House and Office Clearance FAQs
Below are answers to some of the questions we are most often asked about our house clearance, office clearance, rubbish removal and removal services.
If your question is not covered, feel free to get in touch. We are always happy to provide advice and a free, no-obligation quote.
Call us on 0794 455 7700
How can I prepare for a house clearance?
A little preparation can help the clearance run more smoothly.
Before booking, choose a reputable and properly licensed clearance company. It is worth asking what happens to the items they collect, how much is recycled or reused, and what steps they take to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Before the team arrives, take some time to separate anything you would like to keep. Clearly mark these items or place them in a separate area so there is no confusion during the clearance.
For larger properties, it can also help to make a simple list of any specific items or areas that should not be cleared. This gives the team clear instructions and helps the job run efficiently from start to finish.
What should I do before the clearance team arrives?
Once you have decided what you would like to keep, it helps to separate these items clearly from anything that is being removed.
Pack belongings you are keeping into boxes where possible and label them clearly. Alternatively, place them in a separate room or area and let our team know before the clearance begins. Valuable, fragile or sentimental items should always be pointed out to us in advance.
There is no need to disassemble furniture, deep clean the property or carry out repairs before we arrive unless you specifically want to. Our job is to make the clearance process as straightforward as possible.
Where suitable, unwanted items may be reused, recycled or donated rather than simply thrown away.
Are there any items you cannot remove?
We can remove most household and commercial items, but some materials require specialist handling and disposal. These may include:
- Hazardous chemicals, solvents and certain paints
- Medical waste, including needles and syringes
- Explosives, ammunition and weapons
- Asbestos and other specialist hazardous materials
- Certain batteries or substances requiring controlled disposal
- Live animals
If you are unsure about a particular item, let us know before the clearance and we can advise whether we are able to remove it.
A few useful tips
Let us know in advance about any valuable, fragile or unusual items that may need special care.
You do not always need to be present during the clearance, provided access has been arranged and we have clear instructions about what should stay and what should be removed.
For larger clearances, a few photos or a simple list of the rooms and items involved can also help us prepare properly and make the job run as smoothly as possible.
What areas do you cover?
We provide house clearance, office clearance, rubbish removal and removal services across a wide area, including:
London
- East London
- North London
- Central London
- West London
- South London
Essex
- Chelmsford
- Braintree
- Colchester
- Maldon
- Southend-on-Sea
- Surrounding areas
Hertfordshire
- St Albans
- Watford
- Surrounding areas
South East England
- Kent
- Surrey
- Folkestone
- Walton-on-Thames
- Other surrounding towns and areas
East of England
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cambridge and surrounding areas
We also regularly work in areas including Hackney, Walthamstow, Leyton, Chingford, Islington, Barnet, Hampstead, Chelsea, Fulham, Ealing, Lewisham, Putney, Wimbledon, Teddington and Twickenham.
If your area is not listed, please contact us. We may still be able to help.
When do you work?
We generally work six days a week, with most jobs taking place between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
We understand that these times may not suit everyone, particularly businesses or customers working around property access, tenants or moving dates. Where possible, we can offer more flexible appointment times.
Contact us to discuss your requirements and we will do our best to arrange a suitable time.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. House and Office Clearance Ltd is fully licensed and insured to carry out clearance and removal work.
We hold the appropriate waste carrier licence, as well as public liability insurance and relevant insurance for the work we carry out.
Documentation can be provided on request.
How much does a house of office clearance cost?
Every clearance is different, so the cost depends on factors such as:
- The amount being removed
- The type of items or waste
- The size of the property
- Access to the property
- The number of people required
- Disposal and recycling costs
- The time needed to complete the job
We will provide you with a clear quote before the clearance begins.
There are no hidden extras added to the agreed work.
If the scope of the job changes once we arrive, we will always discuss this with you before carrying out any additional work.
How do I get a quote?
Simply contact us and let us know what you need cleared.
Photos are often the quickest way for us to understand the size of the job and provide an initial quote. For larger or more complex clearances, we may arrange to visit the property first.
Once the work has been agreed, we will confirm the price before the clearance begins.
What types of property do you clear?
We work with both residential and commercial properties, including:
- Houses
- Flats
- Offices
- Shops and commercial units
- Garages
- Lofts
- Sheds
- Storage areas
- Repossessed properties
- Probate and inherited properties
- Schools, churches and community buildings
We can carry out anything from a small partial clearance to a complete property clearance.
What items do you remove?
We remove almost all types of household and commercial items, including:
- Furniture
- Sofas and beds
- Tables and chairs
- Fridges and freezers
- Cookers and appliances
- Electrical items
- Office furniture
- General household contents
- Clothing and personal items
- Carpets
- Loft and garage contents
- Garden waste
- General rubbish
We are unable to collect certain hazardous materials that require specialist handling and disposal.
If you are unsure about a particular item, just ask us before booking.
Do you provide full and part clearances?
Yes.
We can clear an entire property or simply remove selected items.
For example, you may only need us to clear:
- One room
- A loft
- A garage
- A garden
- Selected furniture
- Office equipment
- A small amount of rubbish
The service can be tailored around exactly what you need removed.
How long does a clearance take?
This depends on the size and complexity of the job.
Many house and office clearances can be completed within one day, while smaller jobs may only take a few hours.
Larger properties or more complicated clearances may take longer.
We will give you a better idea of the expected time-scale when providing your quote.
Do I need to be at the property during the clearance?
Not necessarily.
As long as access has been arranged and we clearly understand what needs to be removed, we may be able to complete the clearance without you being present.
This can be particularly useful for landlords, estate agents, executors or customers who live some distance from the property.
We can discuss access arrangements with you before the job.
Can unwanted items be reused or donated?
Yes.
We try to reuse, recycle or donate suitable items wherever possible.
Furniture, clothing, electrical items and other usable belongings may be donated to local charities or passed on for reuse where appropriate.
In some cases, we may also be interested in purchasing items that are in particularly good condition or have resale value.
What happens to the rubbish you collect?
We recycle or reuse over 90% of the waste we collect.
Items are sorted and taken to licensed recycling and waste facilities. Anything suitable for reuse may be donated, recycled or given a second life wherever possible.
Our aim is to keep as much waste as possible away from landfill.
Can you provide a same-day clearance?
Depending on our availability and the size of the job, same-day or next-day clearance may sometimes be possible.
For urgent clearances, contact us as early as possible and we will let you know what availability we have.
Do you provide office and commercial clearances?
Yes.
We work with businesses, landlords, property managers and commercial customers on one-off and ongoing clearance work.
We can remove:
- Office desks
- Chairs
- Filing cabinets
- Shelving
- Electrical equipment
- General office contents
- Unwanted furniture
- Commercial waste
We aim to complete commercial clearances efficiently and with as little disruption as possible.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept:
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
- Bank transfer
- Cash
Payment is normally made once the agreed work has been completed.
A receipt can be provided for the service.
How does the clearance process work?
The process is straightforward.
First, get in touch and let us know what you need cleared from the property. We will ask for a few details so we can provide an accurate quote.
Once you are happy with the price, we will arrange a convenient date and time for the clearance. The agreed price will be confirmed before any work begins.
After the clearance is complete, payment can be made and you will receive a full receipt for the service.
Do you provide removals as well as clearances?
Yes.
Alongside house and office clearances, we also provide small and medium-sized removal services.
This can include:
- House moves
- Flat moves
- Office relocations
- Furniture transport
- Collection and delivery of larger items
Contact us with the details of what needs to be moved and we can provide a quote.
Still have a question?
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please get in touch.
We are happy to discuss your clearance, answer any questions and provide a free, no-obligation quote.
Call: 0794 455 7700
Email: info@houseandofficeclearance.co.uk
Commercial Tenders, Contracts and Ongoing Work
For commercial tenders, contract opportunities, procurement enquiries or regular clearance work, please contact our operations team directly.