200 Men and Women Over 40 Asked! What Are Your Concerns When Hiring a Professional for Estate Liquidation? (Survey by Clean Service)

Estate liquidation is something you might feel will be necessary someday, but it's difficult to concretely imagine the situation when you actually need to hire a service. There are many concerns that arise when you start thinking about it, such as how much it will cost, how to choose a reliable company, and whether your precious belongings will be handled properly.

Especially in the home where the deceased lived for a long time, there are not only daily necessities like furniture, appliances, and clothing, but also cash, precious metals, bankbooks, seals, photos, letters, and mementos that are difficult to decide how to dispose of. Estate liquidation is not just about tidying up; it's a task that requires you to face the deceased's important items and the feelings of the family.

Therefore, Clean Service, which offers services related to home tidying such as estate liquidation, junk removal cleaning, organizing and purchasing used items, and house cleaning, conducted a survey targeting 200 men and women aged 40 and over. This survey organizes concerns when hiring a professional for estate liquidation, items that should be handled with particular care, and what people want to prioritize when choosing a company.

We hope this will be helpful as a reference for those considering estate liquidation, those who are concerned about tidying up their parents' or relatives' homes, and those who are thinking about using organizing and tidying services, to know the points to check before hiring.

Table of Contents

Q1: What are your concerns if you were to hire a professional for estate liquidation?

Q2: What items do you want handled with particular care during estate liquidation?

Q3: What do you want to prioritize when choosing an estate liquidation company?

Summary: Concerns When Hiring for Estate Liquidation Revealed by the Survey

Q1. If you were to hire a professional for estate liquidation, what are your concerns? (Multiple answers allowed: Note 1)

Note 1: Although this question allows for multiple selections, the number of choices is limited to three. This is to more clearly understand what concerns people have when hiring a professional for estate liquidation.

The most common concern was "I don't know how much it will cost," at 48.5% (97 people). Estate liquidation costs can vary depending on the size of the room, the amount of belongings, and the scope of sorting, removal, and disposal, so it is thought that the difficulty in imagining the total cost before hiring leads to significant anxiety.

Next, "It's difficult to judge if a company is reliable" was cited by 41.0% (82 people). In estate liquidation, not only do you have people working inside your home, but they also come into contact with the deceased's mementos and valuables. Therefore, it is evident that many people want to carefully assess whether a company can be trusted with the job, not just based on price.

Additionally, "I'm worried about additional charges after the estimate" was also high at 27.5% (55 people). The possibility of costs increasing from the initially presented amount raises the psychological hurdle before hiring. In terms of cost, it can be said that not only the amount itself but also the clarity of the estimate and the absence of additional charges are important.

Other concerns included "I'm worried about whether unwanted items will be disposed of properly" at 19.5% (39 people), "I'm worried about whether precious items will be mistakenly disposed of" at 19.0% (38 people), and "I'm worried about whether valuables, important documents, and mementos will be sorted properly" at 16.0% (32 people). Beyond cost and company selection, there are also concerns about the work itself, such as whether necessary items will be disposed of and whether the estate will be handled appropriately.

On the other hand, "I feel uncomfortable having strangers see inside my home" was 11.0% (22 people), "I'm worried about whether the estate will be handled with care" was 7.0% (14 people), "I'm worried that it will be difficult to attend due to living far away" was 6.5% (13 people), and "I'm worried about being rushed into a contract or feeling pressured to agree" was 6.0% (12 people).

Furthermore, "I'm worried about disagreements with family or relatives" was 5.0% (10 people), "I have no particular concerns" was 17.5% (35 people), and "Other" was 0.5% (1 person).

Q2. What items do you want handled with particular care during estate liquidation? (Multiple answers allowed: Note 2)

Note 2: Although this question allows for multiple selections, the number of choices is limited to three. This is to more clearly understand what items people want handled with particular care during estate liquidation.

The most common answer was "Valuables such as cash, precious metals, and watches," at 40.5% (81 people). It is understood that people want items with high monetary value to be handled with particular care during estate liquidation, as the impact of loss or accidental disposal would be significant.

Next, "Important documents such as bankbooks, seals, and property deeds" were cited by 35.5% (71 people). Important documents may be related to inheritance and various procedures, so there are situations where the client cannot solely determine whether they can be disposed of. Therefore, it is thought that concerns often arise about whether these items will be overlooked during the process and not sorted properly.

Additionally, "Buddhist altars, memorial tablets, and portraits" accounted for 26.0% (52 people), and "Items whose value is unknown or difficult to determine whether to dispose of" accounted for 24.0% (48 people). There is a tendency to request careful confirmation not only for items with monetary value but also for those that hold significant meaning for the deceased or family, and those that are difficult to handle.

Other responses included "Smartphones, computers, and other items containing personal information" at 19.5% (39 people), "Photos and albums" and "Letters, diaries, and other items containing the deceased's memories" at 16.0% (32 people) each. In recent years, not only paper documents but also the handling of personal information and data on devices has become important, indicating that the scope of items to be checked during estate liquidation is expanding.

On the other hand, "Hobby items and collections" were 11.5% (23 people), "Digital data and information related to online contracts" were 7.0% (14 people), and "Clothing and personal belongings" were 6.0% (12 people).

Also, "There are no particular items I want handled with special care" was 20.0% (40 people), and "Other" was 0.0% (0 people).

Q3. What do you want to prioritize when choosing an estate liquidation company? (Multiple answers allowed: Note 3)

Note 3: Although this question allows for multiple selections, the number of choices is limited to three. This is to more clearly understand what people want to prioritize when choosing an estate liquidation company.

The most common answer was "Clear pricing" at 41.5% (83 people). Estate liquidation is not a service that people use frequently, so it is difficult to grasp the market price or the breakdown of costs in advance. Therefore, it is thought that many people prioritize whether the pricing is clearly presented when choosing a company.

Next, "Clear estimate details and conditions for additional charges" was cited by 29.5% (59 people). Even if the initial estimate appears inexpensive, many people worry about whether additional fees will be incurred after the work is completed. It can be said that not only the low price itself but also clear explanations of what is included in the estimate and under what circumstances additional charges may apply serve as reassurance.

Additionally, "Clear explanations of item purchasing and appraisal details" was 22.0% (44 people), and "Explanations regarding necessary permits and proper disposal methods" was 19.5% (39 people). Some of the items in an estate may be eligible for purchase in addition to disposal. On the other hand, how unwanted items will be disposed of is also a concern for clients. Therefore, it is understood that clear explanations regarding appraisals and disposal methods are important factors in choosing a company.

Other responses included "Careful sorting of valuables and mementos" at 18.0% (36 people), "Comprehensive service including cleaning" at 13.0% (26 people), and "Clear company information and track record" at 12.5% (25 people). In estate liquidation, not only the tidying of belongings but also the ability to sort precious items without overlooking them and the ability to entrust the cleaning after the work are important.

On the other hand, "Good reviews and reputation" and "Confidentiality and consideration for neighbors" were each 10.5% (21 people), and "Support for memorial services and bonfires" and "Clear cancellation fees and conditions" were each 9.0% (18 people).

Furthermore, "Polite consultation response" was 7.0% (14 people), "Ability to accommodate urgent requests and desired dates" was 6.5% (13 people), "Ease of consultation without attendance or from a distance" was 5.0% (10 people), "Other" was 0.5% (1 person), and "No particular priorities" was 17.0% (34 people).

Summary: Concerns When Hiring for Estate Liquidation Revealed by the Survey

This survey revealed that many people have concerns about costs and choosing a company when hiring for estate liquidation. Since estate liquidation is not something people experience frequently, many find it difficult to determine how much it will cost, what services are covered, and whether they can entrust the job to a reliable company.

Additionally, estate liquidation involves handling not only valuables like cash and precious metals but also important documents such as bankbooks and seals, and mementos like photos and letters. Since it includes items that have significant meaning for the family, not just monetary value, the ability to sort them carefully is an important point to confirm before hiring.

When choosing a company, it is advisable to check not only the clarity of pricing and estimate details but also the conditions for additional charges, disposal methods for unwanted items, and explanations of purchasing and appraisals. Whether the company can explain things in a way that is easy for ordinary people to understand, not just using technical terms, is also a criterion for identifying a reliable company.

Estate liquidation is not merely tidying up; it is a process that involves facing the deceased's important belongings and the family's emotions. Therefore, it is crucial to confirm the costs and work details in advance and choose a service provider that you are comfortable with.

Clean Service offers a wide range of services including estate liquidation, junk removal cleaning, organizing and purchasing used items, and post-cleaning. If you are considering tidying up a relative's home and feel "I don't know where to start," "I want to know the cost," or "It's difficult to handle it alone," please feel free to contact us.

Click here for the Clean Service official website.

Survey Overview

Survey Date: June 11, 2026

Survey Area: Nationwide

Survey Organization: Freeasy

Survey Method: Online questionnaire survey

Survey Target/Number of Participants: 200 men and women aged 40 and over nationwide

<<Conditions for Use of Survey Results>>

Please cite "Estate Liquidation / Junk Removal Cleaning Specialist Clean Service" as the source of information.

When using on a website, please include the following link as the source.

URL:

https://www.clean-s.net/

About Clean Service

Clean Service is a specialized estate liquidation and junk removal cleaning service operated by LST LLC. With its headquarters in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, it offers a wide range of services including estate liquidation, on-site purchasing, moving, junk removal cleaning, and house cleaning, primarily in the Kanto region and the Tokyo metropolitan area.

For those who want to "reduce estate liquidation costs," "sell unwanted items for the highest possible price," "complete the tidying by a specified date," or "have valuables and mementos carefully searched for," please rest assured. We at Clean Service carefully handle items one by one, from sorting and organizing to purchasing, reusing, and recycling.

Our company values estate liquidation that is empathetic to the feelings of the bereaved family, not just simple tidying. We strive to provide a service that allows you to consult with peace of mind through careful work that checks for important memories and valuables, appraisals at our directly managed recycling shop, and transparent estimates.

Point (1) "Clean Service's Total Support" for integrated estate liquidation and cleaning services

Clean Service handles estate liquidation, junk removal cleaning, tidying of unwanted items, searching for valuables, and light cleaning all at once, tailored to the site conditions. Options such as memorial service arrangements, forwarding of keepsakes, moving services, house cleaning/deodorization, and restoration are also available upon consultation.

This service eliminates the need to hire multiple companies individually and allows for a smooth process from estimate to tidying, cleaning, and payment. For urgent cases, we can respond with work starting as early as the same day, and we have a policy of not charging extra fees for weekend, holiday, or express work.

Point (2) "Purchase Discounts and Reuse Support" to help reduce costs

Clean Service collaborates with its directly managed recycling shop to provide appraisal services for unwanted furniture, appliances, brand-name goods, etc. The purchase price can be deducted from the work cost, making it a strength in reducing the burden of tidying expenses.

We also offer a "Leave the Workday to Us Service" which allows for reduced fees when the work date is not specified. By connecting usable items to purchase, reuse, and recycling as much as possible, we aim not only to reduce disposal costs but also to achieve tidying that does not waste resources.

Point (3) "Reliable Estate Liquidation and Junk Removal Cleaning" supported by careful sorting and strict confidentiality

In estate liquidation, we value the aspect of "organizing memories" in addition to tidying daily necessities, and we handle all items one by one, checking for valuables and mementos. We also support the search for valuables such as bankbooks and seals, and strive for thorough sorting without overlooking anything.

For junk removal cleaning, we strictly manage privacy and propose work methods that are less likely to be noticed by neighbors. We clearly state our policy of not charging for additional work or fees without customer consent after the estimate, ensuring a system where clients can feel secure in terms of both cost and work.

Clean Service Overview

Operating Company: LST LLC

Representative: Makoto Ishii

Location: 762-2 Minaminagai, Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture

HP: https://www.clean-s.net/

Business Activities: Estate liquidation services, on-site purchasing, moving, junk removal cleaning, house cleaning

Service Areas: All of Kanto region, Tokyo metropolitan area, all of Saitama Prefecture, all of Tokyo Metropolis, all of Chiba Prefecture, all of Kanagawa Prefecture, all of Tochigi Prefecture, all of Ibaraki Prefecture, all of Gunma Prefecture

Secondhand Dealer's License Number: Saitama No. 431360060173