Here to help you - the Lichfield house clearance specialists by Richard Winterton

Here to help you - the Lichfield house clearance specialists by Richard Winterton

AS my granny used to say, ‘look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves’, writes Richard Winterton.

I might also add ‘look after the pennies and the pounds will come’. Let me explain…

When I first go to a house, I say ‘we are here to help you’.

If the property is full, we will check everything – the house of course and the attic, the cellars if there are any, garages, the gardens, any sheds, outbuildings, greenhouses, conservatories, orangeries… you name it!

To some, those jam-packed garages, overgrown gardens and crowded sheds might seem daunting – at best the spectre of a dozen or more journeys to the tip.

And that’s where we come in. We don’t cherry-pick, we carefully sift through everything, identify potential lots for sale at auction (realistically most things) and then safely dispose of anything which needs to be scrapped, such as items which do not meet current fire or electrical regulations.

People do get concerned about sheds, gardens and garages – don’t be. Let us come to you and take away the stress along with the items in question.

Over the years I have seen so many attics stacked floor-to-ceiling and garages racked wall-to-wall and whether it’s a bulging basement or unloved outbuilding, these places are so often chock-a-block with opportunity.

Heaving sheds and garages are teeming with interesting finds from vintage tools and equipment to automobilia and random curios which ended up there by default.

Richard was delighted to discover this vintage Triumph Stag in a barn.

As I say, we don’t cherry-pick. We have a dedicated, very experienced team and if there’s something there, we will find it!

Many times, the whole clearance costs can be covered from items thought only good for the tip until unearthed in those places by our eagle-eyed team.

As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another’s treasure – should it perhaps also be one person’s collection is another’s clutter?!

Whichever way, it’s never more true than in our specialised field.

There could be one tiny gem in an entire property; equally there could be dozens! And they could be anything from anywhere in the world. The possibilities really are exciting.

Once we’ve done that initial clearance and all the sifting, identifying and cataloguing, we can then also dress a house for sale should the client wish. And once the sale completes, we come back again to clear it and leave the property completely clean for its new occupants.

The contents of house/shed/gardens etc are transported back to The Lichfield Auction Centre to go through the auction process.

In this respect I liken us to a one-stop shop! We take care of the whole process and, although we sell many things for thousands and thousands of pounds, we treat items worth perhaps £5 to £10 with equal care. To us, everything is important.

Whatever the situation, we never forget that this is someone else’s home and belongings – possibly accumulated over an entire lifetime.

So whether you are an executor clearing a deceased estate, investigating downsizing options, administering probate, emigrating or just keen to clear clutter (or should I say collection?!), give us a call.

We’re always happy to have a look with a free, no obligation home visit and give you our honest opinion and free quotation up front.

That same helping hand is available for all properties inside and out, ranging from houses, bungalows and flats to schools, offices and factories and I am so proud of our bespoke, sympathetic service.

A house clearance at a property overlooking Lichfield’s Stowe Pool.

When it comes to probate, we’re especially adept at handling the entire estate – as the National Association of Jewellers’ newest approved member for auction services, all members of our jewellery department are certified gemmologists and diamond graders.

Whatever the items in question, we can handle probate valuations and estate clearances in their entirety.

Just about anything you can think of passes through The Lichfield Auction Centre, from watches, jewellery and furniture to specialist militaria, coins, silver, stamps, ceramics, vintage toys, comics and Pokemon cards – the ultimate modern day collectable!

Everything from boxes of mixed lots to automobiles can – and does – go under the hammer in our online-only auctions.

There’s now so much detail with extra photos for every lot in the online catalogues to help people all across the world buy in confidence.

We’ve also had so many lovely comments from clients about our packing service and all the measures we have implemented with regard to coronavirus.

So, from the back of a Lichfield shed to the front of a Hong Kong collector’s cabinet, perhaps… that’s how it’s done.

Look after the pennies and the pounds will come – and furthermore we will look after you!

For a free home visit to discuss house clearances, downsizing, probate assistance or large collections, contact The Lichfield Auction Centre on 01543 251081 or email office@richardwinterton.co.uk.