The number one question we get asked at Redstone Ripout & Clearances is simple: “How much is this going to cost?”
It is a fair question. Whether you are a landlord clearing a rental, a homeowner emptying a garage, or a business manager dealing with an office strip-out, you need to budget.
Many companies will not give you a straight answer until they are standing in your driveway. We believe in transparency. While every job is unique, this guide will help you understand exactly what you are paying for—and how to spot a quote that is “too good to be true.”
The 3 Factors That Determine Your Price
A professional clearance quote isn’t just a random number. It is calculated based on three specific variables:
1. Volume & Weight (The “Van Load”)
Most clearances are quoted by the cubic yard or by the “load” (e.g., quarter van, half van, full van).
Heavy Waste: Rubble, soil, and tiles are dense. Even if they don’t fill the van visually, the weight limit determines the cost because disposal sites charge us by the tonne.
Light Waste: Household clutter, cardboard, and wood take up space but are light. These are cheaper to dispose of.
2. Labour Time
Are we picking up bagged waste from a driveway? Or are we dismantling a shed, carrying a cast-iron bath down three flights of stairs, and ripping up glued-down carpets?
Full Rip-Out: Higher cost (more man-hours).
Curbside/Driveway: Cheaper (faster).
3. “Special” Items (POPs & Hazardous Waste)
Recent UK legislation (2023/24) has changed how we must dispose of certain items. These attract surcharges because they cannot go into general recycling:
- POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants): Domestic seating like sofas, armchairs, and beanbags now require specialist incineration.
- White Goods: Fridges and freezers need degassing.
- Mattresses: These are difficult to recycle and often incur a per-item fee.
The “Cheap Quote” Warning: Don’t Get Stung
If you ring around, you might find a “man with a van” on Facebook quoting £20 to clear a whole load.
You need to ask yourself: How?
Commercial tipping fees in the UK are high. If a quote barely covers the cost of fuel, that waste is likely going to be fly-tipped in a layby.
- The Risk to You: Under UK law, you (the producer of the waste) are liable. If your letters are found in a fly-tipped pile, you can face a fine of up to £5,000 or a criminal record.
At Redstone, our price includes:
- ✅ Waste Carrier License (We provide a Waste Transfer Note).
- ✅ Ethical Disposal (We pay the commercial tipping rates).
- ✅ Labour & Insurance (You are covered if damage occurs).
How to Reduce Your Clearance Bill
We want to save you money where we can. Here is how to lower your quote:
- Sell the Good Stuff: If you have high-quality furniture, sell it on Marketplace first. We are a clearance company, not an auction house.
- Bag it Up: If you can bag loose items and move them to the ground floor or driveway, you save on labour costs.
- Segregate: Separating metal and wood from general rubbish helps us recycle faster, which can sometimes lower the price.
Get an Accurate Price in Today!
Don’t guess. We can usually give you a very accurate estimate if you send us photos of the waste.
Ready to clear the clutter? Click the button below to upload your photos or book a free site visit.
