It's an unwelcome fact that your property may be the site of a traumatic event, such as a violent crime, suicide, or unattended death. On top of the stress and anxiety this brings, you - the property owner - will have to make sure that the site is cleaned properly, and that means hiring trauma cleaning services.
In this Clean Team Scotland blog, we're shedding some light on this subject so you know what to expect when it comes to the cost of using professional trauma cleaning services.
Along the way, we'll explain the processes involved to provide a broader picture of what happens and where your money is being used.
The term trauma cleaning covers a range of scenarios, usually where hazardous waste is involved.
This could relate to a crime scene, serious accident, or the site where a deceased person has remained undiscovered for some time. In all cases, blood and other bodily fluids are typically present, and these can pose serious health risks in the form of viruses, pathogens and bacteria.
Because of this, professional trauma cleaning is required to ensure that the risk is eliminated. The site must be cleaned and sanitised correctly and this can only be achieved by professional cleaners with specialist trauma cleaning training and experience.
Here's a breakdown of the type of site they will handle:
Whether it's the site of a violent assault or murder, a crime scene often needs to be professionally cleaned. The length of time required to clean crime scenes will vary depending on the location, surroundings and the nature of the crime.
Extreme cases of hoarding can result in severe consequences, with excessive filth and hazardous waste. It's not uncommon for dead animals (including rodents) to be present, along with rotting food waste and other hazardous materials.
Accidents involving heavy machinery can be extremely traumatic events, leading to injury or death. Emergency cleaning services are often required to restore the site to its former state quickly and efficiently so that work can continue.
Whether anyone is at fault or not*, road traffic accidents can leave wreckage and contaminated materials at the site. Blood, bodily fluids and other biohazardous waste may be present, requiring professional trauma cleaners to clear up the scene.
*It's up to the police to decide if it's a crime scene or not.
Whatever the circumstances, this is always a distressing situation for anyone to deal with. However, the nature of the death may dictate that a trauma cleaning company is required.
A trauma scene such as this can be extremely distressing and unpleasant to encounter, which is why specialist crime scene cleaners are usually called in.
In the event that a deceased person is discovered, the emergency services will contact a trauma cleaning service to deal with the aftermath.
In many cases, the body has been left undiscovered for weeks, months or years, meaning that it is in an advanced state of decomposition. Professional trauma cleaning services are then required to implement biohazard remediation measures.
As well as crime scenes, specialist trauma cleaning services may be required for chemical spills or acts of vandalism or terrorism involving hazardous waste (harmful chemicals, pathogens, poisons, animal waste, etc.).
If you're responsible for the cost of trauma or crime scene cleanup, you want to know how your cash is being spent.
With this in mind, let's break down the process to see what happens...
The first step involves assessing the risks involved. Whether it's a crime scene clean or dealing with the aftermath of some other traumatic event, we need to know exactly what the risks and hazards are.
Whatever the situation, specialist cleaners only move in once the authorities have given the all-clear. With crime scene cleaning, we have to wait until the investigating team has removed any evidence.
Once this has been completed, the inspection and assessment takes place.
All hazardous waste is identified, bagged and disposed of at the nearest licenced depot. This step must be handled by trained professionals familiar with the correct procedures. Biohazard waste may include blood, body fluids, faeces, urine, etc., all of which can present health risks. Hepatitis, AIDS/HIV and MRSA are all potential risks, along with bacteria and other viruses.
Contaminated materials will be removed and disposed of correctly, according to the biohazard disposal regulations.
The cleaners will wear full personal protective equipment throughout the cleaning process to ensure their safety and rule out cross-contamination.
Take a look at our post "How much does biohazard cleanup cost"
The affected area is given a thorough cleaning using industrial-grade detergents and sanitisers. Specialist cleaners may use steam cleaners, pressure washers, ULV foggers and industrial vacuums to ensure that trauma scenes are thoroughly cleaned and free from contamination.
Biosweep technology is often used to sanitise the air, removing all bacteria and mould spores, along with viruses, germs and any lingering odours.
We've given a pretty clear overview of what's involved, so now it's time to look into trauma cleaning costs.
The total cost will vary depending on several factors, so we'll dive into these:
Now we've taken in all of this information, we can reveal that the average cost of crime scene cleaning in the UK is around £3,500.
It's vital to keep in mind that this is a rough average and that the above factors will influence the final cost.
Here are some further examples of what you might expect to pay, based on the situations we referred to earlier...
View our post for more information "What is the average cost to clean a hoarder house"
For simpler trauma cleanup jobs (like minor blood cleanup in a single room), costs may start around £500 to £1,000. Extensive cases involving decomposition or multiple rooms can exceed £5,000, particularly if additional repairs or odour removal services are necessary. Severe cases, especially those involving extensive contamination or chemical hazards, may reach £10,000 or more.
As you can see, the costs can be significant, and many people will struggle to find the money.
So, who can you turn to for financial assistance when the worst happens and you find yourself with a hefty bill for trauma cleaning services?
Well, you might want to check your insurance coverage! Look at the insurance policy details to see if this kind of incident is included. If you're not sure, have a chat with your insurance company and they'll confirm this for you.
Otherwise, contact your local authority as they may have a discretionary fund. It's also worth checking with bereavement or victim support charities.
Finally, contact Clean Team Scotland when you need reliable, professional trauma cleaning services. Our comprehensive range of cleaning services guarantees complete confidence in sensitive situations, making sure that you get the very best results at competitive prices.
When traumatic situations unfold, you need professionalism and expertise you can trust, and that's why Clean Team Scotland is the perfect choice.
