How to choose a hoarding cleanup company

Updated 2026-09-13

Any junk removal company can empty a house. Hoarding cleanup is different because there is usually a person attached to the belongings, and because a hoarded home can hide real hazards. Here is how to tell the difference in one phone call.

Six questions to ask

1. Have you done hoarding jobs before, and how many? You want a crew that has seen this before and does not react to it.
2. How do you work with the resident? The right answer involves sorting with the person, a "keep" zone, and a pace they can tolerate. The wrong answer is "we get it done in a day while they're out."
3. Are your people trained for biohazards? Look for OSHA bloodborne-pathogen training and, for trauma or death scenes, IICRC or similar certification. In some states, trauma waste handlers must register with the health department.
4. What insurance do you carry? General liability and workers' compensation at a minimum. Ask for the certificate.
5. Where does the waste go? A licensed transfer station or, for biohazard, a licensed medical waste contractor. They should be able to name it.
6. Will you give a written estimate after a walk-through? If no, move on.

Red flags

A firm price over the phone without seeing the property. Pressure to sign the same day. Cash only. No physical address. Reviews that all appeared in the same month. A quote that is a fraction of everyone else's; the missing money is usually the disposal fee.

If someone has died

Do not hire a general cleanout company for an unattended death. You need a biohazard remediation company first, then a cleanout crew if the rest of the home needs clearing. Many companies do both; ask which crew handles which part.