Hoarding Cleanup & Remediation
Specialized cleanup and remediation for hoarding situations with compassion
Overview
Hoarding cleanup services charge $3,000-$25,000+ per project depending on severity and size.
Completing 3-10 hoarding jobs monthly generates $120,000-$600,000 annually with 40-55% margins after specialized equipment, disposal, protective gear, and labor.
In 2025, increased awareness of hoarding disorder creates demand for specialized compassionate cleanup services.
Services include removing accumulated items room-by-room, sorting valuable items from trash, disposing biohazards safely (rodent droppings, mold), deep cleaning and sanitizing after removal, coordinating mental health resources, working patiently with clients, using protective equipment (hazmat suits, respirators), and restoring homes to livable condition.
Successful businesses get specialized training in hoarding disorder, work with mental health professionals, maintain non-judgmental approach, understand biohazard cleanup protocols, and provide thorough documentation for insurance.
Many jobs come from adult protective services, landlords, family interventions, or self-referrals.
Pricing based on severity level (1-5 scale) and square footage.
Higher margins than standard junk removal due to specialization.
Required Skills
- Hoarding Disorder Understanding
- Compassion & Patience
- Biohazard Cleanup
- Mental Health Sensitivity
- Project Management
- Safety Protocols
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very high revenue per job due to specialization
- Less competition than general junk removal
- Meaningful work helping people reclaim lives
- Referrals from social services and mental health
- Premium pricing for specialized service
Cons
- Extremely challenging and disturbing work environment
- Biohazards and safety risks (mold, rodents, waste)
- Need expensive protective equipment and training
- Emotionally taxing dealing with severe situations
- Long multi-day projects requiring patience
How to Get Started
- Get hoarding cleanup training and certifications
- Obtain proper licensing, insurance, biohazard permits
- Invest in protective gear, respirators, hazmat suits
- Build compassionate team trained in mental health sensitivity
- Develop pricing structure based on severity and size
- Partner with mental health professionals and social services
- Market to adult protective services, property managers, therapists
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