When it comes to engaging a company to clear a deceased estate it can be daunting as it’s not a common task and costs and completion timeframes can be a complete unknown to the customer.
The biggest factor that will affect the cost of an estate clearance is the amount of items that needs to be removed, the more the items the higher the cost. The items that will almost always be involved in a clearance are; furniture, whitegoods, clothing, kitchen contents, garden and shed contents. Where possible during the course of the clearance anything that is able to be recycled and donated will be set aside and delivered to the appropriate outlet. There is also the possibility of hazardous items being identified during the clearance for example asbestos or highly toxic chemicals which need to be specially disposed of.
As a general rule a neat 3 bedroom house will cost in the range of $3500-$4500 but there are many factors which can influence the cost. Amount of clutter, furniture, if there are sheds and various items in the yard and under the house can all add greatly to the cost. In addition access to the property will also have an affect on the price. For example a unit with only stair access on the 4th floor with limited parking may cost more than a single level house with easy access to the driveway (assuming the same amount of items to be removed).
Prior to the clearance there is a possibility that items suitable for sale can be identified as having value and transported to an auction house for sale. The proceeds of this will be sent directly to the client which can help offset the expense of clearing the property.
As part of an estate clearance following the removal of all items often a clean is required to get it ready for sale, this will add cost and time to completion of the works as well. Exterior pressure cleaning and gardening can occur as well.
Some ways to reduce the cost of an estate clearance prior to commencement can be to retrieve any sentimental items where possible (reduces time searching through belongings during the clearance), separate out any items that are to be kept or donated or transported to a relative’s house or storage and ensure good access is available on the day.
A question that is often asked is, is it cheaper to clear an estate myself? The answer is generally yes but does depend on a few factors. Firstly, is the client physically able to lift and remove all the items and remove them from the property? Whitegoods and furniture can be difficult to move and will require at least two people. The normal method people use when doing the clearance themselves is to order a skip bin, this requires space to place it which is easy when you have a large front yard or driveway but becomes an issue when space is at a premium. Time is also a large consideration, when hiring a company that specialises in clearances they will utilise multiple labourers and trucks and have minimal downtime to ensure the clearance occurs as quickly as possible. When a skip is being used it must be filled then the skip company must be called to come and swap over the skip for an empty one and then it can be refilled and the process repeated. the turnaround for an empty skip is often quite slow and results in downtime and pushes out the timeframe it takes to clear the property. A large property may take over a week to clear which many people do not have time for.
Every estate clearance is different with their own nuances so if you have any questions about the above or require a free quote don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or email for assistance. We’ve cleared properties every where from Sydney to Corowa to Tweed Heads, all across NSW from smallest to the largest properties.