House clearance for bereaved families in Exeter
Professional house clearance for bereaved families services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Quote required
Typical Duration
Multiple days
Location
Exeter, Devon
Sensitive, respectful house clearance for bereaved families. Careful sorting of belongings, unhurried approach, working at your pace during difficult times.
Help when you need it most
Clearing a house after someone's died is emotionally exhausting. Every room brings memories, every drawer might contain something important, and you're trying to make decisions while grieving.
I provide practical help with the physical work - sorting, packing, clearing - while respecting that this isn't just "stuff," it's someone's life you're going through.
What bereavement clearance typically involves:
| Stage | What Happens | Your Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Initial assessment | I visit the property, we discuss what stays/goes, I quote | You show me round, explain any specific concerns |
| Careful sorting | Room by room, checking drawers, cupboards, lofts | You decide keep/donate/bin - I'll check anything unclear |
| Packing and removal | Items for keeping get packed safely, donations organized | You focus on important items, I handle the volume |
| Final clearance | Remaining items cleared, house left clean and empty | Final walk-through, keys handed to solicitor/landlord |
How I approach this differently
| ✅ What I Do | ❌ What I Don't Do |
|---|---|
| Work at your pace, check before disposing | Rush through assuming everything's rubbish |
| Look carefully in pockets, drawers, boxes | Chuck whole wardrobes without checking |
| Ask about items I'm unsure of | Make assumptions about value or importance |
| Respect the emotional difficulty | Treat it like any other clearance job |
| Work around family visiting times | Demand immediate access and decisions |
Typical bereavement clearance timeline
| Property Size | Careful Sorting | Pure Clearance | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | 2-3 days | 1-2 days | Quote needed |
| 2-3 bed house | 3-5 days | 2-3 days | Quote needed |
| Large house or hoarder situation | 5-10 days | 3-5 days | Quote needed |
Daily rate £260-300 depending on complexity. Quote provided after property visit.
💡 I visit first: Every bereavement clearance needs a proper look at the property before quoting. Volume of belongings, access, what needs sorting versus pure clearing - all affect time needed. I'll give you an honest estimate and stick to it.
Why Choose Us for House clearance for bereaved families in Exeter?
Respectful handling of belongings
Unhurried approach to difficult work
Items sorted carefully - keep, donate, dispose
Work around your family's timeline
What to Expect
Step 1: Initial visit and quote
I'll come and look at the property with you, discuss what needs to happen, understand any specific concerns (important documents to find, particular items to look for, areas that need special care). Then I'll quote honestly based on how many days I think it'll take.
Step 2: The clearance work
We'll work through systematically - typically room by room. I'll check drawers, pockets, cupboards, and bring anything questionable to you before deciding. Items for keeping get packed safely, donations get organized separately, rubbish goes in appropriate disposal routes (not just skip everything).
Step 3: Final stages
Once the sorting's done and keeps are removed, I'll clear the remaining items, clean the property if needed, and leave it ready for sale or handback to landlord. Final walk-through with you to make sure everything's as it should be.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you're tackling this yourself:
Honestly, bereavement clearance is one of those jobs that's harder than it looks. But if you're determined:
Approach:
- Don't do it alone - emotional toll is heavy, and decisions are hard
- Start with one room, finish it completely before moving to next
- Have three clear categories: Keep, Donate, Bin
- Check everything - pockets, boxes, drawers, under furniture
- Take breaks when it gets overwhelming
What to watch for:
- Documents hidden in books or random drawers
- Cash or valuables tucked away and forgotten
- Photos and personal items mixed with general stuff
- Important paperwork (wills, deeds, insurance) anywhere
- Items other family members might want
Common challenges:
- Emotional exhaustion from constant memories
- Disagreements between family members about what to keep
- Finding unexpected items (good or bad surprises)
- Physical exhaustion from heavy lifting and long days
- Hoarding situations where volume is overwhelming
When to get help:
- Hoarder houses - professional help saves your sanity
- When family conflict makes decisions impossible
- If you're not local and need someone trustworthy
- When the emotional weight is too much to handle alone
- Tight timelines (rental ending, house sale completion)
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Working with solicitors/executors: I'm used to working as part of the estate settlement process. I can provide receipts for estate accounts, coordinate with solicitors on timelines, and ensure the property's ready for whatever's next.
Donation coordination: I'll separate items for charity shops, organize collection if needed, and make sure useful items go to good homes rather than landfill where possible.
Document finding: If you're looking for specific paperwork (wills, deeds, insurance policies), I'll keep an eye out and check likely hiding places. Can't guarantee we'll find it, but I'll try.
Old Devon properties: Many older houses around Exeter have complicated layouts, steep stairs, low beams, and tricky access. I'm used to working in these conditions and know how to shift furniture down awkward staircases.
Discretion and privacy: Everything I see while clearing houses stays private. I understand this is sensitive work and respect that completely.
No judgment: I've cleared hoarded houses, complicated estates, difficult situations. Whatever the state of the property or circumstances, I'm here to help not judge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this different from regular house clearance?
I work at your pace, not mine. There's no rush. We'll go through things carefully, checking with you what to keep, what to donate, what to bin. I understand this is emotionally difficult and there's often surprises - hidden valuables, unexpected items, things that bring memories flooding back. I'm here to help, not just clear fast.
Do you value or sell items, or arrange house sales?
No - that's not my area. I focus on the physical clearance. If you find items that might have value, I can recommend auction houses or specialists. My job is sorting, packing, moving, and clearing, while being respectful of what this process means.
What if we're not local and need someone we can trust?
I'm happy to work with family members who are coordinating from a distance. We can video call to show items and check decisions, I can photograph anything you're unsure about, and provide regular updates. References available if needed for peace of mind.
My parent was a hoarder - is that a problem?
Not at all. I've cleared hoarded houses before. It takes longer and needs more care - valuables get mixed with rubbish - but we'll work through systematically. I won't judge, just help you sort through methodically and sensitively.
How do you charge for bereavement clearance?
By the day, quoted after I've seen the property. I'll give an honest estimate of how many days it'll take based on size, volume, and how much sorting versus pure clearing you need. No surprise bills - you'll know the cost upfront.
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Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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