When a loved one has passed away, one of the tasks facing the surviving family members is to clear out the home. Many people choose to hire a professional home clearance service to handle this. One of the first things you’ll likely wonder is: How much does it cost to clear out a home after a death?
The cost of clearing out a home after a death depends on a number of factors, such as the amount of belongings and the size of the home. For example, clearing out a small senior’s room with few belongings is much quicker and easier than clearing out a large home with an attic, a shed, and a lot of items left behind. As a general guideline, the costs usually range from €350 to €2,500. Below, you’ll find more information about the average costs per type of home.
Cost of house clearance after death
The cost of clearing out a house varies by property. The amounts listed below provide an estimate of the average cost per type of property.
| Type woning | Gemiddelde kosten woningontruiming |
|---|---|
| Senioren kamer | €350 tot €650 |
| Kleine woning (1 tot 2 kamers) | €500 tot €1000 |
| Eengezinswoning | €950 tot €2300 |
| Grote woning (meer dan 3 slaapkamers) | €1000 tot €2500 |
The cost of clearing out seniors’ rooms averages between €350 and €650. For small homes with 1 to 2 rooms, the cost averages between €500 and €1,000. Single-family homes cost an average of €950 to €2,300, and for large homes (with more than 3 bedrooms), the cost averages between €1,000 and €2,500.
Please note that these are average costs. This table is mainly to give an estimate of what a house clearance might cost for you. To get a more precise estimate please contact us. We always give a free quote with a fixed price agreed upon in advance.
How is the price of a home clearance determined?
The cost of clearing a home depends on several factors. The most important factors are the size of the house and the amount of stuff. Large homes with lots of stuff are simply a lot more work to empty and clean up than small homes with less stuff. Here are some of the factors that determine the price of house clearance:
- Size of the home and amount of belongings – A multi-story home takes more time than a small apartment.
- Accessibility of the home – The easier it is to remove items from the home, the less time it will take.
- Personnel costs – Depending on the size of the job, several staff members should be involved
- Waste disposal costs – How much waste to take away
- Additional Services – For example, are minor repairs needed, or is a thorough cleaning required?
However, every home clearance is a custom job. Every situation is different, so the price depends on a combination of these factors.
Here’s how you can save money on the cost of clearing out a house
To save on the cost of emptying a house after a death, you can do several things. For example, you can do certain things yourself beforehand so that the house emptying can be faster. You can also sell items, for example, to cover some of the costs.
- Sort well in advance: By properly sorting items into what may be gone and what must be kept, the process can be faster
- Removing small items yourself: By removing some smaller items from the home yourself beforehand, you will save the house clearance company a lot of work.
- Sell valuables: You can cover (part of) the cost by already selling some valuables yourself.
- Have the value of your household goods deducted from the cost: Sometimes there are items we’d like to take off your hands, and we can deduct their value from the quote. We can discuss this during a no-obligation inspection.
Free house clearance after death, is it possible?
Emptying a house for free after death is possible, but unfortunately not common. This is because there are a lot of costs involved in emptying the house for the house clearance company. Think of personnel costs, disposal costs, etc. It is possible that the value of the household effects may cover (part of) the costs. Read our article Free house clearance – is it possible? for more information.
Want to know the exact cost of your home clearance?
An online estimate is a good way to get a general idea, but every home is different. That’s why we always come by for a no-obligation assessment. During the visit, we’ll look at the following, among other things:
- The size and accessibility of the home
- The amount of items to be hauled away
- How much material needs to be removed?
- What additional work may be necessary
- How and when the home must be handed over
We will then send you a quote with a fixed price. No unexpected costs afterward. That way, you’ll know exactly where you stand. Request a free quote here.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of vacating a home after death
On average, how much does it cost to clear out a house after a death?
On average, our prices range from €350 to €2,500. That may seem like a wide range, but that’s because it depends heavily on the situation. Naturally, a senior’s room takes much less time to move than a large family home. The amount of household goods and any additional work required also affect the price.
How is the price of a home cleanup determined?
Among other things, we consider the size of the home, the amount of belongings, accessibility, the amount of waste, and any additional work required.
Can household goods be deducted from the costs?
Yes, but only if certain items have a resale value. In that case, we may be able to deduct their value from the quote. We can discuss this during a viewing.
Who pays for clearing out a home after a death?
Who is responsible for clearing out the home and handling the estate varies from situation to situation. Read more about this in our separate guide: Clearing Out a Home After a Death: Who Is Responsible?
Can I also have only certain items removed during a house clearance?
Sure! You decide which items you keep and which items you want removed. You can do this, for example, by sorting and labeling in advance, or by rearranging the items you want to keep prior to the clearance.
How quickly can a home clearance be completed?
An eviction usually takes place several weeks after you contact us. Does the eviction have to take place quickly? Let us know and we will always take this into account. We also offer emergency evictions when a home needs to be put back into good condition quickly.
How long does emptying a property take?
An eviction can vary from one day, to a week or sometimes even several weeks in the case of large jobs. It depends on the amount of belongings, condition of the home and size of the property.
