Clearing Out A Loved One's Home: Four Things To Consider
When a loved one passes away, you may be the one who has the job of clearing out his or her home. This can seem like a daunting task, but there are a few things you can do to ensure the process goes smoothly. Here are just some ways you can manage this project.
Arrange For Garbage Removal
You may find that there are many items in the home that need to be thrown away, and having just one or two garbage cans won't be sufficient to dispose of all the items properly. Call the garbage removal company that serves the home and arrange for extra garbage removal services. Have the company come out one or two extra days each week while you are clearing out the home. If you will be throwing away large items, such as furniture, consider arranging for a dumpster rental instead to handle the big items as well as the regular trash.
Dispose Of Appliances Properly
If the appliances in the home are no longer working properly, you'll need to have a way to dispose of them properly. Your garbage removal company can arrange for a separate pickup of large appliances, such as refrigerators or washing machines, to have them disassembled and recycled. For appliances that are in good shape, consider calling local charities to see if they are in need of appliance donations.
Rent A Storage Unit
A storage unit can come in handy for a number of reasons. You can use the space to store items that will be given to your loved one's relatives so they can pick up the items at their convenience. Be sure to use sticky notes to let each relative know which items they are to receive. You can also use the storage space to store the items until you can sort them, which helps you to clear out your loved one's home faster. Simply box up the items you find in the home and have them transported to the storage unit. This is a good idea if you need to prepare the home for sale quickly.
Host An Estate Sale
Once you have cleared out the items you are sure no one in your family wants, consider opening the home to the public for an estate sale. This helps you to get rid of old items quickly and bring in a little extra money, which can be used to pay for funeral expenses or other bills in your loved one's name. Any items that don't sell can be donated to local charities.
Before you begin the cleaning process, take a walk through the home to see how much you're planning to throw away and what you are hoping to keep or sell. This will make arranging for garbage removal or dumpster rentals a bit easier, and it can also help to make the cleaning out process more organized.