How Much Does an Estate Sale Cost?

When you're planning to sell the contents of an entire home, one of the first questions to ask is “How much do estate companies charge?”

People hire estate sale companies for a variety of reasons, such as inheriting a property after a family member's death, moving, downsizing, or divorcing. Estate sale companies like Mile High Estate Sales simplify the entire process by handling everything from inventory and pricing to marketing, running the sale, and cleanup.

In this article, we'll discuss how estate sale companies usually operate on a commission-based model rather than charging large upfront fees. At Mile High Estate Sales, we are always 100% transparent about our pricing so you can understand your true estate sale costs and benefits.

How Estate Sale Companies Typically Charge for Their Services

Most estate sale companies charge a commission and earn a percentage of the total gross sales.

Rather than charging clients upfront (since sale costs and profits can vary tremendously), a commission-based model aligns incentives. The more money the sale generates, the more the estate owner and the estate sale company benefit. If nothing in an estate sells, the estate sale company also earns very little or nothing.

How much does an estate sale cost? Here's a real-world example:

Average Estate Sale Company Commission Rates

• 25%–30% commission: For extremely high-value and well-organized estates, a common industry standard.
• 30%–40% commission: The range most estates fall in.
• 40%–50% commission: A sale requiring extensive labor may warrant a higher commission.

What Services Estate Sale Companies Provide

When considering all the factors that go into how much an estate sale costs, it's important to understand everything that goes into this type of service. Professional companies like Mile High Estate Sales handle essentially every step of the process over days or weeks of preparation and labor, including:

• Organizing and sorting household items
• Evaluating and pricing items
• Researching market values
• Staging items for buyers
• Marketing and advertising the sale
• Interacting with customers
• Handling security and preventing theft
• Managing payment processing
• Taking care of unsold items post-sale
• Coordinating donations and cleanup

Factors That Affect How Much Estate Sale Companies Charge

Numerous factors influence how much estate liquidators charge, including:

• The amount of labor required to prepare the home
• The number of items in the estate
• The value of items sold
• The size of the property
• The home's accessibility
• Local market demand for items
• The required timeline to complete the sale

As a general rule, large furnished homes with thousands of items require more preparation time, which can lead to higher commission rates.

Different Estate Sale Fee Structures

Common estate sale fee structures may also affect your total estate sale cost:

• Flat percentage commission: A fixed percentage of total sales charged by the company.
• Sliding-scale commission: The commission decreases as sales increase.
• Item-based commission: Different commission rates assigned to certain high-value items.
• Online estate models: May charge listing fees in addition to the commission.
• Hybrid models: Combine a traditional estate sale with an online auction.

Additional Estate Sale Fees to Be Aware Of

In addition to the commission, professional estate sale services may also charge other fees, as listed below. These fees are typically minimal for small estates, and reputable companies always explain their potential charges upfront.

• Marketing and advertising fees
• Professional home cleaning
• Credit card processing fees
• Trash removal services
• Donation coordination
• Hazardous material disposal
• Transportation to auction houses or consignment shops

How Online Estate Sales and Auctions Charge Fees

In recent years, some traditional estate sale companies have expanded into online sales and auctions. Your fees may be higher if the online platforms you use charge listing fees. Meanwhile, auction houses usually charge both sellers and buyers, adding buyer premiums to the final bid prices.

Keep in mind that online sales are often beneficial for rare and collectible items that interest a wider audience beyond your local community.

How Much Money Estate Sales Typically Generate

How much does the average estate sale make? Revenue varies widely based on the contents of a home, the home's size, demand for items, quality of the advertising, and the number of buyers attending the sale.

• Small estate: Approximately $3,000–$8,000 in sales
• Average estate: Often in the $10,000–$25,000 range
• Large or high-value estate: May bring in over $30,000

Is Hiring an Estate Sale Company Worth the Cost?

Although the commission fees might seem significant at first, most people find that hiring a professional is well worth the cost.

Estate sale companies like ours save you tremendously on time and labor while offering professional pricing expertise and access to established buyer networks. By using professional services, you'll host an organized, profitable sale that attracts more people and reduces your stress during difficult times.

How to Choose the Right Estate Sale Company

While researching what local estate sale companies charge, it's important to look at more than just commission rates.

First, ask companies about their commission structure and the services included. Check online reviews and references to learn about past sales they've conducted, and ask about their marketing strategies. Always confirm details in writing rather than relying on verbal offers.

Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring an Estate Sale Company

• Extremely low, unrealistic commission rates
• Limited experience in estate liquidation
• Bad online reviews and local reputation
• Unclear or weak advertising strategies
• Hidden fees not disclosed upfront
• No written contract outlining services

Example Breakdown of Estate Sale Costs

Here's an example of how estate sale costs might break down in practice:

Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Sale Company Fees

Do estate sale companies charge upfront fees?

Most estate sale companies work on a commission basis and do not charge upfront fees. Additional fees may apply later based on the scope of work, but their potential should be disclosed upfront.

Can estate sale commissions be negotiated?

In some situations, commission rates may be negotiable, especially for large or high-value estates.

What happens to unsold items after the sale?

Estate sale companies can help you remove, donate, or sell items that were left unsold from the sale through auctions or consignments.

How long do estate sales typically last?

Most estate sales run for one to three days, over a weekend, and not during a major holiday.

Is it cheaper to run an estate sale yourself?

Although you can save money on commission fees by running the sale yourself, many people underestimate the time, labor, and expertise required and end up regretting their DIY approach.

When does hiring a professional estate company make the most sense?

We recommend hiring an estate sale professional if you don't have the time, energy, emotional capacity, or expertise to handle all the details yourself. Hiring professional help is also beneficial if you have a large number of items to sell or high-value items such as antiques, furniture, and collectibles.