Are you interested in starting a hoarding cleanup business? With the rising awareness of hoarding disorder, the demand for professional hoarding cleanup services is growing. This article will provide an overview of everything you need to know to start a successful hoarding and biohazard cleanup company.

Hoarding disorder affects 2-6% of the population. It’s characterized by the inability to discard possessions, resulting in excessive clutter that can pose health and safety risks. As awareness spreads, more homeowners and property managers are seeking professional help to clean hoarded properties. This creates an excellent business opportunity for entrepreneurs interested in starting a hoarding cleanup company.

Key Takeaways:

• Hoarding disorder creates a growing need for professional cleanup services. Homeowners and property managers increasingly seek reputable companies.
  
  
• Hoarding cleanups require specialized training, equipment, and techniques. Attempting cleanouts without proper expertise can be dangerous.
  
  
• A well-developed business plan helps launch your new venture strategically. Assess the local market, create a services menu, purchase necessary equipment and vehicles.
  
  
• Acquire all required licensing and permits. Seek biohazard, trauma scene cleanup, and asbestos/lead remediation certifications.
  
  
• Hire staff with prior cleanup experience or invest in technical hoarding cleanup training. Look for physically fit, emotionally resilient candidates.
  
  
• Compliance, extensive staff training, and strict safety protocols are crucial for risk management. Carry adequate insurance for this hazardous occupation.
  
  
• Price cleanups competitively but profitably based on level of clutter, hazards, necessary remediation, and other factors. Offer package discounts.
  
  
• Use SEO, social media, print advertising, direct mail, and partnerships to market your services to property managers, realtors, agencies, and residential clients.
  
  

Why There is a Need for Hoarding Cleanup Services

Hoarding situations cannot be resolved through conventional cleaning or junk removal services. They require specialized training, equipment, and techniques to remediate severe clutter, unsanitary conditions, and potential biohazards.

Attempting an amateur cleanout can be extremely dangerous due to risks like:

• Excessive clutter collapse
• Rodent/insect infestations
• Mold, sewage backups, and other unsanitary conditions
• Hazardous materials hidden in the hoard

Certified hoarding cleanup professionals have the proper training and resources to safely clear, clean, and restore hoarded properties. This makes professional cleanup vital for the health and safety of clients and workers.

Creating a Business Plan

Like any new business venture, you need a solid business plan to start a hoarding cleanup company. Important elements include:

• Market analysis – Research your local market size and competitors. Calculate the projected revenue potential.
  
  
• Services offered – Determine exactly what services you will provide clients. This may include decluttering, deep cleaning, biohazard remediation, junk removal, trauma scene cleanup, and project management.
  
  
• Pricing structure – Develop fair price points for all services that yield a healthy profit margin. Factor in labor, materials, equipment, transportation, and disposal fees.
  
  
• Staffing needs – Assess how many cleanup technicians you will need to hire initially and project future needs.
  
  
• Insurance requirements – Hoarding cleanups carry inherent risks. Consult with insurance brokers about necessary liability and workers comp policies.
  
  
• Startup costs – Estimate costs of licenses and permits, equipment, vehicles, office space, marketing, insurance, etc. Calculate how much startup capital you will need.
  
  
• Marketing strategy – Plan how you will promote your new hoarding cleanup business to gain clients. SEO, social media, print ads, partnerships with realtors and social workers are all good options.
  
  

Licensing and Permits

Like any business, you will need certain licenses and permits to operate legally in your state and municipality. Common requirements include:

• Business license – Register your business name and structure with the state.
  
  
• Waste transport license – If transporting waste from cleanups, you may need a special waste or junk removal permit.
  
  
• Biohazard licensing – Some states require licensing for biohazard material handling.
  
  
• Trauma/crime scene cleanup – Special certification is required to cleanup sites with blood, bodily fluids, or damage from deaths/crimes.
  
  
• Lead, asbestos, mold remediation – You’ll need proper certifications to test for and remediate these hazards.
  
  

Research the specific licenses needed in your region before getting started. Proper permitting is crucial for legal compliance and access to lucrative cleanup contracts.

Equipment You’ll Need

Hoarding cleanup work requires heavy-duty cleaning equipment and personal protective gear. Some key items you’ll need to invest in:

• Protective suits, respirators, gloves, goggles
  
  
• Heavy-duty shop vacuums with HEPA filters
  
  
• Dumpsters and trash hauling vehicles
  
  
• Power washers, scrubbers, pressure sprayers
  
  
• Shovels, rakes, crowbars
  
  
• Hospital-grade disinfectants and odor control chemicals
  
  
• Flashlights, headlamps, tool belts
  
  
• Ladders, scaffolding (for high clutter)
  
  

Proper protective equipment ensures your staff’s safety when exposed to unsanitary or hazardous conditions. Commercial-grade cleaning gear allows efficient debris removal and deep cleaning.

Finding and Training Staff

Skilled, reliable cleanup technicians are essential for success. There are a few good options for finding and training workers:

• Hire former first responders like firefighters who have cleanup experience.
  
  
• Recruit unskilled workers and provide in-house training on hoarding cleanup protocols.
  
  
• Send new hires to complete hoarding cleanup certification courses.
  
  
• Partner with a janitorial service and train their existing staff.
  
  

Look for team members who are physically fit, emotionally resilient, and not easily disgusted by filthy conditions or hoarding behavior. mandated reporter training may also be required.

Offer Additional Related Services

Consider offering additional services that complement your core hoarding cleanup work:

• Junk removal – Help clients dispose of non-hoarded items like furniture, appliances, construction debris.
  
  
• Estate cleanouts – Clean and empty homes after deaths when family won’t handle it.
  
  
• Eviction cleanouts – Prepare foreclosed or evicted properties for the rental/sales market.
  
  
• Automobile detailing – Clear and clean hoarded vehicles which are common with hoarding disorder.
  
  
• Crime/trauma scene cleanup – Contract with police departments to clean blood/biohazards after crimes, suicides, or unattended deaths.
  
  

These expanded service offerings increase revenue potential and allow you to take on more types of cleanup projects.

Setting Your Rates

Pricing cleanup jobs profitably while remaining competitive takes some care. Here are a few tips:

• Charge by the square footage rather than a flat rate. Larger hoards take much more time.
  
  
• Quote a base rate for decluttering/cleaning. Then add itemized fees for extra services like junk removal, biohazards, storage unit cleanouts, etc.
  
  
• Bid high on jobs requiring extensive remediation or hazardous waste disposal due to the increased costs.
  
  
• Offer discounts for multiple cleanups – like when clearing hoards from an entire apartment building.
  
  
• Provide flat rate quotes for simplified billing. But be sure to pad estimates to account for unexpected challenges.
  
  
• Avoid pricing yourself out of the market in areas with low incomes and serious hoarding problems. Starting too high makes it harder to build your clientele.
  
  

Don’t sacrifice quality – but try to keep rates affordable for clients struggling with hoarding disorder and property owners dealing with problematic hoards.

Marketing Your Hoarding Cleanup Business

Marketing is crucial for getting your new hoarding cleanup company off the ground. Try these proven tactics to build awareness and your client base:

• Search engine optimization – Optimize your website and online directory listings for keywords like “hoarding cleanup” and local area names. This helps you rank high in search results.
  
  
• Social media – Create Facebook and Instagram pages showcasing before/after photos of your cleanup work. Useful content and paid ads help attract followers.
  
  
• Partnerships – Offer preferred rates to real estate agents, property managers, social workers, and nonprofits to become their go-to cleanup provider.
  
  
• Print ads – Place ads in local newspapers, aging services guides, apartment rental magazines, etc. targeting property owners.
  
  
• Direct mail – Send postcards and brochures to property management companies, realtors, social workers, and government agencies announcing your new business.
  
  
• Networking – Join local professional associations and chambers of commerce to connect with potential referral partners and clients.
  
  

Developing a Process for Cleanups

To complete hoarding cleanups efficiently and safely, it’s important to develop a standardized process. Here are some best practices to incorporate:

• Meet with the client ahead of time to assess the site and discuss goals, scope of work, access issues, and hazardous materials.
  
  
• Document the pre-cleanup condition thoroughly with photos/video since hoarding clients may later dispute what was removed.
  
  
• Conduct a thorough walkthrough and inventory to identify valuables or personal items to be saved for the client.
  
  
• Have available resources like social workers or professional organizers to support clients struggling with the cleanup process.
  
  
• Remove clutter systematically starting from exit routes and high traffic areas.
  
  
• Use proper protective gear and exercise caution when handling potential biohazards.
  
  
• Clean as you clear debris. Don’t let clutter accumulate in other areas of the site.
  
  
• Arrange prompt waste disposal before clutter has a chance to reaccumulate.
  
  
• Confirm final condition with client and provide resources/referrals to prevent rehoarding.
  
  

Having standardized workflows boosts team productivity and ensures every cleanup meets quality standards.

Tips for Dealing with Challenging Hoarding Situations

Despite best efforts, some hoarding cleanups prove extremely challenging. Here are tips for handling difficult scenarios:

Combative or uncooperative clients – Have mental health professionals intervene to address anxiety and resistance. Halt work rather than confront.

Excessive pet waste – Wear hazmat suits and ventilate the area. Remove carpets and sanitize flooring underneath.

Bug infestations – Treat with insecticides and remove food sources before cleaning. Screen vents to prevent reentry.

Dead animals – Isolate and air out the area. Have licensed crews remove any biohazardous remains properly.

Structural damage – Shore up sagging floors and ceilings where overloaded with clutter.

Friable asbestos – Stop work and have licensed asbestos abatement done before resuming.

Don’t hesitate to bring in specialized help like abatement crews, psychologists, social workers, or law enforcement if needed to mitigate challenges.

Maintaining a Safe and Legal Operation

Some important areas to emphasize for a legal and safe business:

• Rigorous hiring standards and background checks ensure you have a trustworthy, drug-free staff.
  
  
• Follow all regulations for waste transportation and disposal facilities used. This protects the environment and avoids large fines.
  
  
• Extensive training and strict safety protocols reduce risks to workers. Provide adequate protective gear.
  
  
• Clearly detail risks like needles, mold, or asbestos when bidding jobs. Refuse work you are unqualified to take on.
  
  
• Carry proper insurance coverage to avoid liability in the event of worker injuries, property damage, biohazard releases, etc.
  
  
• Offer compassionate yet firm guidance to hoarding clients. Report unsafe conditions to authorities when necessary.
  
  
• Fully document pre and post cleanup conditions to defend against false claims of stolen or discarded valuables.
  
  

Making safety and legal compliance core priorities helps avoid the chaos sometimes associated with hoarding cleanups.

Q: What is a hoarding clean up business?

A: A hoarding clean up business is a company that provides professional cleaning services to clean and declutter the homes of hoarders.

Q: Why would someone start a hoarding clean up business?

A: There are several reasons why someone might start a hoarding clean up business. Firstly, hoarding is a significant issue that affects many people’s lives, and there is a growing need for professional services to help them clean and organize their homes. Additionally, hoarding clean up can be a lucrative business, with high demand and the potential to provide valuable services to those in need.

Q: What skills are required to start a hoarding clean up business?

A: Starting a hoarding clean up business requires a range of skills. Besides having good organizational and cleaning skills, it’s important to have empathy and understanding for hoarders and the challenges they face. Additionally, knowledge of biohazard cleanup and remediation is essential to ensure a safe and clean environment for both the hoarder and the cleaning professionals.

Q: How can I start a hoarding clean up business?

A: To start a hoarding clean up business, you’ll need to research and obtain the necessary licenses and permits for running a cleaning business in your area. You’ll also need to invest in the right equipment, such as personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, and tools. Additionally, it’s a good idea to take an online course or receive training in biohazard cleanup and remediation to ensure you have the necessary skills and knowledge.

Q: What services are offered by a hoarding clean up business?

A: A hoarding clean up business typically offers a range of services to help hoarders clean and declutter their homes. These services may include sorting and organizing belongings, removing trash and clutter, deep cleaning and sanitizing the living space, and providing ongoing support and maintenance if needed.

Q: How much can I charge for hoarding clean up services?

A: The cost of hoarding clean up services can vary depending on factors such as the size and condition of the hoarder’s home, the extent of the clutter, and the amount of time and effort required to complete the job. It’s recommended to do market research and competitor analysis to determine competitive pricing in your area.

Q: Do I need insurance for a hoarding clean up business?

A: Yes, it’s highly recommended to have insurance coverage for a hoarding clean up business. This can include liability insurance to protect your business in case of accidents or damages during the cleaning process, as well as workers’ compensation insurance to cover any injuries that may occur to your employees.

Q: Can I start a hoarding clean up business part-time?

A: Yes, it’s possible to start a hoarding clean up business on a part-time basis. However, keep in mind that hoarding clean up can often be a time-consuming task that requires a significant amount of effort and dedication. If you’re able to commit enough time and resources to provide quality services to your clients, starting part-time could be a viable option.

Q: How do I find clients for my hoarding clean up business?

A: Finding clients for a hoarding clean up business can be done through various channels. Networking with local social services agencies, mental health professionals, and insurance providers can help you connect with individuals and families in need of your services. Additionally, creating a website and utilizing online marketing strategies can help you reach a broader audience.

Q: What equipment do I need to start a hoarding clean up business?

A: To start a hoarding clean up business, you’ll need basic cleaning supplies such as brooms, mops, gloves, and trash bags. You may also need specialty equipment like heavy-duty vacuum cleaners, power washers, and protective gear for biohazard cleanup. The specific equipment required will depend on the services you plan to offer and the scale of the jobs you undertake.

In Closing: Is Starting a Hoarding Cleanup Business Right for You?

Launching a professional hoarding and biohazard cleanup company provides a rewarding opportunity to really help people, while potentially earning substantial income. But it does take significant startup investment, physical labor, business savvy, and tolerance for working in chaotic and gross environments.

If you have the stomach and stamina for this industry, proper certification, and adhere to best practices – a cleanup business of your own can prove highly successful. Just remember that compassion and understanding for clients struggling with hoarding disorder must remain priorities amidst all the filth and clutter you encounter.

With a growing aging population and increased awareness of hoarding disorder, demand for these vital services will only continue increasing across the country. Now is an opportune time to get your new hoarding cleanup venture up and running if you have the skills and mindset needed to excel.

Just follow the guidance provided above and you’ll be well on your way to growing a thriving and reputable hoarding cleanup company that improves clients’ lives while achieving your entrepreneurial dreams!