Articles Tagged with ''hoarding cleanup''

Hoarding, crime scene, meth cleanup and more to be covered during two-day RIA conference.

Studies estimate nearly 5 percent of people in the U.S. are hoarders of some kind. Most of us know of at least one: an elderly aunt or uncle or even a neighbor whose strange collection of grocery bags, bottles, old copies of the local paper and magazines pile up.

Ten years ago, Matt Paxton just needed a job. He started cleaning homes for old ladies who, like him, were perhaps grieving the loss of a loved one.

For many business owners, expanding to include hoarding cleanup in addition to existing restoration and remediation services is seemingly an easy decision.

Perception isn’t always reality. And when it comes to hoarding, the “reality” shows that are broadcast across various cable networks are a far cry from the proper protocol that should be followed on such jobs.

One in every 300 people suffer from compulsive hoarding. Hoarders generally have an inability to let go of unnecessary items and clean up their environments. 

It was October 3, 2013 when Rainbow International of Sioux Falls, S.D., arrived at a twin home in the city to assess a hoarding job they had been contacted about.

“Most hoarders are clean, formal, very pleasant people. You would never guess, if you met them in your office, that their house was packed to the gills.”