Documents & valuables

Experience has taught us that important documents and valuables can turn up in the most unexpected places.  We exercise extreme vigilance when sorting through miscellaneous drawers and boxes and regularly find items of legal, financial or personal significance.  These are returned to the Executor or Solicitor, as appropriate.

Personal papers & sentimental items

We are often asked to search for specific documents such as wills, deeds, insurance papers, passports, share certificates and so on.  Before we start a job we always discuss this with our client so we understand if anything needs to be found and what personal or sentimental items should be kept.  Personal papers of a confidential nature can be shredded on site if required, or returned to the family or solicitor.  We always set aside sentimental items such as photos, letters & small keepsakes, to be passed to the family at the end of the job.

Saleable items

As part of the Clearly Organised service we can arrange for valuation and sale of collectables and furniture on behalf of a client.  We will discuss saleable items with our client and consign these things to auction on their behalf if they wish.  All items sent to auction are fully documented before being removed from the property and a copy of the list is given to the client.  Monies raised at auction come back directly to the client or executor, less auction fees.  There are no extra hidden charges and Clearly Organised does not receive a percentage fee for this service.

Disposal of items

Unwanted items are always disposed of conscientiously and we avoid sending anything to landfill if it can be made use of elsewhere.  Recent Government rulings on waste disposal have made it more expensive to get rid of rubbish and old furniture.  To comply with regulations we use a licensed waste carrier.  Waste disposal is charged according to weight.

Recycling

We recycle metal, wood, paper, cardboard and old electrical items.  These are bagged up separately and taken to the recycling centre at the end of the job.  On-site shredding available.

Drugs & medical supplies

Most homes, particularly those of the elderly, yield medications, which sometimes include controlled drugs.  All medications are collected together and taken to a pharmacist for incineration.  They are never sent to landfill.  Disability aids such as walking sticks, wheelchairs and walking frames are either donated to charity or, if they are on loan, returned to the hire agency.

Old tins of paint & other hazardous substances

Almost every garage and garden shed that we see has at least one shelf that is full of tins and bottles containing paint, weed killer, oil and other hazardous substances.  Many recycling sites are now unable to take such items, so we have to make separate arrangements for their safe disposal. Accordingly there is a small extra charge for this service.

Tools and garden items

Very often when we clear a house we also have to clear the accompanying garage, workshop or garden shed.  In such cases we usually end up with a large quantity of good useable hand tools and garden equipment that we are able to donate to charities either in the Third World or at home here in the UK.  For health and safety reasons power tools and other electrical garden and household gadgets cannot be given away so have to be disposed of.

Donations of items to charity

We donate good quality clothes, bedding, crockery, books and other household items to a wide range of charities including Sue Ryder, British Heart Foundation, Help the Aged, Oxfam & Oxford Homeless Project.  Occasionally we are approached directly by individuals, schools or charities in need of specific items.  With the executor’s permission we are able to give items directly to needy causes and regard it as the perfect recycling solution.

Cleaning service

Once a property is empty it usually needs a thorough clean before it can be sold.  We pay particular attention to kitchens and bathrooms and recommend removing old curtains as they often harbour smells and do not enhance the look of a house.  Our cleaning service can be tailored to meet our clients’ requirements.  We promise it will greatly improve both the look and smell of an empty property, which means it can be marketed immediately.