Cleaning out a Stage 3 hoarder house. There are 5 stages of hoarding. This house was a severe Stage 3, and could even be classified as a low-end Stage 4. Some people think the size of the piles is what makes a hoarder house severe. And that is of course one of the characteristics. But there are many more. A house that is hoarded can “look” like a Stage 1 or 2. Or even just a messy house. But there are many characteristics beyond the height of a death pile considered when rating a hoarder house.