Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on house clearance costs, timings, probate, and how we work. If your question isn't here, call 01530 542906 or email hfcclearance@gmail.com and we'll come back the same day.
Q1 · How much does a house clearance cost? Prices depend on property size, access, and what's inside. As a rough guide: one-bed flat from £220, two-bed house from £450, three-bed house from £650, four-bed and larger quoted individually. We give a fixed price up front — no hourly rates, no hidden fees. The only things that change a quote are items disclosed later (e.g. a fridge-freezer or piano that wasn't in the original photos). See full pricing.
Q2 · How long does a house clearance take? Most clearances are completed in a single day. A standard three-bed house takes a team of two around four to six hours. Larger or more cluttered properties may run into a second day — we'll tell you honestly when we quote.
Q3 · What happens to the items you take away? Up to 95% of what we remove is reused, donated, or recycled. Usable furniture and white goods are passed to local reuse schemes and charities where possible. Metals, wood, textiles, and electricals are sorted and sent to licensed recycling facilities. Only the genuinely unusable remainder goes through a licensed waste transfer station as general waste. We do not tip illegally, and we do not hand loads to unregistered carriers.
Q4 · Do I need to be there on the clearance day? No. Many customers — especially in probate cases — prefer not to be. We can collect keys from an agent, solicitor, neighbour, or key safe, and we'll send photos at the start and end of the day so you know what's happened.
Q5 · Do you clear probate or deceased estate houses? Yes, regularly. We handle these with care. If you want anything set aside — photographs, documents, jewellery, items of sentimental or practical value — tell us in advance and we'll work around your list. We can also coordinate directly with solicitors or executors if that is simpler for the family. For our full process, see our probate clearance service.
Q6 · Can you clear a rental at end of tenancy? Yes. End-of-tenancy clearances are some of our most common jobs. We can turn a property round in 48 hours where needed, leave it swept and ready for the next tenant, provide a waste transfer note for your records, and work from photos and a key collection if you're off-site. See our end of tenancy service page for landlord-specific detail.
Q7 · What areas do you cover? We cover the East and West Midlands. Leicestershire — Ashby de la Zouch, Loughborough, Coalville, Leicester. Derbyshire — Derby, Swadlincote, Belper, Matlock. Nottinghamshire — Nottingham, Mansfield, Newark. Staffordshire — Burton on Trent, Tamworth, Lichfield. Plus Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, and the wider West Midlands. If you're in the Midlands and unsure, please call.
Q8 · Do you clear single items — a sofa, a fridge, a piano? Yes. Single-item removals are one of our most booked services. Sofas, mattresses, fridges, freezers, pianos, sheds, hot tubs — if it needs to go, we'll take it. Usually cheaper and more responsible than council pickups, and often sooner.
Q9 · Are you licensed and insured? Yes. HFC Clearance is registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier (licence CBDU605135) and is fully insured for all clearance work, including public liability. We provide waste transfer notes on every job — essential for landlords and executors.
Q10 · How quickly can you come out? For single items and smaller clearances, often within 48 hours. Full house clearances usually go in the diary one to two weeks ahead, though we keep some slots for urgent probate or end-of-tenancy work. Call us and we'll tell you what's possible this week.