desh jack7 months ago
★★★★★
Thanks, Serge, for the quick, professional, and reasonably priced service. Will use you again - highly recommend!
Overview
A plain order of steps for the first weeks, written for Sacramento families. Clearing the house comes near the end, not the beginning.
The funeral was Tuesday. By Thursday someone has asked what you are going to do with the house, and a sibling has already mentioned a dumpster. When a parent dies, the house can feel like the most urgent problem. It usually isn’t. The first weeks are for securing the home, finding the paperwork and working out who has the legal right to make decisions. Clearing it out comes later, once those are settled. This guide is part of our Sacramento estate cleanout series.
At a glance
- Upfront, volume-based pricing 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
Step 1: Secure the House
- Lock every door and window, and change or re-key the locks if keys were spread around.
- Keep the utilities and homeowner’s insurance on. Tell the insurer the home may be vacant, since many policies treat a long vacancy differently.
- Forward the mail, or check it often. Bills, bank statements and tax notices tell you what accounts exist.
- Move small valuables (jewelry, cash, firearms, prescription medications) somewhere secure, and write down what you moved.
Step 2: Find the Paperwork Before Anything Leaves
Wills, trust documents, deeds, car titles and account statements turn up in odd places: freezers, shoe boxes, books, the garage. Search the house before anyone donates or throws away a single box. Our checklist of papers to find first lists what to look for and where it tends to hide.
Step 3: Learn Who Has Authority
Whether you can start clearing the house depends on how the estate passes. If your parent had a living trust and the house was titled in it, the successor trustee can usually act without a court case. If there is only a will, or nothing at all, the house may go through probate, and California Probate Code 8400 says no one has the powers of an executor until the court issues letters.
We cover this in detail in can you clean out a house before probate in California? This is general information, not legal advice. For a specific estate, talk to a California probate or estate planning attorney.
Step 4: Let the Family Choose First
Before anything is sold, donated or hauled, give family members a fair way to claim what matters to them. Photos, letters and small keepsakes cause more arguments than furniture does. See dividing a parent’s belongings among siblings for a process that works.
Step 5: Sell, Donate, Then Clear
Once the family has what it wants, decide whether an estate sale makes sense, what can go to charity, and what is left for a cleanout crew. The order matters, and our guide to estate sale vs. estate cleanout explains why. A few items (medications, firearms, paint and propane) need their own disposal route; see items a hauler can’t take from an estate.
When the house is down to what nobody wants, our estate cleanout service clears it in one visit for most homes and leaves it broom-clean.
“If you want (1) an excellent price for your job(s), (2) someone who will do an excellent job, (3) someone who truly cares about providing excellent service, and (4) someone you can trust, call Serge!”
Aleesa Greenfeld, GoogleFrequently Asked Questions
How soon after a death should you clean out the house?
There is no fixed deadline, but there is usually no rush either. Secure the house and find the paperwork first. Clear it once you know who has authority and the family has taken what it wants.
Can I throw things away right after my parent dies?
Wait until you have searched for documents and know who has authority over the estate. Papers that look like clutter can include the will, deeds or account statements. This is general information, not legal advice.
Who pays for the estate cleanout?
Usually the estate, through the executor, administrator or successor trustee. Keep the invoice for 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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