What can house clearance companies take?

“House clearance” means contents, not the house. The usual load is furniture, household goods and the overflow in loft and garage. The unusual load is where jobs go wrong.

A fuller inventory is on what we clear. This guide is the decision version.

Usually yes

• Furniture, beds, mattresses, sofas
• Clothing, books, toys, kitchenware
• Carpets that are already lifted
• Garden furniture and shed contents that are safe to handle
• Many household electricals
• Bagged household leftovers

Usually no, without a specialist

• Asbestos (including some old shed and garage sheets, and some textured coatings)
• Chemicals, oils and large amounts of paint
• Gas cylinders
• Clinical or offensive waste
• Explosive or unknown containers
• Soil, hardcore and construction waste from a renovation

If we cannot take something, we will leave it and say so. That is better than taking it unlawfully.

Grey areas — ask first

• Pianos and other very heavy instruments
• American-style fridge-freezers on tight stairs
• Large quantities of paper or books (weight)
• Trade waste mixed into a house
• Tenant belongings whose ownership is disputed

Council bulky collection is narrower

Solihull Council’s bulky service has its own unacceptable-items list, size and weight limits, and a rule that items are collected from outside. Check the council page before assuming either the council or a clearance company will take a given object.