We've done this before. Nothing surprises us.
Most of these calls come from an adult child, a sibling, a landlord, or a case worker — and most of them start with an apology. You don't owe us one. Hoarding is a recognised condition, not a housekeeping failure, and the people who live with it are usually far more distressed about it than anyone calling on their behalf.
So we work slowly enough that the person in the house stays in control of it. Everything is sorted in front of them, decisions are theirs, and if a day needs to stop early it stops early. What we won't do is show up with a dumpster and start throwing.
Once the clutter clears we frequently find water damage, mold, rodent activity, or biohazard conditions that were hidden for years. We're certified for all of it, so the discovery doesn't mean starting over with a different company.
What's included
Four versions of the same call
Family
An adult child who has just seen the inside of a parent's house for the first time in years. We can work with the parent, not around them.
Estates
A property that has to be cleared and listed after a death, with documents and valuables recovered and inventoried first.
Landlords
A unit left in unrentable condition. Documented for the deposit claim and turned around fast.
Code & caseworkers
A property under a code enforcement order or adult protective services referral, with a compliance deadline to meet.
Hoarder cleanup questions
Will you throw away my parent's things?
Not without a decision from whoever owns them. Everything is sorted in front of the owner or the person with authority, into keep, donate, and discard. If they want to stop and think about an item, we stop. Fighting someone over their own belongings never ends with a clean house.
How long does it take?
A single room is often one day. A full house is typically three days to two weeks depending on volume, how much sorting is wanted, and what we find underneath. The walkthrough gives you a real number before anything starts.
Do the neighbours have to know?
No. Unmarked vehicles, plain uniforms, and discreet loading on request. We can also schedule early mornings or split loads to keep a dumpster off the street.
Does insurance pay for this?
Generally not for the clutter itself. But if we uncover a covered loss underneath — a burst pipe, a long-running roof leak, resulting mold — that portion often is claimable, and we document it properly when we find it.
What if they change their mind on the day?
It happens, and it's not a problem. We'll reschedule, or work a smaller area than planned, or come back another week. Nobody is billed for pressure they didn't agree to.