Oh, poop, I had this long message all typed up and it disappeared on me. :(

Is it possible you can keep your job even if you have been tearful there? Depending upon the company of course, some companies would understand temporary emotional issues, especially if you let them know you plan to do something about it.

I don't know if you have any work benefits, but perhaps there are some you could access? If not, keeping the job would still give you a stable income. You could then seek the counseling you want. Many places have sliding scale charges based upon income.

If your landlord is a nice guy, he's not going to chase after you, so please consider moving to the new apartment and not just fleeing the area. If you wanted you could even work out in time a way to pay him back for any costs, whether or not you spoke to him about it in advance.

At this point I don't know what you've undone about the new apartment and job, but just know I've been thinking of you, as has several other people here. We've all felt desperate at times, for sure.

Hi,

It's a bit garbled but it's a summary of my experience. If you read the thread from bottom up it'll make more sense.

What I Need (I made a list): 3 pr jeans, 3 t-shirts, 3 sweaters/sweatshirts, 3 pr shoes (for various terrains), toiletries, toilet paper, water bottles, my meds, pet meds, pet food, bowls, 3 blankets, 2 pillows. I can't think of anything else. The rest goes into the dumpster.

G, I don't understand much of what you are referring to, but I do hear your despair. I wish I could just reach out and help in some way.

You are hurting and I wish I could make it better.

You can always go to a library and get on the internet, you know? I've done that when my computer was down. That way you could stay in touch.

Please keep what you NEED. Please.

Hugs
Roxie

No, I won't ask my landlord, the way I am handling this will cost him less in the end than if he split the cleaning cost with me.

The other thing is that what happened to me should not be rewarded. String someone along until the deadline is too close and they have no other choice, then jack up the rate - they will be so desperate they'll find the money somehow. Or so it's supposed to work, I guess. The worst part was the boy scouts/church crack. Yes, those neighbors I've been terrified for years would find out, why don't I just invite them in and see if they'll clean my place? That was beyond snark, that was vicious. If I had the money, would I be doing the right thing by rewarding them with it? So they could do this to the next desperate person to come along and the next and the next?

But it's all moot. I don't have the money and I don't have any way to get it. The whole idea of starting "new" in a new place and trying to become a normal person was stupid anyway.

Green it is good to see your update even though it is not good news. Are you sure you can't appeal to your landlord? You say he is a very nice person. I know this situation is a lot for him to take on but it will all be dumped on him anyway when you leave. Maybe then you wouldn't have to give up your job and disappear. I know none of this will help you at this point, you are living it and know what options you have or don't have left. I am just grasping at straws hoping you can have a better outcome.

You are still in my prayers.

Not gone yet, once I do go I won't have internet anymore so that'll be it.

Thanks for the kind words.

I'm tossing things as much as I can. My back problems make it difficult to walk but the new rule is - no going out of the house without a bunch of stuff, then straight to the dumpster with it. So its slow progress but it's progress. I'm trying to toss the stuff I had planned to keep FIRST, to get it over with, and so it'll be at the bottom where I won't be tempted to try and retrieve it. (Not to mention impossible even if I tried.)

I am in trouble for crying at work. I think that will stop as I get used to what happened. It was just so unexpected. I've been wandering around like a zombie. This has to get better because it's hard to function like this.

I don't WANT to be homeless and unemployed! But I can't just off myself because it's not just me, there is my pet (no details, I'm trying to be anonymous). There is also my landlord, the nicest person you ever met in your life. I can't stick him with all my crap, it's going to be bad enough what I do stick him with.

Green, I wish you all the best and hope one day you'll come back to see us all. Gentle hug.

Dear Green, you may not be planning to come back to this forum but I wanted to express how sorry I am that your story has such a sad and difficult ending. You may never see this but I will remember you and keep you in my prayers. Your posts may encourage others to reach out to those In distress with encouragement and kindness. You have touched many people here. May God bless you and help you to a a new and better life.

Thanks. The dumpster is here. There is just not enough time left to do this, and I am going to have to bail out on my landlord. That's going to mean getting as far away from this area as I can. I can get the security deposit back on my new place since I haven't moved in yet, and I'm going to give notice at my job today or tomorrow.

EVERYTHING that doesn't fit in the trunk of my car is going into the dumpster. It's not too expensive and I can have it emptied multiple times until everything is gone.

My car runs pretty good and has a comfortable back seat. I have no idea where I'm going to go, pick a direction and just go, I guess.

None of this has anything to do with hoarding or clutter, it's gone so beyond that now, so I'm going to take my leave of this forum. Thanks everybody for being so nice!! I wish you all the best.

P.S., please let us know how the dumpster work goes. Don't forget to break up bulky items if you can to conserve dumpster space. I think they don't want it overfilled due to potential spillage when they remove it.

Aw, Green, if you cannot afford it, you cannot afford it. So you are correct to go to Plan B whatever that may be.

Here's what I suggest:

Make a list for yourself of what you really NEED to go with you: important papers, photos, the amount and type of clothing you must have for work, etc., and any supplies like dishes, cookware, etc. that you will need to get by at a new place. Make sure those are all culled and packaged, even if you have to live on take-outs or tv dinners for awhile.

Carefully pack up what you will NEED and move those boxes out as soon as you can, even if it is to a temp storage like those Pods I hear about.

Hold the most needed items with you like meds and microwave and they go when you go.

If you then still have time and energy, go through and trash the trash as fast as you can into that dumpster.

And on the day you have to actually move out, then move out. You've done what you can.

If you have a lease, read your lease. If you have a security deposit, you will undoubtedly forfeit that but I doubt they will come after you for anything else.

All the above is in lieu of facing your landlord and asking he pay a share of the $$ for a pro cleanout.

Hugs

I really understand and appreciate why it's expensive, I was expecting it. The first guy (the one who was coming out to do an estimate) said he felt it could get as high as $2k to $2.5k for me, but he'd call back in a few hours with the exact figure. He didn't, as I posted before. So anyway, I could have afforded that amount but I can't afford the new amount. I am told it's because of my location and again I'm confused because they've known my location all along. I also TOTALLY understand the first guy wasn't giving me an official quote. I took it to be just a ceiling, but of course that wasn't official either (I just thought it was).

The Boy Scouts comment has to be snark, because as you say it makes no sense at all.

They're delivering my dumpster tomorrow.

I wish I could have the last month back.

We've all heard that these extreme clean outs can be expensive. Cory himself has said this. Of course the work is very difficult and possibly dangerous not to mention stressful and unpleasant. I'm sure the workers earn every penny of the fee.
Several times posters have suggested asking Boy Scouts to help out as a service project but seriously, would you want your untrained child exposed to such a seriously hoarded, toxic environment? Conversely, would you want to trust your difficult clean out to a bunch of kids, no matter how well supervised? Of course not. Church groups maybe, but do church organizations do that? Do service groups like Kiwanis, Elks, Knights of Columbus, etc. offer that?

Green, could you possibly split the cost with your landlord? If you bolt he will be stuck with the whole thing, so maybe he would rather cut his losses and cut you a deal.

Of course this might tip your hand and make it more difficult to sneak away.

Can anyone who has faced this offer suggestions? I fear this is the situation that arises to cause posters we have become concerned about to just stop posting and drop out of sight (or "site" as the case may be). We feel so helpless to provide real tangible help.

Hi Roxie

I had asked for several estimates, from a high estimate of "the works" (everything!) to perhaps a couple other estimates with less and less of the work done. "$3,000 to $3,500" is the only answer I got. I asked if he could think of any alternatives for me, and the answer was to try churches or the Boy Scouts. (I can't tell if that was sarcasm or not.)

I have no family, and don't know anyone in person locally.

It looks pretty likely I will have to abandon everything. Too much time has been wasted, there isn't time now to do it myself and I'm not physically capable (medical issues) of some aspects of what needs to be done. I need to find out what the legal consequences will be for me. I need to stay calm and not panic and plan this out.

So glad to hear you are still with us, Green. I was concerned at not hearing from you.

If you have or can get the money, I'd say go for it. It is well worth it.

If it is entirely out of the question, ask questions about how, if any way, could you work with them on at least some portion of a cleanout?

Do you have any people you can ask for help either in pitching/cleaning or financially?

Whoever said it, it is correct that you cannot organize a hoard. Probably 75 percent needs to go. So it is good you have ordered a dumpster. We managed to fill one at my place.

When filling a dumpster, smash up what you can so you can compactly fill the dumpster; i.e., condense an item by breaking it up whenever possible. Hey, that's good for relieving feelings, too!

Got my estimate: 3k to 3.5k =:-O

Not quite sure what to do at this point. Am getting a dumpster from my trash company and will go on a throwing-out frenzy, for starters.

I am not going to snivel all over you guys this time. Any advice appreciated, though. Moving deadline gets closer every day and I've wasted a month.

Thank you so much for the update, Green! I have been thinking about you hoping things were looking up for you.

I know you have quite a challenge ahead of you but you have taken those most important first steps. Keep up the good work.

I hope the professional cleaners will be able to ease your burden and help you on to a new start.

Hang in there--there are a lot of people here pulling for you.

Please post again to let everyone know how you are doing.

I can relate, I have gotten rid of so much and still have piles of stuff. Then I think of what Tillie says, you can NOT organize a hoard, must get rid of more stuff. As long as I am attached to too many things that I can't let go of, I will have to deal with piles. I hope you can let some things go to new home that in reality you will not have room for.

Hey all... just a quick update. Cory asked for photos, which I sent, am now waiting for that estimate. Cleaning up as much as I am able in the meantime. You know what makes this really rough? I can pick stuff up but then there's no place to put it down so it winds up either back where I picked it up from, or on top of one of the many piles. I'm throwing a ton out too but it doesn't seem to put a dent in it. I'd like to start packing stuff in boxes but there's no place to put a box except outside where it would get wet or get bugs in it. Arrgh!

I am never getting in this position again, never never never.

Thanks again everyone for being so nice.

Please let us know how you are doing! I assume that you are very busy since connecting with Cory and working toward your clean out and move so congrats on that. Your desperate situation concerned many people on this site causing suggestions, hints and cyber-support which may or may not have been helpful, but I gather that Tillie somehow contacted Cory which resulted in him intervening to assist you and get the process rolling.

You are probably too busy for extensive posting (and that's a very good thing!) but if you could just write a very quick update it would be great. A lot of people got caught up in your plight and are hoping for a happy outcome. Thanks!

(((Green))) Yahoooooooooo! Isn't Cory great?

Now, don't be a stranger. It really helps to be in regular touch with folks who "get it" with the hoarding or squalor or whatever you want to call it. Right now I am in the maintenance phase, learning new behaviors so as not to backslide, and also having goals to work toward in terms of doing more in-depth cleaning and reorganizing.

We've all been there with the tears, panic, melt-downs, etc.

You are NOT alone!

Hey all - yes I talked to Cory and a lot got cleared up. I have to get an estimate without a visit because my location is so far from them. I didn't know that before. Cory asked for photos so I will be sending them tomorrow.

Best of all he totally reassured me that despite what seems like a deadline right in front of my face, there's actually plenty of time to get this done. That is a big load off my mind.

I had kind of a breakdown over this today (lol, like you couldn't tell). I guess I had got so worked up over this appointment (with a month to get worked up) because I had never talked to anyone about my problem before much less showed anyone! and then you know what happened and I just fell apart.

Thank you all for being so nice. Thank you Cory for calling me and being so nice.

Hey Cory,

I'm glad you were able to get in touch with Green (formerly Me) and get everything worked out. :D

You are seriously like the SUPERMAN of extreme cleaners. :)

You mentioned in your post that you've been filming... So does that mean that there will be another season of "HOARDERS"? :D

Cory, I am sure we are all relieved that you were able to get in touch with Green and offer her some assistance and hopefully begin to resolve her overwhelming situation. Just reading her posts conveyed her level of desperation and I know I felt helpless to aid in any way. You, however, can really do something. Thank you for reaching out to her amidst your busy schedule. I am hopeful she will know that strangers are concerned for her welfare and are praying for her success. Again, many thanks for your kindness!

All is well with Me Again (Green). We spoke and cleared everything up. Me Again is a great person and I spoke with her about the situation and we are on track to move forward. I will never let someone go unanswered and I appreciate you for reaching out to tell me about this situation. Thanks especially to Tillie for contacting me to clue me in that this was going on. Our business is so hectic right now and I have been out of the office speaking, filming and currently in Northern California helping our other office run more smoothly. Anyone know how to clone yet? Thanks to you all and hope everyone is doing extremely great things!!!

Cory Chalmers

Just checking in. I'll see you in the morning!

Green, I'm going offline for awhile tonight, but I will check back in with you sometime before bedtime. I hope to hear by then that you've talked to Cory and feel a bit better and maybe have a plan.

Meantime, you can read these boards if you feel up to it. I've posted all over (check out success stories too) but there are other, longer-term posters here who are wise and experienced.

Or you could work in your place and simply focus on one thing to accumulate.... say true garbage in garbage bag, then run it to the outside garbage. That's one initial step out of the jam!

It is wonderful you have a place to go. That is a major stressor you've already got lined up. Way to go!

With your small place you may be able to get specific help to get you over the main hurdle(s). Cory can help you decide what you can or will do. You can definitely trust Cory. We all do!

If you have boxes you can start actually packing to move, tossing things you really don't need as you go. Label each box with where it goes in the new place. That'll make it easier to settle in and unpack.

If you don't have boxes you can scout for them starting tomorrow. Lots of stores get rid of boxes and are willing to pass them along, especially liquor stores.

If you are on a lease, that dictates your rights. At the very least I'd imagine you to have until the end of the month, maybe more time. If you can get yourself to the new place in that time, you can offer to come back and clean, or whatever seems reasonable to you.

Be thinking of you!

I'm glad you finally reached Cory. I hope he will be able to give you some consolation and assistance. If you haven't already done so, fill him in on that problems you have had with his employee. I'm sure he doesn't want that kind of representation affecting his reputation. Good luck, there are a lot of people pulling for you.

Someone said a color could work as a username and I'm tired of typing "Me again" plus it sounds strange when anyone says "Hello Me".

So anyway. I'm not comfortable giving up too much detail on a public forum.

It's a very small place. There's garbage and grime and a lot of just plain stuff. I'm not a hoarder by definition I guess, because I don't have a house full of collectables. It's just stuff. Most of it can get tossed but it needs sorted.

I don't have to climb over anything but I do have to step over a lot. Sometimes I miss and trip over it.

I do have a pet who is very old and incontinent at times and as much as I try and stay on top of it there's quite a stench.

I have a new place to live. Once I am settled I hope to get some therapy or counseling to get to the root of whatever is wrong with me so I don't get in this mess (literally!) again. The new place has a lease that allows the landlord to come in if she gives me 24 hours notice. Not that she will or anything but knowing she can is going to give me something to think about.

Last but not least I got an email from Cory who says he will call me tonight. I hope he does. Still haven't heard from the other guy.

I know you are distressed. Hang in there. If he's working another job he may not be able to do the phone right now, although in my opinion he should have made time to call when he said he would.

You are not alone. I just checked and about 2-5% of the American public are hoarders, and that is a cautious estimate.

We are all experienced here with hoarding, whether being hoarders ourselves or involved with others (family, spouse, etc.) who have the problem.

Would it help meanwhile to talk about what you most need so you can move? Are there biohazard materials like animal feces in the place? Do you have pets? Is there garbage all over? Can you walk through all the rooms or do you have to climb over things? Or do you just have too much stuff? The effort and cost required to clean up the place can depend largely on answers to these questions.

Is your end goal here to be able to move on X date? Do you have a place to which to move? Do you have a lease/contract with the landlord? DO you have relatives or anyone you could trust to come into your place to help (I did not).

R

Just left a message via the "contact" link above, referring to this thread.

Called the guy and it just went to voice mail. I hung up because I was starting to cry, this is horrible. My landlord wants to know when I'm going to get going on this because I told him I'd know more on Monday (today).

Good for you. Call the dude.

To email Cory, look for "Contact" above on this site and the email will go to Cory. I'd suggest copying and pasting the thread if you cannot, or just tell him where to look. Let him know you really need some encouragement pronto.

I don't have TV so I haven't seen hoarders. I didn't even know other people were like this.

It's after 2pm so I will call the guy.

How would I reach Cory?

Maybe 1800 GOTJUNK? They use them on the TV shows and I think they are all over. I was checking into them for a condo clean out (went a different way eventually) but I don't know the cost.

Cory's business (and presumably the franchisees) has an excellent reputation. If you ever watch the tv show Hoarders you'll remember him and his buddy Matt, who is also good.

I'll check back here soon> Won't leave you hanging.

Okay, the guy said he'd be able to call me back between noon and 2pm. It's 1:55pm. I'll wait another five minutes.

I don't have a good feeling about this "Steri-Clean" but I don't see any other companies or people who do this kind of thing, where would I find them if not here?

There is no way you could scare them away based upon the mess. They are very used to handling all that can come up at hoard sites.

It may be hard for you, but can you hang in here and both email Cory and call that guy again?

For Cory, refer him to this thread in Welcome to the New Board or copy/paste it in the email. He needs to know what's going on.

Second, in calling the guy back, just let him know you are getting kind of freaked out with the miscommunication and deadlines and what can he do to help get this going if it is going to go? He ought to be more sensitive to the nature of working with us folks than he is being, whoever he is.

You have every right to stick up for yourself and we are behind you.

Yes Me,

1-800-HOARDERS.com and this website hoardingcleanup.com, are both Cory's sites.

Cory is a very sweet and caring guy, that cares about his clients and other hoarders who aren't his clients. So I'm pretty sure that he would want to know if one of his employees wasn't doing their job properly.

I wouldn't call it scamming me. Nobody's asked for or taken any money from me. Maybe someone's just having a little fun with me, I admit I have been utterly panicked and desperate in talking to them (which is the truth, I AM utterly panicked and desperate!)

Oh good lord.

"HoardingCleanup.com run by:
Steri-Clean Inc. "1-800-HOARDERS.com" of California"

I didn't know I was on their own site.

Tillie: it sounds as if 'Me' is in contact with Cory's company, SteriClean and that someone was monitoring her chat with him. This whole situation sounds strange, given Cory's stellar reputation. Could someone be scamming her using Cory's name and is there a way she can contact him more directly?

MayMay: Yes

Cory Chalmers wants to know about any and all experiences with companies listed on this web site.
This is the only way he can monitor them and remove those that do not measure up to his high standards.
Please contact him.

Hey Me,

So the guy that was supposed to give you an estimate was from Cory's company "Steri-Clean"?

That also explains why the guy I talked to referenced things I had said in a chat with Cory when this all started. He said he had been there, reading the chat!

So no, talking to Cory isn't an option.

I have no choice but to deal with this myself (walking away from it).

Oh sheesh. The company I'm dealing with *IS* the company at 1800hoarders. I'm not going to get anywhere there.

I am going to walk away from it all and just move to my new place with whatever I can fit in the trunk of my car. If I get sued, good luck, I'm poor.

I don't know what I would say to Cory. This is the company they recommended.

I just don't understand. The guy said I couldn't get an estimate until he looked at the place. The soonest he could look at it was a month later (which is now). Now he is going to give me an estimate by phone. Once I get the estimate I'll know if I can afford this.

If he could give me an estimate without seeing the place why didn't we do that a month ago??

Hey Me,

I agree with Roxie. You should try to get in contact with Cory. He is a GREAT guy. :)

He is the BEST OF THE BEST! :D

I can't stop crying, this is insane.