FAQs — Coboxed

Question 1

Do I need to tidy before you arrive?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not! Please don't spend the evening before your appointment frantically tidying for us. We're coming because you'd like a helping hand. Seeing the space as it normally is can actually help us understand what's working, what isn't and how we can make things easier. No apologies needed. No judgement. That's what we're here for.

Question 2

Will you make me throw things away?

Accepted Answer

No. Your home. Your belongings. Your decisions. We can help you sort things into categories, talk through decisions and ask useful questions when you're stuck, but the final decision remains yours. And sometimes the answer is simply: "I'm not ready to decide about that yet." That's absolutely fine too.

Question 3

What is a "Not Ready Yet" box?

Accepted Answer

Exactly what it sounds like! Sometimes you find something and don't know whether you're ready to keep it, donate it or let it go. Rather than allowing one difficult decision to stop the whole process, we can put it safely into a Not Ready Yet box. You can come back to it another day, another month or even another year. Not every decision needs to be made today.

Question 4

Do I have to be there?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the job. If we're sorting personal belongings, we'll usually need you there for at least part of the process because we can't decide what matters to you. Once we've agreed clear instructions, there may be practical jobs your Coboxed person can complete independently. We'll agree this as part of your Personal Coboxed Plan before we begin.

Question 5

Can you work independently while I'm out?

Accepted Answer

Potentially, yes. Once we've built trust and agreed exactly what you'd like us to do, certain organising, boxing or practical tasks may be suitable for independent work. We'll never assume permission to make decisions about your belongings. Anything involving disposal, donation, sale or important personal items will be handled according to the authority you've given us.

Question 6

Can you guarantee you'll finish my room?

Accepted Answer

We can't — and we'd rather be upfront about that. Two rooms that look almost identical can take completely different amounts of time to sort. You might fly through decisions, or we might uncover photographs and memories that understandably take longer. We'll agree your priorities beforehand and make the best possible use of your Coboxed time. Our plan gives us direction, not pressure.

Question 7

What's included in the price?

Accepted Answer

Your exact inclusions will be written into your Personal Coboxed Plan. Depending on your booking, your price may include: your initial conversation and planning; creation of your Personal Coboxed Plan; your Coboxed person's agreed time; hands-on sorting and organising; support with decision-making; basic boxing and labelling where agreed; practical organisation suggestions; help separating items for keeping, donating, recycling or disposal; and recommendations for what to tackle next. If we think something will involve an additional cost, we'll discuss it with you first. No surprise extras.

Question 8

Are storage boxes and organisers included?

Accepted Answer

Basic materials may be included where we've specifically agreed this in your Personal Coboxed Plan. Larger storage products, specialist organisers, furniture or other purchases aren't automatically included in the session price. And we're not going to encourage you to buy a house full of matching boxes just because they look pretty! We'll try to work with what you already have first. If buying something would genuinely make your space work better, we'll discuss it with you.

Question 9

Do you take rubbish away?

Accepted Answer

Coboxed isn't a licensed waste-removal or traditional house-clearance service. We can help you sort and prepare items for recycling, donation, collection or disposal and, where appropriate, help coordinate the next step. If specialist waste removal or another third-party service is required, we'll discuss this with you. Any additional charges will be agreed before they're incurred.

Question 10

Can you take things to charity?

Accepted Answer

Where this forms part of your agreed Coboxed Plan, we may be able to help organise donations or prepare items for collection. What we're able to transport ourselves will depend on the circumstances of the booking. We'll always agree what is happening to your belongings before they leave your home.

Question 11

Can you help me sell things?

Accepted Answer

We can help you identify and organise items you may wish to sell and discuss practical options for doing so. If you would like Coboxed to undertake additional work connected with selling items, we'll agree exactly what we're responsible for and any associated costs beforehand. We won't promise a particular selling price or that an item will sell.

Question 12

Can Coboxed help after a bereavement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. This is an important part of what we do. Sorting through someone's belongings can be incredibly difficult, and there is no expectation that you need to clear everything quickly. We can work through one room, one wardrobe or even one box at a time. We'll provide the practical pair of hands while respecting that some decisions may take longer than others.

Question 13

Are you bereavement counsellors?

Accepted Answer

No. Coboxed provides practical home-clearing and organising support delivered with compassion. We're not counsellors or therapists and don't present ourselves as a replacement for professional bereavement support. Sometimes, though, what you need isn't counselling at that moment. You simply don't want to open that wardrobe alone. That's where we can stand beside you.

Question 14

My parent has died and I live nowhere near Eastbourne. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Potentially, yes. We understand that families may be dealing with a property in Eastbourne or the surrounding areas while living elsewhere in the UK — or overseas. We can help you plan the time you have at the property and, where appropriate, complete specifically agreed practical tasks between visits. We'll need to establish who has the appropriate authority to give instructions concerning the property and belongings before certain work can be undertaken.

Question 15

Can I book Coboxed for my elderly parent?

Accepted Answer

You can certainly contact us. But Coboxed is a collaborative service. If your parent lives in the home and the belongings are theirs, their wishes matter. We're not there to make someone clear their belongings because somebody else thinks they should. We want the person receiving our support to understand what Coboxed is and feel comfortable having us there.

Question 16

What if I get upset or want to stop?

Accepted Answer

Then we stop. We can have a cup of tea, tackle something easier, take a break or finish for the day. Particularly with bereavement and sensitive clearing, getting through a certain number of boxes isn't more important than the person we're working alongside.

Question 17

How do I book?

Accepted Answer

Start with a conversation. You don't need to choose a package or know how many hours you'll need. Tell us what's happening and what you'd like some help with. We'll ask a few questions and work out the best starting point together. From there, we'll create your Personal Coboxed Plan, provide an estimated cost and arrange your session.

Question 18

How much does Coboxed cost?

Accepted Answer

Every home is different, so we use pricing examples rather than pretending every job fits a fixed package. As an approximate guide: smaller projects £120–£180; larger sessions £300–£450; whole-home or substantial downsizing projects £600–£1,000+; ongoing support approximately £40–£60 per hour. These are examples rather than quotations or guaranteed completion prices. We'll discuss the likely cost before you commit.

Question 19

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Your payment arrangements will be confirmed when we agree your booking. For larger projects involving several sessions, we may be able to divide payments across the project where this has been agreed beforehand. You'll know what you're expected to pay and when before the work begins.

Question 20

What if I need to cancel?

Accepted Answer

We understand that plans change. Your cancellation and rescheduling arrangements will be provided when you book and included within your Coboxed terms. We simply ask that you give us as much notice as possible so that we can offer your appointment to somebody else.

Question 21

What if my Coboxed person is running late?

Accepted Answer

We'll always aim to arrive when we say we will. Occasionally traffic, emergencies or circumstances outside our control happen. If we're going to be late, we'll contact you as soon as reasonably possible to let you know. If the delay means your planned session no longer works for you, we'll discuss the options and, where necessary, rearrange it. We won't simply leave you wondering where we are.

Question 22

Will you photograph my home?

Accepted Answer

Only in accordance with the photography permission you've given us. You will be able to choose whether you are comfortable with photography and, importantly, whether any agreed photographs can be used publicly. You do not have to agree to promotional photography to use Coboxed. Saying no won't change how we treat you or the service you receive.

Question 23

Will you put my before-and-after photographs on social media?

Accepted Answer

Not simply because we've taken them. Permission to take photographs for progress purposes and permission to use photographs publicly should be treated separately. We will seek appropriate consent before using agreed images on Coboxed's website, social media or advertising. We will also take reasonable care to avoid displaying identifying personal information.

Question 24

Will what you see in my home remain confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Trust is fundamental to Coboxed. We're being invited into people's private spaces and may see personal belongings, paperwork and aspects of family life. We expect every Coboxed person to treat customers, their homes and their circumstances with respect and discretion. There may, of course, be limited circumstances where information has to be handled or disclosed to comply with the law or protect someone's safety.

Question 25

Who will actually come to my house?

Accepted Answer

You'll be visited by a Coboxed person — somebody selected not just because they're practical and organised, but because they represent the way we want Coboxed to feel. Friendly. Respectful. Trustworthy. Personable. Non-judgemental. Where possible, we'll let you know who you'll be meeting before your appointment. For longer projects, we'll aim to give you continuity with the same Coboxed person wherever reasonably possible.

Question 26

Do you cover my area?

Accepted Answer

Coboxed is based in Eastbourne and the surrounding areas. If you're slightly outside our usual area, still get in touch. Depending on the location and type of project, we may be able to help. Any additional travel costs will be discussed before you book.

Question 27

Can I buy Coboxed as a gift?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Coboxed gift vouchers start from £50 and can be put towards our services. We think they're particularly lovely when the recipient has already mentioned that they'd appreciate some help. Help should feel like help — never judgement. So we'd encourage you to consider whether the person would welcome Coboxed before surprising them with a substantial clearing package!

Question 28

Can several of us contribute?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's what Coboxed Together is for. Family and friends can club together towards someone's Coboxed support. Our website's Split Voucher Calculator will show approximately how much each person needs to contribute, and a shared payment link can allow contributors to pay towards the gift. It's particularly useful for families who want to help practically but can't necessarily be there themselves.

Wondering how it all works?

On the day

What's included

Bereavement & sensitive support

Booking & payment

Privacy & trust

Gift vouchers & Coboxed Together

Still have a question?