desh jack7 months ago
★★★★★
Thanks, Serge, for the quick, professional, and reasonably priced service. Will use you again - highly recommend!
Overview
A hoarded estate takes longer and hides more than an ordinary one. Here is who can decide, where the valuables hide, and the order to work in.
The front door opens a foot and stops against a stack of newspapers. Somewhere behind it are the will, the bank statements and, often, things of real value, mixed in with everything else. Clearing a parent’s home after a death is hard. A hoarded one adds volume, safety problems and the real chance that something important is buried in the piles.
The temptation is to order a dumpster and be done. Slow down for the first few steps; they are the ones families regret skipping. This guide is part of our Sacramento hoarder cleanout series.
At a glance
- Upfront pricing from $850, confirmed before we start
- Same-day and next-day appointments, open 24 hours a day
- Full service: we lift, load, haul and sweep up
- Licensed and insured, locally owned in West Sacramento
- We donate what is usable and recycle what we can
- No tips expected and no hidden dump fees
First, Make Sure You Have Authority
Before anything leaves the house, confirm who has the legal right to decide.
- The home was in a living trust: the successor trustee can usually act.
- There is a will, or no plan at all: the estate may need probate, and no one has an executor’s powers until the court issues letters.
Our estate guide on cleaning out a house before probate in California explains the rules. In the meantime, securing the house, removing spoiled food and dealing with safety hazards are reasonable first steps.
Go In Safely
- Wear gloves, closed shoes and an N95 mask at minimum. Dust, mold and droppings are common.
- Check that exits open and that floors feel solid before carrying anything.
- Do not work alone, and do not climb piles.
- If there is animal or human waste, heavy infestation or widespread mold, stop. Those areas are a job for a biohazard cleaning company.
Where Valuables and Papers Hide
People who hoard often keep important things mixed in with unimportant ones. Families and crews regularly find cash, uncashed checks, jewelry, savings bonds, deeds and wills in places like these:
- Inside books, magazines and stacks of mail
- Coat pockets, purses and shoes
- Kitchen canisters, the freezer and the back of cupboards
- Under mattresses and inside pillowcases
- Shoe boxes, coffee cans and bags within bags
Papers to Pull Before Anything Is Hauled
Set a box aside for the will, trust papers, deeds, vehicle titles, bank and retirement statements, insurance policies, tax returns and military records. The full list is in our checklist of papers to find before an estate cleanout.
In a hoarded home, expect to open every envelope. Unopened mail can go back years, and it may hold the only clue that an account exists.
Work in This Order
- Clear a path through the house so you can see what is there.
- Remove obvious garbage and spoiled food. This alone changes the house.
- Go room by room, checking containers and pulling papers, valuables and keepsakes.
- Let family members claim what matters to them.
- Decide what can be sold or donated. Be realistic: in a hoarded home, less is in sellable condition than families hope.
- Bring in a crew for everything that is left.
What a Crew Can Do, and What It Can’t
Our hoarder cleanout crews can clear a packed home over one visit or several, and they set aside documents, photographs and anything that looks valuable as they go. Tell us what to watch for: a ring, a coin collection, a box of letters.
We do not take biohazard waste, liquid paint, chemicals, propane, medications or ammunition. The estate guide to items a hauler can’t take lists where each one goes in Sacramento County.
The estate normally pays for the cleanout, so keep the invoice with the estate’s records. What to expect:
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| One full truckload | $850 to $1,000 |
| Most hoarding projects | $2,000 to $10,000 or more |
A single room costs less. Our guide to hoarder cleanout cost in Sacramento shows how the number is built. If the home is going on the market next, read selling a hoarder house.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to clean out a hoarder’s house after a death?
Hauling a full home can take two to five days or more. Searching for papers and valuables first usually takes the family longer than the hauling does, so allow several weeks from start to finish.
Should we rent a dumpster and throw everything out?
Not before the house has been searched. Hoarded homes often hide cash, documents and valuables inside ordinary-looking piles, and the estate’s representative has a duty to account for assets.
Who pays to clean out a hoarded house when the owner dies?
Usually the estate, through the executor, administrator or successor trustee. Keep the invoice with the estate’s records.
Real Customer Reviews
Josh South8 months ago
★★★★★
Fast, convenient, and amazing service. I will definitely be a returning customer. Thank you!
Jason Roberts11 months ago
★★★★★
Great and punctual service! Reasonable prices and very friendly. I recommend highly. He hauled away an old piano. Very professional!
Erika Alvarez1 year ago
★★★★★
Fast, affordable, professional, and friendly! I called and Serge was here within about an hour.
BenWendy Webster1 year ago
★★★★★
Serge was awesome to work with. I am very grateful I found his company. I contacted them on a Tuesday and by Wednesday the hot tub was gone. He was on time and worked hard. Left the area cleaned up and I’m so excited to have my backyard back!
Lacey A1 year ago
★★★★★
Prompt response when I inquired about Hot Tub Removal. Fair price. Was available next day and only took about an hr and half. Would highly recommend.
Shawn Herrick1 year ago
★★★★★
Serge was amazing. Would definitely recommend. He was prompt, fair and very professional.
kyle c1 year ago
★★★★★
Reasonably priced, great communication, Serge was very friendly and got my junk hauled with ease! Would absolutely use TCJ Hauling again. Thanks so much
Luis Terrazas1 year ago
★★★★★
This guys are the real deal !!! Serge and his crew took care of our old furniture as we are transitioning into a new apartment. They were able to accommodate last minute and for a competitive price .
Prameet Chandra1 year ago
★★★★★
Messaged TCJ Hauling in need of getting rid of some junk that was accumulating in the garage. Not only was the company able to come the same day but were also very punctual and realiable which above all things mean the most me. The service was fast and the vehicle used was modern and able to accommodate for all the items I needed to be removed. Very Prosfessional and accommodating will definitely call them again and tell my friends and family to do the same. Thank you TCJ Hauling!
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