People seek estate cleanout services for many reasons, including downsizing due to significant lifestyle changes, divorce, or debt. There is also a section of the general population who recurrently need cleanout services. According to Junk King, we were only recycling about 16% of the total municipal solid waste (MSW) we produced in the country in 1990. Today, the rate is approximately 35%. However, the situation is still a crisis because there are 80% fewer landfills. Hiring cleanout services can be stressful and expensive if you're experiencing estate liquidation for the first time. Here are five things to do before hiring an estate cleanout service.

1. Collect All Relevant Documents

Various financial documents are critical in the event of real estate liquidation. Search and secure insurance statements and agreements, trusts, wills, and tax returns. You can also collect recent bank statements and receipts from relevant offices. These documents can be necessary for showing proof of liability, ownership, and payment if need be.

2. Work Closely with Family Members

Another task to do before hiring an estate cleanout service is to contact and work closely with family members. Ask every member of the family to create a list of the items they want from the estate. Ask a lawyer or family mediator in case there is a disagreement between family members about sharing items.

3. Donate to a Local Charity

Consider Donating things to charity during an estate cleanout. You can donate clothing, furniture, and other items that people are not using. Better still, you can sell the items and donate the money to charity. Use the list of things you've donated to claim for a tax deduction.

4. Keep Memorable Items

It is easy to lose memorable items during a cleanout. Search your estate property to locate memorable items like photos, albums, souvenirs, and other memorabilia that will keep your memories in the property alive.

5. Hire an Appraiser

Hire an appraiser if your property has valuable possession like furniture, jewelry, paintings, and other valuable things. A professional appraiser will provide objective and unbiased opinions regarding the value of your property. This will enable you to resell your possession at the right price.

The workload during an estate liquidation process can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Fortunately, following the instructions provided in this guide will set you in the right direction. Hire a professional estate cleanout service to facilitate your cleanout process.