Preparing for Estate Cleanout

No matter the reason for cleaning out an estate, the task may seem monumental and emotionally taxing. Cleaning out one room is one thing, but an entire home filled with memories comes with its own challenges. JDog is here to help. Here’s how to plan an efficient estate cleanout with respectful services on your side.

Planning an Estate Cleanout Project

Whether you’ve recently lost a loved one, navigating foreclosure, or downsizing, the process of cleaning out an estate involves careful planning and execution. The best way to begin is by assessing the size of the home and the amount of belongings. This will help determine how much time, resources, and assistance you need.

1. Establish a timeline.

If you’re under a property sale or lease deadline, these are certainly factors to consider. But if you’re cleaning out an estate before putting the place on the market, still set appropriate timelines to help execute work efficiently.

2. Set a budget.

Estimate costs for the cleanout including supplies, professional services, and disposal fees. Some of the materials you may need include:

• Storage containers
• Moving boxes and packing materials
• Heavy-duty trash bags
• Labels and markers
• Gloves and protective clothing
• Cleaning supplies

3. Hire help.

Take the pressure off yourself, family, and friends by hiring professional appraisers, movers, and junk removal companies. While your friends and family may provide emotional support, let the professionals handle categorizing valuable items and hauling away the rest.

4. Sort items.

Go room by room to help categorize items, stay organized, and limit overwhelm. Organize your cleanout efforts by dividing belongings into the following categories:

• Keep. Properly sort and file away any important documents. Make sure any sentimental or practical item is removed before movers and cleaners get involved. Discuss with family what heirlooms could be handed down. Be sure to thoroughly check closets and crawl spaces. You never know where things have been stashed away. You could find some treasures hidden out of plain sight.
• Sell. Separate what an appraiser deemed as valuable items to sell online or at estate sales. You can also contact professional organizers to manage these sales. Check with your local consignment shops to see if any items catch their eye.
• Donate. Set aside usable items that could benefit the community. Research local charities and shops that accept donations. It may also be meaningful to donate to the favorite charity of the loved one who once owned these items.
• Recycle. From shredded papers and scrap metal to electronic components, there are some stripable elements that can be reused.
• Dispose. Get rid of anything broken or unusable. If there are bulky items and the heavy duty trash bags are piling up, contact a junk removal service for assistance. Be careful when disposing of anything potentially hazardous.

If all of the planning and sorting becomes too much to handle, know that there are companies ready to help take a few items off your to-do list.