Clearing out a hoarder’s house is anything but light work. It involves more than just decluttering, as you need to make the space liveable and, in some cases, safe again. Not only is there a lot of work involved, but there’s a cost involved, too. How much? Let’s delve into the factors that determine the cost of cleaning a hoarder’s house and explore the average cost.
What is a hoarder house?
A hoarder house is a property excessively cluttered with items, often to the point of making parts of the house unusable. This excessive accumulation often leads to cramped living conditions, potential health risks and structural damage to the property. Cleaning such a house often requires professional intervention, especially if you plan on selling it in the near future.
What factors determine the cost of cleaning a hoarder house?
Several variables affect the cost of cleaning a hoarder’s house, making it tricky to give a blanket price. But here are the important factors to consider:
1. Size of the house
The larger and more cluttered the property, the higher the cleaning cost. A four-bedroom house full of items will undoubtedly cost more to clean than a small flat.
2. Type and amount of hoarded items
Not only does the number of hoarded items matter, but so too do the type of things left behind. Hazardous materials, for example, may require specialist cleaning, which is more expensive.
3. Cleaning and restoration services
If the property is in a dire state, you’ll need professional cleaning and restoration services. This can be costly, with the costs involved increasing if there’s damage to the property structure, be it mould, pests or structural instability.
4. Location of the property
A property’s location also influences the price. Companies might charge more if the property is in a remote area or has limited access.
The average cost of cleaning a hoarder house
While the price varies widely based on different factors, the cost of cleaning a hoarder house ranges from £2,000 – £25,000, depending on the amount if stuff , the type of materials, location and whether restoration is also needed. The average cost of cleaning a hoarder house is £4,000.
Even at the lower end, fronting up the costs of cleaning a hoarder house isn’t cheap. You should expect to pay a fairly significant amount to return the property to good condition, as well as allow time for the cleaning and repairs to be completed, before the house is fit for purpose.
Can I sell a hoarder house without cleaning it?
Yes, you can sell a hoarder house without cleaning it. There’s a catch, however. In the traditional housing market, properties with severe hoarding issues often attract lower offers as potential buyers factor in the cost and effort of cleaning the house themselves.
In extreme cases, you might only attract cash buyers or property investors willing to take on a ‘fixer-upper’. Remember, most traditional buyers are looking for a house that’s ready to move into, not a project that will require significant time and money.
Additionally, if the house is in a bad state due to hoarding, it may not meet the criteria for a mortgage, limiting your pool of potential buyers.
However, fast house buying companies like Property Rescue are happy to buy hoarder homes.
Don’t let hoarding hold up your sale
Cleaning a hoarder’s house can be a costly and time-consuming process. It might be worth investing in a professional cleaning service to maximise the property’s value, as long as the costs make sense in the long term. But a clean up operation will take time.
Alternatively, you can opt to sell the house as quickly as possible without going through the stress of making sure it’s sparkling clean by selling to us.
Whether you need to sell your house quickly or don’t want the hassle of cleaning a hoarder’s house, Property Rescue can help. Get a free, no-obligation offer for your hoarder house in just a few seconds by clicking here.