Start with the person whose home is changing. Ask what they want to preserve, what feels difficult, and which decisions they want help making. A familiar home contains memories as well as belongings; leave room for pauses.
Make a short list of priorities
Write down what needs to happen and by when. Separate decisions about belongings from packing, transport, cleaning and selling. Agree who can make decisions and who should be included in conversations.
Begin with a manageable space
Choose one drawer or cupboard before a whole room. Use clear groups for items to keep, offer to family, donate, sell or revisit. Put uncertain items aside instead of rushing a decision. Keep important documents and valuables secure.
Compare the scope of support
Ask providers which tasks they handle themselves and which involve another company. Discuss experience supporting seniors, how they approach sensitive decisions, and whether you can work at your preferred pace.
Ask for the full scope in writing, including fees, travel, minimum bookings, cancellations and how additional work is approved. Confirm coverage for your exact address and references from comparable projects.
If a move is involved
Check room measurements and access at the new home. Discuss lifts, stairs, parking, packing materials and who will unpack essentials. Coordinate a first-day box with familiar items and practical necessities.
If belongings will be sold
Ask how items are valued, what commissions and other fees apply, how unsold items are handled and when accounting and payment are provided. Keep a written record of what leaves the home. Get suitable professional advice where authority over an estate or another person’s property is uncertain.
Keep the plan flexible
Review the next small step together. Confirm what has changed before each booking, and keep the person whose home is changing involved wherever possible.