How Much Does It Cost to Clear Out a House After a Death? Prices and Tips (2026)

After the death of a parent or family member, the home often needs to be vacated sooner than you’d like. The rent keeps coming due, the notary wants to finalize the paperwork, or the house is being sold. And then the question arises: how much does that actually cost?

In this article, you'll find estimated prices, what determines the price, how much it costs to do it yourself, and how to keep costs down.

1. Estimated prices by type of home

We do not charge an additional fee for clearing out a home after a death, as we understand the sensitivity of the situation. You will always receive a fixed price upfront, based on photos or an on-site visit. If you are unable or unwilling to take photos, we will come take a look. You can find more information on our eviction after death.

2. What determines the price?

Two homes of the same size can have very different prices. Here's what makes the difference:

• How much is there?. Volume is the most important factor. A house where someone has lived for fifty years is usually much more cluttered than a sparsely furnished apartment.
• Basement, attic, garage, and garden shed. People often overlook that when making their estimate, even though that's usually where the most is listed.
• Upper floor and elevator. Everything has to be taken downstairs. If there’s no elevator and a ladder lift isn’t an option, we’ll charge €20 per floor.
• Accessibility. If the truck can't park close to the door, or if a ladder lift is needed because a cabinet won't fit through the stairs, there will be an additional charge.
• Disassembly. Large cabinets and beds that need to be taken apart first.
• Time pressure. If it needs to be done within 48 hours, we charge an additional 20%.
• Location. Outside Antwerp, a distance surcharge of €30 to €150 per trip will apply.

We discuss all those additional costs in advance. You can find more details on our prices page.

3. What's included in the price?

• Transport, loading, and disposal of all materials, including transportation and landfill fees.
• Sorting: usable furniture and items go to thrift stores or social organizations; the rest goes to certified processors.
• Keep personal belongings, photos, and documents separate. Please let us know in advance what needs to be kept.
• A report and an official certificate of removal, for the notary, the estate file, or the landlord.
• Even if you can't be there in person, we can arrange for the keys to be handed over through a notary, the landlord, or a family member.

A thorough final cleaning isn't included. You can request that separately from our cleaning service.

Before and after: a living room that we completely cleared out.

4. Emptying it yourself: how much does that cost?

Does the family want to handle it themselves? If so, you’ll pay less, but it will take a lot of time and involve a lot of heavy lifting. These are the costs in the city of Antwerp (as of October 2026):

• Recycling Center: Mattresses, wood, metal, paper, and electrical appliances are free. For bulky waste, such as sofas, you pay €22.50 per m³, or €0.11 per kilo at the Kiel recycling center. You may bring a maximum of 2 m³ of bulky waste per week. So, clearing out an entire home often takes several weeks.
• Admission: If the deceased lived in Antwerp, you, as a family member, may also enter the building even if you live elsewhere, provided you have a death certificate and do not need an appointment.
• Bulky waste pickup at your home: €0.34 per kilogram, up to 2 m³ per pickup, and you must put everything out on the curb yourself.
• Thrift Store: picks up usable items for free. For an entire household's worth of items, the Kringwinkel offers a paid household removal service.
• Transportation: Expect to use a rented van or trailer, and to make multiple trips.

You can find a complete list of all options and rates in our article Getting rid of an old sofa, mattress, or closet in Antwerp.

Doing it yourself is especially worthwhile for a small apartment and if your family lives nearby. For an entire house with a basement and attic, it will easily take you a few weekends.

5. Here's How to Keep Costs Low

Important note before we begin: Do not take anything, sell anything, or give anything away before you know whether you will accept the inheritance. Doing so may be considered tacit acceptance, including any debts. Read more about this in our A Practical Guide to Handling Household Belongings After a Death.

Is that taken care of? If so, these tips will help:

• Let the family decide first. Just because someone keeps something doesn't mean it has to be thrown away.
• Have the Kringwinkel pick up usable furniture for free. The less that's left, the lower the cost of the cleanup.
• Plan ahead. An emergency eviction costs 20% more. In the case of a rental property, the rent also continues to accrue until the end of the second month following the death.
• Have everything done all at once, including the basement, the attic, and the garage. Having them come twice is more expensive than having them come once.
• Please send clear photos of each room, including the basement and the attic. Then the fixed price will be correct right away.
• Feel free to compare. Do you have a lower quote from a registered company offering the same service? If so, we’ll adjust our price, with our lowest price guarantee.

6. Who pays for the eviction?

In most cases, the heirs pay for the clearance. If it hasn’t been decided yet whether the inheritance will be accepted, or if there are any debts, please consult with the notary first to determine who will place the order and how the invoice will be paid. We regularly work on behalf of or in consultation with notaries.

Are you looking for a room in a residential care facility? There are often short deadlines for those. Read how we go about it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cleanup after a death more expensive than a regular cleanup?

No. We do not charge an additional fee because this is a sensitive situation. Only if it needs to be done within 48 hours will a 20% fee be added.

Do I need to be there?

No. We also handle key handoffs through a notary, the landlord, or a family member. You’ll receive a report afterward detailing what was taken and what was left behind.

How quickly can you clear out the house?

Usually within 2 to 5 business days. If there is a deadline set by the notary or the landlord, it can often be done within 24 to 48 hours.

Will I receive a certificate from the notary?

Yes. A report and official proof of disposal are always included in the price.

Do you appraise the value of the household goods, or do you buy them?

No. We do not appraise items or buy household goods. If you want to know what something is worth, please ask a certified appraiser or an auction house.