

A survey is an independent assessment of a property's condition carried out by a qualified surveyor - separate from the mortgage valuation, which only tells the lender what the property is worth, not what's wrong with it. A HomeBuyer Report flags visible defects and anything that needs further investigation. A Full Building Survey goes deeper and is worth the extra cost on older, larger, or unusual properties. Given that a house is likely the biggest purchase you'll ever make, skipping the survey to save a few hundred pounds is a false economy - a single missed issue can cost far more to put right.
What should I do before starting any major home improvement project?

Get your paperwork in order before anyone picks up a tool. Check whether you need planning permission or Building Regulations approval. Find out whether a Party Wall Agreement applies. Confirm your home insurance covers you during the works. Get at least three written quotes and make sure the scope of work is clearly agreed in writing with whoever you hire. And have a contingency budget - on almost any renovation, something unexpected comes up. The projects that go smoothly are usually the ones that were properly planned before they started.
What is the difference between freehold and leasehold and why does it matter for home improvements?

If you own the freehold, you own the property and the land it sits on outright - you can generally do what you like subject to planning rules. If you own a leasehold property (common with flats), you own the right to live there for the remaining lease term, but the freeholder owns the building. This matters for home improvements because many leases require you to get the freeholder's written permission before making alterations - sometimes even internal ones. Always check your lease before starting any work, as doing alterations without the required consent can cause problems when you come to sell.

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