I’m Devin Orsi, owner of Iron Bear & Co. in Canonsburg. Established 2015 (formerly Richie’s Hauling). When a family calls me about an estate cleanout, the first question usually isn’t about price. It’s “How does this actually work?” Most people have never cleared out a relative’s house before, and they’re doing it while handling a loss or a move.
Here’s what to expect when my crew clears a home in Canonsburg, McMurray, or anywhere in Peters Township, from the first call to the final sweep. If you’re still sorting out the paperwork and prep, start with our estate cleanout checklist. This one is about the cleanout itself.
Before we arrive: what you decide and what we handle
A few family decisions up front make everything smoother. After that, it’s our job.
- Who has the say. Make sure the person scheduling the cleanout has the authority to clear the property, usually the executor or administrator. If you’re not sure, our post on where to start with an inherited house in Pennsylvania covers the basics, and your estate attorney can confirm.
- What stays. Take the keepsakes, documents, and anything family members want before cleanout day. For things you can’t move yet, put them in one room or mark them clearly so nobody has to guess.
- Estate sale or not. If you plan to hold a sale, do it first. Then we clear what’s left. Here’s how an estate sale compares to an estate cleanout.
- What you’re still looking for. If the family hasn’t found a will, a set of keys, jewelry, or old photos, tell us before we start so the crew knows to watch for them and set them aside.
One thing we can’t take is hazardous material, such as asbestos, large amounts of chemicals, or regulated waste. If the garage or basement has old paint and chemicals, see our guide to household hazardous waste disposal in Pennsylvania.
Step 1: The no-obligation estimate
Call us or send photos and a short description through our contact form. For a whole house, it often makes sense for us to walk through it in person. Estimates are no-obligation.
Pricing is based on how much space everything takes up in the truck. You get a firm quote before any work starts, with no hidden fees. The more we can see up front, the more accurate that quote is. It helps to show us:
- Every room, including closets
- The attic, basement, and garage, plus any shed or outbuilding
- Large or heavy items like pianos, safes, hot tubs, or old freezers
- Access details: stairs, narrow hallways, a long walk from the house to the street
Step 2: Scheduling around your timeline
Estate cleanouts usually have a deadline attached: a listing date, a closing, a lease ending, or family flying back home. Tell us the date you’re working toward and we’ll plan backward from it. Scheduling is flexible. If a full house will take more than one day, we’ll tell you at the estimate.
If you live out of town, talk to us about how access will work and how you’d like to see the house when we’re done.
Step 3: Cleanout day: what the crew does
This is where our white-glove approach matters most. You show us what goes, and we handle the rest:
- All the lifting and carrying. We bring items out from wherever they are, whether that’s the third floor, the back of the basement, or a shed at the edge of the yard. Nothing has to be dragged to the curb first.
- Care for the house. Especially if it’s about to be listed, we take care with floors, walls, railings, and doorways on the way out.
- Sorting as we go. Usable items are set aside for donation when possible. Metal and other recyclables are separated and recycled when possible. Only what’s left goes to disposal. More on where your items go after pickup.
- Electronics handled the right way. Under Pennsylvania’s Covered Device Recycling Act, TVs, computers, monitors, and laptops can’t go out with regular household trash. We sort them for recycling. See our e-waste removal page for details.
- Appliances and furniture. Old refrigerators, washers, dryers, beds, dressers, and sofas all go. (See appliance removal and furniture removal.)
Step 4: The final walkthrough
When the last load is on the truck, we sweep up the areas we cleared. Then we walk the house with you, or with whoever you’ve asked to check it, so you can see every room, closet, and corner. If something was missed, we take care of it right then. We won’t leave your doorstep until you’re satisfied.
Canonsburg and Peters Township homes: what’s different
A few things come up often around here and are worth mentioning at the estimate.
In Canonsburg, many older homes have steep, narrow staircases, full basements, and detached garages, and some sit on tight streets or alleys where parking the truck close takes a little planning. Mention those details so we can plan the crew and the day.
In McMurray and the rest of Peters Township, homes are often larger, with finished basements, big garages, and storage space over the garage. That usually means more volume, so a walkthrough is worth it. If the home is in a neighborhood with an HOA, check whether it has rules about work trucks or dumpsters in driveways. We also cover estate work across the township on our McMurray estate cleanout page.
Cleanout crew or dumpster?
If you want the house cleared without lifting anything, a full-service cleanout is the way to go. If the family would rather sort and toss things over several weekends, a dumpster rental may fit better. We offer both, so we’ll help you figure out which makes sense for the house and your timeline.
Estate cleanout FAQ
How long does an estate cleanout take?
It depends on the size of the home and how full it is. We’ll give you a realistic timeline at the estimate.
Do I have to be there during the cleanout?
That’s up to you. We need access to the house and a clear understanding of what stays. You may want to be there at the start and for the final walkthrough.
Do you donate usable items?
Yes, when possible. Items in good condition are set aside for donation, and recyclables are separated before anything goes to disposal.
Can you take old TVs and computers?
Yes. In Pennsylvania these can’t go in regular household trash, so we sort them for recycling.
Is the estimate no-obligation?
Yes. Estimates are no-obligation, and you’ll get a firm quote before any work begins.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Iron Bear & Co. is fully licensed and insured.
Ready to talk through your estate cleanout?
If you’re facing a full house in Canonsburg, McMurray, or Peters Township, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Call me at (724) 809-3998 or send us photos for a no-obligation estimate. You can also read more about our estate cleanout services, plus attic, basement, and garage cleanouts.