Whole-property emptying with free local quotes
Describe the property once and we introduce you to up to 3 independent local clearance teams. They quote for emptying every room, the loft and the garage. Free, with no obligation.
- Free, no-obligation quotes
- Every room, loft and garage
- Independent local providers
Who needs a full house clearance
A full house clearance means emptying a whole property, from the front room to the loft, so that nothing is left behind. People ask for it for many different reasons. Some are landlords preparing a rental for new tenants. Some are homeowners selling up or moving abroad. Others are downsizing to a smaller place and have decades of belongings to sort through. The common thread is that the job is too big for a few trips to the tip, and too time-consuming to do alone alongside work and family.
Many clearances follow a bereavement. If you are dealing with the home of a relative who has died, you may be coping with grief and paperwork at the same time as a very practical problem. A good clearance team will understand this and work at a pace that suits you. If the estate is not yet settled, take advice from a solicitor before anything is removed, so you know what you are allowed to dispose of and what must be kept.
Clearances are also needed after repossessions, evictions, care home moves and long-term lets that have ended. Some properties are very full, and a few have been lived in by people who found it hard to part with things. This is more common than most people realise, and experienced providers deal with it without judgement. Whatever your situation, a full house clearance is a sensible choice when you need a property empty by a certain point and want one team to handle the lot.
How a whole-house clearance usually runs
The process starts when you fill in our short form with the property type, the number of rooms, any loft, garage or shed, and a rough idea of how full it is. We then pass your details to up to three independent local providers, who contact you to discuss the job. Move & Clear is only the introduction. The providers set their own prices, run their own crews and carry out the work, so the quote you receive comes directly from them.
Many providers will want to see the property before giving a firm figure, either by visiting in person or through photos and a video call. Seeing the contents helps them judge how many people and vehicles are needed, and whether there are awkward items such as a piano, a heavy safe or a full workshop. Be honest about the state of the property. Surprises on the day, such as a locked outbuilding nobody mentioned, are the most common reason a quote changes.
On the day, the team typically arrives with vans or a larger lorry, sorts items by type as they go, and carries everything out room by room. Furniture and appliances usually go first, then smaller boxes and loose items, then the loft and garage. Most teams finish with a sweep-up so the rooms are left empty and broom-clean. Larger houses can take more than one day, so ask the provider how they plan to schedule the work.
A whole-property job often includes spaces that need their own approach. Our guides to loft & attic clearance, garage & shed clearance and cellar & basement clearance cover those areas, and bereavement clearance explains what to expect when you are emptying a late relative's home.
Preparing the property before the team arrives
The most useful thing you can do before a clearance is decide what stays. Walk through every room, including the loft, cupboards, garage and garden shed, and set aside anything of sentimental or financial value. Photographs, letters, jewellery, ornaments, family papers and tools are easy to overlook. If several family members are involved, agree who is taking what before the team starts, because items that have been loaded into a van are difficult to retrieve.
Look carefully for documents and valuables that may be tucked away. Passports, bank statements, wills, insurance papers, keys and cash are often found in coat pockets, books, drawers and biscuit tins. Tell the clearance team that you want anything of this kind handed to you, and consider being present for part of the job. If you cannot attend, name a trusted person who can, and agree beforehand how the team should contact you if they find something significant.
Practical preparation helps too. Make sure the team can get in, and that utilities such as electricity and water are still connected if possible, because lights and a working tap make the job easier. Tell neighbours that a large vehicle may be outside. Disconnect and drain appliances like washing machines if you can. Finally, check any lease or building rules for flats, since some blocks restrict removal times or require lift bookings and protective coverings in shared areas.
What happens to your belongings
Once items leave the property, they generally follow one of three routes: reuse, recycling or disposal. Many clearance firms try to find a second life for things that are still in good condition, such as furniture, books, crockery, clothes and working appliances. Some sell items on, some pass them to charity shops or reuse projects, and some offset part of their costs this way. Ask the provider what they do, because it can affect the quote and gives you an idea of how responsibly they work.
Items that cannot be reused are usually separated for recycling. Metal, wood, cardboard, glass, textiles and electrical goods can often be sent to specialist facilities rather than a general landfill site. Electrical items and some appliances have their own rules for handling, and a reputable provider will know where to take them. The more a team sorts at the property, the less ends up as mixed waste, which is better for the environment and often easier to process at the receiving site.
Some things need extra care. Paint, solvents, gas bottles, batteries, fluorescent tubes and certain chemicals are hazardous and must be handled separately. Suspected asbestos, which may be found in old roofing, ceiling tiles or insulation, must never be disturbed, and only licensed specialists should deal with it. Tell the provider about anything like this in advance. You also have a duty of care for your waste, so ask for a waste transfer note or receipt showing where it was taken.
Access, parking and safety on the day
Access can make a bigger difference to a clearance than the amount of furniture. A terraced house on a narrow street with no parking is a different job from a detached house with a driveway. Think about where a large van or lorry could stand, how far items must be carried, and whether there are steps, stairs, a lift or a narrow hallway. Tell providers about these points up front so the quote reflects the real conditions.
If parking is restricted, you may need to arrange a suspension or permit through the local council, and the provider may be able to advise on this. Flats bring extra issues, such as lift bookings, shared hallways and neighbours who need warning about noise. Loft access is another thing to check. A hatch with a pull-down ladder is manageable, but a narrow loft with no boarding or lighting can slow the work considerably and may raise the cost.
Safety matters for everyone on site. Teams should wear suitable footwear and gloves, and know how to lift heavy items safely. Properties in poor condition may have unstable floors, sharp objects, damp or pests, and you should mention these ahead of time. Keep children and pets away from the property during the work. If you are present, stay clear of vehicles and carrying routes. Ask the provider about their insurance, and request proof, so any accidental damage to the property is covered.
Checking quotes and avoiding common mistakes
Prices vary between providers, so it is worth comparing the quotes you receive rather than choosing automatically on cost. A written quote should say what is included: how many rooms, whether the loft, garage and garden are covered, whether disposal fees and any labour are part of the figure, and whether there are likely extras. Be wary of vague estimates that give no detail. Ask whether the quote is fixed or could change on the day, and under what circumstances.
Anyone who removes waste for a fee should be a registered waste carrier. In England, the register is held by the Environment Agency, with separate bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Ask each provider for their licence number and check it on the relevant public register. Ask for proof of insurance as well. A provider who is reluctant to share these details, or who only wants to be paid in cash with no paperwork, is a warning sign worth taking seriously.
Common mistakes include booking before getting a written quote, forgetting to check the loft or outbuildings, leaving valuables or documents in the property, and not agreeing a date and time window in advance. Another is failing to mention hazardous materials. Take photos of the property before and after the work. If you are clearing on behalf of an estate or a relative, keep copies of receipts and notes. Remember that quotes through Move & Clear are free and carry no obligation.
Providers cover different postcode areas, so browse the areas we cover to see local information, or enter your full postcode in the quote form at the top of this page.
What affects the cost of full house clearance
Prices are set by each local provider, so we do not publish fixed figures. These are the things that move a quote up or down. Compare up to 3 free quotes to see a fair price for your job.
- The size of the property and the number of rooms to be emptied.
- How full each room is, including loft, garage, shed and garden.
- Heavy or awkward items such as pianos, safes, large wardrobes and gym equipment.
- Access: stairs, lifts, narrow hallways, distance from the door to the vehicle.
- Parking restrictions, permits and how close a vehicle can stand.
- Disposal needs, including hazardous items and anything requiring specialist handling.
Our transparency promise: quotes are free and come direct from the providers. We don't add fees to your price, and you're never obliged to accept.
FAQs: full house clearance
What is included in a full house clearance?
A full house clearance usually covers removing furniture, appliances, boxes and household contents from every room, plus the loft, garage and shed if agreed. Many teams finish with a sweep-up. Exactly what is included varies by provider, so check the written quote for rooms, outbuildings, garden items and disposal.
How do I get a quote through Move & Clear?
Fill in the short form with the property type, rooms and any loft or garage. We introduce you to up to three independent local providers, who contact you to discuss the job and send quotes. Move & Clear does not do the work or set prices, and quotes are free with no obligation.
Can I keep items and have the rest cleared?
Yes. Most people keep some belongings, such as photos, jewellery or furniture. Set aside what you want before the team arrives, and label or move it to a separate room. Tell the crew clearly what stays, and if possible be present, or send a trusted person, to confirm.
Do I need to be there while the property is cleared?
It is not always necessary, but it helps, especially at the start and end. If you cannot attend, arrange access, name a contact, and agree how the team should report anything valuable they find. Ask for photos of the empty rooms afterwards so you can confirm the job is complete.
How do I check a clearance provider is legitimate?
Ask for their registered waste carrier licence number and check it on the public register for your area. Request proof of insurance and a written quote. Ask for a waste transfer note or receipt afterwards. Be cautious of anyone who avoids paperwork or pressures you to decide immediately.
What if the house contains hazardous items or asbestos?
Tell providers before they quote. Paint, solvents, gas bottles, batteries and fluorescent tubes need special handling. If you suspect asbestos, do not touch or disturb it. Only licensed specialists should deal with it, and the clearance should wait until the materials have been properly assessed.
Related services
Find full house clearance in your area
Providers cover different postcode areas. Pick your nearest area to see local information, or use the form at the top of this page and enter your full postcode.