Questions We Get Asked
Some of these have one-line answers. Some need a paragraph. Both are below.
The Short Answers
Will you judge my house? No. Not once, not quietly, not at all.
Does the estimate cost anything? No, and it obliges you to nothing.
How fast can someone look? Usually within a day or two.
Do I have to be there? No. Some people stay, some hand over a key.
Can I stop partway? Yes. Your house, your call, no penalty.
Will my neighbors know? Not from us. Unmarked vehicles, plain workwear.
Do you take photos for advertising? Never.
Do you work weekends? Yes, when discretion or a deadline calls for it.
Is there really no obligation? Really. Plenty of people call two or three times over a few months before they are ready.
Can somebody else pay? Yes. See gift cards.
The Longer Ones
What if my mother refuses to let anyone in?
Common, and far less hopeless than it feels. We come as workers, not as an inspection, and that difference does most of the work. Resistance that has held against family for years often eases within an hour with someone from outside it. What does not work is arriving unannounced on her doorstep, so tell her before we come and let us help you think through how.
What actually happens to my belongings?
Anything you are keeping gets boxed, labeled and left within reach. Good furniture and clothing go to Connecticut charities and we can bring you the receipt. Papers with account numbers get shredded, not dumped. Paint, chemicals and propane go to proper disposal. And anything valuable we find comes straight back to you, which in a packed house is usually more than the family expected.
How long will it take?
A single room is often one day. A typical house runs two to four. Heavy biohazard work, or a house where every drawer needs going through, can take a week. We will tell you which before you commit to anything.
Could Medicaid or CHCPE pay for this?
Possibly, and Connecticut is better placed than many states. The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders does include chore assistance. It is not automatic and there are real limits, which we lay out honestly on our CHCPE page.
Someone died in the house.
We handle those, including where biohazard work applies. See estate cleanout and biohazard cleaning. We will also set aside anything personal for the family before it goes anywhere.
There are more animals in the house than anyone can manage.
We work around them and can connect you with Connecticut rescue organizations who help without involving authorities unless the law requires it. The waste is a genuine health hazard, so please do not start on it yourself.