How can you have your house cleared out for free in Belgium?

The free house clearance is based on a simple principle of economic balance. When your belongings have sufficient market value, the professionals can recoup their costs by reselling these items. This approach turns your clear-out into a business opportunity for the company.

At Herbiet House Clearance, we carefully assess each situation during our free home visit. Our experts examine your antique furniture, household appliances in good condition and valuables to determine their resale potential. If this valuation covers our operating costs, we then offer a turnkey service at no charge.

The process always begins with an assessment visit. Our team of professionals assesses the volume of items to be cleared and identifies any items that can be sold. This crucial step determines whether we can carry out your free house clearance in accordance with our eligibility criteria.

What is a free house clearance?

A free house clearance refers to a professional service whereby a company completely clears out your home without charging you for the work. This option is available when the value of the recoverable items (vintage furniture, antiques, household appliances) fully covers the team’s costs.

The process involves a complete clearance of all your spaces, from recycling to giving a new lease of life reusable items, and a cleaning final result that gives you clean places. This solution is particularly well suited to situations involving inheritance or to help those people in need to clear out their home quickly.

How can I have my house cleared out for free?

Free service: we’ll collect your furniture from your home

Our team of’partner antique dealers comes directly to your home to buy your valuables. This solution allows you to have your home cleared out free of charge, as our purchases fully cover the cost of the service.

We are particularly interested in antique furniture, silverware, rare collections and authentic works of art. Each item undergoes a professional valuation on site, ensuring it is valued at the best price currently available on the market.

The buyback is paid in cash once the proposed prices have been agreed. The amounts paid are deducted directly from your clearance invoice. In some favourable cases, the total value of the buybacks may even exceed our charges, allowing you to benefit from a free house clearance whilst receiving additional payment.

This service is ideal for estates containing a wealth of antiques or properties featuring high-quality furnishings. With 10 years’ experience, we are able to quickly identify items with high market value.

Charities and donations to help clear out your home for free

Several Belgian charities work with Herbiet Vide Maison to clear out a property free of charge through a charitable donation scheme. Furniture from the Heart, for example, collect your goods directly in good condition in return for a small contribution towards the transport costs.

This approach is particularly beneficial for families affected by Diogenes syndrome or estate agents managing properties that need to be cleared out quickly. Convivial and the Red Cross also accept functional furniture and household appliances, turning your decluttering into an act of solidarity.

The process is simple: once we have assessed your belongings, we pass on any reusable items to our partner charities. Their free collection service can significantly reduce your clearance costs. In some cases, this partnership even enables you to receive a free house clearance complete.

Prospective buyers particularly appreciate this eco-friendly approach, which promotes reuse. Our partnerships with these organisations ensure your belongings are given a new lease of life, whilst supporting important local causes.

Free second-hand stalls and antique dealers

The professional second-hand dealers are the preferred choice for having your home cleared out free of charge in Belgium. Their unique expertise in antiques and collectables enables them to quickly identify items of high market value that you might not be aware of.

Unlike ordinary clearers, these qualified antique dealers have in-depth knowledge of the art market and antique furniture. They can instantly spot an authentic piece of Louis XV furniture, a rare piece of porcelain or a little-known work of art amongst your belongings. This expertise makes all the difference when it comes to having your house cleared free of charge.

Herbiet Vide Maison works with a network of experienced antique dealers who value your belongings according to current market rates. Their trained eye turns your clear-out into a financial opportunity. If the total value of your items exceeds our service charge, we’ll clear out your property free of charge and pay you the difference.

What are the conditions for a free house clearance?

There are several criteria that determine your eligibility for a free house clearance The total value of your belongings must be at least €300 to cover our basic service charges. This estimate includes transport, labour and waste disposal.

Your home must also be reasonably accessible. Floors without a lift or difficult access may result in additional costs that could affect the free nature of the service. The presence of bulky items requiring specialist dismantling also affects this assessment.

The total volume to be cleared is another key factor in determining whether a house clearance can be carried out free of charge. Our teams prioritise jobs involving at least 20 cubic metres, as this maximises their profitability. Smaller, partial clearances generally incur a charge.

Geographical location also plays a part. Our priority service areas in Brussels and Walloon Brabant enjoy more favourable conditions than journeys to the provinces.

How does the process work, step by step?

Free quote and on-site valuation

Our expertise enables us to accurately value your property during a free technical inspection within 24 hours. Our antiques specialists examine each item to determine whether a free house clearance is still possible, based on the market value of your items.

The valuation involves a thorough inspection of all your rooms, from the cellar to the attic. We photograph any antique furniture, porcelain and potential works of art so that we can consult our expert partners. This professional approach ensures a fair and transparent valuation.

Herbiet Vide Maison will immediately provide you with a detailed report setting out the total value of your belongings. If this amount covers our service charges, your free house clearance will go ahead. If not, we offer a preferential rate based on the difference between the estimated value and our operational costs.

Free furniture collection and removal service

The team is carrying out the immediate collection as soon as your free house clearance has been confirmed. Our professionals use specialist equipment, including straps, hand trolleys and hoists, to remove your bulky items without causing any damage to your home. Every piece of antique furniture or valuable item is wrapped in protective packaging before being transported to our partner warehouses.

Sorting takes place on site, with items divided into three distinct categories. Items intended for resale are channelled through our network of second-hand dealers, whilst reusable items are sent to our partner charities. Only items with no market value are sent to approved recycling centres.

Our free house clearance service also includes the complete removal of any remaining bulky items. 

Final clean included

Our specialists in professional cleaning They always follow up every house clearance with a thorough deep clean of the premises, free of charge. This final service transforms your cleared space into an immaculate home, ready for its new purpose.

The service begins with: a thorough dusting of all surfaces, followed by a deep clean of the floors and walls. Our technicians use certified eco-friendly products to remove any marks and residues left by the removed furniture. The windows are restored to their original clarity thanks to a specialised cleaning process.

Even the most neglected areas benefit from this special attention during a free house clearance. Whether it’s a damp cellar, a dusty loft or a grubby garage: every nook and cranny is given the appropriate treatment. This final stage significantly enhances the value of your property and makes it easier to put it back on the rental market or sell it.

How much does a house clearance cost if it’s not free?

If the value of your belongings does not cover the cost of the service, Herbiet Vide Maison offers transparent preferential rates. Our prices start at €150 (excl. VAT) for a standard flat and range from €30 to €50 per cubic metre, depending on accessibility.

For a full house clearance, expect to pay between €900 and €1,600, depending on the size and complexity of the clearance. These prices are still good value compared to a free house clearance, which is simply not feasible. Our team automatically adjusts the final cost by deducting the market value of your salvageable items.

Unlike our competitors, we always include a full clean in our prices. This approach guarantees a turnkey service with no unexpected costs, even when the conditions for a free house clearance are not met.

Does Emmaus clear out houses for free?

Emmaus does indeed offer a free house clearance subject to certain strict conditions in Belgium. The charity first assesses the quality and resale value of your items before agreeing to carry out the clearance. Broken or unusable furniture will not be collected as part of a free house clearance.

Please contact the three Belgian Emmaus communities directly to arrange an assessment appointment. The service is subject to the availability of their teams of volunteers and gives priority to those in precarious circumstances for their free house clearance.

Unlike Herbiet Vide Maison, Emmaüs only selects the items they are interested in, potentially leaving you with the remaining bulky items, with no final clean-up included.