Ironically, clearing out your home can be a bit pricey. A lot of people organize a clear out to declutter, and find a few things they can sell second hand for spare cash, but the cost of trying to prepare for such a job can often outweigh any profit you make.
The first thing to do is keep a track of any expenses you incur right now! The trash bags, the donation bins, anything you hire to haul stuff away, etc., needs to actually be accounted for before you try selling the stuff that’s potentially valuable.
But to ensure you have a proper insight into the average cost of a home clearout, here’s what you’re really likely to need and how much that could end up costing you. When you know these things upfront, you’re more likely to make some money here!
Paying for Items to Be Cleaned
If something is otherwise in good condition, but you know it’s quite dirty and there’s no way someone would look twice at it in this state, you’re going to need to get it cleaned.
Clothing, old stuffed toys, and soft furnishings fall into this category mostly, but even old plastic toys like vintage LEGO might need a good wipe down before being sold on!
Arranging the Logistics
If you’re using a website like eBay, you can choose whether you or the buyer will take care of the postage. Try to ensure it’s always the buyer paying here!
Of course, some buyers may refuse to pay for postage whatsoever and message you regarding this. If this is the case, don’t give in! Put your item back on the second hand marketplace and find someone else to take it!
But if you truly just want something gone, and you’re willing to lose a little bit of profit on the shipping cost, this is where you need to be careful. Don’t fall into this trap too many times in one decluttering session, as depending on the distance you’re sending these packages, you could end up losing over $100 without even realizing it.
Hiring Someone to Take Away the Waste
Finally, once you’re done with a home clearout, you’re likely to need someone to take away all that waste for you.
Whether you need a full-on dumpster from ABC Waste Containers to shove all your old, broken stuff into, or you simply need a truck owning friend to load up a few hefty items, it’s always easier to get someone who has the right equipment to take care of this part of the job!
Be sure to research the prices of all local waste removal companies; most will be able to provide a free quote, and that’ll give you a good sense of the price range you’ll have to fork out for.
A home clearout comes with a few pricey elements, but proper prep will bring this cost down. Plus, it’s worth it to be able to finally get some free space!