Clearing a house is rarely just about “stuff”. Whether you’re dealing with the belongings of a loved one who has recently passed away or moving into residential care, preparing a property for sale, or simply trying to reclaim your space from years of accumulated clutter, it can feel like an emotional minefield.
At Scrubbed With Love, we understand that house clearances are deeply personal journeys rather than purely practical tasks.
One of the first questions people ask us is, “How much does a house clearance service actually cost?” And it’s a fair question! The honest answer is that it all depends on the individual circumstances, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a mystery. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key factors that affect Liverpool house clearance costs, help you understand what’s included, and hopefully ease a bit of the stress that often comes with this kind of transition.
Whether you’re planning ahead or feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, we’re here to help you make sense of it all, gently, respectfully, and with care.
If you’ve never arranged a house clearance before, it can be hard to know exactly what to expect. At Scrubbed With Love, we always aim to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, with a little kindness along the way.
A typical house clearance process involves removing unwanted items from part or all of a property. This might include furniture, white goods, clothes, personal belongings, and even general rubbish. Whether it’s a few items, such as bulky bits in the garage or a whole house full of memories, we’re here to help.
Once we’ve had an initial chat or visit to understand what’s needed, we’ll put together a tailored plan. On the day, our friendly team will arrive with everything required to get the job done efficiently and respectfully. We carefully sort, load, and remove the items, recycling and donating wherever we can, and disposing of anything else responsibly.
Depending on your needs, we can also offer an additional cleaning service to give the property a fresh start, ready for whatever comes next – be it selling, letting, or simply finding peace of mind.
Every clearance is different because every story is different, and this can affect the overall price.
So, now we know a little more about what happens, how much does a house clearance actually cost? Let's break it down and make things as transparent as possible by listing the main factors that can influence the overall cost of a house clearance:
Naturally, a larger home with more rooms will take more time, labour and transport than a smaller flat or bungalow. We tailor our quotes to fit your space, not a one-size-fits-all rate, but some firms won't be as flexible.
Volume and Type of Items
Clearing a few bits of furniture is very different from emptying a lifetime’s worth of belongings. The type of items matters too – bulky, heavy or specialist items (like pianos, safes or white goods) may require extra hands or equipment.
Is the property easy to reach? Are there stairs, narrow hallways, or limited parking? If access is tricky, it may take more time and care to complete the job safely and respectfully, all of which can affect the cost.
We do our best to keep landfill deposits to a minimum by recycling where possible and donating usable items to local charities. Some items, however, need specialist disposal (like paint, mattresses, or fridges), which may involve extra fees.
If you need the clearance done quickly, say, for a property sale or after a bereavement, we’ll do our best to accommodate. Just bear in mind that last-minute bookings or weekend work might come with a small premium.
Each company sets its own rates, and these can differ greatly. Those based in the south and east (especially London) might charge more, although there will be increased competition.
At Scrubbed With Love in Liverpool, we believe in fair, honest pricing, with no hidden surprises. We’ll always walk you through what’s included and make sure you feel comfortable before we begin.
Whoever you choose, always insist on a written agreement of the price and the work to be carried out. A good house clearance company will offer this without hesitation!
We know this is the big question, and while there’s no single price tag for a house clearance, we can give you a good idea of what to expect.
Based on the factors above, the average house clearance cost in Liverpool might fall anywhere from £300 to £1,500, with typical costs coming in at around £600 for a large van load, depending on the size of the property and the amount of contents involved.
Smaller jobs, like clearing a single room or garage, could fall below that range, while larger or more complex clearances (say, a full family home with outbuildings, lofts, and years of accumulated belongings) might rise well beyond the higher figure.
Here’s a very rough guide to house clearance prices to help you gauge your own situation:
These prices usually include labour, transport, and standard disposal costs, although things like specialist waste (e.g., hazardous materials requiring special disposal methods), difficult access, or urgent bookings can nudge the total up a bit. That said, many of our clients are pleasantly surprised at how affordable and stress-free the process can be when they trust Scrubbed With Love with the task.
It’s also worth noting that if there are items of value in the property (such as antiques, furniture in good condition, or saleable collectables), these can sometimes be factored into the cost to reduce your final bill. Some companies will have connections with auction houses and may be able to get a good price for antiques, and the resale value from these can offset the overall cost. However, this has to be agreed upon before the work begins, and you should be aware that some house clearance providers may not offer this option. Finally, it's important to understand that should the sale of the items not cover the full cost of the clearance, you'll be expected to cover the shortfall.
Although we understand that it's sometimes about the amount of hassle involved rather than the costs, it's still worth looking into ways of cutting down how much you pay for property clearance.
Here are some tips that might help ease the pressure on your purse strings, especially at a time of emotional stress:
If you or a family member feels able to spend a little time sorting through belongings beforehand, it can make a big difference. Separating out items you want to keep, donate, or dispose of can reduce the overall volume and time taken, thus lowering labour costs.
Furniture, homeware, books, or clothes in good condition might be accepted by a local charity shop or even sold online (Facebook Marketplace, for example). As we mentioned, some clearance companies will factor certain valuable items into the quote, which can help offset the final cost, so it's always worth checking with them.
If you’ve got more than one area that needs attention - for instance, a shed, loft or garage as well as the main house - it’s usually more cost-effective to tackle it all in one go rather than booking multiple visits. Rather than paying garage clearance costs at a later date, or shelling out for the removal of garden waste further down the line, try to organise it so that everything goes at the same time.
Where possible, try to make sure the team has access to parking spaces close by and can move freely through the property. Removing obstructions and ensuring clear walkways helps things flow quickly and efficiently, which can translate into savings for you.
Remember, you'll incur additional fees for certain household items and hazardous waste. These individual disposal fees, for electronic waste, white goods*, or even the proper disposal of hazardous or toxic materials, can push the price up drastically. Consider contacting your local council to see if they offer a collection scheme for bulky items or hazardous waste. These days, you may have to pay a fee, although it's likely to be less than for a large clearance from a professional house clearance company.
*Washing machines, fridges, freezers, etc. typically cost around £120-£140 each.
Okay, so you want to avoid hassle, but you could save money by hiring a skip instead. This is definitely worth looking into if you mainly need garden waste removal or need to get rid of general household waste. However, it works best if you have a large amount of garden rubbish, as house clearance companies may offer flexible rates for a small clearance, while skip hire costs are usually fixed.
It has to be said that there's a huge difference between hiring a professional house clearance service provider and a local 'man-with-a-van' who offers home clearance at ridiculously low rates.
While we're not saying all of these individuals are untrustworthy, there's no guarantee that they won't collect your stuff, sell the items they can and dump the rest in a layby!
What you need is a company you can rely on to offer responsible disposal of all clearance items and which treats your home with respect.
For the best outcome, look for online reviews or - better still - word-of-mouth recommendations. Check the company's website for a VAT registration number or waste collection registration number, as these will prove they are legitimate house clearance experts and not just someone who owns a van!
They should also have public liability insurance to cover any accidents or damage during the process, and they'll be upfront about any potential extra costs. All of their house clearers will be trained on how to lift heavy items correctly and will be expected to act with respect and professionalism at all times.
Finally, you need a special licence to handle, carry and dispose of hazardous waste, and only a professional outfit would possess one of these.
When you choose a cleaning company like Scrubbed With Love, you get a professional property clearance service you can trust. As already mentioned, this can be a distressing, emotional or frustrating experience, and timing is often a factor. You can do without further stress and hassle!
So, choose wisely and never opt for any service that seems too good to be true, as they usually are.
Whether you're making plans for the future or in need of this service pretty much immediately, take a moment to consider exactly how much 'stuff' you have to get rid of.
If possible, sell or donate some of the more valuable, bulky or saleable items to keep costs down, and try to estimate whether you need a full van load or only half. This will give you some indication as to the total cost.
For most people, you're probably looking at a bill of around £600, depending on the number of items and the difficulty involved.
And finally, when you want an honest appraisal, a free quote and a professional service provider, get in touch with the company that cares - Scrubbed With Love!