How to Get a House Clearance Quote: What to Include So You Get an Accurate Price

You've decided it's time. The garage needs emptying. The old furniture has to go. Maybe it's a full house clearance after a move or bereavement — and you just need someone to come and take it all away.

So you reach out for quotes — and get wildly different prices back. One company says £180. Another says £450. A third never replies.

That's not random. In almost every case, the quotes are inconsistent because the information provided was vague. Clearance companies can't price accurately what they can't picture — so they either guess high to cover their risk, or they don't bother quoting at all.

This guide walks you through exactly what to include when requesting a house clearance quote — so the price you get back is real, fair, and something you can actually compare.

1. The volume of what needs clearing

Volume is the single biggest factor in any clearance quote. A company sending a van and two workers needs to know how much they're loading — before they commit to a price.

The standard way to describe this is in van load terms:

• Single large item — one sofa, fridge, or wardrobe
• Quarter van load — a few items, a small bedroom clear-out
• Half van load — a garage, a couple of rooms
• Full van load — several rooms, heavy furniture, multiple trips of gear
• Full house clearance — the entire property, end-to-end

If you're unsure, lean toward overestimating rather than under. A company that arrives expecting a quarter van and finds a full van's worth will either refuse the job mid-visit, charge extra on the day, or both.

2. What's actually in the load — and what isn't

"Loads of old stuff" tells a clearance company nothing. What moves the price — sometimes significantly — is what the load contains.

Be specific about:

• Large appliances (washing machines, fridges, dishwashers, tumble dryers)
• Mattresses — these carry an additional disposal surcharge at most tips
• Upholstered furniture (sofas, armchairs, cushioned chairs) — subject to UK POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) waste regulations, which require specialist disposal routes and add handling costs
• Electronics (TVs, monitors, printers) — classed as WEEE waste, disposal is regulated
• Garden waste, soil, or rubble — often charged separately or not collected at all
• Hazardous materials — paint tins, asbestos, chemicals are excluded from standard clearance

Equally, mention what won't be in the load. If you've already taken bags to the tip or donated items to charity, say so. It helps companies quote accurately rather than assuming the worst.

3. Photos — the single most useful thing you can include

No description replaces a photo. If someone can see the pile in your garage, the items stacked in the bedroom, the state of the shed — they can quote with confidence rather than guesswork.

A few tips for photos that actually help:

• Take wide shots that show the full room or space, not just individual items
• Include one photo that shows how full the space is relative to the walls or doorframe
• If there are specific items you're unsure about (a fridge, a sofa, stacked boxes), photograph those separately
• Photos of access points help too — more on that below

Even three or four decent phone photos dramatically improve the accuracy of the quotes you'll receive back.

4. Your postcode and any access issues

Clearance companies operate within coverage zones. Your postcode tells them immediately whether the job is within their area — and whether there's a travel surcharge involved.

Access matters just as much. Mention anything that affects how items leave the property:

• Is there a lift, or are the items up multiple flights of stairs?
• Is street parking restricted or permit-only? Can a large van pull up nearby?
• Is there a narrow gate, a tight alleyway, or a low-ceiling garage that limits what can be moved?
• Are any items in a loft or basement?

A job on a ground-floor flat with direct street access is priced differently from the same job on the fourth floor of a building with no lift. Neither is unreasonable — but the price needs to reflect the actual work involved.

5. Timing — when do you need it done?

Urgency affects availability and, sometimes, price. Let the company know:

• Your preferred date or date range
• Whether you have a hard deadline (a tenancy end date, a house sale completion, a probate requirement)
• Whether you're flexible, and available at short notice if a slot opens up

Flexibility often works in your favour. A company that can fill a cancellation slot on a Tuesday may offer a better rate than one booked solid through the weekend.

6. What good quotes look like — and what to watch out for

Once you start receiving quotes, here's how to read them sensibly.

A credible quote will typically:

• Confirm a waste carrier licence number (Upper Tier, Environment Agency registered)
• Include a clear breakdown — labour, disposal, any surcharges for specific items
• Specify whether VAT is included
• Confirm the team size and estimated time

Be cautious if a company:

• Cannot produce a waste carrier licence number — using an unlicensed company to remove waste makes you legally liable for how it's disposed of
• Asks for full payment in cash upfront before the job is done
• Quotes a price far below the others without any explanation of why
• Won't commit to a written confirmation of the price agreed

Quick checklist: what to include in your quote request

Before you submit your details, run through this:

• ☐   Volume estimate (single item / quarter / half / full van / full house clearance)
• ☐   Description of what's in the load (including mattresses, fridges, electronics if relevant)
• ☐   Photos — at least 3–4 showing the full space and specific items
• ☐   Your postcode
• ☐   Access notes (stairs, parking, gates, loft/basement)
• ☐   Preferred date or timeframe

The more you give, the better the price you get back

Clearance companies aren't trying to catch you out with add-ons. They're trying to protect themselves from jobs that turn out to be twice the work expected — and vague requests make that happen.

Give them a clear picture of the job, and you'll get back quotes that are accurate, comparable, and fair.

The JunkBid quote form is built around exactly these six points. Volume, load description, photos, postcode, access notes, timing — it walks you through each one, then sends a standardised brief to every verified company in your area simultaneously. You fill it in once. They compete on price. You compare and choose.