At a glance
- Everything that is loose: from the oak wall unit to the last drawer of papers.
- You take what you want to keep first, or mark it clearly.
- Reusable items go to second-hand shops wherever possible.
- Papers, photos, keys and valuables are returned to you.
- We charge to clear; we do not buy or resell the contents.
What counts as the contents of a home?
The contents are everything in a home that is not fixed to the building. That is more than the furniture you see at first glance. A full contents clearance covers:
- furniture: wardrobes, beds, sofas, tables, chairs, desks
- household goods: crockery, pans, glassware, kitchen appliances, curtains
- appliances: television, washing machine, fridge, freezer, lamps
- textiles: clothes, bedding, rugs
- books, records, documents and papers
- decoration, paintings, frames and collections
- whatever is in the cellar, the attic and the garage
What is not part of the contents?
Things fixed to the property, such as a fitted kitchen, sanitary ware, radiators, fitted carpet or built-in wardrobes, are not part of a normal contents clearance. If something like that has to go too, mention it with the photos and we will tell you whether and how it can be done.
How does a full contents clearance work?
It starts with you: take out what you want to keep, or mark it clearly with stickers or a list. Then send photos of every room and you receive a fixed price.
On the day the crew works from top to bottom, usually starting with the attic and the upper floors, then the living areas, then the cellar and the garage. Wardrobes and cupboards are emptied, large furniture is dismantled where needed, and everything leaves in separate streams. Reusable items, recycling and residual waste are sorted while loading, not afterwards. At the end we sweep and the property is handed back broom-clean.
What happens to papers, photos and valuables?
Personal papers, photos, keys, bank cards and valuables that we find while clearing are set aside and handed to you. They turn up in unexpected places: in the bottom drawer of a chest, in a shoebox on top of a wardrobe, in an envelope between books.
We still recommend looking for the important documents yourself before the clearance: identity papers, insurance policies, property deeds, bank statements and wills. Then you know they are safe before the first box leaves.
Where do the contents go after the clearance?
After a full contents clearance the contents go three ways. Furniture and household goods in good condition go to second-hand shops, such as De Kringwinkel in Flanders or Les Petits Riens in Brussels, so they get a second life. Wood, metal, cardboard, appliances, mattresses and textiles are taken away separately for recycling. What remains goes as residual waste to the recycling park or a licensed processor.
Whether something can be reused depends on its condition and on what the shop accepts. Worn sofas, damaged cabinets and old mattresses are rarely taken. The whole story is in what happens to your belongings.
When do people need a full contents clearance?
A contents clearance nearly always follows a moment when a home changes hands or residents. Someone moves abroad and ships only a few boxes. A parent moves to a smaller flat or a care home and takes part of the furniture along. A house is sold and has to be empty for the deed. Heirs have divided what each of them wants, and the rest goes in one go.
In each case it helps to fix one date by which everything anyone wants to keep is out of the house. We plan the clearance after that date.
What does a full contents clearance cost?
The price depends mainly on volume and access. For a whole home the guide price is €900 to €2,500, for one space €250 to €600. A lot of reusable furniture lowers the processing cost; a lot of mixed waste raises it.
Send photos of every room and the town, and you get a fixed price. The factors are explained on house clearance prices. For a flat, see also apartment clearance.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to empty the wardrobes and drawers myself?
No, the crew empties wardrobes, drawers and boxes. Do take out what you want to keep first, and look for important papers beforehand so you are sure they are safe.
Can I still take things during the clearance?
Preferably not on the day itself, because then the crew no longer knows what goes and what stays. Take what you want beforehand, or mark it so there can be no doubt.
What if there is a fridge or freezer full of food?
Empty it beforehand if you can. If not, mention it with the photos. Fridges and freezers go to the correct recycling stream for appliances.
Do you buy antiques or valuable furniture?
No. We are a paid clearance service, not a dealer. If you own something valuable, have it valued and sold before the clearance; we clear the rest.