Most house clearances are priced by the volume and weight of what is removed. One national cost guide starts at £175 for a quarter van load and £595 for a full van load, and a whole house often needs several loads. Always ask for a written quote based on a visit or clear photos, with disposal and VAT included.
Key points
- Clearances are priced by volume, weight, access and the type of items, not by the number of rooms alone.
- One national guide gives £175 for a quarter van load up to £595 for a full van load, so a whole house can cost more than one load.
- Valuable items can reduce the bill if the firm agrees to offset them in writing.
- Ask for a written quote and check the firm is a registered waste carrier before you agree.
What decides the price of a house clearance
A clearance firm is paid for labour, fuel, vehicle time and the cost of disposing of what it removes. That is why two houses of the same size can receive very different quotes. A tidy three bedroom home with little furniture may cost far less than a packed one bedroom flat.
- Volume and weight: the more van loads, and the heavier the contents, the higher the price.
- Access: stairs, no lift, long carrying distances and poor parking all add time.
- Item types: fridges, mattresses, televisions and pianos usually carry separate disposal charges.
- Time: a job that takes longer costs more, and heavy items slow a team down.
- Location: prices vary across the UK, and flats are often dearer than houses with a drive.
- Condition of the property: a heavily cluttered home takes much longer to clear.
Garages, lofts and sheds are sometimes quoted separately, so check whether they are included. If you are also clearing outbuildings, our guide to garage clearance costs explains how those jobs are priced.
Typical house clearance prices by load size
Published national figures are a useful starting point, but they are only a guide. The table below uses the Checkatrade house clearance cost guide, which prices by van load. Its price table was last updated in 2024, so treat the figures as an indication and not a quote.
| Load size | Approximate weight | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Extra small (quarter van) | Up to 250kg | £175 |
| Small (half van) | Up to 500kg | £325 |
| Medium (three quarter van) | Up to 750kg | £400 |
| Large (full van) | Up to 1,000kg | £595 |
| Television or monitor | Each | About £20 |
| Mattress | Each | About £25 |
| Large fridge freezer | Each | About £120 |
| Piano | Each | About £140 |
A full house usually produces more than one van load, so a total well above £595 is realistic for a family home. The same guide warns that very low prices are often too good to be true, because responsible disposal costs the company money.
A national charity that offers a paid clearance service lists prices starting from £400, with the final quote depending on location, size, disposal costs and whether packing is needed.
What our city rankings show
Most firms in our rankings quote after a visit or from photos, and only some publish prices. These examples come from our own city research, checked on 3 November 2026.
- In London, one ranked firm publishes clearances from £95 plus VAT for the smallest loads up to £400 plus VAT for a large load. See our London house clearance ranking.
- In Birmingham, one ranked firm publishes full house clearances from £575. Others quote after a visit. See house clearance in Birmingham.
- In Liverpool, one ranked firm publishes clearances from £150, with full houses typically £300 to £800 depending on volume. See house clearance in Liverpool.
- In Newcastle, one ranked firm publishes clearances from £60 and offsets valuable items against the cost. See house clearance in Newcastle.
In Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Cardiff, none of the ranked firms publish a full price list, so a free quote is the way to compare. The house clearance hub lists every city we cover.
How to keep the cost down
- Remove anything you want to keep first, so you are not paying to move it twice.
- Sell or donate good furniture. Some charities collect saleable items free, and our guide on getting rid of household rubbish for free explains the options.
- Ask the firm whether it will buy or offset valuable items. Our guide to whether a clearance company pays for valuables covers how to do this safely.
- Use a council bulky waste collection for a handful of large items. This is not suitable for a whole property, as the council bulky waste guide explains.
- Get at least three written quotes and compare what each one includes, not only the headline figure.
Be honest about the contents when you ask for a price. If a quote is based on a few photos and the property turns out to hold twice as much, the price will rise on the day. A short list of the big items, plus photos of every room, gives the firm what it needs to quote accurately.
Check the firm before you pay
As a householder you have a legal duty to pass your waste only to an authorised person. In England and Wales, a private clearance firm should hold an upper tier waste carrier registration, and the number normally starts with CBDU. This applies even when the firm approaches you and offers to take your waste.
In Scotland, you should check that the firm is registered with SEPA. In all three nations, passing waste to an unauthorised person is an offence, and you could face a fixed penalty notice or prosecution if your rubbish is later fly-tipped.
- Ask for the firm's registration number and check it on the official register for your nation.
- Ask where your waste will be taken.
- Get a written quote and a receipt that includes the business details.
- Pay by card where possible, and keep the registration number and vehicle details.
- Be wary of cash only offers, social media adverts with no carrier number, and prices that seem too low.
Quick answers
How much should you pay for a house clearance?
It depends on the volume and weight of the contents, access and the types of item. One national guide starts at £175 for a quarter van load and £595 for a full van load, and a whole house often needs more than one load. Compare written quotes that show what is included.
Can you get a free house clearance?
Occasionally. Some charities collect good quality, saleable furniture for free, and a firm may offset valuable items against the price. A full free clearance of mixed contents is unusual, because someone has to pay for labour and disposal.
What is included in a house clearance?
Usually the removal of furniture, belongings and rubbish, plus transport and disposal. Some firms also sweep up, and some include garages and lofts. Hazardous items such as asbestos, gas bottles and fuel are normally excluded, so ask for a written list.
Why is house clearance so expensive?
Prices reflect labour, vehicles, fuel and the cost of disposal, which is higher for items such as mattresses, fridges and televisions. Properly recycling and disposing of waste costs money, which is why very cheap quotes can be a warning sign.
Find a trusted house clearance firm
We rank the five best house clearance companies in 11 UK cities on reviews, licensing and recycling. Nobody pays to be listed. See all house clearance rankings.
Sources
- Checkatrade: House clearance cost guide
- GOV.UK: Waste duty of care code of practice
- Natural Resources Wales: Disposing of your household waste
- SEPA: Duty of care
- British Heart Foundation: House clearance service
Prices and council fees quoted from our city rankings were checked on 3 November 2026. Rules can change, so check with your council or the regulator before you act. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
