Probate Clearance Services
We help you clear an estate property safely, carefully, and in compliance with the law. As a professional probate house clearance company, we assist executors, administrators, and solicitors to clear property contents, separate personal belongings, and prepare homes for sale or transfer. DrClear does not give legal advice and does not prepare probate papers or applications for a grant of probate.
Our services provide the following features:
- Licensed waste carrier committed to ethical recycling and reducing waste sent to landfills
What is a probate clearance service?
A probate clearance service empties a deceased person’s property while protecting estate assets. When someone passes away, the executor or administrator must manage the estate according to legal standards. This process requires more than standard waste removal.
Our experienced team handles items with care. Whether you require a full house clearance or need to clear a few items from a flat, our team delivers a professional service tailored to your timeline.
Should you clear a house before probate?
Don’t dispose of estate assets before you understand their total value. An executor must establish accurate asset values for inheritance tax before the probate registry grants probate. The personal representative signs the IHT400 declaring the information correct to the best of their knowledge, and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) can pursue them personally for undervaluation.
You can, however, sort, document, and inventory the property early. Follow the guidance in the following sections:
Secure the probate property early
Empty properties face risks from theft, vandalism, and burst pipes. Change exterior door locks immediately. Check window latches, if required, shut off utilities, and store all spare keys in a secure location. Inform the property insurer that the home is unoccupied and check the policy’s unoccupancy conditions.
Identify retained items and family preferences
Walk through the home with beneficiaries before the full clearance begins. Label items that family members wish to keep. Locate critical documents, including wills, title deeds, share certificates, and financial records. Our DBS-checked team works from your specific instructions to set aside personal belongings, photographs, and sentimental items before work starts.
How much does probate house clearance cost?
Probate Clearance starts from £575. Your quote depends on volume, access, separately handled items and labour time.
Probate clearance costs vary based on the physical scope of work. We provide fixed, transparent quotes based on the following property factors:
- Property size and volume: The total volume and weight of contents across rooms, lofts, basements, outbuildings, and gardens.
- Resale value of items: DrClear does not buy items or credit their resale value against the fee. Items of value are disposed of, so remove or sell anything the estate wants to keep before the clearance. Where the estate needs a formal valuation, the personal representative instructs a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Registered Valuer directly.
- Hazardous materials: Safe removal of chemicals, paint cans, old medicines, or trade waste requires dedicated transport and disposal fees. If we find asbestos on a job, we stop and refer it to a licensed asbestos contractor.
- Access logistics: Parking restrictions, multiple flights of stairs, or long walks to transport vehicles influence total labour hours.
The probate house clearance process
We provide a structured, transparent process for property clearance.
Request a quote and book an assessment
Contact us by phone or send an email with property details, location, and photographs. We assess the estate either in person or through clear video and photographic records. You receive a detailed, written quote with zero obligation. Duration depends on volume and access, and we give an estimated time with your written quote.
Sort, pack, and clear estate contents
On the agreed date, our trained team arrives on site to carry out the clearance. We systematically sort items, wrap delicate goods, and pack boxes. If we uncover family heirlooms, cash, or legal documents not previously recorded, we safeguard them immediately and notify you.
Responsible disposal and ethical recycling
We operate as an upper-tier waste carrier registered with the Environment Agency (CBDU549477). We divert reusable furniture to local charity partners and route recyclable materials through licensed commercial facilities. You receive a Waste Transfer Note on every clearance, giving the estate a documented record of the waste transfer to support its duty of care.
What happens when probate is finalised?
Once the probate registry issues the grant of probate or letters of administration, the executor gains the legal authority to distribute assets, settle outstanding debts, and transfer or sell the property.
Can you sell a house before probate is finalised?
You can place an estate property on the market, conduct viewings, and accept an offer before probate concludes, and the estate’s solicitor or conveyancer confirms when contracts can be exchanged and the sale completed. To avoid delays once the court issues the grant, clearing and cleaning the home early after asset valuation helps estate agents market a clean property.
5 Churchfields Rd, Wednesbury
- Booked for full clearance of a one bed flat and garden clearance (excessive weed growth). Was available very quickly after visiting to quote which helped us massively!
Clearance was done to a high standard and extremely quick! The 3 man crew were very … More polite and friendly
Would recommend to anyone needing their services
Frequently asked questions
Do executors need to attend the clearance in person?
No. You don’t need to attend. We collect keys from a local solicitor, estate agent, or trusted neighbour. We provide photograph updates when we finish the work and return the keys securely.
Can you provide a formal probate valuation service for HMRC?
No. DrClear produces an itemised inventory of household contents with photographs.
What happens to items that family members don’t want?
We sort unwanted items for reuse and recycling.
How long does a full house clearance take?
Large estates, cluttered lofts, or properties with extensive outbuildings require additional time. We state the exact timeline in your written quote.
Book your probate clearance appointment
Contact our team to discuss your estate requirements. We answer your questions, assess the property, and provide a clear, dependable plan for clearance.