Cleaning out a home with hoarding accumulation is one of the hardest situations a family can face. You're dealing with emotional complexity, physical overwhelm, and often grief โ sometimes in the middle of an estate settlement or a difficult family transition. We've handled hundreds of situations across Greater Boston and the surrounding communities, and we know how to approach each one with discretion, respect, and professionalism.
We walk you through every stage before any work begins. You know what to expect, what it costs, and what happens next โ at every step.
We can be there the same day in most cases โ and steps 3โ5 almost always happen on the same visit.
Tell us about the situation. We'll ask a few questions and give you a verbal estimate right on the call โ so you're not going in blind before anyone visits the property.
We confirm a time and collect a small deposit (20% of your verbal estimate) to secure your slot. It covers our overhead and ensures we have the right team and equipment allocated for your situation. The deposit is credited toward your final invoice when work begins โ and is refunded if the final price after the walkthrough comes in higher than expected and you choose not to proceed.
A trained EC team member visits at no charge. We assess the full scope: environmental factors, volume of materials, access, and any special handling needs. We take photos and document everything โ useful for estate attorneys, family members, or social workers who may need a record of conditions.
We walk you through our findings and deliver one locked-in price. No pressure โ you decide when you're ready. What we quote is what you pay. Period.
Price doesn't change. In many cases we can start the same day. Our crew works until the job is done right โ responsibly removing materials, handling any biohazard safely, and leaving the property in a condition you can move forward from.
Every hoarding situation is different. Here's what's typically included in an EC cleanup โ and what separates a trained professional response from a general cleaning crew.
Responsible removal of items throughout the property โ sorted where possible for donation, recycling, or proper disposal. We handle volume no general cleaner will touch.
Animal waste, mold, sewage exposure, pest activity โ our team is trained and equipped for situations that require certified protocols, not just rubber gloves.
We work through every room systematically โ kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, garages โ until the property is functional again. No cherry-picking the easy parts.
We document conditions before, during, and after โ useful for family members, estate attorneys, probate courts, or social service agencies involved in the situation.
Unmarked vehicles available on request. Our team works without drawing attention. We understand the sensitivity of these situations and approach them accordingly.
Greater Boston has some of the oldest housing stock in the country โ narrow staircases, finished attics, root cellars, and structures that require care. We're experienced working in older homes and frequently coordinate alongside estate attorneys and probate proceedings when family members are managing an inherited property.
We use a 1โ5 scope scale to understand what a property requires โ not to assign a price tier. Two homes of the same size in Newton or Brookline can be completely different projects. The walkthrough is how we get the full picture. Call us and we'll give you a verbal estimate before anyone visits.
| Level | Description | Typical Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moderate accumulation | Pathways clear, no biohazard, minimal odor โ manageable scope |
| 2 | Heavy clutter, multiple rooms | Noticeable odor, higher volume of materials to remove |
| 3 | Significant accumulation | Possible pest activity, strong odor, multi-day project |
| 4 | Severe โ biohazard or structural hazards | Active infestation, mold, certified technicians required |
| 5 | Extreme โ full remediation | Hazmat protocols, uninhabitable property, full response team |
Note: These are scope descriptors, not price tiers. Pricing is always based on your specific situation โ assessed in person, quoted flat, and locked before work begins.
"My aunt had lived in the same house in Wellesley for 52 years. After she passed, we found conditions none of us were prepared for. EC was compassionate, thorough, and completely non-judgmental. They worked alongside our estate attorney's timeline and delivered exactly what they quoted. That mattered enormously in an already painful situation."
"My father's situation in Newton had been building for years. As his primary caregiver, I knew I needed professional help โ not just a cleaning crew. EC understood the difference. They handled a Level 3 situation with trained people and a real process. The flat rate held exactly as quoted."
"I'm a social worker in Middlesex County and I've referred EC to several families I work with. They're the only company I trust to handle these situations with the sensitivity they deserve. Professional, discreet, and they always deliver what they promise."
We cover Boston, the western and northern suburbs, and the MetroWest corridor. Not sure if we reach your area? Call us. We almost certainly do.
Yes โ this is common in the Boston market. We regularly work alongside estate attorneys, executors, and probate courts when a property needs to be assessed, documented, and cleared as part of a settlement. We provide detailed photo documentation and scope records that support legal proceedings, and we work within whatever timeline the estate requires. Call us early in the process โ we can help you understand what you're dealing with before any legal decisions are made about the property.
Yes, completely. We don't charge for travel, time, or the walkthrough itself. You get a full assessment and a flat-rate quote at no cost. To secure your calendar slot before the walkthrough, we collect a small deposit after your initial call โ it's credited in full toward your final invoice when work begins.
A small deposit (20% of your verbal estimate) is collected when you schedule your walkthrough. The deposit is refunded if the final price after the walkthrough comes in higher than the range we discussed and you choose not to proceed. It is non-refundable if you cancel before we arrive, or if the final price falls within the quoted range and you decide not to proceed โ it covers the resources we allocated for your project. Refunds take 5โ7 business days and are returned to your card.
We don't bill by the hour and we don't publish a price menu โ because every situation is genuinely different. Pricing is based on five factors: environmental risk, disposal and hauling volume, distance and access, labor and scope, and supplies and equipment. We scope your project in person, then give you one flat rate that doesn't change.
We understand the sensitivity of these situations. Unmarked vehicles are available on request. Our crew works professionally and without drawing attention. What happens at the property stays between you and us.
Not necessarily. Many clients โ especially those coordinating from out of state for a family member's home โ prefer not to be on-site for the full project. We'll coordinate access, keep you updated, and walk you through the finished space when we're done.
Yes. Greater Boston has some of the oldest housing stock in the country โ we regularly work in Victorian-era homes, colonials with narrow staircases, and properties with unusual structural features. We factor access challenges into the scope assessment and plan accordingly. Nothing about the home's age or architecture prevents us from completing the job properly.
Yes. Family members, estate executors, social workers, and property managers arrange cleanups on behalf of others regularly. Call us and we'll walk through the situation together.
We sort where possible โ items that can be donated go to donation, recyclables are handled responsibly. What can't be reused is disposed of through proper channels. We document the process and handle everything with respect for the property and the people involved.
No pressure. No commitment. Just an honest conversation about your situation and what it will actually take to resolve it.
Get a Free Assessment โCall us directly: 833-346-4652