By now we've all seen the TV shows on hoarding, and we watch as a home jammed full of possessions, both valuable and not, is cleaned out and redecorated in an hour. But what goes on in real life?
Since 1999, we’ve cleared hundreds of hoarder homes, we have seen just about everything there is to see, and we understand how a hoarding clean-out works. More important, from experience, we’ve learned how to facilitate and streamline the process in helping hoarders and their families so as to minimize the stress and anxiety so often associated with these projects.
Since 1999, we’ve cleared hundreds of hoarder homes, we have seen just about everything there is to see, and we understand how a hoarding clean-out works. More important, from experience, we’ve learned how to facilitate and streamline the process in helping hoarders and their families so as to minimize the stress and anxiety so often associated with these projects.
Typical Bedroom Before
First, the hoarder, a family member, or a friend calls us asking for our help. Our first step is to schedule an in-home assessment at no charge. It is absolutely necessary for us to meet with the parties involved, see the home, and make a thorough evaluation of the situation. One of the purposes of this assessment is to determine the goals of the individual—do you want a livable home environment, are you moving to an assisted living facility, has a family member died and left the clean-out to relatives, is the home going to be sold? These are just some of the variables that need to be discussed if we are to give an accurate estimate. If the hoarder is going to be personally involved in the clean-out, it is critical that we can make an informed judgment of how he or she feels about the project and how willing they will be to work with us. After the assessment, we can give an accurate estimate of the time and cost of the project.
During that first meeting, we also see if we are a fit with the hoarder (or whoever is going to be in charge of the client side of the project). We have to be certain that we’re compatible and can all be on the same team. We can also discuss what other professional resources, if any, might be required—mental health professionals, municipal code enforcement, animal control—there are many resources out there that might be helpful in a given situation. The in-home assessment will also determine the number of team members needed.
Once we've made our assessment, given our estimate as to time and cost, and come to an agreement with the principal parties, we schedule our start date.
One of the most important aspects of our hoarding help and clean-out process, which is unlike less experienced clean-out companies and junk removal services, is that as we do the clean-out we carefully sift through the clutter to find items that are valuable, either monetarily or sentimentally, and that you, the client, wants to keep. We work to discard valueless items while making sure that you don't feel "forced" to discard things you really want. This process takes patience, practice, and experience.
We’re fair yet firm when working with clients who start out wanting to keep everything; we know this is an extremely difficult process for some people, and we've had years of practice in helping hoarders become more comfortable discarding items that have no monetary or sentimental value. It's a tremendously freeing experience for hoarders to get in the habit letting such items go—it's a big part of the healing process, enabling you to maintain your new, clutter-free environment after the hoard is cleaned out and we’ve finished our part of the project.
During that first meeting, we also see if we are a fit with the hoarder (or whoever is going to be in charge of the client side of the project). We have to be certain that we’re compatible and can all be on the same team. We can also discuss what other professional resources, if any, might be required—mental health professionals, municipal code enforcement, animal control—there are many resources out there that might be helpful in a given situation. The in-home assessment will also determine the number of team members needed.
Once we've made our assessment, given our estimate as to time and cost, and come to an agreement with the principal parties, we schedule our start date.
One of the most important aspects of our hoarding help and clean-out process, which is unlike less experienced clean-out companies and junk removal services, is that as we do the clean-out we carefully sift through the clutter to find items that are valuable, either monetarily or sentimentally, and that you, the client, wants to keep. We work to discard valueless items while making sure that you don't feel "forced" to discard things you really want. This process takes patience, practice, and experience.
We’re fair yet firm when working with clients who start out wanting to keep everything; we know this is an extremely difficult process for some people, and we've had years of practice in helping hoarders become more comfortable discarding items that have no monetary or sentimental value. It's a tremendously freeing experience for hoarders to get in the habit letting such items go—it's a big part of the healing process, enabling you to maintain your new, clutter-free environment after the hoard is cleaned out and we’ve finished our part of the project.
Same Bedroom After Clean-Up and Organization
When the hoard is cleared, we then help organize what remains to create livable, attractive rooms that both you and your loved ones will feel comfortable in. If you have items you'd like displayed, such as collections, artwork, and other treasured items, we do that with you. We determine the best way to store and access important documents and, if desired, set up systems in kitchen, bathrooms, etc. so it's easy for you to get used to functioning in previously inaccessible or unusable areas. If desired, we stage the home for sale, arrange items for estate sales, set up filing systems, and fine-tune the organization of any other areas you request.
So, to sum up, this process takes more than an hour on TV! But it takes less time that you might think. Most projects are completed within one to two weeks. And just going through the process makes such a huge change in your mindset and behavior that, by the time we've finished, you have the tools and, if necessary, the professional resources to continue to maintain your new environment.
So, to sum up, this process takes more than an hour on TV! But it takes less time that you might think. Most projects are completed within one to two weeks. And just going through the process makes such a huge change in your mindset and behavior that, by the time we've finished, you have the tools and, if necessary, the professional resources to continue to maintain your new environment.
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