Addressing hoarding is a challenging psychological condition where individuals retain items for extended periods, often assigning value to clutter. Over time, the buildup overwhelms the surface areas of a home, creating serious safety and health problems.
Cleaning such a house is a massive undertaking that becomes necessary when someone with hoards has decided to change their situation, often with help from desperate family members or friends.
A whole-house clean-out by professional cleaners is the safest option, as costs vary based on factors like the severity of the compulsive habit and retaining concerns. A thorough on-site evaluation reveals the higher risks posed by accumulated items and ensures an effective remedy for reclaiming the space or preparing to sell the property.
How Much Does It Cost To Clean a Hoarder’s House?
Cleaning a hoarder’s house is a complex job that needs help from family, friends, or professionals. The costs depend on the scope, home’s size, and condition. Hoarding cleanup often starts at $1,000 to $3,000 or $2 per square foot, with professional cleaning services offering on-site estimates or charging hourly rates of $25 to $100 per hour.
More stuff, dangerous areas, or access limitations can make the price higher, so a thorough evaluation is essential.
Factors That Can Affect Hoarding Cleanup Costs
Several factors influence the cost of hoarding cleanup, including the size of the property, the complexity of the task, and the location. The type of home also plays a role in determining expenses.
Additionally, the contents within the house can significantly impact the price, especially if hazardous materials are present, as their removal often comes with higher costs.
Scope:
Cleaning a hoarder’s house is no small task—it’s a rigorous project that requires careful planning. The scope of the cleanup can vary greatly depending on factors like the property’s size, the number of disposable objects, and how dirty the home is. For instance, areas with excessive waste or hazardous materials may require old tire removal or other specialized services.
Dangerous Material:
Cleaning a hoarder’s house can be risky when dangerous materials are involved. These can include hazardous chemicals, old medicines, or even asbestos, which require specialist cleaners and proper equipment.
Such materials cannot be thrown in regular trash; they must go through local waste management handlers or be taken to specific centers that accept hazardous waste. Additionally, the cost of disposing of these items can accrue additional fees, increasing the overall cleaning fee.
Handling dangerous material carefully is essential to ensure safety and compliance with regulations, which can also lengthen the process.
Type of House & Condition:
The type of house and its condition are major factors that can dramatically affect the cost. A single-story home is simpler to clean compared to a four-story townhouse, where workers may need to spend more time traipsing stairs with heavy items.
The condition of the property is equally important—damaged or loose floorboards require workers to tread carefully, which slows the process. If the property is exposed to severe clutter or structural damage, the need for specialized machinery and tools adds to the amount of time and effort required, leading to higher overall costs.
In such cases, you may also need to consider additional expenses like junk removal, as the accumulated waste can significantly impact the cleaning process and overall budget.
Difficulty:
The difficulty of the task often increases as the objects become harder to remove or if the hoarder’s house has areas with blocked paths. It can also be tough if items are stacked in a way that requires careful handling to avoid breaking anything valuable.
Cleaning a hoarder’s home may require extra hours to sort through scattered trash and bottles, leading to higher costs.
Disposal or Storage:
Professional cleaning services often need to calculate the cost by factoring in the total disposal, storage, or rented space required for donated or discarded items. If furniture removal is involved, the cost may increase significantly, especially if large or bulky pieces need to be transported or disposed of. Additionally, if some objects need to be stored or retrieved, it can further impact the total cost.
These services must ensure that any garbage is legally disposed of, and they may need to coordinate with the owner, their friends, or family to retrieve items the hoarder wants to store or keep. Handling contaminated areas or disposing of hazardous materials is another challenge, often resulting in additional costs.
Location:
The location of the property plays a significant role in determining cleaning and junk removal costs. Homes situated in major cities often have the advantage of being closer to cleaning services, potentially reducing transportation expenses.
However, if the property is in a remote or hard-to-reach area, you should anticipate higher costs due to increased travel time and logistical challenges. Factoring in location is essential when budgeting for cleaning and junk removal services.
Hoarding Severity Levels and Their Impact on Cleanup Costs
The severity of hoarding plays a major role in determining the overall cost of cleanup and restoration. Hoarding is categorized into five distinct levels based on the Clutter-Hoarding Scale by the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. The following table outlines each level, from low to severe, and its associated conditions:
| Hoarding Level | Description |
| Level 1: Low | – Minor clutter, but not excessive- Doorways and stairways accessible- Pets in appropriate numbers- No unpleasant odors |
| Level 2: Guarded | – Noticeable clutter and overflowing garbage bins- Odors from dirty dishes, food prep surfaces, or toilets- Evidence of pests- One major appliance or HVAC device not functioning- One major exit blocked |
| Level 3: Elevated | – Noticeable garbage, waste, and odors- Unsanitary conditions in kitchen and bathrooms- Clutter extends outdoors- One room unusable for intended purpose- Multiple appliances and HVAC system not functioning- Blocked exits- Light insect or pest infestation |
| Level 4: High | – Unsafe and unsanitary living environment- Common living areas unusable due to clutter- Fire hazards due to blocked exits and hallways- Several appliances and HVAC systems non-functional- Infestations of insects, pests, or rodents- Presence of mold or mildew |
| Level 5: Severe | – Unsafe, unsanitary, and potentially unlivable home- Extensive waste, including animal or human feces- Pervasive mold and mildew- Multiple blocked exits creating fire hazards- Several appliances non-functional- Non-reliable plumbing or electrical systems- Severe infestations of pests, insects, or rodents |
Understanding the hoarding severity level is crucial for accurately assessing the cleaning and restoration costs. As the severity increases, so do the necessary resources for remediation.
Types of Hoarders and Presence of Biohazardous Waste
Understanding the type of hoarder is essential when determining the cost of cleaning a hoarded house. Each type of hoarding presents unique challenges, influencing the cleaning process and costs. Here are the three main types of hoarders:
1. Food Hoarders
Food hoarders excessively stockpile food, far beyond what is reasonable or necessary for emergencies. This behavior often leads to expired or spoiled food accumulating in their homes. Over time, this can create unsanitary conditions and attract pests, increasing the need for specialized cleaning services.
2. Animal Hoarders
Animal hoarders exceed the legal or practical number of pets they can care for, often neglecting their animals’ basic needs. This leads to a buildup of hazardous waste, including pet feces, urine, and harmful bacteria. Cleaning these spaces often involves biohazard remediation to ensure safety and hygiene.
3. Trash Hoarders
Trash hoarders are unable to discard their own waste and may even collect discarded items from others, considering them valuable “treasures.” This results in homes cluttered with garbage, creating a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and pests, making professional cleaning and junk removal a necessity. Junk removal services help restore cleanliness by safely and efficiently disposing of unwanted items, ensuring a healthier living environment.
Impact on Cleaning Costs
The type of hoarding directly affects the cleaning requirements and costs. Food hoarding might require pest control and sanitization, animal hoarding often demands biohazard waste removal, and trash hoarding typically involves extensive decluttering and disposal.
Addressing the unique challenges of each hoarding type ensures a safe, thorough cleaning process, but it’s crucial to seek professional cleaning services experienced in handling hoarded spaces.
Conclusion:
Addressing hoarding cleanup requires careful planning, expertise, and often professional intervention to ensure safety and effectiveness. Costs vary widely based on the severity, type of hoarding, and specific challenges involved. Understanding these factors helps individuals and families make informed decisions, reclaim living spaces, and create healthier environments.