3 Things You Need To Know About Hoarding and Estate Cleanup

In the last few years, America has become very familiar with the term "hoarding". Thanks to television shows like "Hoarders", awareness of the problem is at an all time high. The general public is starting to understand that hoarding isn't about people simply being lazy and gross, and that it isn't a hopeless condition after all.

As a result, hoarder cleanup services are now in high demand, but many regions of the country still have a shortage of reputable resources in their area. That's why ServiceMaster recently made the decision to begin intensive hoarder cleanup training for select personnel, taught by none other than extreme cleaning expert, Matt Paxton of tv's "Hoarders." I'm happy to report that ServiceMaster by Cornerstone is now well trained and experienced in hoarder and estate cleanup.

So, aside from the bizarre willingness to tediously sort through piles of other people's stuff, dispose of dead rodents (and long lost pets), and sometimes smell pet urine all day, what makes ServiceMaster by Cornerstone any different than the guys with a couple of trucks who do extreme hoarding cleanups on the side at a "bargain" price? The following is a list of three reasons it makes sense to call trained professionals:

1. Extensive Training - There's a lot more to hoarder cleanups than just hauling stuff away. That approach will only result in having the same situation again a few months later. Our technicians have been through training that not only teaches the technical aspects of extreme cleaning, but also consists of learning about the underlying condition that causes hoarders to do what they do. Our team has learned the patterns of behavior that they can expect from the hoarder during a cleanup, and how to compassionately and effectively handle those obstacles. We have learned that hoarders must be on board with the project and actively participate in order to give them the best chance of not falling back into their old behavior again.

Understanding how to properly respond to hoarders who can at times become angry and uncooperative is essential to keeping the process moving towards a successful outcome. The last thing we want is for our customer to spend good money on a cleanup, only to once again be up to his or her eyeballs in magazines, empty food containers and stray cats a few months later.

2. Reputation - Plain and simple: You don't want to hire someone to do your cleanup who might start the job one day and disappear the next; it really happens sometimes. As part of the ServiceMaster brand, ServiceMaster by Cornerstone is obligated to uphold the industry standards that have made ServiceMaster a trusted name since 1929. We're not out to make a quick buck and then disappear. We're here today and we'll be here tomorrow, God willing. That kind of consistency makes us reliable to our customers (and possibly a little boring, so it's good that we get to drive flashy, yellow trucks).

3. Licensed and Bonded - Where peoples lives, homes and belongings are concerned, you want to work with a company that is conscientious about the people they hire, compliant with regulations and standards of operation, and bonded to cover any damage to your property or injuries to employees that might occur on your property. Those "bargain" companies might offer bargain prices for a reason. After all, it's easy to price your services lower when you aren't paying for insurance or employee training and background checks, or any of the other things that are designed to safeguard the customer.

We hope that you'll keep these three things in mind when a family member, client or neighbor needs help with an extreme cleanup. Hire the "bargain" guys to mow your lawn, but leave the extreme cleaning to the experts. You'll be glad you did.