1. Confirm authority
Make sure the person directing removal has authority to decide what leaves the property. Resolve lease, probate, insurance, sale, family, or building requirements before work begins. This guide does not determine ownership or provide legal advice.
2. Remove private and important items
Secure identification, legal and financial documents, medications, keys, cash, jewelry, firearms, digital devices, photographs, keepsakes, and anything still under review. Do not send photographs that expose private documents or access information.
3. Photograph every included area
Take wide views of rooms, closets, cabinets, garage, basement, shed, exterior material, large items, stairs, and the loading route. Photographs help communicate volume, but the future provider must still confirm the actual scope.
4. Separate questionable materials
Do not open, mix, drain, or place unknown chemicals, gasoline, pesticides, propane cylinders, batteries, sharps, ammunition, suspected asbestos-containing material, or biohazards into the general pile. Use the current program or qualified specialist appropriate to the material.
5. Map access and property rules
Measure narrow doorways if bulky items are involved. Note stairs, elevator booking, parking, loading distance, gates, soft ground, protected common areas, pets, alarms, and working-hour restrictions.
6. Put the scope in writing
List included rooms and items, exclusions, specialty charges, donation stops, transport, disposal, final sweep, deadline, payment, and the process for approving added volume or labor. Keep a copy of the agreed scope.
7. Test contact details
Use a phone number that can receive the provider's call and confirm the property ZIP code. A request through this guide remains non-urgent and does not guarantee that a provider will be available.