New Hanover County, North Carolina
Hoarding cleanup in Wilmington, NC
Here's how hoarding cleanup works in Wilmington, which city and county offices handle housing, safety and disposal, and how to get a free, private estimate from a local company.
Wilmington at a glance
- Wilmington had 115,451 residents in the 2020 Census.
- Homes that don't meet the Minimum Housing Code, along with trash and debris nuisances, fall under the City of Wilmington's Code Enforcement Division.
- New Hanover County Social Services handles Adult Protective Services: 910-798-3500 on weekdays, or 910-452-6120 after hours.
- Wilmington collects bulky items at the curb at no extra charge, by appointment only.
Who inspects a home in Wilmington
Inside city limits, the City of Wilmington's Code Enforcement Division enforces the Minimum Housing Code and handles trash and debris nuisances. Reports can be made online, by phone at 910-341-3266, or by email, and most can be anonymous.
New Hanover County Environmental Health doesn't handle pest or mold problems in private homes, and its Healthy Homes program points city renters to Wilmington Code Enforcement for housing violations. If you've received a notice from the city, share the deadline when you request an estimate so the work can be planned around it.
Disposal for a large cleanout
The city picks up bulky items free by appointment. Call 910-341-7875 or use the online form by 4:30 pm the business day before your trash day, and keep bulky items, metal, electronics and yard waste in separate piles. Contractor demolition debris is not collected.
Anything beyond that, including furniture and mattresses, can go to the New Hanover County Landfill on Highway 421 North. Most cleanup companies haul it there themselves after pulling out donations and recycling.
What a hoarding cleanup in Wilmington usually involves
- A private walkthrough. The cleanup company looks at the home with you, or with whoever is handling things for the family, and talks through goals and timing.
- A written plan and price. You get a quote before any work starts. Most jobs here land around $2,000 to $7,500, depending on the size of the home, how much is there, and whether there is biohazard or pest damage.
- Sorting, not just hauling. Good crews go room by room so keepsakes, papers, cash and photos are set aside instead of thrown out.
- Removal and disposal. Trash, donations and recycling are separated and taken to the right places in New Hanover County.
- Cleaning and sanitizing. Once the rooms are clear, surfaces are cleaned and deodorized so the home is safe to live in, sell or rent again.
Local resources in New Hanover County
Cleanup is one piece. These public offices can help with the rest, such as safety concerns, code issues and disposal.
- New Hanover County Adult Protective ServicesWeekdays 910-798-3500. After hours, weekends and holidays 910-452-6120. Emergencies: 911.
- City of Wilmington Code EnforcementMinimum Housing Code and nuisance complaints. Online, 910-341-3266, or email.
- Wilmington Bulky Item CollectionFree curbside bulky pickup by appointment: 910-341-7875.
- New Hanover County LandfillAccepts bulky items such as furniture and mattresses. Check the page for current hours.
Wilmington hoarding cleanup questions
Who do I call in Wilmington if I think a relative is unsafe because of hoarding?
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, call New Hanover County Social Services at 910-798-3500 on weekdays, or 910-452-6120 after hours, weekends and holidays. Under North Carolina law, concerns about a disabled adult who may be neglected, including self-neglect, are reported to Adult Protective Services at the department of social services in the county where the adult lives.
Does Wilmington charge for bulky item pickup?
No. Bulky item collection is included for city customers, but it is by appointment only. Book by 4:30 pm the business day before your trash day.
How much does hoarding cleanup cost in Wilmington?
Most jobs fall somewhere between $2,000 and $7,500. The price depends on the size of the home, how much needs to be removed, and whether there is biohazard, pest or water damage. A written quote after a walkthrough is the only reliable number.