How much does house clearance cost in the UK?

House clearance has no standard price list, and a firm that quotes without seeing the contents is guessing. These figures should help you sense-check the quotes you get.

Typical house clearance prices

These are the published figures we found in November 2026. They come from trade directories and quote sites and don't agree exactly, so treat them as a range.

A van load is usually a large Luton-sized van. A three-bedroom house that has been lived in for forty years is often more than one load once you count the loft, the garage and the shed, which is why the top of the range can be well above the figures in the table.

Fantastic Services says London and the South East typically run 20% to 30% above the rest of the UK.

What pushes the price up

• Volume matters more than anything else. Firms pay by weight to dispose of waste, and some pass that cost on directly.
• Upper-floor flats without a lift, narrow stairs, long carries from the parking space and loading restrictions all add labour.
• Sofas and armchairs cost more to get rid of than ordinary waste, because upholstered seating that's thrown away has to be incinerated.
• Hazardous items such as paint, chemicals, gas bottles and asbestos need specialist disposal, and some firms won't take them.
• Hoarded or badly neglected homes need more time and sometimes specialist cleaning.
• Same-day or weekend jobs may cost more.

What can bring the price down

Take out anything worth selling first. Antiques, good furniture, jewellery and silver have the most value, and a clearance firm can only pay trade price at best. A saleroom or specialist will usually get you more than a firm will knock off the bill.

Ask about a credit for resaleable contents. Some firms will reduce the price if there are things they can sell on. Get any credit written into the quote and ask them to list what it covers.

Donate what you can. Many furniture charities will collect for free if items are clean and have fire labels, and each piece they take is a piece you aren't paying to dispose of.

Use the tip for what fits in a car. Household waste recycling centres accept household waste from residents for free, though many need you to book a slot and some restrict vans. Check with the council for the area where the house is.

Do the sorting yourselves. A firm charges for time and volume. If everything is already sorted, boxed and near the door, the job goes faster.

How to get a fair quote

Ask at least three firms. Send photos of every room, or better still, get them to visit. Then ask each firm the same questions:

1. 1Is the price fixed, or an estimate? What would change it?
2. 2Does it include VAT and disposal costs?
3. 3What's your waste carrier registration number?
4. 4Where does the waste go, and how much is reused or recycled?
5. 5Will you sweep the house out when you've finished?
6. 6Are you insured for damage to the property?
7. 7If you find any papers, photos or cash, what will you do with them?

That last question tells you a lot, because a good firm will have an answer ready.

How to avoid the cowboys

If a clearance firm dumps your waste by the side of a road, you can be held responsible. The waste duty of care code says householders have to take reasonable steps to check that the person taking their waste is authorised. Not doing so is a criminal offence, and you could face a fixed penalty notice or prosecution.

Checking takes two minutes. Ask for the registration number (they start with CBDU), then look it up on the Environment Agency's public register, or call 03708 506 506. In Wales, use the Natural Resources Wales register or call 0300 065 3000. Be wary of anyone who's offering a very low cash price, won't give a business address or has no invoice to give you. Always get a written receipt.

Who pays for a house clearance?

The estate pays, as a cost of administering it. Executors can pay for it from the estate's funds, or pay up front and be repaid once the bank accounts have been released. Keep the invoice, because it will form part of the final accounts you share with the beneficiaries.

Check what you're allowed to do before probate before booking a firm. Once the contents are gone, you can't go back and value them.

Common questions

How much does a house clearance cost for a 3 bedroom house?

Published guides put a two- to three-bedroom house at about £275 to £425 and a three- to four-bedroom house at about £400 to £600. A house with a full loft and garage can be more than one van load, so expect to pay more than those figures.

Is house clearance free if there are valuables?

It's sometimes described that way, when a firm offsets what it can sell against what it charges. Be careful, because you're trading the contents for a discount without knowing what they're worth. Get anything that might be valuable looked at first.

Can I claim house clearance costs from the estate?

Yes. It's a normal expense of dealing with an estate. HMRC treats costs incurred after the death as administration expenses, so they can't be deducted when you work out the Inheritance Tax value, but they can still be paid from the estate.

How long does a house clearance take?

A typical three-bedroom house usually takes one or two days once the sorting is done. A very full house may take longer.

Sources

• Bark: How much does house clearance cost?
• MyJobQuote: House clearance cost
• Compare My Move: House clearance costs
• Fantastic Services: House clearance price guide
• GOV.UK: Waste duty of care code of practice
• HMRC: How we value household goods (IHTM21041)
• GOV.UK: Manage waste upholstered domestic seating containing POPs
• British Heart Foundation: Fire safety labels

This guide is general information for people in England and Wales. The rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland can differ. It isn't legal, tax or financial advice, and Sortwell isn't a law firm or a valuer. If an estate is complicated or there's a disagreement, talk to a solicitor. Figures were checked on the date above.