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Discreet remediation after a death that was not discovered right away. Includes decomposition odor removal and disposal of affected materials. Often covered by homeowner insurance. 3 companies in San Francisco list this service; 3 respond 24 hours a day.
Biohazard Pro-Tec Crime Scene Cleanup provides hoarding cleanup, biohazard cleanup, estate cleanouts and unattended death cleanup in San Francisco, CA. Available 24 hours.
Hoarder R US – Hoarding & Biohazard Cleaning San Francisco Bay Area provides hoarding cleanup, biohazard cleanup and unattended death cleanup in San Francisco, CA. Available 24 hours.
Bio Hazard Plus Crime Scene Cleanup (San Francisco Bay Area) provides biohazard cleanup and unattended death cleanup in San Francisco, CA. Available 24 hours.
Usually not for hoarding on its own. Most policies exclude damage from neglect. Insurance often does cover the biohazard portion after a death, and sometimes covers damage from a fire, burst pipe or animal infestation that the clutter made worse. For an unattended death, ask the company whether it bills the insurer directly; many biohazard firms do. Get the claim number before work starts.
Biohazard and unattended death jobs are usually same-day or next-day; 3 companys on this page list 24-hour availability. Hoarding and estate cleanouts are scheduled, typically within one to two weeks, and a large job takes two to five working days on site.
Reputable companies treat it that way: unmarked or plainly marked trucks on request, crews that do not discuss the job with neighbors, and no photos published without written consent. Ask directly; it is a fair question and a company that hesitates is the wrong one. Listings here show "unmarked vehicles" when the owner has confirmed it.
In California, companies that remove trauma scene waste must be registered with the California Department of Public Health as Trauma Scene Waste Management Practitioners. Ask to see the registration before hiring for a biohazard or unattended death job. Beyond state rules, look for OSHA bloodborne-pathogen training and, for trauma and death scenes, ABRA membership or IICRC certification. Certifications shown on a listing here were entered by the company owner.
Nationally, $2,000 to $8,000 depending on how long the body went undiscovered and how much material must be removed. Odor and fluids migrate into flooring and subfloor, so a job discovered after several weeks costs more than one found in days. Homeowner insurance usually covers it; the company can typically bill the insurer directly.
Police and the medical examiner release the scene first, usually within a day. Only then can a remediation company enter. Do not clean anything yourself; decomposition fluids are a biohazard and a normal cleaner will not remove the odor. Call the insurer, then a company from this page; most respond within hours.