Need a house cleaned out (Howe: sales, neighborhood, buy)

[JamesYaya]

I have control of a house that is full of stuff. I mean really really full of stuff. Some of it is hoarding. Most of it is simply not getting rid of things.

The two car garage can barely be entered. One small bedroom is so full that about 30 sq feet is navigable. Most of that stuff in that room is in boxes, closet or in dressers. Some stuff in closets is hanging on racks and in many closets stuff is in boxes on shelves. However, that isn't always true.

A vast amount of it can be donated. (i.e. closet full of clothes. Some vintage and in great shape.)

A large amount is worth selling. (meaning if this item furniture, dresser, tool, art, etc was sitting in an estate or garage sale someone would buy it.)

A good amount is just junk. A small amount is family personal items that need to be saved for the family.

I cannot clean it out myself. I cannot clean it out with the help of the family. It is simply too large. It is the mass of stuff that is the problem. Too much stuff.

Some folks have said, "Well move stuff you want to save to one room." In other words organize within the house. I can't! There is too much stuff. I would have to remove a ton before I could get there.

I need someone to help with this. I am *not* looking for an estate sale team except maybe later *after* it is mostly cleaned out. But I need help to get the stuff out and/or get the good stuff set aside.

How do I hire someone to help? Any strategy advice? Any advice along the lines of what I need is appreciate. Thank you.

[greatblueheron]

1800Junk

[ChristieP]

Put and ad on Craig's List for the helpers.
Rent a roll-off dumpster for the junk.

[Prumio]

I'd ask about this on the neighborhood's NextDoor forum.

[UnfairPark]

If there is some sellable stuff, contact few companies who does estate sales. They do everything as an organized mix of garage sale and open house. They’ll take some percentage of the total income but they do put lots of hour in organizing, photographing, appraising, marking, promoting and selling stuff so probably worth it.

Just google estate sales in your town and pick a couple who are doing good marketing. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

[JamesYaya]

Lots of interesting options.

Each has its pros and cons with this situation. I appreciate the feedback. Willing to listen to more.



1-800-junk. Good option if I have the junk separated from the non-junk. Has anyone worked with them?
Get helper's off Craig's list. - I like that option. I wonder how to screen someone?
Estate Sale - Too much stuff. I'd have to clear a lot out before it was a viable option.

[nissan]

Craigslist will be a crap shoot, lots of people who one shouldn't necessarily bring into their home. No good way to screen.

Not sure how long you think it will take, but you can go to a site like movinghelp.com where some providers there help with cleaning and general labor to move/throw stuff. Typical rates are around $45-50/hr per person. You'd still need a container to throw all the junk in.

You can also check on taskrabbit to see if someone on there can help.