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4 May 2026 3 min read

House clearance checklist: what to do before the van arrives

Save time and money on your clearance with this five-minute checklist — from sorting valuables to making sure parking is sorted.

1. Walk through every room Sounds obvious, but most missed items live in lofts, under beds and in garden sheds. Make a note of anything heavy (white goods, mattresses) — these can attract a small extra charge.

2. Set aside anything you want to keep Photo albums, paperwork, keys, jewellery — put it in one labelled box and physically move it out of the room being cleared.

3. Sort donations from rubbish Anything in good condition (sofas with fire labels, working appliances, clothing) can often go to local charities. We can drop these on the way to the tip if you'd like.

4. Check parking The van needs space to park within ~20m of the property. Let us know if you've got: - Permit zones (we'll bring the dispensation) - Narrow streets / low arches - Restricted access flats

5. Have the keys ready For probate or rented-out clearances, leave keys with a neighbour or in a key safe. We send a photo when we're done so you can confirm the job.

Bonus: send a photo first The fastest way to get a fixed price is to WhatsApp us a photo. We reply within 30 minutes during opening hours — no awkward "from £X" quotes.

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