Probate House Clearance in Surrey
Fast Clearance clears houses for executors and families across Surrey and London. We collect the keys, search for documents and valuables, value contents if needed, clear and sweep the property, and hand it back ready for sale. Prices start from £180 including VAT, and most houses are cleared in a day.
How probate house clearance works
- Free quote. Call 0208 149 3085 or send photos on WhatsApp 07777 383847. We can also visit the property.
- Key collection. We collect keys from you, the estate agent or the solicitor, so you don’t need to travel.
- Search for documents and valuables. As we clear, we set aside paperwork, photographs, jewellery, cash and anything personal for the family.
- Contents valuation (optional). We identify items with resale value and give you a figure for the estate.
- Clearance. We remove everything you don’t want to keep, room by room, including the loft, garage and garden shed.
- Sweep and handover. The property is swept, keys are returned, and you receive photos of the empty rooms.
Contents valuations for probate
Executors have to report the value of the estate, including household contents, to HMRC. Our contents valuation service lists items with resale value, such as antiques, furniture, jewellery and collectables, so nothing valuable is thrown away by mistake. Where items are sold, their value can be offset against the clearance cost. For formal valuations see our probate valuation page.
For guidance on valuing an estate and the forms executors complete, see GOV.UK: valuing the estate of someone who’s died.
Working with solicitors and executors who live away
Many of our probate clients live outside Surrey or abroad. We can deal directly with your solicitor or estate agent, agree access times, and keep you updated with photos on WhatsApp. Anything the family wants to keep can be boxed and set aside for collection.
Probate clearance prices
Probate clearances are priced by volume, with VAT included, and the price is agreed before we start:
| Load size | Typical job | Price inc. VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Small single item | A chair, boxes or a small appliance (within 5 miles) | from £40 |
| Small single item | As above, within 10 miles | from £50 |
| Large single item | A sofa, wardrobe or bed | from £80 |
| Fridge or freezer | Collected and recycled as WEEE | £90 |
| Quarter van | Light loads and single rooms | from £180 |
| Half van | Typically 1–2 rooms | from £320 |
| Three-quarter van | Larger house clearances | from £420 |
| Full van | Whole property or bulky items | from £500 |
| More than 2 vans | Large houses and commercial jobs | quote on request |
The cost depends on the size of the property, how full it is, access and parking. See the house clearance price guide for more detail.
Surrey towns we cover
We carry out probate house clearances across Surrey, including Epsom, Ewell, Guildford, Woking, Reigate, Redhill, Dorking, Leatherhead, Esher, Cobham, Weybridge, Walton-on-Thames, Surbiton, Sutton, Croydon. We also cover London and Kent. See our Surrey house clearance page.
Handled with care
Clearing a family home after a death is never just a job. Our team works respectfully, takes time to set aside personal items, and passes on usable furniture and household goods for reuse wherever possible.
What we keep aside for the family
Before anything is removed, our team goes through drawers, cupboards, wardrobes, the loft and any outbuildings looking for things the family will want. As standard we set aside:
- Wills, bank statements, cheque books, pension and insurance papers, share certificates and property deeds
- Passports, birth and marriage certificates
- Photographs, letters, diaries, home videos and other personal keepsakes
- Jewellery, watches, cash and anything that looks valuable
- Keys, including spare keys for cars, sheds and safes
These are boxed and labelled, then handed to you, your solicitor or a named family member. If you have a list of specific items to look for, send it to us before the clearance.
How long does a probate clearance take?
Most houses are cleared in a single day. A flat or small house with light contents can take a few hours, while a large family home with a full loft, garage and garden shed may take two days. We can usually start within a few days of your call, and we can often arrange a clearance for the next day if the property needs to be ready quickly, for example for a valuation or an estate agent’s photos.
Items for reuse, donation and recycling
A family home often contains furniture and household goods that still have plenty of life in them. Wherever possible we pass usable items on for reuse or donation rather than sending them for disposal, and we recycle electricals and white goods through licensed facilities. Anything with resale value is noted so it can be offset against the clearance cost.
Preparing the property for sale or handover
Once the house is empty, we sweep every cleared room so it is ready for the estate agent, a buyer’s survey, or handing back to a landlord or housing association. If you need extras such as carpets lifted or the garden cleared of furniture and rubbish, tell us at quote stage and we will include it in the fixed price.
Why executors choose Fast Clearance
- Fixed prices that include VAT, agreed before we start
- Seven-day working: Monday to Friday 8am–8pm, weekends 9am–6pm
- Registered waste carrier, fully insured
- Key collection and photo updates, so you don’t have to travel
- Contents valuation and clearance from one team
Read our executor’s checklist for clearing a house after a death, or call 0208 149 3085 for a free quote.
Probate clearance questions
How much does bereavement house clearance cost?
Bereavement and probate clearances are priced by volume like any other: from £180 for a quarter-van load, £320 for a half van and £500 for a full van, all including VAT. Items with resale value can be offset against the price, so a contents valuation first often lowers the total.
How many property valuations should I get for probate?
For the house itself, many executors get two or three valuations from estate agents or a RICS surveyor to support the figure they give HMRC. Contents are valued separately; we can value household contents so you have a figure for the estate. Your solicitor can advise what the estate needs.
Can I sell a house after probate has been granted?
Yes. Once the grant of probate is issued, the executors can sell the property. Many start clearing it beforehand so it is ready to market. Check timings with your solicitor, as every estate is different.
Do I need to be there for the clearance?
No. Many executors live far away. We can collect keys from you, an estate agent or a solicitor, carry out the clearance and return the keys, sending photos when the property is empty.
What does house clearance not take?
We can’t remove hazardous waste such as asbestos, paint and chemicals, gas bottles or clinical waste. These go to your council’s household waste site or a licensed specialist.