Hoarding levels 1 to 5, explained (with what each costs to clean)

Updated 2026-09-14

Cleanup companies, social workers and code officers all use the Clutter-Hoarding Scale, a five-level rating published by the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Knowing the level tells you what kind of company you need and roughly what it will cost.

Level 1

Clutter is noticeable but every door, stairway and window works. No odor, no pests, normal housekeeping. A cleaning service or the family can handle this. Cost: usually under $500, often nothing beyond a weekend.

Level 2

One exit blocked, one major appliance not working, some pet waste or light mildew, clutter on stairs. Still manageable by a junk removal or cleaning company in a day. Cost: $500 to $2,000.

Level 3

Clutter visible from outside (porch, yard, cars), one room unusable, odor noticeable at the door, light pest activity, dishes and laundry piled. This is where a hoarding-specific company earns its fee: sorting with the resident, protective gear, and a real disposal route. Cost: $3,000 to $6,000 over two to three days.

Level 4

Structural damage (rotting floors, mold), sewage backup or no working bathroom, animal waste in living areas, pathways narrower than a person. Biohazard handling is required. Cost: $6,000 to $15,000 and a week of crew time.

Level 5

Home not habitable: human waste, dead animals, fire hazards, utilities off, rooms filled to the ceiling. Often a code enforcement or Adult Protective Services case. Requires a certified biohazard crew and sometimes a structural contractor. Cost: $15,000 to $25,000 or more; some level-5 homes are demolished instead.

Why the level matters when you call

Tell the company the level, or describe it in those terms. A junk hauler quoting level-1 prices for a level-4 house will either walk off the job or do it unsafely. Ask what level they are used to; a company that has done a dozen level-4 jobs will say so.