Estate Sale Services: What Do They Include?
Each estate sale company offers a different combination of services and fees. Some families may prefer a company that provides a wide range of services, while others may need only the estate sale itself. The right arrangement depends on the property, the client’s needs, and the services available in the area.
Fees also vary. A company may charge a commission, flat fee, hourly rate, minimum fee, expenses, or a combination of charges. The fee for conducting an estate sale generally reflects the work involved in sorting, organizing, displaying, researching, pricing, advertising, staffing, managing shoppers, and closing out the sale. Cleanout and other services may be included or charged separately.
What Other Services May Be Available?
Some estate sale companies conduct the sale and leave the remaining unsold items at the property for the client to handle.
Other companies may offer to pack, donate, remove, or arrange for the purchase of unsold items. These services may involve an additional fee. Some clients prefer this option, while others want to review the remaining items before deciding what should happen to them.
Depending on the company, additional services may include:
- Walking through the property to help determine the most appropriate way to sell its contents. An on-site estate sale may not be suitable for every property, including some gated communities, high-rise buildings, or locations with access restrictions. A company may recommend another option or have the ability to move items to a different location while keeping the estate’s property separately identified and documented.
- Helping the client identify items that may require a qualified appraisal or a different selling market. An estate liquidator may have contacts with appraisers, auction houses, dealers, or other specialists who handle particular types of property.
- Assisting the client with decisions about what to keep, sell, donate, recycle, or discard.
- Helping empty or sort attics, basements, closets, and other storage areas to determine what may be sellable and what may need to be removed.
- Sorting through garages, barns, sheds, and workshops. Whether this work is included in the estate sale fee or charged separately will depend on the company and the scope of the property.
- Coordinating with a consignment company, auctioneer, dealer, or other seller when an on-site estate sale is not the best option.
- Arranging for higher-value or specialized items to be sold through a more appropriate market. This service may require a separate agreement, commission, or reimbursement of expenses.
- Providing senior move management or related relocation services when the company offers them.
- Packing household contents for storage, shipping, donation, or relocation.
- Completing an estate cleanout before or after a sale. Some clients need the property left empty and ready for its next use. The cost will depend on the amount of property, labor, disposal, donation, transportation, and other work involved.
- Handling heavily cluttered or hazardous properties. These projects may require additional labor, safety precautions, protective equipment, or specialized outside services.
A written agreement should clearly explain the estate sale company’s responsibilities, the client’s responsibilities, the services being provided, and all applicable fees. Both parties should review the agreement carefully and address any questions before work begins. Any additional services or special arrangements should be added to the written agreement, and both parties should retain a copy.
