A cleanup that involves people as much as property
Hoarding cleanup is rarely only about volume. Behind most hoarded homes is a person, sometimes still living there, sometimes recently deceased, and family members trying to help without damaging relationships. Hoarding disorder is a recognized mental health condition. The most successful cleanups are planned with that in mind: they are respectful and transparent about what will happen to belongings, and they move at a pace the situation allows.
At the same time, severely cluttered homes can be dangerous. Blocked exits, fire load, structural strain, pest activity, accumulated human or animal waste, spoiled food and mold create real hazards for occupants and for anyone working in the home. That is where professional remediation differs from junk removal.
What the work includes
- Walkthrough and plan. We assess safety hazards, access, volume and biohazards, and agree with the decision-maker on what is kept, donated, recycled and discarded.
- Sorting with intent. Crews look for documents, photographs, cash, jewelry, medications, firearms and other items families commonly want found. A list of items to look for is welcome.
- Removal. Debris and unsalvageable contents are removed and disposed of properly. Regulated items, such as sharps and certain household hazardous waste, are separated.
- Biohazard cleanup. Human or animal waste, decomposed food, fluids and pest contamination are cleaned and disinfected with appropriate protective equipment.
- Odor control. Odors bound into flooring, walls and fabrics are treated at the source. Some heavily affected materials may need to be removed or sealed.
- Final cleaning and documentation. The home is left sanitary and documented, ready for occupancy, repairs, listing or turnover.
Severity varies
Hoarding situations range from heavy clutter in an otherwise sanitary home to severe conditions with structural damage and pervasive biohazards. Assessing severity at the start sets realistic expectations for crew size, duration, disposal volume and cost. Our hoarding levels guide explains how severity is commonly described.
Animal hoarding
Homes with many animals often have heavy urine saturation, feces accumulation and ammonia levels that are hazardous to breathe. Subfloor and drywall removal are common. If animals are still in the home, coordinating with animal welfare authorities comes first.
For landlords, agencies and code enforcement
When a tenant's hoarding leads to lease violations or code citations, the owner needs a clear scope, a timeline and documentation. We work with property managers, adult protective services, guardians and code officials as appropriate, and we respect tenants' legal rights to their personal property. Landlord-tenant law varies by state. Consult counsel about notices and personal property handling.
What we don't do
We don't pressure anyone to discard belongings against the wishes of the person authorized to decide, and we don't provide counseling or mental health treatment. For ongoing support, families can talk with a licensed mental health professional who has hoarding experience.