What Affects Property Cleanout Costs?
You need a property cleaned out. The first question is usually: how much will this cost? The honest answer is that it depends—on several factors that vary significantly from one property to the next.
Here's what actually drives property cleanout pricing in the Boise area, so you can get realistic estimates and avoid surprises.
Volume of Contents
The biggest factor in cleanout cost is simply how much stuff needs to go:
Light cleanouts. A few pieces of furniture, some boxes, a handful of trash bags. These are quick jobs—often done in a few hours.
Full-house cleanouts. Every room furnished, closets full, garage packed. These take most of a day and require multiple truck loads.
Hoarding situations. Floor-to-ceiling accumulation, multiple passes needed, potentially multiple days of work. These are the most expensive cleanouts.
Most quotes are based on estimated truckloads. A standard cleanout truck holds roughly 400-500 cubic feet. More volume = more loads = higher cost.
Types of Items
What you're removing affects labor and disposal costs:
Mixed loads with diverse item types take longer to sort and process than homogeneous loads.
Property Size and Layout
The property itself affects cleanout difficulty:
Square footage. More rooms generally means more contents and more time walking items out.
Stairs and levels. Multi-story homes take longer than single-story. Carrying furniture down stairs is slower and more labor-intensive.
Access to rooms. Narrow hallways, tight corners, and small doorways slow down the removal of large items.
Outbuildings. Sheds, detached garages, workshops—additional structures mean additional time.
Yard and exterior. If outdoor areas are included in the cleanout, that adds scope and time.
Access and Location
Getting items from the property to the truck matters:
Parking distance. If the truck can park close to the door, work goes fast. If it's parked far away—long driveway, no close street access—every trip takes longer.
Elevator access. In multi-story buildings, elevator availability and size affect how quickly large items can be moved.
Geographic location. Properties in central Boise are typically cheaper to service than those in rural Canyon County or the outskirts of the valley—travel time and disposal site distance matter.
Parking restrictions. If street parking is limited or requires permits, logistics get more complicated.
Labor Requirements
Crew size and time directly impact cost:
Crew size needed. A small apartment cleanout might need two people. A large house with heavy furniture might need four. More crew = higher labor cost.
Specialized labor. Moving a piano, handling hazardous materials, or dealing with biohazard situations requires workers with specific skills and certifications.
Sorting requirements. If items need to be sorted (separate donations, document certain items, hold specific possessions), that takes more time than simply removing everything.
Timeline pressure. Rush jobs or after-hours work may cost more than jobs with flexible scheduling.
Disposal and Processing Costs
What happens after items leave the property:
Landfill fees. Disposal facilities charge by weight or volume. These fees are part of your cleanout cost.
Recycling and donation. Some items can be recycled or donated, reducing disposal fees—but sorting takes labor time.
Special disposal. Electronics, appliances with refrigerants, and hazardous materials have separate disposal requirements and often additional fees.
Number of dump trips. Large cleanouts may require multiple trips to disposal facilities, adding time and vehicle costs.
Typical Price Ranges in Boise
General pricing for property cleanouts in the Treasure Valley:
Small apartment or light cleanout: $300-$800. Minimal contents, quick turnaround.
Average home cleanout: $1,000-$3,000. Typical rental turnover or estate situation with moderate contents.
Large home or full cleanout: $3,000-$5,000. Multiple rooms fully furnished, garage and storage areas included.
Hoarding or extreme situations: $5,000-$15,000+. Multi-day projects requiring extensive labor.
The Bottom Line
Property cleanout costs vary widely because properties vary widely. The best way to get accurate pricing is an on-site estimate where we can see exactly what's involved.
Be wary of quotes given over the phone without seeing the property—they're often wrong, and not always in your favor.
We provide free on-site estimates with firm pricing. Once we quote a job, that's the price you pay unless the scope changes significantly.
Get an Accurate Quote
We'll look at your specific property and give you a firm price. No surprises, no hidden fees.
Call (208) 361-1982