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myHouse Clearance Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of house clearance is around £450.
- Most jobs take 8 to 14 hours to complete.
- House clearance costs broken down by the extent of the job.
- How long the job takes and what's typically involved.
- How to find a professional house clearance company using MyJobQuote.
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£450
Table of Contents
How Much Does a House Clearance Cost?
House clearance companies don't all price the same way - some charge by how much stuff you have, others by weight, and some offer flat rates.
The average house clearance cost starts around:
- £100 to £150 for small jobs (up to 250kg).
- £175 to £275 for half a van load (up to 500kg).
- £275 to £425 for a three-quarter van load (up to 750kg).
- £400 to £600 for a completely full van load (up to 1,000kg).
Garage clearance cost follows similar pricing structures.
Where you live makes a big difference to your house clearance prices. London residents face steeper costs and should expect around £750 plus VAT for clearing a typical three-bedroom house.
Got a smaller flat? You'll pay less. Large family home with a cluttered garage? Prepare for higher costs. Some companies also charge extra for tricky items like old fridges that need special disposal.
If you're getting rid of specific items rather than clearing everything, your costs depend on what needs to be removed. That old oven might cost £25 to haul away, but getting rid of a piano could hit £100, as bigger and heavier always costs more.
What licences should house clearance companies have?
"A waste carrier licence from the Environment Agency"
House Clearance Prices
| House clearance type | Quantity | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Minor clearance | Maximum 250kg | £100-150 |
| Small clearance | Maximum 500kg | £175-£275 |
| Medium clearance | Maximum 750kg | £275-£425 |
| Large clearance | Maximum 1000kg | £400-£600 |
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Factors That Impact House Clearance Costs
You may experience an overall cost increase when having a house clearance due to small things. Here we will go through the different house clearance cost factors so you know what to look for.
- Size And Volume — House clearance prices are affected by the number of items removed as well as the volume. Some house clearance companies charge based on how big the van load is (a half van load vs a full van load), whereas others charge by tonnage. House clearance companies are typically charged £180-£200 per tonne for waste disposal, which gets passed on to you.
- Specific Item Costs — Many items aren't included in standard fees, with clearance companies charging extra for disposal. Mattresses cost £20 each, fridges and freezers £30-£95 per unit, TVs £10-£15 depending on size, and electrical items like kettles or toasters £5 each.
- Hazardous Waste — Some items require specialist hazardous waste disposal and can increase your house clearance costs. Asbestos, paint or solvents, batteries, medical waste, and gas cylinders are a few examples.
- Valuable Items — Your house clearance costs may be reduced if your clearance includes saleable items such as antiques, collectables, or high-quality furniture. Not all house clearance companies offer this service, so it's worth checking with your provider before committing.
- Location — Your location significantly affects house clearance costs as London and south east England charge well above the national average, while Scotland and northern England offer lower rates.
- Access — How easy is it to get to your house? If the house is more difficult to access, whether due to the road, the house itself, or a lack of parking spaces, the job will take longer, and the labour cost of a house clearance will be higher.
- Urgent Clearances — If you need the house clearance done quickly or at the last minute, expect costs to increase.
- Additional Services — Some house clearance companies will also remove carpets, provide deep cleaning services, and clear the loft or basement. If you need these services, check if they are included in your house clearance costs, as you might have to pay extra for them.
Additional House Clearance Costs
There will almost certainly be additional costs during a house clearance that will raise the total price you have been given at the start. As a result, you must bear that in mind before proceeding. This section of the article will list the various types of extra costs that you may incur and how much they will add to the overall cost.
Garden Waste Removal
Several factors determine garden clearance prices. These are the amount of waste you have, the type of waste you have, and how you want it removed.
It can cost between £15 and £300 to hire a contractor with a van to come and eliminate your garden rubbish. The lowest point of this range presumes you have very little waste.
The highest level of protection covers up to 2 tonnes of waste. This price includes labour and disposal fees. You must sit back and watch as the company disposes of your garbage.
Another possibility is to rent a skip but then fill it yourself. Skip hire costs between £70 and £400, determined by the skip size required. You can take your time with the work and dispose of other waste at the same time if necessary.
If you must regularly get rid of a small amount of garden waste, check to see if your municipality has a garden waste removal programme. These are either free or cost between £150 and £200 per year. Everything is up to your local government.
If you would like further information, please refer to our guide on the costs of garden waste removal.
Cost of Specialist Item Removal
Some items require special disposal methods and carry additional fees beyond standard clearance costs. Here are typical costs for specialist item removal:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Small items (Kettle, toaster, iron, etc) | £5 |
| Tyres, gas canisters, fire extinguishers | £4 |
| TVs and computers | £10 - £15 |
| Mattresses | £20 |
| Small fridge and freezer | £30 - £50 |
| Large fridge freezer | £95 |
| Piano | £100 - £160 |
| Wet food and house chemicals | £30 |
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Labour Cost of House Clearance & Timescales
When it comes to pricing, the majority of the house clearance cost comes down to labour hours and waste disposal fees rather than materials.
Labour rates for house clearance companies in the UK typically range from £25 to £40 per person per hour, depending on location, and they often operate as a team of two or three workers. Labour prices will usually be quoted as a fixed price based on the size of the property and will be higher for larger or more complex jobs.
How long a house clearance takes depends on the size of the property, the volume of contents, access, and parking. Properties with lofts and gardens will take longer to clear, especially if there is heavy furniture or difficult items such as pianos.
If you're unsure how much house clearance labour costs in your area, we have a wide range of house clearance specialists for you to compare prices.
Estimated House Clearance Labour Hours
Actual costs and times vary depending on the volume of waste in the property, but here are indicative costs and timeframes:
| Property Size | Typical Team Size | Estimated Timescale | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat | 2-person team | 3-6 hours | £150–£300 |
| 2-bedroom house | 2-3 person team | 6-8 hours | £250–£450 |
| 3-bedroom house | 3-person team | 8-12 hours (1 day) | £400–£700 |
| 4+ bedroom house | 3-4 person team | 1-2 days | £700–£1,200 |
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What's Involved in House Clearance?
A house clearance can be a significant undertaking, and hiring an expert and reputable company to do it for you can be highly beneficial.
Useful indicators to help distinguish reputable companies from unreliable tradespeople include a VAT registration number, a waste collection registration number, and a working phone number.
Having a suitable house clearance company can save you time and energy, not to mention potentially reducing the stress involved. With the help of MyJobQuote, you can find local house clearance specialists and request free, online quotes without any obligations to continue.
Below is a broad overview of the house clearance process, including what's involved.
Before the House Clearance
- Initial Discussions — Before starting, your house clearance will need information such as the size of property and your expectations on what's being removed.
- Take Anything to be Kept — If there is anything you don't want to get rid of, such as sentimental or personal items, ensure these are already removed ahead of the house clearance taking place.
During the House Clearance
- Removal of Belongings — Providing it has been agreed in advance, house clearances usually include designated furniture, along with a wide range of other items also being subject to removal.
- Final Checks — A reputable house clearing company should take everything that has been left for clearance. Once completed, a final review will ensure any last-minute items are also removed accordingly.
After the House Clearance
- Empty Property — All designated items should have been removed and disposed of responsibly, leaving the property empty and in a suitable condition for its next use.
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Can I Clear a House Myself?
A house clearance is often an enormous task, so hiring a reliable and professional firm to do it for you can save a lot of hassle and stress.
While you can do it yourself by renting a skip or a van, hiring a company will provide you with a quick and thorough house clearance. Waste removal should be high on any moving house checklist because it should always be meticulously organised, which a professional team handles for you.
If you do want to organise the clearance yourself, expect the following costs on average:
- Skip hire (2–3 yards): £90–£130
- Skip hire (12 yards): £250–£440
- Council permit: £20–£65
- Van hire: £30–£100 per day (depending on size), plus fuel
- Disposal fees: Up to £95 for a large fridge-freezer, plus more for small appliances, mattresses, etc.
Hiring a large skip and van to dispose of several large appliances can easily cost hundreds, meaning the DIY option isn’t always much cheaper than hiring a professional.
Bear in mind that skip hire companies must dispose of your waste through a combination of recycling, landfill, and incineration. You will also need a permit from your local council if the skip is placed on public land, so expect to pay an additional £20 to £65 for the permit.
Checklist: Hiring a Local House Clearance Contractor
If you are hiring a company for a house clearance, remember to consider the following points:
- Do they have a good reputation? Check for online reviews and feedback on their MyJobQuote profile, or ask friends and family for recommendations.
- How much experience do they have? Ask when they last did a house clearance and how often they carry out such jobs, as this will help provide you with confidence and expectations.
- Do they have a valid licence for house clearances? This should include an Environment Agency waste carrier's licence, as using an unlicensed business could result in you facing a £5,000 fine if any waste is illegally dumped.
- Do they have public liability insurance? Although not a legal requirement, reputable companies will still be covered by their insurance against personal injury or accidental damage.
- Have you requested more than one quote? It is always a good idea to request several quotes to ensure you're getting a fair price. With the help of MyJobQuote contact at least three companies with no obligation to go ahead.
- Have you received an itemised breakdown for the work? Ask for an itemised quote to ensure you know everything that's covered, including if tasks such as disposing of household waste are included.
FAQs
What size skip do I need for house clearance?
A yard is a unit of measurement for skips. Skips of 2 yards, 4 yards, 6 yards, 8 yards, 10 yards, 12 yards, and 14 yards are available. Large household clearance projects necessitate skipping sizes of 12 or 14 yards.
Can my cleared items be sold?
Yes, auction houses that offer house clearance services will identify potential auction items. Then, they'll auction off any eligible items and pass the proceeds on to you. It's a win-win situation because the auction house will still charge upfront fees and a commission, but the funds raised from the sales will still deduct some money from the clearance price.
Do house clearances remove clothes?
High-quality clothes, books, ornaments, photos, crockery, and cutlery are the items that charity shops seek. Unfortunately, most don't accept large items like furniture (due to the costs of collection, storage, and delivery) or electronic goods (due to safety regulations).
How long does a 3-bedroom house take?
A good house clearance company should take 8 – 14 hours or a full day using a two- or three-man team to clear a typical two to a three-bedroom house with an overall average of furniture, possessions, junk, and rubbish.
Is house clearance worth it?
Many people find paying for a house clearance is worth the cost as it saves time and reduces stress. By using professional house clearance services for removing unwanted items, you will ensure your items are disposed of responsibly.
What happens to recyclable items after a house clearance?
Reputable house clearance companies sort each van load on return, sending recyclable materials to specialist recycling centres rather than landfill. Small electrical items, fridges, and freezers require specific recycling routes, which is why they carry additional costs on top of your standard house clearance price.
Can the council clear my house?
Your local council may collect large items, such as furniture, as part of a bulky waste service, but this is more limited than a proper house clearance. For a full property clearance, you will need to hire a professional house clearance company.
Do I need to pay VAT on house clearance?
Not all clearance companies are VAT registered, so whether VAT is added to your house clearance cost depends on the service provider. Larger clearance companies are more likely to be VAT-registered and will add 20% to their clearance prices. Check whether your price includes VAT.
