After-Death Clearance FAQ
What to Expect From an After-Death House Clearance
Compassionate, practical guidance for families, executors and landlords dealing with an after-death or unattended death clearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Service expectations for after-death clearances
Are you a licensed, accountable after-death clearance company?
Yes. We are a licensed waste carrier and a trading division of Shropshire Expert Cleaners LTD, with 17+ years of specialist clearance, trauma and after-death experience. Every job comes with a written quotation, waste transfer or consignment documentation, and a clear record of the work carried out. We are not a cheap, undocumented service — if that is what you need, we are not the right fit.
How much does an after-death clearance cost?
A full biohazard clearance of a house in the Telford or Shrewsbury area following an undiscovered death was recently quoted at a fixed £2,700 over approximately five days, including quarantined transport, weighbridge costs, incineration, consignment and DOC paperwork, fly and maggot fumigation and three years of document archiving. Deposit was £675 with £2,025 due within 24 hours of completion and inspection.
What is an after-death house clearance?
An after-death clearance is the respectful removal, sorting and disposal of a property's contents following a death. It can follow a bereavement, an unattended death, or a long-term illness, and often includes deep cleaning, odour treatment and decontamination before the property is returned to family, landlords or executors.
How soon after a death can you clear the property?
We can attend as soon as the property has been released by the police, coroner or relevant authorities. For non-suspicious bereavement clearances, this is often within a few days. We work around funeral arrangements and family wishes.
Do you work with coroners, police and funeral directors?
Yes. We regularly coordinate with coroners, police officers, funeral directors, solicitors and estate administrators. We understand the legal and procedural steps involved and only begin work when it is appropriate to do so.
What happens to personal belongings?
We sort belongings into categories you define: items to keep for the family, documents to pass to the executor, and items for recycling or lawful disposal. We do not provide valuation, auction or resale services. Sentimental or valuable items are set aside, photographed and handled with extra care.
Can you find and secure important documents?
Yes. During the clearance we look for wills, insurance policies, bank statements, property deeds, utility paperwork and other documents that may be needed for probate or estate administration. These are bagged separately and handed to the executor or nominated person.
Do you clean and disinfect after an unattended death?
Yes. Where a death has been unattended or there has been decomposition, we carry out specialist decontamination using hospital-grade disinfectants, enzyme treatments and dry fogging. The aim is to remove biological material, neutralise odours and make the property safe.
How do you handle decomposition or bodily fluids?
Our technicians are trained in trauma and biohazard cleaning. Contaminated materials are removed as clinical waste, surfaces are disinfected, and affected areas are treated until they meet safe reoccupation standards. All work follows HSE, COSHH and waste carriage regulations.
Will you take photographs for insurers or solicitors?
Yes. We can provide a full photographic record of the property before, during and after the clearance. This is often required by insurers, loss adjusters, solicitors and landlords to verify the condition of the property and the work completed.
Can you make the property ready for sale or reletting?
Yes. After clearance and cleaning we can arrange minor repairs, carpet cleaning, window cleaning and garden tidying so the property is ready for estate agents, buyers, tenants or probate sale.
Is the service confidential?
Absolutely. We understand the sensitive nature of after-death clearances and treat every instruction, address and detail as confidential. Our teams are discreet, professional and respectful at all times.
Can you arrange Gas Safe or electrical professionals if the property will be empty?
Yes. If the property may stand empty after the clearance, we can arrange qualified Gas Safe engineers to cap gas supplies and disconnect appliances, and coordinate electrical isolation where appropriate. You receive the legal certification, so the property is safe until it is sold or reoccupied.
Will you report damage found during an after-death clearance?
Yes. We report any damage or issues we discover that might affect the property or estate, such as water ingress, structural defects or unsafe electrics. This lets executors, landlords or family members arrange contractors while we are still on site, avoiding surprises once the clearance is finished.
Need Support Now?
Speak to our after-death clearance team
We are available 24 hours a day to discuss your situation, explain the process and arrange a discreet assessment at a time that suits you.
Need a clearance handled discreetly?
Free property visit or photo assessment, written itemised quotation within 24 hours, licensed waste carriers and full documentation.