Hi,
We are trying to empty out MIL’s house to put it on the market. It’s all delayed because of COVID. it’s a race against time now the summer is almost gone.
We want it done ASAP and want to hire people to do it but not sure how much it’d cost and how long it’s take. It’s a small 3 bedroom house with 20 years worth of stuff ( thank goodness not 50 years’ worth because they moved after retirement ).
Due to COVID probably no estate sale or donation.
Any experience? Please share! Thanks!
Some valuable electronic equipment ended up in the trash trailer. I learned my lesson; now I work right alongside the workers, and there's no question as to their having to interpret or guess what stays and what goes.
I would NOT be there daily, watching and in the way. Stuff you deem as irreplaceable is likely to be junk. Are you wanting to save a lot of stuff or get rid of it? If it's 'get rid of' you will have a much better experience. If it's 'I'll look at everything that comes out of the house', you are in for a huge nightmare. Most professionals work fast and hard and get the job done ASAP. They don't fuss over the 100 white blouses your aunt stored or the 50 candles they won at BINGO. They will junk stuff with no real thought.
If you're emotionally involved, it slows the process down by at least half. I got involved with helping a 'friend' 2 years ago. EPIC fail. I had a LOT of help, but she wouldn't throw ANYTHING away. She was going to store things in those PODS you see, until she realized they cost $700 per month and she had 3 filled ones. (Guess what idiot put the PODS on her CC? I was out almost $4K. I did get it back, eventually, but it ruined my relationship with this woman.)
My experience, should I ever have to go through this again would be to have the owner go through and retrieve anything they want. Then they need to be nowhere near the cleanup site.
Obviously, the cleaners should be aware of truly valuable things, such as caches of money or paperwork that is needed. But every time they have to stop and ask the owner what to do with something---the clock is ticking.
I've seen completely hoarded homes completely emptied and cleaned in as little as 4 days---but the owners were not around and the cleaners/organizers simply put their heads down and worked.
I wouldn't 'cheap out' on this. Get a lot of recommendations first and go with the one you feel best about.
We DID use our church for a LOT of the work. Everyone came away with a bad taste in their mouths about this woman who used us all to death. I wouldn't help her again for anything, in any situation. I still feel stupid.
Then the left 1/3 of the stuff that was quoted for removal behind.
If there is furniture of value an Estate Sale company will take care of that. If it is not of value then contact a Veterans group, the Salvation Army or a local church group that has a resale shop.
Old clothing that is not of value check with the local school and see if the Theater group wold like some of the items. If not Salvation Army, Veterans group or your church resale shop.
These groups are open and are picking items up. Estate Sales companies are open, and holding sales.
Don't bother with disaster remediation companies; while I did have one which was outstanding, another in a different country was as dishonest as could be.
I went with a Veteran owned company, which was better than any I'd interviewed. There was a vast difference in the skill level of what they could handle, and that was anything. They were able to dismantle a utility trailer as well as a shed. The first company just avoided anything that couldn't be fit in the trailer "as is."
So much depends on what you have though. If there are large, industrial or work shop items like a drill press, or radial arm saw, you'd probably be more comfortable with someone who knows how to manage them. One of my father's yard equipment tools (a rototiller) had to be dismantled, The 800 outfit wouldn't even touch it. The military guys knew how to cut it apart.
I called an estate sale company potentially for help indoors, but they were so focused on towels, pillow cases, etc. that I didn't think they'd have the knowledge for disposal of heavier equipment, such as a washer.
As to cleaning, there are various levels; this can be a more challenging task. I had hired Molly Maids (a franchise) but they had specific limitations: wouldn't stand on ladders, etc.).
The only company I did find to do extensive top to bottom cleaning was a very reputable and helpful disaster remediation company, which not only removed small items and larger ones (a dresser), but cleaned the floor till it literally sparkled. And they used an environmentally friendly orange based cleaner. The house smelled fragrant, unless some of the harsh smells left by chemical cleaners.
They also left an air filter in the house for a few days to remove any other odors. This company was top notch! I wanted them to help for the outside shed clearing as well, but it was at the time of winter freezes and they had to first service clients of the insurance company with which they worked.
Good luck!
I cleaned out my father's home after a lifetime of stuff. It was a full time job for about a month and I didn't try to sell anything. I advertised stuff a free just to get it out of the house. And I had the advantage that the people buying the house offered to take whatever had to go the the dump for me. I just piled it in the garage and they hauled it away. And even with all that help it was still a living nightmare.
On the other hand a neighbor is helping someone who is overwhelmed but has collections of vintage comic books, music albums, books and he is willing to catalogue them. For him it's a hobby and he has the space.