Clearing Out 22 years of Living

[chrissa1]

What is the cheapest way of clearing a home of 22 years of Family Life? All the unwanted large items of furniture have been dealt with but there is a houseful of unwanted papers and general stuff collected over the years.

Is it cheaper to hire a skip, or to hire a local firm to do the donkey work? Any thought would be gratefully received.

[ummmm]

I would say skip as you can have them for days. The last time we hired a skip they just said 'call us when it's full'

[chrissa1]

How much was it ummmm?

[scotman]

If you are getting a skip be ready for it when it arrives or the neighbours may fill it up for you.

[ummmm]

The one we got.....about £100 and we had it for 4 days. We do have a back alley though so passers-by wouldn't have seen it...

[scotman]

Sorry, on a serious note, if you get a skip then try to get it parked on your own ground. If it is on the street then it may need to be lit at night and will probably need permission from local authority highways dept. etc.

[chrissa1]

But I'm a wizened old woman of 60!!! How much would a local gang of fit young men charge for clearing it out?

[abstibus]

Chrissa- you need to be very careful with any documents that have personal details on them.
Some companies that provide a 'confidential waste service' are not too fussy which landfill they dump it in.

[ummmm]

How many men? How much stuff?

[chrissa1]

Um, Ummmm, I see your point, how long is a piece of string? Hourly rate for general labouring?

[ummmm]

Hard to say. Where in the country are you? Here, I think you'd be looking at £20 an hour.

If it's a legitimate 'man with a van' their overheads are quite high. They have insurance, diesel, dumping costs.....

[albaqwerty]

Could you ask your local council for advice?

I know some are more helpful than others

[ladybirder]

Have a bonfire.

[Zeuhl]

Be very careful to hire licensed clearance people.

If someone takes your rubbish and fly tips it - and the council can trace it back to you then you will be prosecuted as it is your responsibility.
.

[chrissa1]

Good point Zeuhl.

[WELSHYORKIE]

Chrissa, at our office we use a local company who employ disabled people. They come here pick up bags of waste paper and put it thorough an industrial shredder. cost is very cheap and as the banks and local solicitors use their service it must be secure.

[wolf63]

Shred as much of the paperwork that you can.

There may be some 'rubbish' that is actually collectable. Technical guides and any unusual gadgets, postcards/used stamps (MY Oxfam has started collecting used stamps. first day covers and old stamp albums to sell on).

[askyourgran]

Check out things that you could sell on e-bay or just to give to a charity. I was surprised the things that people will buy on-line.

[chrissa1]

Thanks all.

[boxtops]

Make sure you shred anything identifiable, chrissa - it's all too easy just to dump a pile of papers, there might be things you need to shred before you throw them away.