What is a House/Estate Cleanout?

There are a handful of times when a house needs to be completely cleaned out: when moving out, when making extensive renovations, or when splitting up a loved one’s estate after they’ve passed away. No matter what your situation is, it’s a big deal and can be difficult to manage. 

However, with a team of professionals from 123JUNK, you’ll be able to quickly and efficiently clear out your entire home. Our team is thoroughly experienced in providing quality property cleanout services to residents and businesses throughout Fairfax County, VA. No matter the size or number of items you have, our team is equipped to haul and clean out whatever space you need, from large-scale warehouses to small outdoor sheds. 

Here are some things you should know about house and estate cleanouts: 

House/Estate Cleanout Defined

An estate cleanout is the comprehensive process of completely emptying a home or property after someone has passed away. This involves removing every single item from the premises—furniture, appliances, clothing, personal belongings, documents, kitchen items, decorative objects, and even things stored in basements, attics, and garages. The goal is to leave the property completely vacant, as if it were a brand-new, unfurnished home ready for new occupants.

But an estate cleanout goes far beyond just moving items out. It’s a methodical process that often involves carefully sorting through decades of accumulated possessions, identifying valuable items, separating keepsakes for family members, determining what can be donated or sold, and properly disposing of items that can’t be repurposed. Every closet gets emptied, every drawer gets cleared, and every storage space gets completely cleaned out.

Estate Cleanout vs. House Cleanout

While both processes involve completely clearing a property, there are important distinctions:

House Cleanout

• Performed by living homeowners
• Common reasons include moving, downsizing, renovations, or lifestyle changes
• Items typically belong to the current occupants
• Decisions are made by the property owners themselves
• Usually planned in advance with flexible timelines

Estate Cleanout

• Occurs after someone has passed away
• Handled by family members, executors, or estate administrators
• Involves sorting through a lifetime of accumulated possessions
• Must comply with legal requirements and estate settlement procedures
• Often time-sensitive due to property sale deadlines or lease obligations
• May involve distributing items among heirs or beneficiaries

Why Estate Cleanouts Feel Overwhelming

Estate cleanouts are emotionally and physically exhausting for good reason. You’re sorting through decades of someone’s life—their collections, their memories, their everyday items—while trying to decide what has value, what should be kept by family, and what needs to go.

Add in the pressure of property sale deadlines or estate settlement requirements, and it becomes a massive undertaking that most families simply aren’t equipped to handle alone.

That’s where professional cleanout services become invaluable. Companies like 123JUNK understand that estate cleanouts aren’t just about hauling away stuff – they’re about helping families through a difficult process with respect and efficiency.

Tips When Performing a Cleanout

No matter what the circumstances, performing a total house cleanout is a big job involving several things to keep track of. As experts in property cleanouts, below are a few tips to follow to ensure your next cleanout goes smoothly: 

Be Thorough in Your Removal

Look through everything carefully in order to keep track of every item that is removed from your home. Check every box, container, shelf, drawer, and even down to the pockets in pieces of clothing. An exhaustive inspection will reward you with the satisfaction of knowing what has been removed and who each item belongs to. 

Find Important Documents

Among the first things you should gather in the process of your cleanout are important documents such as birth certificates, insurance policies, wills, trusts, bank statements, tax returns, and other important financial documents, both stored physically in print or digitally in the hard drives of various devices. Keeping these in order is often vital for you later on, whether they are yours or a deceased relative. 

Remove All Valuables

In addition to vital legal and financial documents, you should also first remove any precious items and memorabilia you deem valuable before you begin cleaning out your home. The process can be wearisome enough to end up with someone accidentally damaging or forgetting items of importance.

Think About Donating/Selling

Before you clean out your home, you may realize that there’s way too much stuff for a proper cleanout. With such abundance, consider sharing it around or selling it. You can do this by putting together a yard sale or donating your items to a local thrift store or the Salvation Army. Or even better, allow us to help you donate, recycle, and dispose of your items thoughtfully. 

Consider Hiring an Estate Liquidator

Estate liquidators professionally appraise and sell off all the items of an estate to the highest bidder. For those who are seniors going into assisted living, or are relatives of a deceased family member, this can help reduce the number of items that you need to transport once cleaned out of your house. 

123JUNK: Professional Property Cleanout Services in Fairfax County, VA

The information above will help you get the best outcome for your house/estate cleanout. Moreover, hiring a team of professionals in expert property cleanout services will guarantee a fast, easy, and safe transfer of your property out of your or your relative’s home. 123JUNK of Fairfax County, VA, is a highly experienced property removal company with an efficient team of friendly and dedicated movers. They are able to clean out all kinds of materials from any area, whether they be various pieces of old junk, furniture, or appliances. 

Contact us at 1-800-364-5778 for more information about our house and estate cleanout services.