Frequently asked questions
Understanding Hoarding
There are many triggers that may lead someone to hoarding; often, it is found that people begin hoarding after stressful life events. as a way of coping and making them feel like they have control over something when life seems out of control in other ways.
Hoarding can also be indicative of other issues in someone’s mental health, such as dementia or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Hoarding can run in families, but psychologists are unclear as to whether this means that it is genetic or if people see their family members hoarding and therefore learn the behavior from them.
However, it isn’t always a learned behavior; someone can start hoarding without any previous family history.
Hoarding is considered a mental illness when it interferes with the person’s daily functioning and well-being. Hoarding can also be a symptom of other mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety, or dementia.
Hoarding is not the same as collecting or being organized. People who collect or organize their belongings usually enjoy their possessions and can access them easily.
People who hoard often feel overwhelmed by their clutter and have difficulty finding or using their items.
There are no specific ‘cures’ for hoarding, but many people who develop hoarding disorders find that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is key to helping them stop hoarding and regain inner peace.
Hoarding Disorders can begin at any point in one’s life. One of the first signs that your loved one may be experiencing a hoarding disorder is a new defensiveness around their living space. They might be distressed at the thought of letting you into their space, lest you judge them for their environment.
Someone who is developing hoarding disorders may also start to become withdrawn and won’t be involved in social activities they used to enjoy.
According to the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, there are five different levels of hoarding, also known as the ICD Clutter Hoarding Scale.
Level 1 is the least severe of the scale, whereas Level 5 requires significant intervention.
Hoarding behaviours can affect any person at any age. Studies have shown that hoarding is more prevalent in men and commonly affects older adults from age 55 to 94.
A hoarding clean-out service may be necessary if clutter prevents you from using your home safely and properly, or if deciding what to keep feels overwhelming. It’s especially helpful if your home has become unsafe or stays messy despite your efforts to clean.
If embarrassment over clutter keeps you from socializing, this service can help restore a safe, comfortable space.
hiring 1st Hoarding Clean Up
We respect you and your belongings and we do not perceive anyone’s belongings as “Junk” to just be removed and discarded.
We understand that there’s a reason you have everything and that some items are more difficult to part with than others. That’s why we work closely with you to develop a plan and maintain communication each step of the way.
Hiring a professional hoarding cleanup company offers many benefits. They bring experience to handle severe situations safely and efficiently, provide emotional support, and connect you with mental health resources.
Additionally, they restore your home to a safe, healthy condition, addressing damage and organizing belongings. This saves time, money, and stress while improving your living environment and overall well-being.
At 1st Hoarding Clean Up we support clients with compassionate, judgment-free service, offering immediate cleanup assistance and complimentary walkthroughs to assess the hoarded space.
Our experienced team efficiently removes clutter, disposes of waste, and sanitizes affected areas, ensuring a safer, healthier living environment.
We work closely with clients to respect their needs while restoring order to their homes.
To receive a hoarding cleanout quote from us at 1st Hoarding Clean Up, simply contact our team directly through our website or give us a call. We'll schedule a complimentary walkthrough to assess the situation and provide you with a tailored quote based on the severity and specific needs of the cleanup.
We can provide an approximate cost over the phone, but a precise estimate requires an on-site assessment. A project manager will meet with you or a loved one to evaluate the hoarded space, ensuring an accurate quote based on labour, materials, and other factors needed for the cleanup, as well as timeline for completion.
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Hoarded items can include a wide range of objects, but some of the most common categories include:
- Trash and Waste – Expired food, empty containers, and general garbage
- Paper Items – Newspapers, magazines, mail, books
- Clothing and Fabrics – Old, unused, or excessive amounts of clothing and linens
- Electronics and Appliances – Broken or outdated devices
- Furniture and Household Items – Excessive or damaged furniture, kitchenware
- Collectibles and Memorabilia – Figurines, antiques, sentimental objects
- Pets and Animal Waste – Overcrowded animals, pet feces, or deceased pets
- Hazardous Materials – Expired medications, chemicals, biohazard waste
Each hoarding case is unique, and 1st Hoarding Clean Up helps sort, remove, and properly dispose of these items while respecting the client’s situation.
Yes! At 1st Hoarding Clean Up, we provide customized plans tailored to each hoarding situation. Our team assesses the severity of the clutter and your specific needs during a complimentary walkthrough.
We then create a plan that ensures a thorough, compassionate, and efficient cleanup while respecting your preferences, budget and timeline.
Yes! We are experts in hoarding cleanup and have been helping people remove clutter and reclaim their space for over 20 years. With more than 3,000 hoarding clean-out jobs completed, our experienced team understands the challenges involved and provides compassionate, efficient service to restore safety and comfort to your home.
Hoarding in Strata Properties:
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast
Animal Hoarding
Animal hoarding is a compulsive behavior where individuals amass an excessive number of pets, often beyond their ability to care for them properly.
This leads to neglect, unsanitary living conditions, and the animals' suffering due to overcrowding and lack of adequate nutrition and veterinary care.
Animal hoarding is often caused by the same factors, such as a traumatic life event, that causes the hoarding of possessions.
However, animal hoarding can become destructive far more quickly than hoarding of items, as animals can create a lot of waste and may even begin mating.
Animal hoarding is about more than simply having a lot of animals; this particular type of hoarding is often signified by the care of the animals and the overall living situation.
For example, a person could have six pets and take good care of them while preventing them from taking over the home. However, a person who hoards may not be able to handle 6 pets and cannot say no to taking in more animals, even when the existing animals are causing havoc.
we are here to help
When you call, our friendly office staff will discuss with you the specifics of the hoarding situation, explain our cleanup process, give you an estimated timeline and may be able to provide an estimate. We can also arrange a time for one of our highly trained Project Managers to come by for a thorough complimentary assessment.
