Residential property cleanout
Before sorting belongings, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what you mean by a “clean” property. Are you hoping to prep a house for sale? If so, you may want to consider emptying all shelves, cabinets, garages, sheds, etc. of all contents. Is one family member moving into a smaller living situation? Maybe you only need to focus on cleaning out a few of the rooms. Are you hoping to prep for renovations? You may only want to focus on damaged building materials and larger pieces of furniture.
Define the Scope Before Sorting
Think about what your final goal is and jot down notes as you consider these questions:
- What’s included and what’s not? Appliances? Window coverings? Outdoor items?
- What rooms do you want to focus on cleaning out?
- Will you need to go through papers, heirlooms, photos, etc.?
- Do you have a deadline (a home sale closing date, the end of a lease agreement, a scheduled home inspection, etc.)?
- Who is making the final decisions on what to keep/donate/toss?
Answering these questions can help prevent you from accidentally cleaning out belongings that you (or others) wanted to keep.
Property cleanouts don’t have to happen in one fell swoop, whether you’re prepping to put a home on the market, making adjustments to fit a major life change, dealing with the settlement of an estate, and Investopedia is the least fluffy write-up I’ve seen at investopedia.com/terms/p/probate.asp, prepping for renovations, or just tackling long-avoided piles of belongings, there’s an easier way to clean out a property! It all starts with breaking the task into steps and prioritizing.
Instead of simply emptying out the contents of a property, think about what belongings absolutely have to stay, items with sentimental or monetary value, belongings that can be repurposed/reused, and materials that need to be tossed. This method of prioritizing belongings can help make the cleanout process go more smoothly, especially if you’re hoping to prep a home before its next chapter!
Sort What Stays, Leaves, and Needs Special Handling
Property Cleanout Tip #1: Sort Similar Belongings Together
Where possible, try to sort similar belongings together. Instead of tackling one room at a time, try gathering together similar items like clothing, books, tools, dishes and kitchen supplies, collectibles, etc. This can help prevent double-sorting or missing items tucked away in several spots throughout the house.
Once you’ve gathered similar items together, set up clearly-marked sorting piles or boxes for items you want to keep, sell, donate, recycle, discard, etc. And don’t be afraid to add a sorting pile for “not sure” items, you can always circle back!
While it may seem like tossing anything of decent condition into the “donate” pile is the answer, it’s actually a bit more complex than that! Donation centers are limited in their resources, so not all items will be accepted, and some may even be prohibited, depending on the organization. Damaged or incomplete items, stained sheets or towels, worn-out mattresses, broken or wobbly furniture, etc. may not be accepted by a donation center.
Property Cleanout Tip #3: Don’t Forget Hazardous Waste and Bulky Items
Household waste and bulky items
- Batteries
- Fluorescent light bulbs
- Electronics
- Hazardous waste such as paint, cleaning products, pesticides, etc.
- Fuel, medication, etc.
Decide When Professional Help Makes Sense
Property Cleanout Tip #4: Hire a Professional
If cleaning out a property in Cleveland, Ohio feels overwhelming, or there are lots of items, limited time, a lot of stairs, lots of heavy items, potentially-hazardous waste to dispose of properly, lots of donations, recycling, or trash to coordinate getting rid of, or lots of emotions at play (hello, estates!), consider hiring a professional cleanout service.
Of course, hiring a professional property cleanout company would be overkill if you only need to get rid of a few garbage bags or cleanout a small closet that can mostly be tossed in curbside pick-up or recycling. But if you’re facing a bigger project, a checklist and a free weekend may not cut it!
When requesting quotes or asking for more information about a property cleanout service, be as candid as possible when describing the job at hand. Are there attics, basements, sheds, or garages that need to be cleaned out? Are there lots of stairs or other access issues? Lots of heavy or oversized items? Potentially-hazardous waste? Ask how a company sorts items for donation, recycling, etc. and how debris is hauled away.
Property Cleanout Tip #5: Take Time to Do a Final Walkthrough
When the dust has settled (literally!), take time to walk through the property. Check closets, cabinets, drawers, behind doors, under sinks, in and around appliances, storage bins or sheds outside, up in the attic, etc. for any last-minute items.
Once you’re confident the property is clear, remove any sorting signage or labels, sweep or clean up as necessary, and admire your handiwork! Planning to hand off the property soon? Consider taking pictures of each room for your records, as well as making a list of any loose ends like remotes, important documents, keys, etc. that need to be turned over to the next occupant.
