How Much Does It Cost to Clean Up a Hoarder House? Here's What to Expect!

We buy houses cash. This allows us to buy houses as-is. So, we routinely visit houses that need a lot of repairs and also some hoarder houses. There's no judgement here. Just stating what the experience is like.

Entering a hoarder's home can be overwhelming. The piles of stuff and narrow paths make you feel lost. I've been through this several times, and it's tough for the owners emotionally and financially. But, there's hope, and knowing the costs is the first step to reclaiming the space and providing a clean and safe environment to live in.

Hoarding disorder affects millions. Cleaning these spaces is more than tidying; it's about tackling deep psychological issues. It's about making a healthier home environment. Let's explore what cleaning a hoarder house entails, from costs to the life-changing impact it can have.

Cleaning a hoarder's home is a big job. This is not something someone can typically do alone. It's not just about getting rid of stuff. It's about sorting through years of items, some with sentimental value, others that present health hazards. The cost to clean up a hoarder house varies based on property size, hoarding severity, and the presence of any hazardous waste.

Professional cleaners know how to handle biological and chemical hazards. You can learn how to do these things by watching YouTube videos, but you have to be very careful. Professionals are skilled in balancing efficiency with care when dealing with a hoarder's belongings. Their experience is crucial in making a space livable again while respecting the hoarder's feelings.

If you want to skip the cleanup altogether and are saying, "I'd rather have someone buy my house fast near San Antonio", you can give us a call. We will make a no-obligation, cash offer to buy the house as is.

Key Takeaways

• Professional cleaning costs range from $25 to $80 per hour per cleaner
• Cleanup charges typically fall between $0.75 and $2.50 per square foot
• Total costs include cleaning, dumpster rental, and waste disposal
• Property size and hoarding severity significantly impact overall expenses
• Cleanout projects can take anywhere from 5 to 21 days to complete

Average Cost to Cleanup a Hoarder House

Cleaning up a hoarder house is a big job. Costs can vary a lot. If you hire someone to clean up the hoarder house, you will pay more than doing it yourself. On average, to hire someone, it costs between $1,000 and $4,000. This usually means $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot. The cost to clean a hoarder house can escalate quickly if the hoarding has lasted for decades.

Hourly Rates for Professional Cleaners

Professional cleaners charge by the hour. Their rates can be from $25 to $100 an hour. This depends on how hard the job is and the cleaner's skills.

Jobs can take 1 to 5 days. This affects the total cost.

Cost per Square Foot

The cost per square foot changes with the property size:

• 1,000 square feet: $1,000 to $2,500
• 2,000 square feet: $2,000 to $5,000
• 3,000 square feet: $3,000 to $7,500

Additional Expenses

There are extra costs to think about:

• Junk removal: $150 to $350 per load
• Biohazard cleanup: $1,500 to $5,000 on average
• Dumpster rental: 40-yard dumpster is about $700-$1,000.

Helpful tip: A 40-yard dumpster holds 33% more than a 30-yard one. It's usually best to pay a little more for a bigger dumpster.

The total cost can be from $1,000 to $15,000 or more. This depends on the house size, how cluttered it is, and where it's located. Getting quotes from different companies helps estimate costs better.

Factors Affecting Hoarder House Cleanup Costs

Cleaning a hoarder house involves several factors that affect the cost. Knowing these helps estimate the expenses for professional hoarding cleanup services.

Property Location

The location also matters. Properties in rural or remote areas may cost more due to transportation.

Severity and Type of Hoarding

Hoarding levels range from 1 to 5, with level 5 being the most severe. The severity directly affects the cost. There are three main types of hoarders: food, animal, and trash. Each type has unique challenges and costs for removal services. For example, animal hoarding often needs special biohazard cleanup.

According to Spaulding Decon, "Level 5 hoarding situations include imminent fire hazards, severe structural damage, no electricity or running water, and an accumulation of human feces."

Hazardous Materials Considerations

The presence of hazardous materials like animal waste, rotting food, rodent infestations, or dangerous items can greatly increase costs. These situations need special handling and safety precautions, leading to higher expenses for professional hoarding clean-up services.

When there are safety issues, there is a chance the owner can be hit with code violations. If severe enough, the city could decide to condemn the hoarder house to ensure the safety of the people that live there and the neighbors.

Hoarder Involvement

The level of hoarder involvement in the cleanup process affects both duration and cost. When hoarders help decide what to keep or discard, it can make the project longer. This involvement may raise labor costs but is important for the hoarder's well-being.

Budget Dumpster has a help tip that is important to remember, "Keep in mind that someone with a hoarding disorder may be tempted to remove items from your debris pile if left unattended."

Understanding these factors helps estimate the cost of cleaning a hoarder house.

Does Medicare cover hoarding cleanup?

Many people wonder if Medicare covers hoarding cleanup. Sadly, Medicare does not pay for hoarding cleanup. This is because cleaning up a hoard is not seen as a medical need by Medicare.

Professional cleaning and removing too much stuff are not medical treatments. The cost of cleaning up a hoard can be very high. It includes the cost of professional cleaners, cleaning supplies, and getting rid of waste.

Even though Medicare doesn't cover the cleanup, it does help with mental health issues. This can help with hoarding behaviors. There are programs that can help pay for cleanup costs:

• IHSS (In-Home Support Services) in California for eligible individuals
• PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) for comprehensive healthcare needs

The cost of hoarding cleanup can vary a lot. Professional organizers might charge over $200 an hour. For those on a tight budget, hiring college students at about $10 an hour could be a good choice. Small trash haulers might offer ongoing cleanup at a lower price.

Removing hazardous materials and professional cleaning can increase the cost. You might also have to pay for a dumpster and special waste disposal. These costs add up to the total cost of cleaning up a hoard.

Even though Medicare doesn't cover cleanup costs, looking for local help is important. Community programs and non-profit organizations might offer free or low-cost cleaning services. They can help manage the challenges of hoarding.

Skip the Costs: Sell To a Cash House Buyer

Cleaning up a hoarder home can be very expensive and emotionally tough. The cost to clean a hoarder's house can explode up to tens of thousands of dollars if extensive damage is uncovered. This depends on how much clutter there is and how bad the hoarding situation is. If you're dealing with this, you have another option: selling your hoarder home "as-is" to a cash buyer.

Cash buyers buy hoarded homes just as they are, without needing to clean them up. This means you don't have to spend a lot of money on cleaning services. Companies like Danny Buys Houses in San Antonio, Texas, offer quick cash deals for hoarder homes. They take care of the cleanup themselves. They allow you to sell the hoarder house with everything in it.

Choosing this option means you don't have to look for cleanup companies or worry about the cost. Cash buyers offer a simple solution, especially if you've inherited a hoarder's property or are dealing with a hoarding situation. This way, you can move on quickly, without having to face the overwhelming clutter or potential dangers in the hoarder home.

Give Danny Buys Houses a call to get a fast cash offer for the house. There is no-obligation and no costs. We look forward to hearing from you.