Cleanout questions and answers
What people ask before they book. If yours is missing, call or text and ask.
Booking and timing
How soon can you start?
Usually within a few days of the walkthrough. If you have a closing date or a deadline, tell us up front. We will say plainly whether we can make it, and if we say yes, we will be there.
Which areas do you serve?
Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks counties, with West Chester as our home base. If you are just outside that area, ask. We will tell you whether we can make the trip.
Do I need to be at the house?
We ask that you or someone you trust is there for the walkthrough, so we know what to keep for you. After that, you do not need to be there while we work. We can arrange a lockbox or a key handoff.
Can an estate sale company or appraiser go through the house first?
Yes, and we encourage it if you are planning an estate sale or want an appraisal. Tell us the timing and we will schedule around it, and we are glad to start once they are finished.
What we take
Are you insured?
Yes. Careful Cleanouts LLC is a Pennsylvania limited liability company and is insured.
What do you not take?
Paint (except fully dried latex), chemicals, fuel and other flammable liquids, batteries, propane tanks, tires, biohazard material, medical waste, mold, asbestos and hoarding-level conditions. We also do not take appliances, TVs, computers, monitors or microwaves. We work on residential properties only.
What does broom clean mean?
Everything we were hired to remove is out of the house, loose debris is picked up, and the floors are swept. It does not include deep cleaning, repairs, or mold or pest cleanup. If you need a cleaning crew after us, that is a separate job.
Do you take hoarding or biohazard jobs?
No. Those need specialized crews and equipment. If that is what the house needs, we will tell you on the first call so you do not lose time.
Price and paperwork
How is the price set?
We walk the house with you and look at how much is in it, how much of it is heavy, how many stairs there are, and how many days our crew will need. Then we write one price for the whole job: crew, dumpster, hauling and disposal. You see it before any work starts.
Can the price change after you start?
Only if you approve a change. If the job turns out bigger than what we saw at the walkthrough, we tell you before we do anything more, and you decide.
Your things
What happens to my things?
Before we start, you tell us what you want to keep. Photographs, papers, keepsakes and anything you flag are set aside for you. Whatever is left in the house becomes ours to sell, donate or dispose of. We explain this before you sign, in writing.
What if family members disagree about something in the house?
We do not decide who gets what. If someone objects to an item, we leave it where it is until the person who hired us settles it.
Can you clear a house that is still in probate?
That depends on who has the legal right to authorize the work, so ask the estate's attorney before you book. When you call, we ask what your role is, and we put it in the written agreement.
Where does the dumpster go, and do I need a permit?
Usually the driveway, and we pick the spot together at the walkthrough. If it has to sit on the street, some towns and boroughs require a permit, and West Chester Borough charges for street and metered spaces. We tell you what a permit costs before the dumpster arrives. If you live in an HOA, check its rules too.
Still have a question?
Call or text, or send a few details and we will get back to you.