The order we work in
We follow a simple hierarchy:
- Return to the family - photos, papers, jewellery, keepsakes.
- Sell - items with real resale value, with proceeds to the estate.
- Donate - clean, working furniture and household goods.
- Recycle - wood, metal, paper, textiles, and plastics.
- Dispose - only what cannot be used or recycled.
Nothing moves until the executor approves.
What charities can accept
Charities have rules. In practice they can usually take:
- Sofas and armchairs with the fire safety label still attached
- Beds and mattresses in clean condition
- Tables, chairs, and wardrobes
- Working white goods
- Clothing, books, kitchenware, and toys
They usually cannot take:
- Upholstered furniture without labels
- Stained or damaged items
- Cots, car seats, and helmets
- Electrical goods that fail testing
Electrical items
Old appliances fall under WEEE rules. Fridges, freezers, and televisions must be treated at approved sites.
That is why they carry a separate charge on quotes. The gases and components need specialist handling.
What gets recycled
At the transfer station, loads are separated into streams:
- Timber and flat-pack furniture
- Metal, including bed frames and radiators
- Paper and card
- Textiles
- Rubble and garden waste
Sorting on site keeps landfill volumes down and keeps costs predictable.
Hazardous items
Some things need care and cost more:
- Paint, solvents, and cleaning chemicals
- Gas bottles
- Asbestos sheeting in old garages and sheds
- Medicines, which should go back to a pharmacy
- Sharps and clinical waste
Tell us if you have seen any of these. We plan for them rather than discover them.
Proof for the estate
You receive waste transfer notes covering everything removed.
If the family wants a record of what was donated, ask before the job. We can note the charity and the items.
Choosing where donations go
Many families pick a charity the deceased supported. Tell us the name and, if it is local and takes collections, we will route usable goods there.
Talk to us
We survey the property, then send a written quote. No fixed price is given before we see the contents.
Call 0794 455 7700 or email info@houseandofficeclearance.co.uk.