How Much Does Crime Scene Cleanup Cost in 2023? | Checkatrade
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Last updated on June 30th, 2022

Crime scene cleanup cost guide

After a crime has taken place on your property, the last thing you want to consider is cleaning up afterwards. It comes as a surprise to many that crime scene cleanup costs are the responsibility of the person or business affected. But sadly, this is often the case.

The average crime scene cleanup cost is not cheap. However, the specialist techniques and solutions used by professionals limits damage to your health. It also aids in helping you get back to normality as soon as possible.

Crime scene cleanup cost

The upfront charge for cleaning ultimately depends on the severity and nature of the crime. Disaster and trauma cleaners will provide a quote based on the scope of the work required. The average cost you can expect to pay is around £3,500

Job descriptionTimescalesAverage UK Cost (+VAT)
Crime scene cleanup2-48 hours£3,500

Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now

In some cases, the insurance policy that covers your home will cover unattended death or the cost of crime scene clean up. Different policies include different aspects, so be sure to check with your provider whether or not you are covered for this type of work.

What influences the cost of crime scene clean up?

Several factors will influence the quote received from specialist crime scene cleaners, including:

  • The number of affected rooms
  • The severity of the crime
  • The level of damage to the home’s structure
  • How long any victims were left unattended
  • Access to the property

In the aftermath of a violent crime, the cost of cleaning up is the last thing on anyone’s mind. However, the sooner the task is tackled, the less time it will take to remove any stains or bad odours. Use our search tool below to keep the process simple and source quotes from cleaners in your area.
cost of crime scene clean up

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FAQs

Who pays to clean up a crime scene?

In the majority of cases, the cost falls on the owner of the residential or commercial property in which the crime took place. Depending on the type of insurance policy you have, the total crime scene cleanup cost could be covered by your provider.

How long does it take to clean up a crime scene?

Unfortunately, this is one of those “piece of string” questions. The time it takes to clean up a crime scene will depend on the size of the area in which the crime took place and the severity of the damage. A more mild crime scene cleanup process can last around 4 – 8 hours to remove any harmful bacteria or contaminants.

However, a more severe crime scene can take up to 48 hours to remove all traces. If a body has been left unattended for a number of days, considerable work will be required to decontaminate the area.

What does a crime scene cleanup technician do?

Disaster and trauma cleaners will deep clean and sanitise the area where a violent crime has taken place. This includes the removal of any blood, bodily fluids and even tear gas. In scenarios where a victim has been left unattended, specialist cleaners will also handle the removal of the body and decontamination of the area to avoid the spread of blood-borne pathogens and harmful bacteria.

Can I clean up a crime scene by myself?

Taking on the cleaning process after a loved one has passed on may seem like the best option. You don’t want random people swarming your house, creating a mess, invading your space and being noisy. However, taking on such a massive project as well as feeling emotionally drained from the event is not the best option.

What’s more, approaching the scene unattended and unequipped is a serious health risk. So, unless you have expert knowledge and professional equipment, cleaning up the contaminants and bacteria requires a professional team.

Use our free search tool below to find experts who can help.

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