House Clearance: FAQs
I have a house to clear and don't know where to start. How does it work ?
It depends on your circumstances, but here are three common scenarios:
- The contents of your house have no resale value: In this case we would have to charge you for clearance which will include tipping fees at a local waste site and our labour.
- Some of the contents are antique, collectable, or have good resale value: In this case we will give a good allowance and offset it against the cost of clearance.
- The majority of the contents are antique or have value. If this value exceeds the clearance costs, we will pay you the difference, in cash or by cheque, according to your preference.
What happens to modern furniture and general household items which usually form the bulk of a clearance?
We will make every effort to ensure that these items are re-used, and where this is not possible, recycled. We work with charitable and other organisations to ensure that items which in themselves have no real monetary value, are found good homes.
This policy of re-use is not only environmentally friendly, but makes sound economic sense too, because, by spending less on landfill, we reduce our costs, which means that we can keep our prices competitive.
Can you provide advice and assistance if the contents of a property contain antiques, fine art, or collectables?
We have considerable experience in valuing antiques and fine art, and can use the value of these to offset the cost of clearance, or, if the amount of our invoice is exceeded, we can make a payment to you by cheque or cash. Our valuations are comparable to the amount the item would realise if sold by an auction company.
How much will it cost?
Our clearance fees start at around £350, inclusive, for a small property, but vary according to density of contents and number of rooms.
We load our vehicles efficiently, making maximum use of the available space, and hence provide much better value than other options, such as skip hire or 'price per load'.
How about probate valuation and clearance?
We can help and guide you with all types of probate matters, and it works much the same as a normal clearance but there are usually some legal procedures to follow such as Written Probate Valuation.
If you instruct us to clear your property, we will provide a written probate valuation of the contents and chattels, without charge.
How do you deal with confidential documents and items of a personal nature?
We always handle these items with the utmost discretion. If required, we can destroy them by shredding and provide a written confirmation that this has been done. If during a clearance we we find items (such as photographs) or documents of importance, these will be retained for your perusal before disposal.
What additional services do you offer to estate agents and other professional organisations?
If requested, we can drain down central heating and water tanks to prevent pipe bursts, or decomission the water services entirely. We can also isolate all electrical systems and secure the premises by changing the locks. To do this, we offer the services of a locksmith, CORGI gas engineer, plumber, and electrician. This is particularly important where the property is likely to be empty for a while.
What standard of service can I expect from City Clearances?
We guarantee that we will always clear your house completely and leave it clean and tidy ready for sale or transfer, with the minimum of fuss and within the time stated.
What about items I wish to keep?
We are always happy to transport any items you wish to retain to a location of your choice.
I'm not in the UK at the moment. Can you help?
Yes, we are always pleased to assist with international enquiries and have all the necessary facilities available for individuals and companies requiring our services while abroad.
Do you charge VAT on your services?
At present we do not charge VAT on house clearances and probate valuations.
For more information on the house clearance services available from City Clearances please do not hesitate to contact us. You will receive a free quotation or friendly advice with no obligation whatsoever.
