How it works
Every stage, explained before it happens
From the first call to the last walkthrough: what happens at each stage, what we’ll need from you, what you decide, and what could change the price. Nothing on this page happens without you knowing first.
- The first conversation is free and private
- A written plan and price before any work
- You decide at every stage, not just the first
- Pause or stop at any stage
Request a Free Estimate
Complete the form below for a confidential, free, no-obligation estimate.
Fast. Free. No obligation.
The seven stages
Stage 1: A private first conversation
You tell us what’s going on in your own words. We listen, ask a few questions, and explain how we’d approach it.
- What you decide
- How we contact you, and whether we can leave messages
- Whether the person who lives in the home knows you’ve called
- Whether to take any next step at all
- What happens next
If it makes sense to continue, we schedule a walkthrough.
What to expect, what we need, privacy, and price
- What to expect
- A conversation by phone at a time that suits you, as short or as long as you need
- Questions about the home, the people involved, safety, and any deadline
- An honest view on whether we’re the right fit, and if we’re not, who might be
- What we need from you
- Whatever you’re comfortable sharing. Rough answers are fine
- The ZIP code, so we know whether we serve the area
- Any date you’re working against
- Privacy
We don’t contact anyone else, including the person who lives in the home, unless you ask us to.
- What could change scope or price
Nothing yet. There’s no cost and no commitment at this stage.
Stage 2: A walkthrough
We see the home in person, or by video call when that’s easier, so the plan is based on what’s really there.
- What you decide
- Which areas we see, and which we don’t
- Whether any photos are taken
- Who’s present
- What happens next
We put together a written plan and estimate.
What to expect, what we need, privacy, and price
- What to expect
- A calm look at each area you’d like help with. No comments on how it got this way
- Questions about what matters most: rooms, items, and timing
- Notes and, with your permission, a few photos to plan the work
- What we need from you
- Access to the areas you’d like help with. Please don’t tidy first
- Anyone who’ll be part of decisions, if they can be there
- Anything you’re worried about: pets, pests, odors, mold, damage, or a specific item you’re hoping to find
- Privacy
Photos are used only to plan the work. They aren’t shared or published without your written permission.
- What could change scope or price
The estimate is based on what we see. Areas we couldn’t see can change it later, and we’ll say so in writing.
Stage 3: A written plan and estimate
A clear plan: what we’ll do, in what order, how long we expect it to take, and what it costs.
- What you decide
- Doing all of it, part of it, or none of it
- Breaking the work into stages over weeks or months
- Changing priorities before we start
- What happens next
When you’re ready, we schedule work days.
What to expect, what we need, privacy, and price
- What to expect
- Priorities in order: safe first, then usable, then yours
- What’s included and what isn’t
- The number of work days and team size we expect
- The price, and the specific things that could change it
- What we need from you
- Time to read it and ask questions
- Agreement on who makes decisions about belongings
- Any categories you’re comfortable deciding in advance, such as ‘expired food can always go’
- Privacy
The plan is shared only with the people you name.
- What could change scope or price
If you add rooms or tasks, we update the estimate in writing before doing the work.
Stage 4: Getting ready
A little preparation makes the first work day calmer for everyone.
- What you decide
- The start date and the pace: full days, half days, or spread out
- Where Hold boxes are kept
- Whether you’ll be there all day, part of the day, or check in at the end
- What happens next
Work begins where we agreed.
What to expect, what we need, privacy, and price
- What to expect
- Confirmed dates and arrival times
- A plan for parking, loading, and any dumpster or trailer
- A short list of things to set aside before we arrive, such as medications, important papers you already know about, and valuables
- What we need from you
- Utilities on if possible, especially water and lights
- A safe spot for the set-aside box and Hold boxes
- Arrangements for pets on work days
- Privacy
We can plan arrival times and parking to keep the visit low-key.
- What could change scope or price
Building rules, permits, stairs, elevators, or long carries to parking can affect timing and cost. We’ll flag them at this stage, not after.
Stage 5: Sorting and clearing
We work through the home in the agreed order, making decisions together and clearing as we go.
- What you decide
- Every keep, hold, give, recycle, or discard decision
- Changing your mind about anything still in the home
- Stopping for the day, or for good
- What happens next
As areas are cleared, they’re cleaned.
What to expect, what we need, privacy, and price
- What to expect
- We start with the first priority area, not everywhere at once
- Every item gets a decision: keep, hold, give, recycle, or discard
- Important finds go into a set-aside box that you review
- Short check-ins, planned breaks, and a recap at the end of each day
- What we need from you
- Decisions, or a clear agreement about who’s making them
- Telling us when you need a pause
- Telling us when something matters that we might not recognize
- Privacy
Sorting happens inside. Loading is done as quickly and quietly as we can.
- What could change scope or price
Hidden conditions, such as water damage, pests, or more volume behind closed doors than expected, are discussed with you before we change the plan or the price.
Stage 6: Cleaning and a final walkthrough
Cleared areas are cleaned, and we walk through the home together to check the result against the plan.
- What you decide
- Whether anything else needs attention before we close out
- Whether to plan another stage
- What happens next
We confirm the work is complete and talk through any next steps.
What to expect, what we need, privacy, and price
- What to expect
- Cleaning of cleared spaces, or a deep clean if it was part of the plan
- A walk through every area we worked in
- The set-aside box returned to you, and a note of where each Hold box is
- What we need from you
Your honest reaction: anything missed, anything that isn’t right
- Privacy
If you’d like, any photos we took during the project are deleted once it’s complete.
- What could change scope or price
Extra work spotted during the walkthrough is quoted separately before it’s done.
Stage 7: After
The work is done, but a home keeps changing. Some people want nothing more from us; others want a little help staying on track.
- What you decide
- Whether we come back at all
- How often, and for what
- What happens next
Whenever you need us again, the same number works.
What to expect, what we need, privacy, and price
- What to expect
- A Hold-box review date, if you’d like us there for it
- Optional follow-up visits
- Suggestions for other kinds of help, if you ask: organizers, therapists, pest control, or repairs
- What we need from you
Nothing, unless you want more help
- Privacy
We won’t call you with sales offers. If you’d like a check-in, we’ll schedule it with you.
- What could change scope or price
Any follow-up work is quoted on its own.
When it can’t wait
Call 911 first if someone is hurt or can’t get out, if you smell gas or see smoke, or if anyone is in danger right now.
Some situations are urgent without being emergencies: an inspection date, a notice from a landlord, a hospital discharge, a closing. Call and tell us the date. We’ll be honest about what’s possible in the time you have. With a hard deadline, the plan usually focuses on ‘safe’ first, such as clear exits, a working kitchen and bathroom, and no sanitation hazards, and leaves the rest for later.
If you’re worried about an older or dependent adult who may not be able to keep themselves safe, your local adult protective services (opens in a new tab) agency can assess the situation. Making a home safer before a full cleanup has more on lowering risk right now.
Questions about the process
Should I clean up before you come?
Please don’t. We need to see the home as it is to give you an accurate plan, and trying to clear it alone is exhausting and sometimes unsafe. There’s nothing you need to prepare for the walkthrough except access.
Can I stop partway through?
Yes. You pay for the work done up to that point, as set out in your estimate. Many people stop after the first stage and come back later, or never. Both are fine.
Who needs to be there on work days?
Whoever is making decisions, or someone who can reach them quickly. If decisions have been agreed in advance by category, that can be as little as a check-in at the start and end of the day.
What if the person who lives there doesn’t want help?
Then we don’t go ahead, unless someone has legal authority to decide for them. That can be hard to hear when you’re worried. Our guide for families covers what tends to help, and what to do when safety can’t wait.
Can the price change once you start?
Only for reasons we can show you, such as hidden conditions or added work, and only after we’ve discussed it with you. How estimates are worked out explains the factors.
Before stage one
- GuideHow to prepare for your first consultationWhat you’ll be asked, a printable checklist, and why you shouldn’t clean first.
- GuideHow cleanup estimates are worked outWhat drives the cost, what a good estimate includes, and how to keep a project within reach.
- GuideQuestions to ask before hiring a cleanup companyTwelve questions, what good answers sound like, and the red flags to watch for.
Confidential · Free · No obligation
Stage one is a conversation
Call, or send a short message and we’ll get back to you the way you choose. You don’t need to have anything figured out first.
- 1A real person calls you backWe listen first. Share only what you’re comfortable sharing.
- 2A private walkthrough, if you want oneWe look at the home with you and ask what matters to keep.
- 3A written plan and estimateNothing starts, and nothing leaves, without your yes.
Request a Free Estimate
Complete the form below for a confidential, free, no-obligation estimate.
Fast. Free. No obligation.
Or call (850) 347-6111