By WasteFindr Team ·
A plain-English breakdown of UK house clearance costs: how carriers price by volume or weight, average prices by property size, and the extras that push a quote up.
How much does a house clearance cost in the UK?
Most UK house clearances cost between £300 and £1,200, with typical jobs landing around £500–£700. A one-bed flat with light contents can come in under £350; a large, heavily furnished four-bed house can pass £2,000.
Price is not arbitrary. Licensed carriers build a quote from three things: how much stuff there is, how heavy it is, and how hard it is to get out of the property.
Average house clearance prices by property size
These are indicative UK averages including labour, transport and licensed disposal. London and the South East usually sit 15–25% above them; parts of the North and Midlands sit below.
Volume pricing vs weight pricing
Volume-based pricing (most common)
Clearance companies usually charge by the cubic metre (m³) or by the share of the van filled. A standard Luton van holds roughly 14–15 m³. Common bands are quarter load, half load, three-quarter load and full load.
Volume pricing suits bulky-but-light contents — sofas, wardrobes, boxes, bedding, garden furniture.
Weight-based pricing
Transfer stations charge carriers by the tonne (commonly £150–£300 per tonne in 2026), so heavy loads are often priced by weight instead. Weight pricing suits rubble, soil, tiles, bathroom suites and books.
What this means for your quote
A van of duvets and a van of rubble cost the carrier very different amounts to tip. A good quote will state which basis it uses, what tonnage or volume is included, and the rate for anything over it. If a quote doesn't say, ask.
Items that carry extra disposal fees
Some materials are regulated separately and are charged on top:
- Upholstered furniture (POPs) — sofas, armchairs, office chairs and beanbags containing persistent organic pollutants must be incinerated, not landfilled. Expect £15–£40 per item.
- Mattresses — bulky and hard to compact: £15–£35 each.
- Fridges and freezers — degassing is a legal requirement under WEEE rules: £20–£45 each.
- Other WEEE — cookers, washing machines, TVs and electricals: £10–£30 each.
- Tyres — banned from landfill: £5–£15 each.
- Paint, solvents, asbestos and other hazardous waste — priced per job and often needs a specialist; asbestos always does.
What else moves the price
- Access — third-floor flat with no lift, narrow lanes, no parking bay or a permit requirement all add labour time.
- Distance to the transfer station — rural jobs carry longer round trips.
- Timing — same-day, weekend and bank holiday clearances usually attract a premium.
- Dismantling — fitted wardrobes, sheds and beds that must be broken down add an hour or more.
- Resale value — contents worth reselling (antiques, quality furniture, scrap metal) can be offset against the bill. Ask whether the carrier deducts it.
How to get an accurate quote
1. Photograph every room, plus the loft, garage, shed and garden. Most carriers now quote from photos.
2. Say what's heavy — rubble, books, tiles and paving change the price basis.
3. List the regulated items — sofas, mattresses, fridges, electricals.
4. Flag access problems — floor number, lift, parking, stairs.
5. Get three quotes and compare like for like: labour, disposal, VAT, extras.
Don't skip the licence check
Whoever takes your waste away, you remain legally responsible for it under your duty of care. If your belongings are fly-tipped, the fine can reach £5,000 — and the household waste duty of care fixed penalty is up to £600 even where no prosecution follows.
Before you book:
- Check the carrier holds a valid upper-tier waste carrier licence — you can check a waste licence here in seconds.
- Ask for a waste transfer note for the job.
- Be wary of quotes far below the ranges above. They are usually a sign that disposal costs are not being paid.
Cheaper alternatives worth considering
- Skip hire — £200–£400 for a typical 6-yard (4.5 m³) skip, but you do all the lifting and may need a permit.
- Council bulky waste collection — typically £20–£60 for a handful of items, with waits of one to three weeks.
- Charity collection — free for reusable furniture in good condition with fire labels intact.
- Part clearance — sell or donate the good items yourself and pay a carrier only for the rest.
Compare licensed clearance companies near you
WasteFindr lists Environment Agency–verified waste carriers across the UK. Compare licensed house clearance companies in your area and request quotes from more than one — it costs nothing and it's the single fastest way to see whether a price is fair.
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