Sophie’s Professional Hoarders House Clearance Service In Norham – Northumberland
Sophie’s House Clearance and cleaning provide honest and reliable cleaners for all your housework chores in homes. Everything we do is designed to serve your specific needs with speed, convenience and quality.
At Sophie’s House Cleaning we have a proud reputation as the No.1 choice for Hoarders House Clearance Service, offering a professional recommended service to people across the North East.
Please CLICK HERE to see a full list of our cleaning services
Our Cleaning Services Include:
- End of tenancy clean
- One off house clean
- After builders clean
- Emergency clean
- Trauma clean
- Spring clean
- Move in/out clean
- Hoarders House Cleaning Service
- Bio-hazard Cleaning Service
- Student Accommodation Cleaning Service
- Deep clean & more…
Read what our customers say HERE
Sophie’s Hoarders House Clearance Service Norham
Client: Executor of Estate (Family Friend)
Location: Norham, Northumberland
Property Type: 2-Bedroom Stone Cottage
Service Provided: Full Hoarder House Clearance, Biohazard Cleaning, Pest Eradication, Sensitive Recovery of Valuables
Project Duration: 5 Days
Team: 4 Cleaning Specialists + 1 Supervisor
Background
Sophie’s Cleaning Company was contacted in July 2025 by the executor of an estate in Norham, a picturesque rural village near the River Tweed in Northumberland. The deceased homeowner had lived alone for decades and, over time, developed severe hoarding behaviour, leading to dangerously cramped, unsanitary living conditions inside a historic 2-bedroom cottage.
The home was to be cleared before probate and eventual sale, but its state of neglect, decay, and overwhelming clutter made it unsafe and distressing for the client to manage. They were emotionally invested in recovering any important paperwork, family heirlooms, and personal mementos, while ensuring the home was restored with respect and discretion.
Initial Assessment
Our initial survey found:
Main entrance partially obstructed by collapsed items and debris.
Every room was packed floor-to-ceiling with magazines, boxes, old clothing, and general refuse.
The kitchen was infested with insects, with evidence of rodents behind appliances.
The bathroom was non-functional, featuring standing water, extensive mould, and severe damp.
Bedroom floors were unstable due to the weight of hoarded materials, including wet newspapers and stacked containers.
The loft and shed were inaccessible and presumed to be filled with overflow.
Strong odours of urine, mildew, and decay filled the home.
Client requested the preservation of any photographs, war memorabilia, jewellery, and documents.
This was categorised as a Level 4 hoarding clearance (extreme risk), requiring PPE, controlled waste handling, and multi-stage decontamination.
️ Day-by-Day Breakdown
Day 1: Safety Setup & Access Clearance
Full PPE issued (respirators, disposable suits, nitrile gloves, eye protection).
Property ventilated using portable filtration systems to mitigate airborne mould spores.
Front hallway and kitchen access cleared, removing over 60 bin bags of rotting food packaging, glass, plastics, and paper.
Rodent droppings identified; pest control team installed bait stations and sealed primary access points.
Day 2: Kitchen & Living Room Excavation
Cleared kitchen of expired food, broken crockery, rusted tins, and perished wood units.
Fridge and cooker removed due to biohazard contamination.
Living room filled with damp magazines, broken furniture, VHS tapes, and electrical items.
Salvaged a wooden chest containing war medals, personal diaries, and a collection of letters—carefully packed and returned to the client.
Applied disinfectants and removed carpet due to rodent urine saturation.
Day 3: Bedroom 1 & Bathroom Deep Clean
Removed around 2.2 tonnes of general waste and hoarded clothing from Bedroom 1.
Located a small safe behind stacked boxes—client guided us through recovery. Contents included birth certificates, insurance policies, and jewellery.
Bathroom deep-cleaned after removal of black mould and decaying fittings.
Treated standing water contamination with antimicrobial solution and installed air movers for drying.
Day 4: Bedroom 2, Loft & Outdoor Shed
Bedroom 2 was cleared of soaked bedding, hoarded packaging, and newspapers.
Loft accessed with caution—removed old insulation, nesting material, and archived paperwork.
Garden shed was unlocked with a key found in the loft. Contained rusted tools and chemical containers, which were disposed of via hazardous waste service.
Day 5: Full Property Sanitation & Odour Removal
Steam-cleaned all hard flooring, door frames, window sills, and remaining furniture.
Applied an ozone treatment to eradicate embedded odours from years of neglect and smoking indoors.
Pest reinspection carried out—declared safe and clear.
Final walkthrough conducted remotely with the client, including video footage and before/after gallery.
Inventory of all recovered valuables documented, bagged, and returned.
⚠️ Key Challenges & Solutions
Structural Risk: Excessive weight from hoarded items had weakened floors. Our team used staged removal and plywood stabilisers to avoid collapse.
Pest Infestation: Rodent and insect infestations required immediate containment. Our licensed pest control partners ensured full eradication before cleaning continued.
Emotional Sensitivity: The client was close to the homeowner and wanted meaningful items preserved. Our team worked methodically to uncover keepsakes and treat them with the utmost respect.
Discretion: Norham is a tight-knit village. We used unmarked vans and back access to ensure privacy throughout the process.
✅ Results
After 5 intensive days, the property was transformed from a hazardous, hoarded environment into a clean, safe, and clear home. We recovered and returned over 30 personal items of legal and sentimental value, removed over 6 tonnes of waste, and eliminated the biohazards and odours.
The property is now suitable for probate valuation and eventual sale, without the emotional burden left to the family.
Client Testimonial
“I had no idea how to begin. Sophie’s Cleaning Company handled everything with kindness, respect, and absolute professionalism. They treated my friend’s memory with dignity and saved personal items we thought were lost forever. I can’t recommend them enough.”
— Executor, Norham
Conclusion
Hoarding cases are never simple. At Sophie’s Cleaning Company, we know every property has a story—and every family deserves to have it handled with care. Whether it’s extreme clutter, biohazards, or sensitive item recovery, we deliver professional, discreet, and compassionate support across Northumberland.
Proudly Serving Norham and Surrounding Rural Communities
Judgement-Free | Biohazard Certified | Fully Confidential | ❤️ Empathy-First
For Hoarders House Clearance In Norham – Northumberland and surrounding areas contact Sophie’s Cleaning Company for a free no obligation cleaning quote!
sophiescleaningcompany@yahoo.co.uk
07762469165
