Give belongings a destination before packing
Mark the things going to the new address, those remaining at the current property and those to be removed. Check any agreed fittings or furniture with the relevant landlord, agent or other party rather than assuming an empty property means everything goes.
Keep an undecided group separate. Packing and clearance can happen around it, but nobody should treat those boxes as unwanted simply because they are not labelled for the move. Make sure anyone helping uses the same instructions.
Before booking: work back from handover
Write down the handover date, when you can provide access and any other appointments that affect the property. Tell the collector about these constraints when asking for a quote. A requested day is not a confirmed booking.
If a charity or buyer is taking some furniture, confirm that arrangement before deciding what remains for clearance. Leave a practical fallback if their collection changes. Do not assume extra items can be added to the original price or taken at short notice.
Include the places that are easy to forget
Check the garage, loft, shed, balcony and outdoor storage as well as main rooms. List large pieces and describe smaller contents. Name included cupboards or outbuildings; a lounge-and-bedroom quote does not silently become a whole-property job.
Do not climb into an uncertain loft or move unstable stacks to complete the list. Record what is unknown and ask how it can be assessed. Explain fixed fittings, connected appliances and unusual waste separately.
Consider reuse while there is still time to arrange it
Furniture you no longer need may suit another home. Give the recipient its size, condition and access details, and confirm who carries it out. R4GM’s Renew scheme is a drop-off option, not a home collection; check eligibility before travelling.
Protect items intended for reuse where practical. Until a recipient is confirmed, keep them on the planning list. A private clearance is not a guarantee of donation or recycling.
Before collection: confirm the clear-out and access
Send one description of the full proposed collection: named furniture plus bags, boxes or rooms. Add the collection postcode, floor, lift or stairs, parking and carrying distance. Mention if removal vehicles, cleaners or tradespeople will also need the entrance that day.
Ask which carrying, loading and dismantling are included and which tasks require a separate arrangement. A connected appliance needs its preparation checked; do not assume the collection team will disconnect it. The amount, materials and access work affect the price.
Useful next steps
Before returning the keys: check the agreed areas
Keep medication, keys, documents, chargers and the belongings needed for moving day clearly outside the clearance area. Before loading, confirm what is leaving and what must remain. Tell the team immediately if the plan has changed.
For a house clearance, check the agreed rooms and areas before handover, or arrange who will do this for you. Deep cleaning is separate. WeMovers payment is due on completion and every collection receives a waste transfer note; retain it with the quote and payment record.
Your next steps
- Separate the moving list from the clearance list.
- Confirm what must remain at the old property.
- Include garages, lofts and outdoor contents where relevant.
- Agree collection and access before the handover deadline.
- Keep essentials and private documents out of the clearance.
Describe what needs clearing, the access and your handover date. Keep the belongings moving with you clearly identified.
Request my house clearance quoteSee your options before deciding. Nothing is booked yet.Common questions
Does clearance include moving my furniture to the new home?
Do not assume it does. This guide concerns removing unwanted belongings. Keep your move and clearance instructions separate and confirm the service for each destination.
What if the handover date changes?
Contact the team as soon as you know. Ask how the new date affects availability, the agreed work and any booking terms before relying on a revised arrangement.
Can I leave the keys with an agent?
Discuss this before booking. Agree who provides access, who can authorise decisions, who checks completion and how the keys and property will be secured afterwards.
Sources and further reading
Checked 12 October 2026. Follow the source links for current acceptance rules and local arrangements.