How much does it cost to clean out a hoarder house in Colorado?

Professional hoarder house cleanouts in Colorado typically cost $3,000-$15,000 for moderate cases and $15,000-$50,000+ for severe cases. Costs depend on home size, severity of hoarding, biohazard presence, and disposal needs. DIY cleanouts are cheaper but may not be practical for severe situations.

How long does it take to clean out a hoarder house?

A moderate hoarder house typically takes 3-7 days with a professional crew. Severe cases can take 2-4 weeks or longer. DIY cleanouts by family members often take weeks to months due to the emotional difficulty and physical demands.

Can I sell a hoarder house as-is in Colorado?

Yes, you can sell a hoarder house as-is in Colorado. Cash buyers and investors regularly purchase hoarded properties without requiring cleanout. This eliminates the time, cost, and emotional burden of cleaning. The sale price will be lower but may net similar proceeds after factoring in cleanout costs.

Do I need a special permit to clean out a hoarder house in Colorado?

Generally no special permits are needed for personal cleanout. However, if biohazards are present (animal waste, human waste, bodily fluids), you should use licensed biohazard remediation companies. If structural repairs are needed afterward, those may require permits.

What should I do with valuables found in a hoarder house?

Go through everything carefully before disposing. Hoarders often hide cash, jewelry, and important documents among the clutter. Check inside books, boxes, pockets of clothing, and containers. Consider hiring an estate sale company for items of value after the cleanout.

Is hoarding covered by estate cleanup services?

Standard estate cleanup services may not handle severe hoarding situations. You may need specialized hoarding cleanup companies that have experience with extreme clutter, biohazards, and the emotional aspects of these cleanouts. Ask specifically about hoarding experience when hiring.

Can hoarding damage make a house uninhabitable?

Yes, severe hoarding can cause structural damage, mold growth, pest infestations, and unsanitary conditions that make a home uninhabitable. Common issues include floor damage from weight, blocked exits (fire hazard), plumbing problems from neglected maintenance, and HVAC systems destroyed by debris.

How to Clean Out a Hoarder House in Colorado: Complete Guide

Whether you've inherited a hoarder house or need to help a family member transition out, cleaning out a severely cluttered home is one of the most challenging tasks anyone faces. This guide walks you through your options, from DIY approaches to professional services to selling as-is.

Understanding Hoarding

Hoarding disorder is a recognized mental health condition characterized by persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their value. Understanding this helps approach the cleanout with compassion.

Levels of Hoarding

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization uses a 5-level scale:

Level	Description	Cleanup Approach
1	Light clutter, all rooms accessible	DIY feasible
2	Some blocked exits, odors present	DIY with help
3	One unusable room, pest evidence	Professional recommended
4	Structural damage, sewage issues	Professional required
5	Uninhabitable, severe biohazards	Biohazard specialists required

Common Hoarding Patterns

Paper hoarding: Newspapers, magazines, mail, documents
Object hoarding: Collectibles, clothes, household items
Animal hoarding: Multiple pets in unsanitary conditions
Food hoarding: Expired food, packaging

Assessing the Situation

Before starting any cleanup, thoroughly assess the property to understand what you're dealing with.

Initial Walkthrough Checklist

Can you access all rooms safely?
Are exits blocked (fire hazard)?
Are there biohazards (animal waste, human waste, bodily fluids)?
Is there visible mold?
Are there pest infestations (rodents, insects)?
Is there structural damage (sagging floors, damaged walls)?
Are utilities functioning (water, electricity, HVAC)?
Are there hazardous materials (chemicals, flammables)?

Documentation

Take photos and videos before starting. This documentation is useful for:

Insurance claims
Estate records
Contractor estimates
Before/after comparison

Cost Estimation

Get estimates from multiple professional cleanout companies before deciding on your approach. Compare the cost of cleaning to the potential increase in property value.

Safety Considerations

Hoarder houses can present serious health and safety risks. Protect yourself.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Anyone entering a hoarded home should wear:

N95 respirator mask: Protects against mold, dust, animal dander
Heavy work gloves: Protects against sharp objects, contamination
Protective eyewear: Prevents debris in eyes
Long sleeves and pants: Protects skin
Sturdy closed-toe shoes: Protects feet from sharp objects

Biohazard Situations

Stop and call professionals if you encounter:

Animal or human feces/urine
Deceased animals
Blood or bodily fluids
Syringes or drug paraphernalia
Heavy mold growth

Biohazard remediation requires specialized training, equipment, and licensing. Do not attempt to clean these situations yourself.

Structural Hazards

Years of hoarding can cause structural damage. Watch for:

Sagging floors (excessive weight)
Unstable piles that could collapse
Blocked egress routes
Fire hazards (blocked heaters, damaged wiring)

When in doubt, get out. If you feel unsafe at any point, leave immediately and call professionals. Your health is not worth the risk.

DIY Cleanout Approach

For Level 1-2 situations without biohazards, a DIY approach may be feasible. Here's a structured approach:

Phase 1: Preparation (Day 1-2)

Gather supplies: trash bags, boxes, gloves, masks, cleaning supplies
Arrange dumpster rental or junk removal pickup
Set up staging areas: keep, donate, trash, valuables
Turn on utilities if off (work in daylight if no electricity)

Phase 2: Triage (Day 2-3)

Create clear pathways through the home
Remove obvious trash first (empty containers, broken items)
Check EVERYTHING before discarding (cash hidden in books, documents in boxes)
Set aside items that need closer inspection

Phase 3: Deep Cleaning (Day 4+)

Work room by room, starting with the least cluttered
Sort remaining items into keep, donate, trash
Bag and remove trash daily
Clean surfaces as they're exposed

Phase 4: Final Cleanup

Deep clean all surfaces
Address any mold or staining
Replace damaged flooring or drywall if needed
Professional carpet cleaning or removal

Tips for Success

Work in short shifts (2-4 hours) to prevent burnout
Take breaks outside the home
Don't work alone
Stay hydrated
Celebrate progress, no matter how small

Hiring Professional Help

For Level 3-5 situations, professional help is strongly recommended or required.

Types of Professionals

Service Type	When Needed	Typical Cost
Junk removal	Light clutter, no biohazards	$500-$2,000
Hoarding specialists	Moderate to severe hoarding	$3,000-$15,000
Biohazard remediation	Animal waste, human waste, mold	$5,000-$25,000
Full restoration	Severe damage, uninhabitable	$15,000-$50,000+

What to Look For

When hiring hoarding cleanup services in Colorado:

Experience specifically with hoarding situations
Proper licensing and insurance
Compassionate, non-judgmental approach
Clear written estimates
References from similar jobs

Colorado-Specific Resources

Look for companies that serve the Denver metro area and Front Range. Major cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Boulder have multiple options. Rural areas may have limited choices.

Disposal and Recycling

Hoarder cleanouts generate massive amounts of waste. Plan disposal carefully.

Dumpster Rental

Most cleanouts require one or more dumpsters:

10-yard: Small cleanouts, 3-4 pickup truck loads (~$300-$400)
20-yard: Medium cleanouts (~$400-$500)
30-yard: Large cleanouts (~$500-$600)
40-yard: Severe situations (~$600-$800)

Items That Cannot Go in Dumpsters

Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, batteries)
Electronics (TVs, computers)
Appliances with refrigerants
Tires
Medical waste

These require separate disposal through appropriate channels.

Donation Options

Items in good condition can be donated to:

Goodwill or Salvation Army
Habitat for Humanity ReStore (building materials, appliances)
Local churches and charities
Animal shelters (towels, blankets)

Electronics Recycling

Colorado has free electronics recycling. Check your local waste management district for drop-off locations.

Selling As-Is: The Alternative to Cleaning

For many families, selling the hoarder house as-is makes more sense than spending time and money on cleanup.

Why Consider Selling As-Is

Avoid cleanup costs: Professional cleanup can cost $10,000-$50,000
Save time: Cleanouts take weeks or months
Reduce emotional burden: Sorting through possessions is painful
Eliminate uncertainty: Hidden damage may emerge during cleanup
Immediate resolution: Close and move on faster

How It Works

Cash buyers and investors purchase properties in any condition:

You contact a buyer and describe the situation
They view the property as-is
You receive a cash offer
If accepted, they handle all cleanup after purchase
You close and receive funds, often in 1-2 weeks

Financial Comparison

Example Scenario:

Property market value if clean: $350,000

Factor	Clean & Sell	Sell As-Is
Sale price	$350,000	$280,000
Cleanup cost	-$25,000	$0
Repairs	-$15,000	$0
Agent commission	-$21,000	$0
Holding costs (3 months)	-$6,000	-$1,000
Net proceeds	$283,000	$279,000

In this example, selling as-is nets nearly the same while saving months of work and emotional stress.

Ready to explore selling as-is? Get a no-obligation cash offer for your property in any condition. No cleanup, no repairs, no commissions.

Emotional Aspects of Hoarder Cleanouts

The emotional toll of cleaning out a loved one's hoarded home should not be underestimated.

What You May Feel

Grief: For the person and for the life they lived
Guilt: "Why didn't I help sooner?"
Anger: At the situation, at the person, at the waste
Shame: About what others might think
Overwhelm: The sheer volume is paralyzing

Coping Strategies

Take frequent breaks outside the home
Work with others; don't do this alone
Set small, achievable daily goals
Remind yourself this was a mental illness, not a choice
Consider therapy or support groups
Remember: you are not responsible for their illness

When to Stop

It's okay to decide you cannot do this yourself. Hiring professionals or selling as-is are valid choices that protect your mental health. Your wellbeing matters.

This is Hard. You Are Not Alone.

Key Considerations