Understanding the Cost of Hoarding Cleanup
Cleaning a hoarder house is a challenging task that requires professional expertise. The cost can vary significantly depending on multiple factors, including the hoarding level, type of hoarding, involvement of the hoarder, and the size of the home. Hoarding cleanup not only involves clearing clutter but also addressing sanitation, structural safety, and potential biohazards.
Did You Know? Hoarding disorder affects millions of people and can lead to severe health risks, property damage, and even legal consequences if left untreated.
You step inside, and the first thing you notice is the stench wafting at you. Then, you step forward, and something hits your foot. It’s like there’s an object in your way. You fumble around, looking around for the light switch. Then, finally, you turn on the lights and look around you. This house, it’s full of boxes, and books, and all types of furniture. It’s shocking that someone lived like this in this home before you moved in. You’ve realized that now you’re going to have to clean a hoarder house. You look around you and then you also know that you can’t do it yourself. You’re going to have to call in professionals. It’s already stressful enough dealing with the state of the house. But how do you know what the cost of cleaning a hoarder house is? How much will you have to pay? Not knowing this is stressful, too.
That’s why we’ve put together this article. In it, you’ll learn all about the cost of hoarder house cleaning services. Finally, your new home can be clean and pristine. Read on to learn more.
Need Urgent Assistance? Call 866-726-2316 for Immediate Help.
Factors That Influence Hoarder Cleanup Costs
Several factors determine the total cost of hoarder house cleanup:
- Hoarding Level – The severity of clutter and hazards in the home
- Type of Hoarding – Whether it’s food, animal, or trash hoarding
- Hoarder Involvement – Whether the individual participates in cleanup decisions
- Size of the Home – The total area that requires cleaning and decontamination
- Biohazard Presence – Mold, pests, and waste removal needs
- Structural Damage – Whether repairs are required post-cleanup
Understanding these factors can help estimate the cost and ensure the appropriate level of service is provided.
The Hoarding Level
Hoarding is classified into five levels, ranging from mild clutter (Level 1) to extreme conditions (Level 5). The severity of the hoard impacts the complexity, time, and cost of the cleanup.
| Hoarding Level | Description | Impact on Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Light clutter, no safety hazards | Low cost, general cleaning |
| Level 2 | Noticeable odors, excessive waste | Moderate cleaning required |
| Level 3 | Clutter inside & outside the home, pest problems | Higher cost due to deep cleaning |
| Level 4 | Structural damage, mold, extreme filth | Expensive due to restoration work |
| Level 5 | Entire home is uninhabitable, major biohazards | Highest cost, full remediation needed |
The first factor that will have an impact on the cost of the hoarder house clean-up is the hoarding level of the individual. There are different hoarder levels, ranging from 1 to 5. When the hoarder is level 1, they only create clutter in small amounts.
Quick Tip: The earlier a hoarding situation is addressed, the lower the cleanup cost will be. Waiting too long can lead to serious health risks, legal issues, and higher expenses.
At level 2, the waste and odors are noticeable. When a hoarder is at level 3, the clutter exists not only inside the home but also outside. As for level 4, this type of hoarder may have poor bathing or hygiene habits. Finally, level 5 is the most extreme type of hoarding disorder. When an individual has level 5 hoarding disorder, they have too many pets, rotting food, and potential fire hazards in their home.
By identifying what hoarding level there is, you can better get an idea of hoarder house clean-up cost. This is because the cleaning company will have a better idea of how much clutter there is in the home and how long it will take their crew to clean it out.
The Type of Hoarding & Cleanup Challenges
Another thing to consider when determining how much it will cost to hire hoarder house cleaning services is by determining what type of hoarder the individual is. There are three different types.
Food Hoarding
The first is food hoarding. This may seem familiar at first. This is because many people store some food in case there’s an emergency. While this may be normal behavior, hoarders take it to the extreme. They have strong compulsions about the food in their home. Many of these hoarder types have past trauma related to not having had enough food.
Risks: Attracts rodents, mold, and bacterial contamination, increasing sanitization costs.
Animal Hoarding
The second hoarder type is animal hoarding. These hoarders tend to go over the restrictions set in their apartment, condo, or home when it comes to how many animals they have. Additionally, animal hoarders usually neglect these animals. The animals might end up not having the care they require or being malnourished.
Animal hoarders tend to have homes that have bacteria, animal waste, and other substances that are hazardous.
Risks: Requires decontamination, pest control, and sometimes legal intervention.
Trash/Garbage Hoarding
Finally, there’s garbage or trash hoarding. When this occurs, the hoarder is unable to discard trash, garbage, or waste. They also often go through other people’s trash to find treasures for themselves. This can cause a lot of mess and danger if any of the waste items kept in the home are hazardous.
Risks: Often involves biohazard removal, pest extermination, and deep sanitation.
As you can see, depending on the type of hoarding going on, the level of clean-up (and cost) will vary.
Hoarder Involvement During the Clean of a Hoarder House
Depending on how much the hoarder is involved with the cleaning of the hoarder house, the price can vary as well. Sometimes, the hoarding individual takes part in the cleaning of the home. For example, if you’re helping a relative, this might happen.
When the individual is involved, they watch the clean-up process occur. Then, when the clean-up crew comes in, they’ll show the individual each item and ask whether they want to throw it away or keep it. If you’re wondering how to clean a hoarder house this way, the answer is that it takes a lot of time and sensitivity. Sometimes, the individual will have to spend a lot of time deciding what they want to get rid of. Family members might also be involved.
However, the individual might sometimes be a bit more open to the cleaning of their home, especially if they’re aware of their hoarding habits and want to make a change. Depending on the nature of the hoarder and whether they’ll be involved in the clean-up of their home, this will impact how long the cleaning takes and what the cleaners will have to do when interacting with the individual. As a result, costs will vary depending on how the process is carried out.
Warning: Hoarding cleanup is emotionally and psychologically challenging. A professional team trained in hoarding disorder and trauma can ensure the process is handled with care and sensitivity.
Home Size & Square Footage Pricing
Finally, the size of the home will have an impact on the cost of the cleaning. When you provide the square footage of the apartment or house to the cleaner, theyll be able to more easily come up with an estimate. This is because theyll have an idea of how long it will take them to clean the entire area.
Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond standard cleaning fees, other factors may increase costs:
- Biohazard Removal – Mold, bacteria, human waste cleanup
- Pest Extermination – Removing rodents, cockroaches, and bed bugs
- Structural Repairs – Fixing walls, floors, plumbing, and electrical issues
- Odor Neutralization – Specialized cleaning to remove persistent smells
- Heavy-Duty Trash Removal – Dumpsters, disposal fees, and hazardous waste handling
How to Get a Cost Estimate for Hoarding Cleanup
Need Urgent Assistance? Call 866-726-2316 for Immediate Help.
Each hoarding cleanup project is unique. To get an accurate cost estimate, you should:
- Assess the hoarding level – Identify clutter severity and potential biohazards.
- Determine the type of hoarding – Food, animal, or trash hoarding require different services.
- Measure the home size – Provide square footage for a precise quote.
- Consult a professional cleaning service – Get a free consultation from experts.
Quick Tip: Some homeowner’s insurance policies may cover part of the cleanup cost. Check with your provider.
Why Choose Spaulding Decon for Hoarding Cleanup?
Now that you’ve learned about what the cost to clean a hoarder house is, you might need additional information. Maybe you want help determining what hoarding level or type you are dealing with before doing the clean. Or maybe you want to find a cleaning company that can clean the hoarder house for you.
Whatever information you need, we can help. At Spaulding Decon, we’re experts when it comes to cleaning hoarder houses and other types of cluttered homes. We also offer home cleaning services. To find out more, check out our hoarding cleaning service now.
- Experienced Hoarding Specialists – Compassionate, professional service.
- Biohazard & Deep Cleaning Experts – We handle hazardous waste, odors, and pest control.
- Full Home Restoration – Structural repairs, mold remediation, and sanitation.
📞 Need Help? Call 866-726-2316 for a Free Estimate.
Take Action Today & Restore the Home
Hoarding cleanup is a complex process that requires professional expertise, proper equipment, and emotional sensitivity. The sooner a home is cleaned, the lower the cost and risk.
- Don’t wait for a hoarding situation to worsen.
- Get expert cleanup services before biohazards create serious health risks.
- Call Spaulding Decon today for a professional hoarding cleanup estimate.
📞 Call 866-726-2316 for Immediate Help.
