House clearance

The short answer

House clearance covers everything from a single skip of unwanted furniture to a full clearance of a property, often needed when downsizing or dealing with a family member's estate. Firms typically charge by van load or by room, and many will donate or recycle usable items rather than sending everything to landfill. Booking a few weeks ahead of your date of entry avoids a last-minute scramble.

When clearance is needed

Common triggers are downsizing to a smaller property, moving into a furnished flat, or clearing a property as part of settling an estate. Some clearances are partial — just a few large items — while others involve emptying an entire house.

How clearance firms price the job

Most firms quote by van load, by room, or with a flat fee after a site visit or photos. Items that can be sold, donated or recycled sometimes reduce the cost, while items requiring special disposal, such as certain electricals or mattresses, may add a small charge.

• Get a written quote covering what is included and excluded
• Ask what happens to usable furniture — donation versus disposal
• Check the firm holds a valid waste carrier's licence
• Confirm timing so clearance finishes before the removal date

Doing it yourself versus hiring a firm

A skip hire or several trips to a local recycling centre can be cheaper for a smaller clearance, but a full clearance firm saves considerable time and physical effort, particularly for larger properties or when time before the date of entry is short.

What it usually costs

Indicative ranges only, to help you judge a quote. They are not an estimate for your property — only the business doing the work can give you that.

• Single van load clearance: roughly £100–£200
• Full house clearance (three-bedroom property): roughly £400–£900
• Skip hire as a self-managed alternative: typically £150–£350 for a week depending on size
• Specialist disposal of certain items (mattresses, large electricals): often a small additional charge per item

What to do, in order

1. 1Decide what to keep, sell, donate or dispose of
2. 2Get quotes from two or three licensed clearance firms
3. 3Check the firm's waste carrier's licence
4. 4Arrange access, including any parking needed for their vehicle
5. 5Confirm a clearance date ahead of your removal day
6. 6Keep receipts for donated items if useful for insurance or tax purposes

Local detail for the Lothians

• Clearance vans working in central Edinburgh tenements may need a parking suspension from City of Edinburgh Council, particularly in controlled parking zones
• Charities across Edinburgh and the Lothians often collect usable furniture directly, which can reduce clearance costs
• Access via narrow common stairs in Old Town and New Town flats can add time to a clearance, which some firms reflect in the quote
• In rural East Lothian, firms may charge a small callout addition for properties well off the main road network

Common questions

What happens to items that are cleared?

Reputable firms will donate or recycle usable items where possible, with only non-reusable material going to landfill or licensed disposal.

How much notice do clearance firms need?

A few days is often enough for a small job, but larger clearances or busy periods may need two to three weeks' notice.

Related pages

• Moving home checklist

  A week-by-week plan covering everything from instructing a solicitor to collecting the keys.

• Cleaning before you move

  What a handover clean typically covers, and whether it is expected before you leave a property.

• Removal companies

  What removal firms typically charge, what affects the price, and questions worth asking before booking.