Meet the man who’s been clearing the nation’s junk and now also offers Covid-19 deep cleans 

In the race to fight Covid-19, many businesses are pivoting from what they traditionally offer to provide essential services – generating a new income stream in the process.

While Mercedes F1 engineers have turned their attention to producing ventilators for example, Brendan O’Shea’s business, Just Clear, has bolted on Covid-19 decontamination services in addition to its junk clearing offering.

Unsurprisingly, Just Clear has had many bookings and enquiries already. Brendan tells This is Money: ‘Our decontamination services have gone through the roof. 

‘We use Ultra which is an electrostatic spraying solution that makes it easy to decontaminate an area without wiping it down.

‘I’ve just been quoted to clean 4,200 properties that need decontamination for Covid-19 and that was just for one client who has a number of accommodations.’

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Brendan O’Shea started his business, Just Clear, back in 2007 with his wife and a van and now employs 70 people and operates nationwide through his franchise model

The service is available throughout London and the rest of Britain. The company have quoted for the decontamination of more than 70,000 accommodation properties, both public and private sectors in recent weeks.

Brendan says: ‘We are effectively nationwide because we are a franchise business. We do a lot of decontamination for corporates because they want safety for their staff.’

Like many, the founder of Just Clear is working from home along with his office staff while the removal, cleaning technicians and surveyors spring to action. 

His business has been awarded Covid-19 contractor status as it is deemed a vital service in prevention of the spread of the virus.

He assures that his staff have all the correct personal protective equipment, which they re-stocked in December last year.

PPE has become a contentious issue as nurses and doctors have relayed, increasingly anonymously for fear of losing their jobs, that they have not had the proper kit to protect them from Covid-19.

However, as Just Clear have enough stock, Brendan says they have donated 400 masks to a doctor in a London hospital so that more National Health Service staff would be protected.

Getting rid of rubbish 

Just Clear’s core business is household clearances which it conducts from £70 for one cubic yard of junk up to £430 for 20 cubic yards.

This part of the business is in part driven by deceased estates, however, it’s also been given a boost during the Covid-19 crisis which has seen an uptick of households buying items online, spring cleaning or simply needing the services as rubbish lorries fail to arrive.

He points out that the Britain generates around 25million tonnes of waste. But during 2020, he expects that to climb to 37million tonnes as more people get deliveries at home and conduct clear outs during the lockdown.

While much of it gets thrown away or recycled, Brendan points out that sadly four million people hoard goods as well, a practice which has been linked to poor mental health.

During this time he’s also seen the repercussions of hoarding and panic buying food. 

He says: ‘This week, we have cleared more than 80 tonnes of expired food from food hoarding where regular bin collection services couldn’t cope. 

‘There was also 490 tonnes of garden waste from folks clearing their gardens and 200 tonnes of plastic and cardboard from home deliveries.’  

Humble beginnings

The business was started back in 2007 after Brendan left what he describes as an unfulfilling career in investment banking. The Just Clear team initially consisted of just him, his wife and a van.

Just Clear donated 400 masks to a doctor in a London hospital so that NHS staff would be better equipped in the fight against Covid-19

Just Clear donated 400 masks to a doctor in a London hospital so that NHS staff would be better equipped in the fight against Covid-19

Brendan recounts doing all the heavy physical and proverbial lifting in the early days and how this left them covered in bruises as the pair lugged furniture out of buildings.

Now it has turned into profitable business, producing annual organic growth since day one with franchisees who have started operations in cities like Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Joining the Just Clear franchise isn’t cheap. 

Franchisees have to stump up £40,000 as well as pay associated franchise fees, marketing and uniform costs.

However, this has proved to be a recession proof model, which has created employment – something that is vitally needed as the world fights a pandemic. 

Just Clear currently has around 70 staff members which Brendan assures won’t lose their jobs. 

But it’s set to employ dozens more as the founder has further ambitions to offer the franchise in other countries.

Finding ‘gold’ among the junk

It’s not uncommon for clients to simply hand over the keys to buildings and ask Brendan and his team to clear it all out. 

Brendan says that sadly there are fewer people nowadays to literally pick up the pieces because there are more people living and dying alone.

He explains: ‘Often there aren’t next of kin available immediately, or partners – those legally responsible to sort out homes and living spaces when individuals die.

He adds: ‘Clearing properties, where the condition and contents are unknown, creates unbelievable challenges which requires a professional and honest solution.’

Just Clear have unearthed Nazi memorabilia during some clearances

Just Clear have unearthed Nazi memorabilia during some clearances 

It’s this honesty which has created trust and repeat business. Instead of following clients’ instruction to just throw it all away he’s taken care to ensure that the contents are indeed worthy of the rubbish tip.

This has helped him salvage expensive treasures that have resulted in families making tens of thousands of pounds from items they initially wanted gone.

Over the years, the Just Clear team have uncovered Nazi memorabilia (pictured above), classic cars, Picassos stuffed in the back of a cupboard in a West London apartment, unexploded war-heads and more.

While some clearers may be tempted to keep the loot, Brendan says his company declare everything to their clients then helps them auction the items if they wish to do this. Just Clear doesn’t take a cut from any of the findings.

He says: ‘Last year we had a really interesting case where we were told to clear a grandmother’s flat in Knightsbridge. The grandkids who lived abroad chose us as we were rated highly on Trustpilot.

‘They mentioned that there were some paintings and prints. We told them that we’d take them to auction for them.

A Picasso painting was also once destined for the rubbish dump before Just Clear notified the owners

A Picasso painting was also once destined for the rubbish dump before Just Clear notified the owners

‘While we were clearing, we uncovered two original Picasso ceramics valued to around £90,000.

‘We posted it on Instagram. It never went further than our social media and the family were called and notified about it. They sent us a very nice note saying they wanted to reward us for this but we don’t accept that.’

In a similar case where a family asked the business to clear a house in Kingston-upon-Thames, the Just Clear team uncovered an unusual furniture set of cabinets and chairs. This was also taken to the auction house and fetched a handsome £60,000 for the client.

Brendan says: ‘This was highly unusual for a cabinet and four chairs, but they were made by a famous French artist. We knew they were special, but we didn’t know they were that special.’

Just Clear were winners in the UK Probate Research Awards in London on 6 February 2020. Niki Bedi (pictured left) presents the Best Property Clearance Firm award to Brendan O'Shea (right) of Just Clear

Just Clear were winners in the UK Probate Research Awards in London on 6 February 2020. Niki Bedi (pictured left) presents the Best Property Clearance Firm award to Brendan O’Shea (right) of Just Clear

Ethical cleaning

Preventing as much waste from entering landfill is a key focus of the business. Brendan says: ‘We have lots of excess rubbish, but we recycle it in the proper way. 

‘We collect and sell a lot of the cardboard and metal. We resell things like mattresses and televisions.

‘It’s not only a good business model but also a good economic and environmental plan. That’s why our franchises are so sought after.’

Brendan ensures that his various franchisees keep to his exacting standards by monitoring the various operations.

‘We have a live document that keeps getting updated. You don’t just get a ‘franchise bible’ and told to get on with it. We make sure that all customers are happy with the service.

Just Clear now offers Covid-19 deep cleans and has been commissioned by one client to decontaminate 4,200 properties

Just Clear now offers Covid-19 deep cleans and has been commissioned by one client to decontaminate 4,200 properties 

‘Reviews are important for us. We also make sure they are recycling properly. If they are not getting in money from recycling and getting a huge landfill bill, we know they are doing something wrong.

‘They should get a regular income stream from cardboard, metal and wood. We need to see those credits coming in and need to make sure that those operating models are adhered to. 

‘We have our own monitoring system and make sure we have accountability to each tonnage of each material waste type.’

Brendan says that showing empathy in this business is also vital as there’s often a sad reason behind every household clearance – usually divorce or death. 

Brendan says: ‘Every time the phone rings it’s someone who needs our help. They can be emotional and grieving.’

He adds that sadly so far the company has cleared and decontaminated over 120 deceased estate cases for families who have lost their loved ones to Covid-19.  

Award-winning business 

Prior to the pandemic, the company was rewarded with a top rating in its category on Trustpilot and has won company of the year in its category in The UK Probate Research Awards in 2019 and 2020.

Brendan says he wants to grow the business substantially in the next four to five years. ‘We want to make sure we have franchises in every town. We are almost there but still offering franchises.

‘I hate to say it but we’re almost recession proof. There will always be rubbish to clear as we’re a nation of consumers with the likes of Ikea producing so much for so little.’

He advises others considering a business venture to go at it in their own way. ‘Do what makes you happy. Don’t follow the industry. 

‘We have done our own niche in the way we operate. Everyone says they recycle but that can be a very loose term in our industry. Recycling for some just means tipping off at landfill. It doesn’t mean that for us. We recycle.’

Small Business Essentials

 

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