A little preparation before your house clearance goes a long way. Whether you are clearing your own home ahead of a move, managing a probate property or helping a relative downsize, these practical steps will help the process run smoothly and ensure nothing important is lost or overlooked.
1. Remove Personal and Sentimental Items
This is the most important step. Before the clearance team arrives, walk through every room and remove:
- Personal documents — passports, birth certificates, wills, financial records
- Photographs and albums — check drawers, wardrobes and boxes
- Sentimental items — jewellery, gifts, heirlooms, letters
- Items bequeathed to specific people — check the will carefully
- Cash — check jacket pockets, books, tins and hidden spots
Bristol properties from the Victorian and Edwardian eras — common in Redland, Cotham and Clifton — often have nooks, alcoves and built-in cupboards where items accumulate over decades. Check everywhere.
2. Identify Items You Want to Keep
Clearly separate anything you want to keep from items to be cleared. The easiest approach is to designate one room as the "keep" room and move everything there. Alternatively, use coloured stickers — green for keep, red for clear.
If you cannot be at the property on clearance day, leave a clear written list or marked plan so our team knows exactly what to leave.
3. Check for Valuables
You would be surprised what turns up in house clearances. Before we arrive, check for:
- Antiques and collectibles (ceramics, silverware, vintage items)
- Valuable books — first editions, signed copies
- Art and prints — even framed prints can have value
- Jewellery — check bedroom drawers, dressing tables and bathroom cabinets
- Coins and stamps — collections can be worth considerable amounts
If you find items you think might have value but are unsure, our team can set them aside during the clearance. For probate properties, see our probate valuations guide for advice on getting formal appraisals.
4. Ensure Clear Access
Our team needs to move items out efficiently. Help us by:
- Clearing pathways — hallways, stairs and doorways should be passable
- Parking — reserve a space close to the front door if possible. In Bristol's narrower streets around Southville, Totterdown and Bedminster, parking can be tricky — let us know in advance
- Keys and access — ensure we have keys for all locked rooms, garages and outbuildings
- Garden gates — if there is a rear access route, let us know
5. Handle Utilities and Services
Before clearance day, check the following:
- Electricity — leave the power on so we can see in cellars and lofts
- Water — leave connected in case anything needs cleaning
- Gas — turn off if the property will be left empty after clearance
- Post redirect — set up a Royal Mail redirect if not already done
6. Notify Relevant People
Let neighbours know that a clearance is happening — especially in terraced streets where our vehicles may temporarily affect parking. If the property is tenanted, check that the landlord clearance arrangements are properly agreed. For probate properties, confirm all executors and beneficiaries are aware of the clearance date.
7. Hazardous Materials
Let us know in advance if the property contains:
- Paint, chemicals or solvents (common in garages and sheds)
- Asbestos or suspected asbestos materials
- Gas bottles or cylinders
- Clinical or medical waste
These items require specialist disposal and may affect the quote. Being upfront saves time on the day.
Quick Preparation Checklist
- Remove all personal documents, photos and sentimental items
- Separate and clearly mark items you want to keep
- Check for hidden valuables in pockets, drawers and cupboards
- Ensure clear access through hallways and doorways
- Confirm parking availability near the property
- Leave electricity and water on
- Provide keys for all rooms, sheds and garages
- Inform neighbours about the clearance date
- Flag any hazardous materials
- Confirm the clearance date and time with us
Ready to Book?
Once you have prepared the property, contact us to confirm your clearance date — or call 0117 123 4567. Send us photos via WhatsApp for the fastest quote. We typically respond within 2 hours.