Town or Country
Clearance
Specialists
FREEPHONE: 0800 9883209
(please allow up to 15 seconds for connection)
EMAIL : dh@harrogatehouseclearance.com
A clearance can work in one of three ways.
The items have no value and we charge to clear - including tipping fees.
Some of the items have a good value and we advise how to maximise that
value, with the money coming directly to you. We charge to clear the rest.
Some of the items have a modest value but our many contacts have a need for them and
then we reduce the clearance charge by the value or completely if appropriate.
What do you charge?
It depends on the circumstances. Size, position and contents are the
main criteria. A fourth floor flat with loads in it will be more than one
half empty. A bigger ground floor flat could be more than both. A
small palace cheaper than a big one. You no doubt see the logic.
This is why we are keen to assess the job before quoting.
The quantity of items we are prepared to buy will also be a factor. It
may even be greater than you thought. Our assessors have years of
practical experience, and rest assured, we want to be fair and
reasonable. Unless you request added elements our free quotation
will be final - nothing hidden or added.
To give you some idea Example A below shows what a
competitor says he can load in 2 hours and it will fill his van. His
charges are for 2 men with vehicle. He has an alloted time for a job
and charges more if time runs out.
We would charge a lower amount for 2 men and a van, have
bigger vans so are able to take more away in one go, quote a
set price, and don't charge VAT.
How do you clear and leave a property?
We clear everything as agreed with the client. We protect carpets and
decor and clear up after ourselves. Should an accident occur our insurers
will reimburse.
Do we have to be there during the property clearance?
No, we are quite happy to obtain the keys from a neighbour, from a
designated agent or other agreed method. We will return the keys in
the same way.
Many of our customers have just left us to do the job while they sort
out other matters, especially where deceased estates are concerned.
Sometimes people can become quite emotional seeing the belongings
of a loved one being taken away from the property and find the whole
experience distressing.
How do we pay?
Payment on completion by cash, cheque or bankers draft, Bacs Transfer
or Paypal.
Why not use a skip?
Average 3 bed house = at least 2 (possibly more) x 12 cu yd skips @
£180 - £200 each plus vat plus landfill tax plus council licence fee.
Imagine a three piece suite in a skip and how much room it takes.
You have to decide which size - 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 cubic yards. Guess
wrong and you will need another expensive skip.
You need a permit from local council which costs. Must position it
properly. Must light it at night. Other people will fill it with their junk. It
is illegal to overload it. If you do overload it the driver will refuse to
take it. It is illegal to let rubbish from it escape - even if its not your
rubbish.
You must provide the skip hire company with a written description of
the waste in the skip. Little or non of the items will be reused.
You also have a legal duty to ensure the UK skip hire company you
choose is registered with their waste disposal authority and that the
firm disposes of the waste legally.
OH Yes - and YOU have to load it.
Where do the contents from the house clearance go?
Items with a value are placed where they maximise income for you.
Clothing goes to charity. Bedding goes to animal shelters.
Unsaleable but usable furniture is donated to a community store.
Working electricals are donated to a community store.
Recyclable items go to local recycling depot.
The rest, unfortunately, goes into landfill.
Our target is the recycling of 75% of everything we process, a goal we
have achieved in recent years.
BECAUSE WE RECYCLE SO MUCH, TIPPING FEES ARE LOWER THAN THEY
OTHERWISE WOULD BE.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREEPHONE: 0800 9883209
(please allow up to 15 seconds for connection)
EMAIL : dh@harrogatehouseclearance.com
How do we arrange for a clearance?
You contact us by telephone or email. We visit the property at a time
convenient to you or your agent - (or see box below).
A FREE assessment of what you’d like done is made - usually taking
twenty to thirty minutes. An all inclusive and set, no hidden extras
quote is then given in writing. If all is agreeable a second
appointment is then made for when you’d like the work to be done -
this could even be the next day, or at a later more convenient date.
At the appointed time and place our staff arrive promptly to carry out
the work in one continuous process.
Are you licensed and insured to do this work?
Yes, we are fully licensed with the Environmental agency. Our
insurance includes cover to a client's property when removing from
the premises.
DO YOU BUY ITEMS
Yes, if we deem them to have a value and they form part of a clearance.
Be aware that modern items have low or no second hand values. People
can buy new relatively cheaply.
What if we want a quote without the initial assessment?
We will have to do what most of our competitors do as standard.
That is, not give a written quote that is set and unchangeable. We
will not be able to make any allowance for items of value.
We will attempt, from what you tell us, to guesstimate the length of
time the job will take and will quote an hourly rate but at invoicing
the cost will be the time actually taken multiplied by the hourly rate
plus the tipping fees and all environmental charges we have to pay.
But we still don't charge VAT.
What types of property do you clear?
We do flats, bungalows, houses, stately homes, palace clearances - any
property the owners or their agents ask us to clear. We also are proven
commercial property clearance specialists - shops, warehouses, factories
etc.
Legal Requirement on Property Owner
The reason that the information below is mentioned is that most private
individuals do not realise they have a duty of care to ensure that the
waste from the property is handled by a registered carrier and is
handled properly.
The Waste (Household Waste) Duty of Care (England & Wales)
Regulations 2005 introduced a duty on householders. Under this duty,
householders are required to take reasonable measures to ensure that
household waste produced on their property is passed on to an
authorised person. If waste is fly tipped or disposed of in some other
unlawful way and the waste is traced back to a particular household,
the householders could be fined up to £5000.
There is a minimum charge of £45 for half a tonne and £90 for up to one
ton of waste sent to a recycling centre and or landfill.
Certain types of waste incur an environmental charge when disposed of
by a commercial concern. These include fridges,freezers, televisions,
computer equipment, paint, florescent tubes, batteries etc. Town or
Country indicate where there is a charge on the quote.
The property to be cleared has become dirty, neglected
and insanitary. Can you deal with these problems?
Yes. This is not an unusual circumstance especially where the former
occupants had a long period of illness or infirmity. The property clearance
happens as normal and a specialist team deep cleans Kitchens,
Bathrooms and other areas as required.
We can arrange garden clearance and generally tidy up the whole
property, leaving it ready for immediate sale or transfer.
How about probate valuation and house clearance?
It is our policy that a partner has total involvement with all
aspects of a deceased estate clearance.
He will advise and assist you with all types of probate matters, and
it is much the same as a normal property clearance but there are
usually some legal procedures to follow such as Written Probate
Valuation.
If you instruct us to clear your property, we will provide a written
probate valuation of the contents and chattels, without charge.
I'm not in the UK at the moment. Can you help?
Yes, we are always pleased to assist with international enquiries and
have all the necessary facilities available for individuals and companies
requiring our services while abroad.
How do you deal with confidential documents and
items of a personal nature?
These items are always handled with the utmost discretion. If
required, we destroy them by shredding and provide a written
confirmation of this action. If during a clearance we find items such
as photographs or documents of importance, these will be retained
for your perusal and authorisation before disposal.
There is a vehicle included in the estate. Can you deal
with this as well?
Yes. We can arrange for the removal and disposal of all types of
vehicles, irrespective of condition, or organise their purchase if
applicable, as required. This includes Caravans, Motorhomes, Motor
Bikes and even Boats
What standard of service can I expect
from Town Or Country.
We guarantee that we will always clear your
property completely and leave it clean and tidy
ready for sale or transfer, with the minimum of
fuss and at the fee quoted.
What additional services do you offer to estate agents
and other professional organisations?
If requested, we can value chattels for probate valuation. We also
work with auction houses to maximise asset values and clear the
property of remaining items. We also arrange drainage of central
heating and water tanks to prevent pipe bursts, or de-commission
water services entirely. We can isolate all electrical systems and
change the locks thereby securing the premises. All important to
protect a property likely to be empty for a while. To achieve this we
offer the services of a plumber, electrician, CORGI gas engineer, and
locksmith. We also offer a cleaning service once a property is
cleared, as well as a garden tidy up followed by long term
maintenance until sold, leased out etc. The client deals with one
organisation and receives one invoice.
What do we have to clear ourselves?
As little or as much as you WANT to. We can remove everything
(including clothing and personal items) if that makes the job less
onerous for you. Call us in early and let our experience advise you,
especially about the legal aspects of disposing of items.
It is our policy that a partner has total involvement with all
aspects of a deceased estate clearance.
I am not in the area. Can you help?
Many house and commercial clearances are conducted on behalf of clients
we have never met. We attend the property with your agent, assess the
job, send a written quote (often by email), and when the task is
completed provide photographs of the cleared property and receive
payment. See our testimonials for examples.
Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ilkley, Otley, Malton, Thirsk, York, Selby, Ripon, Wetherby, Boroughbridge, Tadcaster, Boston Spa, Norton, Pocklington, Driffield
House Clearance, Property Clearance, Commercial clearance, shop, factory, warehouse,•House Contents Clearance •Verminous House Clearance •Property
Cleaning Service •Garden Tidy Up Service •Rubbish Collection & Removal •Factory & Shop Floor Clearance •Office Clearance •Government Building Clearance
•Car Boat & Caravan Clearance. Waste Removal and Disposal
:*House Clearance *Flat Clearance *Bungalow Clearance *Garden Clearance *Garage Clearance *Shed Clearance *Greenhouse Clearance *Loft Clearance *Cellar
Clearance *Industrial Clearance *Complex Clearance *Commercial Vehicle Clearance.
What happens if there is excess waste left over?
We consider this a strange question! Why would we not remove
everything as agreed. BUT one of our competitors answers like this -
" any excess waste left over once the van is full will be placed by us
in a skip arranged for you free of charge but paying for the skip hire
and any permit that may be necessary is your responsibility".
Surely this is an added extra.
WE quote for the total job and that quote is set - we don't do added
extras. We don't have excess waste.
We do house clearance, attic clearance, garage clearance, office clearance, shop clearance and other
commercial clearance and probate valuation in North and West Yorkshire. All kinds of clearance. No job too
big or too small. Friendly service. Contact us for a free no obligation quotation today.
Is there another way to deal with items of value?
Auction houses limit what they will accept and will be choosy. This means
that it is not unusual for an Auction House and a House Clearance
concern to both be involved in a property clearance.
We regularly recommend, based on experience, that the best option for
some items is auction. In this case we will charge for transporting the
items to the auction house. The Auction House will send the funds
directly to you. We will then charge to clear the remainder.
Why do you prefer to view before quoting?
Because we don't want to put the onus on you to get the following
details right and then if you make a mistake perhaps use it as
reason for increasing the fee - as some of our competitors do.
The type and size of property (i.e. terraced, semi - detached,
detached, mansion, block of flats, residential accommodation etc.)
Number of halls, dining or reception rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms
etc. Any lofts, sheds, garages or outbuildings and their contents
COMPLETE and ACCURATE details of all the following:
1) any big, unusual, heavy or awkward pieces of furniture or
contents (pianos etc.)
2) household appliances which need disconnecting (washers,
cookers etc.)
3) items of furniture that need dismantling.
4) fixtures and fittings which need removal (carpets, curtains etc.)
5) harmful substances or contents (hypodermic needles, asbestos
chemicals, oil, bleach, etc
6) any verminous waste or decaying food.
7) any items requiring specialist recycling - fridges, freezers, TVs
monitors, batteries, neon lighting, paint, etc
8) pieces of furniture or contents (including fixtures and fittings)
which need to stay
9) any cleaning that is required
0) parking and access to the property and any entrance restrictions
WE do not need to have clauses making the Client fully responsible
for ensuring all information is correct and that no information is
knowingly or otherwise withheld and then penalising the client if
they get it wrong.



































SET OF PICTURES A --- Competitors example says van filled by these types and quantity of items.
Two hours is allocated and costs £211.50 plus vat (£242.65). If allocated time is exceeded labour costs
£40 (excluding VAT) each extra 30 mins (or part of). NO allowance for items of value.
We would charge £120 for two hours plus a minimum £40 council tipping fee. NO VAT.
We would also make an allowance for items of value.
9.5 ft long
6.67 ft wide
5.75 ft high
Approximate Internal Loading Space
75 - 100 sq.ft or up to 20 cubic metres usually big enough to move an average three bedroom flat or
house.
A Luton van is a 3.5t van with a box body that extends over the cab.
These have a bigger, more flexible load space than a panel van and they are ideal for furniture and
household moves.
Loading Box Dimensions: 13 ft long - 6ft 6" high - 6 ft 6" wide
OUR VAN
THEIR VAN