Full house and office clearance team
Clear whole properties and commercial units with a small team and a larger vehicle, and sell or recycle what you can.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
6,717 UK companies in this field, 35% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 38110 “Collection of non-hazardous waste”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Full clearances of houses, flats, garages, lofts and small commercial units, often after a bereavement, a house sale or a tenancy ending. Usable items can be sold, donated or recycled, and the rest is disposed of legally.
Your first three steps
- Register as a waste carrier, then work out what a larger vehicle such as a Luton van or tipper would cost you to buy or hire
- Build relationships with estate agents, probate solicitors and letting agents who regularly need clearances
- Set up a simple quote template and a plan for sorting items into resale, donation, recycling and disposal
Who pays
Families and executors, landlords, estate agents, solicitors, housing associations and small businesses.
How it makes money
A quoted fixed price per job based on volume and access, with some income offset by selling or reselling items of value.
Skills that help
- Quoting jobs accurately from a viewing
- Sensitivity when working with families
- Organising a small team and loading efficiently
Watch out for
- Waste carrier registration and keeping waste transfer paperwork for every job
- Public liability, employer's liability if you hire help, and goods in transit insurance
- Check vehicle weight limits and whether you need any extra driving entitlement for larger vehicles
- Hazardous items found in properties, such as asbestos or chemicals, need specialist handling
- Be careful with valuables and personal papers, and agree in writing what you may keep or sell
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: full house and office clearance team
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a house clearance business?
Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the vehicle, insurance, equipment and how you market the business. This is an estimate, so get quotes for your vehicle and cover before committing.
How much can a house clearance business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on how many jobs you win, your quoting accuracy and any items you can sell or recycle. These are estimates, not guarantees, and not the same as profit.
What rules should I check before starting house clearances?
Check waste carrier registration and keeping waste transfer paperwork for every job, plus vehicle weight limits and any extra driving entitlement. Also check insurance, and how to handle hazardous items such as asbestos or chemicals.
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