This Is More Complicated Than a Standard Cleanout
A hoarding situation isn’t the same as cleaning out a garage or doing a deep clean before a move. The level of accumulation in a hoarding environment typically involves years — sometimes decades — of collected items, and what’s underneath all of it is often the bigger problem.
Prolonged hoarding conditions create real structural and health hazards that have to be identified and addressed properly. Behind walls of clutter, floors and subfloors can be damaged or compromised. Mold grows in areas that haven’t had air circulation or been accessible for years. Pest infestations — rodents, cockroaches, and other insects — are common and often extensive. Biohazardous material, including human or animal waste, is found in a significant number of hoarding situations. Plumbing issues go undetected for long periods. Electrical systems can be inaccessible and unchecked.
None of these things are visible until the cleanout happens. That’s why hoarding cleanup requires a company that can do more than haul things out — it requires a team that knows what to look for and has the capability to handle what they find.
What Our Hoarding Cleanup Process Looks Like
Every hoarding situation is different. The size of the property, the level of accumulation, and what’s been happening inside the home over the years all affect how we approach the job. We don’t show up with a one-size-fits-all checklist — we start by understanding the specific situation and building a plan around it.
Initial walkthrough and assessment. Before anything gets removed, we do a thorough walkthrough of the property. This gives us a clear picture of the scope of work, identifies any immediate safety hazards, and helps us have an honest conversation with you about what the process will involve and how long it will take.
Sorting and itemization. Not everything in a hoarding environment is garbage. We work carefully to identify items that the property owner or family members want to keep, things that may have value and can be donated, and material that needs to be disposed of. We don’t make those decisions unilaterally — we work with you throughout the process.
Full removal and disposal. Everything that’s being cleared out gets removed properly — including oversized items, hazardous material, and anything that requires special handling or disposal. We’re not doing a partial job and leaving you to figure out the rest.
Biohazard and contamination cleanup. When waste, mold, pests, or other contamination is present — and in many hoarding situations, it is — we handle that as part of the process. Our team is equipped and trained to deal with biohazardous conditions safely and in compliance with health regulations.
Deep cleaning and sanitization. Once the property is cleared, we do a thorough cleaning of every surface, including areas that have been inaccessible for years. The goal is to leave the space genuinely clean, not just empty.
Restoration and repair. If the hoarding situation has caused damage to the property — floors, walls, plumbing, structural elements — McMahon Services can handle repairs and restoration as part of the same project. You won’t need to bring in a separate contractor to finish what we started.
We Serve Chicago and All of Northern Illinois
McMahon Services provides hoarding cleanup throughout the Chicago metro area and Northern Illinois, including the city itself and suburbs across Cook County, Lake County, McHenry County, and DuPage County. Whether the property is a single-family home, an apartment, a rental unit, or a commercial space, we have the equipment and the crew to handle it.
If you’re not sure whether we serve your specific area, just call us. Chances are we do.
Discretion Is Part of the Job
We understand that hoarding situations often involve a level of privacy that matters deeply to the people involved. Maybe the neighbors don’t know. Maybe it’s a family member’s home and the situation is sensitive. Maybe you’re a property manager trying to handle a tenant situation quietly.
Our team shows up professionally, works efficiently, and doesn’t make a production out of the job. We’re not here to make anyone feel embarrassed — we’re here to help get the property back to where it needs to be.
Why Families and Property Owners in Chicago Choose McMahon Services
There are cleanup companies that will take the job and focus purely on speed. That’s not how we work. Hoarding cleanup done poorly creates problems — items disposed of that shouldn’t have been, contamination missed, damage overlooked, a family that feels like they were just run through a process rather than genuinely helped.
McMahon Services has been a family-owned business in this region for over 70 years. The people who work here have long careers with this company. They know what careful, thorough work looks like, and they bring that to every hoarding cleanup job the same way they bring it to fire and water restoration.
We also understand that these situations sometimes involve family dynamics, emotional weight, and decisions that aren’t easy to make quickly. We don’t rush people. We communicate clearly about what we’re doing and why at every step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a situation qualifies as hoarding cleanup versus a standard junk removal?
If the accumulation has reached the point where rooms are no longer usable, pathways through the home are limited, or there are visible signs of mold, pest activity, or waste — that’s a hoarding cleanup situation, not a standard junk haul. McMahon Services handles the full spectrum, and we can tell you quickly after an assessment what you’re actually dealing with.
Do you work with families who are trying to help a loved one?
Yes, and it’s one of the more common situations we see. Family members often take the lead in coordinating hoarding cleanup when the person living in the home isn’t in a position to do it themselves. We work with whoever is managing the situation, and we approach it with the sensitivity that requires.
What if there's mold, pests, or biohazardous material in the home?
We’re equipped to handle all of it. Mold remediation, pest-related contamination, and biohazard cleanup are all part of what McMahon Services does — you won’t need to bring in additional contractors to deal with what we find during the cleanout.
Can you also do repairs after the cleanup is done?
Yes. If the hoarding situation has caused damage to floors, walls, plumbing, or other parts of the property, we can handle the restoration and repair as part of the same project. We’re a licensed general contractor with full reconstruction capability.