House Clearance Cost Calculator

A clearance (Entrümpelung) or household clearance (Haushaltsauflösung) is often an emotional and financial burden – whether after a death, when moving out of a rented flat or before moving into a care home. The costs depend on many factors: the size of the premises, how full they are, how easy they are to reach and the type of contents.

In Germany, more than 2 million household clearances are carried out every year. Price ranges are wide: while a small 1-room flat can be cleared from €400, a fully furnished detached house quickly costs €4,000–7,000. Our calculator gives you a realistic estimate for your property. Note that German room counts leave out the kitchen and bathroom, so a "3-room flat" is roughly a two-bedroom flat with a living room.

Spotting reputable clearance firms: 5 warning signs

Unfortunately, some firms lure customers with rock-bottom prices and then demand high extra payments. How to spot the black sheep:

• No fixed price: Reputable firms inspect the property on site and give a binding price
• No address: If there is no legal notice (Impressum) or registered office, stay away!
• Payment in advance: Pay only once the work is finished
• No invoice: Insist on a proper invoice showing VAT
• Unrealistically cheap: If a quote is 50% below the others, be careful

Recommendation: Get at least 3 quotes and ask to see the proof of disposal. Reputable firms dispose of waste properly at recycling centres.

Hazardous waste: these things cost extra

Not everything goes into the skip. Hazardous waste causes additional costs:

• Fridges, freezers: €30–80 (because of CFCs)
• Paints, varnishes, oils: €50–150 depending on quantity
• Asbestos (old floor tiles): €200+ (specialist disposal)
• Building rubble, concrete: €100–300 (heavy)
• Electronic waste: Usually free or cheap (recyclable material)

How to cut the costs yourself

With a bit of do-it-yourself effort you can save 30–50% of the costs:

• Sort out valuables: Secure antiques, jewellery and paintings before the clearance
• Sell what can be sold: List well-preserved furniture on eBay Kleinanzeigen (the German classifieds site)
• Donate clothing: Take old clothes to collection containers (free)
• Dispose of paper and cardboard yourself: Paper recycling containers are free
• Book a date in winter: November to February is the off-season, and prices are lower

Clearing a household after a death: who pays?

When a household is cleared after a death, the heirs bear the costs. Important points:

• Clearing the property before accepting the inheritance can be treated as tacit acceptance
• The costs are tax-deductible as an estate liability (Nachlassverbindlichkeit)
• If the estate is over-indebted, consider disclaiming the inheritance (6-week deadline!)
• Some funeral directors offer a full service including clearing the home

Handing over "broom-clean": what does it mean?

"Broom-clean" (besenrein) means that coarse dirt has been removed and all rooms have been swept. It is not an end-of-tenancy deep clean with window cleaning and scrubbing! For a broom-clean handover, clearance firms usually charge €100–200 extra. A professional end-of-tenancy clean costs a further €200–500, depending on size.

The calculator builds the price from a base price per property, a fill-level factor and surcharges. A three-room flat in normal condition costs €1,200 to €2,800. If it is on the third floor with no lift, €50 per floor is added, i.e. €150. If you also clear the cellar (€200 to €500), dispose of electrical appliances (€50 to €150) and want a broom-clean handover (€100 to €200), the bill comes to €1,700 to €3,800. If the flat is heavily furnished (factor 1.4), the base price alone is €1,680 to €3,920; for a hoarder household (factor 2.5), a two-room property rises from €800–1,800 to €2,000–4,500.

A medium-sized house of 100 to 150 square metres costs €3,920 to €7,700 when heavily furnished; with a cellar and garage, another €300 to €800 is added. These are guide figures, not fixed prices: the volume in cubic metres, access, distance to the disposal point and local disposal charges are what matter. That is why the calculator deliberately shows a range. You get binding figures only after an inspection – many providers now also accept video inspections or detailed photos if you cannot be on site.

Under the Circular Economy Act (KrWG), whoever produces waste remains responsible for its proper disposal, even if a service provider is hired. Reputable clearance firms are therefore registered as waste carriers or disposal companies, separate recyclables and supply weighbridge tickets or disposal records. If waste is dumped illegally, the client can face fines and trouble. Ask about the trade registration, the public liability insurance and where the waste is disposed of.

For tax purposes the labour can be claimed: under section 35a of the Income Tax Act (EStG), income tax is reduced by 20 per cent of labour costs for household-related services (up to €4,000 a year) or for craftsmen's services (a tax reduction of up to €1,200). Whether a clearance qualifies depends on the individual case; what matters is an invoice that shows the labour costs and payment by bank transfer, not cash (section 35a(5) EStG). In inheritance cases, the costs can be deducted as an estate liability, as described above.

Before the clearance firm arrives, you should have secured valuables, personal documents and keepsakes. After a death, particular care is required: anyone who finds a will must hand it in to the probate court without delay under section 2259 of the Civil Code (BGB). Contracts, insurance papers, bank statements and keys should also be in your hands before clearance. Photograph the rooms and note what must be kept.

Agree the scope in writing beforehand: which rooms, which items, whether fixtures are to be dismantled, whether broom-clean or with a final clean. Ask for the fixed price, VAT and any credit for items of value to be shown in the quote. Valuable furniture, antiques or collections can reduce the price if the firm buys them; compare that value with an estimate from a second-hand dealer. Pay only after acceptance, preferably by bank transfer against an invoice. If you are a tenant, also inform your landlord of the date and scope so that there are no surprises at handover.