First, you're not in trouble
We're not here to judge you or your home. Nobody on our team is going to walk in and make a face.
Homes fill up for all kinds of reasons. A loss. An illness or an injury that made it hard to keep up. Years of living alone. A feeling that throwing something away is wasteful, or that you might need it later. Sometimes it's hard to explain even to yourself, and that's okay too. You don't owe us an explanation.
You're also not alone. Between Abel and our project managers, the team has worked in hundreds of homes that looked a lot like yours, and some looked a lot worse. Piles to the ceiling, rooms you haven't been in for years, a kitchen you stopped using, smells you've gotten used to, pet messes or mouse droppings. That's normal work for us. There's nothing you need to clean or hide before we come.
You're in charge
This is your home and these are your things. That doesn't change because someone is helping.
Here's what that means in real terms:
- You decide what stays. We don't throw out anything you care about. If you're not sure about something, it goes in a "decide later" box.
- You decide where we start. Some people want the kitchen first so they can cook again. Some want a path to the back door. Some just want one chair cleared so they can sit down. Any of those is a fine place to begin.
- You decide how fast. A few hours, then a break, is fine. Some people do a little each week.
- You can say stop. If a room is too much today, we move to another one or come back another day.
If your family is the one who found us, that's okay. They're worried about you because they love you. But the plan is still built with you, not around you. We won't go behind your back.
We go at your pace
On the first day, your project manager will sit down with you before anyone touches a thing. They'll ask what matters to you, what you're worried about losing, and what you'd like the home to feel like when we're done.
Then the crew starts small. Usually we clear trash first: food packaging, old food, empty boxes, things that are clearly garbage. That alone often opens up more room than people expect, and it makes the home safer right away. When we get to your belongings, we sort by hand, with you, one area at a time. You'll see everything before it goes.
Old mail and papers get looked through, not tossed in a bag. Photos, letters and keepsakes get set aside. Things in good shape can go to donation if you'd like them to have another home, and we recycle what we can. You can read more about this on our sorting and saving belongings page.
It's private
We keep it low-key. We don't put signs on your lawn. We don't talk with your neighbors about your home. We don't post photos of your house anywhere. If anyone asks, we're just helping you with some work around the house.
The things we find in your home stay between you and the people you choose to include.
How do I take the first step?
Make it small. You don't have to be ready to clean the whole house. You only have to be ready to talk.
Here are a few ways to start:
- Send a few photos. Just one or two rooms is fine. Your local project manager will look at them and get back to you with a free estimate and some ideas.
- Call and talk. You can reach out and just ask questions. You don't need to give your address on the first call if you don't want to.
- Ask someone to call for you. A son, daughter, friend or caseworker can call first, and you can join when you're ready.
There's no pressure to book anything. A call is just a call.
If you'd like someone to talk to about the feelings, too
Some people find it helps to have someone in their corner beyond the cleanup itself. There are therapists who specialize in hoarding and the hard feelings that can come with letting things go. Hoarding disorder is a recognized condition, and it's more common than most people think.
If you're curious, the International OCD Foundation has information and a directory where you can look for a therapist near you. That's completely up to you. It's not a requirement to work with us, and we won't bring it up again unless you ask.
What it costs
We don't publish prices, because every home is different. The estimate is free and private, and it comes with no obligation. If you'd like to understand what changes the cost, our hoarding cleanup cost page explains it in plain words. Financing is also available.
If a family member is helping you pay or plan, they might like our page for family members.
Common questions
Will you throw away my things without asking?
No. You decide what stays and what goes. Anything you're not sure about goes into a "decide later" box, and nothing you care about leaves without your say.
Do I need to clean up before you come?
No. Please don't worry about that. Spoiled food, pet messes, mouse droppings and strong smells are normal work for us, and we won't judge you for any of it.
Will my neighbors find out?
We keep it low-key and private. We don't put up signs, talk to neighbors about your home, or share photos of your house.
What if I get overwhelmed in the middle of it?
Tell us, and we'll stop or move to a different room. You can take a break for an hour or a week. The plan is built around your pace.
Can I just talk to someone without booking anything?
Yes. You can reach out to ask questions, or send a couple of photos for a free estimate. There's no pressure to schedule anything.
When you're ready, even if ready just means curious, we're here.