At Scrubbed With Love, we truly understand that hoarding isn’t just about mess or clutter; it’s about people, their personal histories, and the difficult circumstances they’ve often had to navigate. Behind every hoarded home is a deeply human story, and we approach each one with empathy, not judgement.
Sometimes, severe hoarding and excessive clutter become so bad that hiring a professional cleaning service is the only option.
Being in this kind of situation can feel incredibly overwhelming, not just emotionally, but also financially. Whether you’re dealing with this yourself or supporting a loved one, it can be hard to know where to start.
If you or someone you care about is facing the prospect of a hoarder clean-up, chances are you’re already asking yourself the big question: how much is this going to cost? And that’s perfectly normal - getting clear, honest information is a good start.
This blog will help shed light on the costs involved and give you a clearer idea of what to expect. We’ll walk you through everything in a way that’s simple, compassionate, and practical, because this is about more than cleaning. It’s about creating space for safety, dignity, and fresh starts.
Hoarder cleaning is nothing like your average clean-up job. It’s a specialised service designed to tackle homes where the accumulation of items has made living conditions difficult, unsanitary, or even extremely unsafe. It goes far beyond surface-level cleaning and requires specialist care, experience, and respect.
This kind of cleaning can involve removing large volumes of belongings, clearing blocked areas, deep cleaning of surfaces, biohazard or hazardous waste removal, pest control, and in some cases, significant repairs or restorative work to help make the home liveable again.
Every hoarding situation is different, whether it's one cluttered room or an entire property, so each job is carefully assessed. And that means every quote is unique too, tailored to the specific needs of the individual and the home.
The process starts with a thorough inspection and initial assessment to determine the health risks and safety considerations due to any hazardous substances or unsafe stacks of hoarded items. Once this is done, the team will create a customised cleaning plan and use specialised equipment to restore the property to a pristine condition.
Each hoarding scenario comes with its own unique challenges, emotional weight, and practical needs.
That’s why we take the time to assess every property with care and compassion before offering a tailored quote.
That said, each cleaning company has its own pricing structures and policies, so to give you a general idea of what affects the cost of cleaning a hoarder house, there are several key considerations to keep in mind when building an estimate:
The bigger the space, the more there is to clear and clean. A small studio flat, for instance, will usually cost significantly less to tackle than a multi-bedroom house or a large detached property with outbuildings, garages or lofts.
Hoarding exists on a spectrum. A level 2 situation, where there’s clutter and disorganisation, but rooms are still somewhat usable, is very different from level 5, where living spaces may be inaccessible, with structural or sanitation issues present due to extreme clutter. The more severe the accumulation, the more time and specialist care will be required.
Also, large quantities of waste or unwanted items will cost more to shift.
If the property has hazards like mould, human waste, animal waste, bodily fluids, insect infestations, or sharps such as needles or broken glass, the job becomes more complex and potentially dangerous. These risks require specialist personal protective equipment (PPE), strict health and safety procedures, and professional-grade cleaning and decontamination products, all of which will affect the overall cost.
Sometimes, simply getting to and around the property can make a big difference. Is the home easily accessible from the road? Are there multiple flights of stairs, tight hallways, limited access, or blocked entrances? Is there somewhere to park a van nearby? All of these logistical details can impact how long the job takes and how much it costs.
Not all items can be disposed of in the same way. Electronics, appliances (like fridges or freezers), paint, sharp objects, and anything containing hazardous materials all require special handling and methods, which can potentially increase the cost due to disposal fees. We always aim to take items to a recycling centre or reuse them where possible, but disposal regulations still apply.
The more demanding the job, the more cleaners are needed, and this impacts the amount of time required. In some cases, we’ll need to bring in a larger team to ensure the work is completed efficiently, safely, and with the utmost respect for your home. We always balance thoroughness with sensitivity, never rushing through something that needs care.
This is often necessary, although hoarder home cleaning costs are difficult to predict without knowing the full extent of the work required. It could be limited to replacing carpets or painting walls, although structural damage is a real possibility in extreme cases. Costs for fixing these issues can run from a couple of hundred right up to a few thousand pounds. This is especially important if you're preparing the property for potential buyers.
While it’s tricky to give a precise figure without first seeing the property, a hoarder cleaning service typically starts from around £500 for a single small room. For larger properties or clean-ups that involve multiple rooms, significant clutter, and serious health hazards, the cost can reach £2,000 to £5,000 or more, depending on complexity and whether additional services are needed.
We know that might sound like a big investment, but it’s important to remember that this service goes far beyond just giving a place a quick tidy. It’s about restoring a home to a safe, liveable condition. More than that, it’s about reclaiming space, security, dignity and peace of mind.
You could consider selling to property investors (like Property Rescue) or cash buyers, as they are more willing to buy a hoarded house as it is. You could also consider using a house clearance company in mild hoarding situations, as house clearance costs may be cheaper—especially if you're wondering how much is a house clearance in Liverpool.
However, unless you use a reputable company (like Scrubbed With Love in Liverpool) that offers a professional cleaning service, they may not be willing to tackle the problem.
You can clean a hoarded home while someone is still living in it. In fact, it's often the most realistic and respectful approach, especially when the person isn’t ready or able to move out during the process. Understanding how to help a hoarder clean out their house with compassion and patience is key to making progress in these sensitive situations.
That said, it does come with some unique challenges. Cleaning around someone who’s still living in the space means we need to work gently, at their pace, and with a great deal of sensitivity. It’s not just about clearing items, it’s about building trust, reducing anxiety, and involving the person as much (or as little) as they feel comfortable with.
At Scrubbed With Love, we’re experienced in working in lived-in homes where hoarding is an ongoing reality. We understand that letting go of belongings can be deeply emotional, and that change needs to feel safe, not forced. We can break the job down into manageable stages, focusing on safety and functionality first, and allowing time for emotional adjustment along the way.
Hoarder house cleaning is a specialised service requiring careful planning, intensive training and a lot of compassion. It can be a time-consuming task, especially in severe cases of excessive accumulation, and this is reflected in the expenses involved.
However, while it's worth investing in hoarder cleaning, the well-being of the individual affected by this condition is paramount, and it's essential to seek professional help.
Whether you're going through this yourself or acting as a third party, Scrubbed With Love is here to offer guidance, compassion and a first-class cleaning service.