Before the cleanup
How soon after the police leave can the cleanup start?
Once the police and the coroner have released the place. Many companies can come the same day. Ask when you call.
Who can authorize the work?
The owner of the property or vehicle, or someone acting for them, such as a landlord, a property manager or whoever is handling an estate.
What should I do with belongings in the room?
Leave them. Tell the company what you want kept and they can set it aside, cleaned where possible.
Will neighbors see what is going on?
You can ask for an unmarked vehicle and for workers to dress at the door rather than in the street.
Money and paperwork
What does it cost?
It depends on what happened, how far it spread and what has to be removed. Ask for a written price before work starts.
Does Washington's crime victim program pay for cleanup?
No. The state program lists crime scene cleanup among the things it does not pay for. It may help with funeral costs and counseling.
Will my insurance pay?
Sometimes. Call your insurer before work starts, ask what the policy covers, and ask what paperwork they want.
The people involved
Who decides when the home is released?
The police agency that responded, and the Yakima County Coroner when there has been a death.
Is the company on the phone the one that does the work?
Yes. You talk to an independent cleanup company. Biohazard Cleanup Yakima does not do cleanup work itself.
Yakima and the valley around it
Nobody in the family has to clean this
An independent cleanup company can take it from here once the police and the coroner are done. Asking questions on the phone commits you to nothing.
When you are ready to talk
Say what happened, where it is and who owns the property. The company explains what it would do. You decide whether to go ahead.
Call (509) 555-0106Phones staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
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