We cover all areas of Durham City and County Durham including Gilesgate, Framwellgate Moor, Belmont, Newton Hall, and beyond.
We were recently contacted by a woman living abroad in Canada whose elderly father had passed away, leaving behind a three-bedroom terraced house in central Durham. The property, located just a short walk from the university, had been his home for over 50 years — and it had never once been cleared out.
The customer had hoped to salvage and sell any antiques through a regional auction house, but after reading about their commission charges, lotting fees, and strict timelines, she decided a direct approach made more sense. After a quick video call and photos of the property, we arranged a fixed-fee clearance with no hidden extras and promised to recover any valuables or sentimental items for her.
The situation we faced:
The house was heavily hoarded. Every room was piled high with books, newspapers, broken radios, kitchenware, clothes, and unopened boxes dating back decades. The loft was packed tight with boxes of paperwork and old university textbooks, some gnawed by mice. The cellar had flooded in the past and was filled with damp cardboard, tangled wires, and long-defunct appliances.
Our Durham clearance team arrived at 9 AM sharp and worked methodically from the attic to the ground floor.
The front bedroom alone took nearly two hours to clear. It was stacked with vintage computer parts, VHS cassettes, and piles of newspapers from the 1980s. The bathroom was unusually cluttered with storage boxes and even a rusted exercise bike!
From chaos to cleared:
Downstairs, the living room had three worn armchairs buried beneath layers of clutter. A 1970s display cabinet was blocking the fireplace and took some careful manoeuvring to remove. The kitchen was filled with rotting food, dozens of plastic bags stuffed with receipts, and every drawer packed with odds and ends.
The rear yard had two overflowing wheelie bins, rusted garden tools, and an old chest freezer filled with defrosted food — a health hazard that needed special handling.
Items recovered and returned to the family:
Amidst the clutter, our team found several items of real value, including:
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A full set of WWI and WWII service medals
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Two sovereign coins and a 9ct gold wedding band
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Over 200 family photographs and three framed certificates from Durham University
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A Victorian silver hip flask in a leather case
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Several original concert programs from the 1960s, including The Beatles at the Newcastle City Hall
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A folder of insurance policies and share certificates
The client was especially touched to receive the university items, which had belonged to her late mother.
Job completion:
The full house and yard were cleared in 6.5 hours, requiring three van loads — two to the recycling centre and one to a local Durham charity shop. We also removed all floor coverings and disconnected a cooker and washing machine, as agreed.
In total, around 5.5 tons of waste and unwanted items were responsibly removed.
The client later emailed us this testimonial:
“Your team did an amazing job clearing my father’s house. It was an overwhelming task, but they worked tirelessly and with great care, especially in returning important family keepsakes. I’m deeply grateful for their honesty and efficiency. I never imagined this process could be so smooth. Highly recommended to anyone in the Durham area needing a trustworthy clearance company.”
No delays, no hidden fees, immediate payment, and a guaranteed sale — without the hassle of auctions.