Clearing a house in the Potteries
Stoke-on-Trent homes are often full of a lifetime’s belongings, and sometimes several generations’ worth. Clearing one well takes time and care, and it’s hard to do from a distance. That’s where we come in.
We’re a clearance firm based in Weston-super-Mare, and for probate and estate work we cover all of England and Wales. Stoke is about two and a half hours from us, straight up the M5 and M6 and onto the A500.
You won’t need to travel. We quote from photos or a video walk-through, keys are posted to us or collected from the solicitor or agent, and we clear the property in as few days as possible. You’ll get photos as we go, and the keys and anything set aside are returned when we finish.
Six towns, a lot of terraces
The city is made up of six towns: Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton. Each grew around the potbanks, and the terraced streets built for pottery workers are still the backbone of the housing.
These terraces have narrow fronts, steep stairs and small yards, and the van normally has to park along the street. We plan the carry and allow time for it in the quote.
Beyond the old town centres there are large council-built estates such as Bentilee, Abbey Hulton, Meir and Blurton, with semis, terraces and some flats. Penkhull and Hartshill have older, larger houses, and Trentham, Baddeley Green and Werrington have suburban semis and bungalows. Next door, Newcastle-under-Lyme is a separate borough, and we cover it too.
Many Potteries homes have outbuildings, sheds or a garage at the back, and they’re often the fullest part of the property. Make sure they’re in the photos.
Before we come up the M6
A few details make the day go smoothly. Let us know about parking outside and whether a visitor permit is needed, whether the gas and electricity are still on (we can take meter readings), and whether anyone else holds a key. If family members are collecting furniture, give us a rough date so we clear around them rather than before them.
Care with the contents
We look through everything before it’s loaded: drawers, cupboards, coat pockets, tins, books and boxes in the loft. Papers, photographs, jewellery, cash and keepsakes are set aside and returned to you with a note of what’s there. If you’re looking for something specific, tell us.
In a city known for its pottery, plenty of houses have cabinets of china and ornaments. Some of it is worth having looked at before it goes. We can put you in touch with an independent valuer, and we’ll leave anything you’ve asked to be valued until it has been.
Good furniture and household goods go to charities and reuse projects near the property, and recyclable materials and electricals are separated. Photos, an inventory and a waste transfer note are available on request. For more, see probate clearance and our house clearance checklist.
Solicitors, deputies and housing providers in Stoke
If you’re instructing us on behalf of an estate or a client, send the address, key holder, deadline and your reference. We confirm what’s staying, who receives set-aside items and who the invoice goes to, and we put your reference on it. See our page for solicitors and executors.
A lot of homes in the city are rented from the council or a housing association. These tenancies usually have to be ended and the property handed back empty by a set date, so tell us the date first and we’ll plan the clearance around it.
Stoke-on-Trent questions
Is travel to Stoke charged separately?
No. Travel is part of the fixed quote. There’s no extra travel line on the invoice.
Do you cover Newcastle-under-Lyme, Kidsgrove and Leek?
Yes, for probate and estate clearances. We take these anywhere in England and Wales.
Should we get the china and ornaments valued first?
If you think any of it might be worth something, yes. It’s part of the estate. We can put you in touch with an independent valuer, and we’ll set those items aside until you tell us what to do with them.
Nobody can be at the house. Is that OK?
Yes. We work unattended and send photos during and after the clearance, then return the keys and set-aside items to you.
Probate clearances nationwide
From Weston-super-Mare to Stoke-on-Trent, and anywhere in England and Wales
Every kind of clearance close to home, and probate and estate clearances wherever the property is.
- Local: every clearance, Weston-super-Mare to Bristol and Bridgwater
- Extended area: every clearance, out to Gloucester, Frome and Exeter
- Probate and estate clearances anywhere in England and Wales