Luvmama Asked July 2023

Trying to clear my mom's house and move her. I need help moving things out of a basement and taken to dump or goodwill. Who can I hire?

It’s a hoarding situation. I live 3 hours away and have gone to work on clearing her house twice a month for a year and a half. 6 hours round trip and 8 hours of cleaning in one day. I’m tired. I have the first floor cleaned up but the basement is full and I just can’t do it. I need to hire someone to bring everything out of her basement and put it in backyard so I can go through it, then dispose of what will not be kept.

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My sibling and I were left with a hoarded house complete with vermin infestation. I thought for sure we would pay thousands for clean out but my sibling found an estate sale company with a special interest in the type of things our dad collected and we ended up actually making money. I still can't believe it. The house was so awful, with entire rooms closed off due to the infestation.

The estate company emptied the house (we both lived in other states so we just let go of control) and separated everything into sell, donate, and trash. When they found something they thought we might want they emailed us pictures. They held sales and left us with an empty house except for the literal shovels they used to do the final cleaning. It was a nightmare but God bless that estate company.

Helpful Answer (12)

Contact a few top selling relators in your area. Many have long lists of trusted and well-priced resources they use/work with to clear, prep and stage homes; as well as junk removal, repairs, pkg/storage and downsizing help services.

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Had a similiar situation with my parents who had been in their house for 56 years. I made trips for many years, driving 4 hours each way and cleaning out things (although it would get worse again between visits). When it finally became time to move them out, estate sale companies wouldn't touch it. We ended up calling an auction house. They went through everything and auctioned off saleable items and that paid for their services and the dumpster rental. We had a little bit left over, but the real benefit was the reduced wear and tear on me!

Helpful Answer (8)

Pretty much what we did. My sister and I hauled some stuff to charity thrift shops, she had some success selling some stuff on Facebook Marketplace and through a local auction barn, but in the end, an awful lot went into the dumpster. We'd been at it long enough.

(2)

Another option could be to reach out to any local organization that may be a part of establishing refugees in your area. Refugees are often legal to work and are eager to find jobs. Due to language barriers, at times, they have a hard time getting work and need cleaning and odd style jobs.

It will be a win win.

Helpful Answer (7)

College Hunks do haul aways. Very hardworking and compassionate guys. They will take everything except hazardous materials and offer the good items to local charities for donation. You get a receipt for taxes if any items are taken by a donation partner. Your fee is based on amount of space taken in their truck, not by hours of labor, stairs, etc.

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JDog Hauling. They are a veteran run group. Reasonable pricing. They are nationwide, maybe one near you.

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I used a company named Caring Transitions for cleaning out and donating items in my mom's house. They were great, and I know the donated items went to people who were in need.

Alternately, they could have done an estate sale if it had been worth it. But there was not a high value on many of the items in the house, so I'm just as happy that people who are trying to establish or re-establish their homes are getting use from the items.

There is a fee for their services. You'd need to check their website or call to see if they are in your area. They were great to work with.

Helpful Answer (5)

Can’t say enough good things about Caring Transitions.

(2)

My parents were severe hoarders. I hired an estate sales person and a local guy who hailed junk. Between the three if us we were able to find and secure and save the important items including documents.

It cost them money but there is no way I could do this myself. With help it took over two weeks just for the clean out. The house was infested with mice so I had to hire a company to clean and sanitize. I also had to sell the home.

Start local and don't beat yourself up over this. Cleaning out a home is bad enough without the hoarding aspect

Helpful Answer (5)

I hired an estate sales company, They left a clean house. They even swept the floor. The total sale price after they took their cut was $17,000. Most of the money was from my late husband's tools which I had no idea how to price out. I interviewed several companies, before settling on one who had a retired machanist on staff. They even got rid of the spices and used soap.

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I don't know where you live. Personally, I'd rather hire local 'small truck' handyman people vs nationwide commercial companies. Depends on how much you have though -

Find cleaners, movers, haulers:

To get into back yard first: hire kid(s) from high school or college.

Then hire more professional people once you know what / how you want to get rid of things.

* Check days/times when dump and Good Will/SalvArmy are open.
- Some places will NOT take furniture, etc. so check beforehand.

Use: and get references:

* Next Door (if you have)
* Facebook
* Post at church or activity centers
* Get referrals from friends
* Ask for references (do not leave anything valuable unattended)
* If drivers / truck needs, ask for copy of insurance (or consider it)

I believe there are professional 'hoarding' situation cleaners
I hope that you are able to recoup your time and travel expense, if your mom could reimburse you.

Gena/Touch Matters

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