How to Find an Estate Sale Company
A good estate sale company can turn a house full of belongings into a cleared property with money in the estate's pocket. A bad one can leave you with a poorly attended sale, unsold inventory, and billing surprises. Finding the right company takes about two hours of research and a handful of specific questions. Here's how to do it.
Quick answers
- EstateSales.net is the largest directory of estate sale companies in the U.S.
- ASEL (American Society of Estate Liquidators) is the professional association for the industry.
- Normal commission is 25-40% of gross sales. Avoid anyone who charges upfront fees.
- Check photos of their past sales and read reviews before contacting them.
- Ask specifically about minimum value requirements and what happens to unsold items.
Where to Find Estate Sale Companies
EstateSales.net
The largest online directory of estate sale companies and sales in the U.S. Search by zip code to find companies operating in your area. Their profiles typically include photos from past sales, which lets you assess the quality of their staging and presentation before you call.
ASEL (American Society of Estate Liquidators)
The professional association for estate liquidators. asel.org has a member directory similar to what NASMM does for senior move managers. ASEL members have agreed to a code of ethics. It's a useful filter, though membership alone doesn't guarantee quality.
Local Google Search
'Estate sale company [city name]' and 'estate liquidator near me' surface local operators. Google reviews are worth reading. Look for patterns in the reviews rather than individual complaints or praise.
Funeral Home and Eldercare Referrals
Funeral homes often have referral relationships with estate sale companies they've seen work with families in their community. Ask the funeral director, the estate attorney, or the assisted living facility your parent is moving to. Referrals from trusted professionals are often more reliable than cold searches.
How to Find and Hire an Estate Sale Company
Look at photos of their past sales
EstateSales.net shows photos from completed sales for most listed companies. Look at how they stage and present items. Are the photos well-lit and items clearly displayed? A company that presents items professionally tends to price and market better. Low-quality photos of cluttered, poorly organized sales tell you something.
Read reviews and ask for references
Read Google and EstateSales.net reviews. Look for patterns, not individual reviews. One bad review in twenty is noise. Five bad reviews mentioning the same issue is a pattern. Ask the company directly for 2-3 references from recent sales comparable to your situation in home size and content type.
Contact 2-3 companies and ask them to walk the home
Reputable estate sale companies provide free in-home consultations. They'll walk through the house, give you an assessment of what's worth selling, and offer an estimate of expected gross sales. This is also your opportunity to assess whether they're honest with you about value. A company that says a home full of IKEA furniture and worn goods will do great is either inexperienced or telling you what you want to hear.
Confirm the commission structure and ask about minimums
Commission rates run 25-40% of gross sales. Ask the exact rate upfront. Ask also about their minimum: if the sale grosses less than their minimum, do they still charge a flat fee? Some companies have minimums of $500-$1,000 regardless of gross sales. Understand this before you sign.
Get the contract and read the section on unsold items
Before signing, read the entire contract. Pay particular attention to what happens to unsold items after the sale: who coordinates removal, who pays for hauling, whether the company takes a cut of any bulk sale. This section causes the most post-sale surprises. If anything is unclear, ask for written clarification.
Confirm their advertising plan
A well-attended sale depends on marketing. Ask: where do they advertise? EstateSales.net, Craigslist, local Facebook groups, and email lists of regular buyers all matter. A company that relies only on a sign in the yard will have poor attendance. Their marketing plan is a direct indicator of how much your sale will earn.
Commission Structure: What's Normal
Standard estate sale commission is 25-40% of gross sales. The company earns nothing unless items sell, which aligns their incentives with yours. Avoid any company that charges upfront fees before the sale. Avoid anyone who asks for payment for the walkthrough consultation. These are red flags. The company's income comes from the commission, period.
Red Flags to Watch For
No References
A company that can't or won't provide references from recent sales is a company you shouldn't hire. New companies may have limited references; ask about their experience before the company was formed.
No Written Contract
Never hire an estate sale company without a written contract. Verbal agreements about commission rates, unsold item handling, and timelines mean nothing when there's a dispute.
Pressure to Sign Quickly
Legitimate estate sale companies have open schedules and can discuss terms at your pace. A company pressuring you to sign before you've had time to review the contract or get competing quotes is a red flag.
Upfront Fees
A commission-only structure means the company is motivated to sell. Upfront fees decouple their income from their performance. Avoid them.
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Step 2 of 2
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an estate sale company charge?
Most estate sale companies charge 25-40% commission on gross sales. On a $10,000 sale, the family nets $6,000-$7,500 before any additional fees for setup, hauling, or donation. Get a clear breakdown of all fees before signing. The commission percentage is the main number, but it's not the only one.
How do I know if an estate sale company is reputable?
Check EstateSales.net for reviews and photos of past sales. Search Google reviews for the company name. Ask for references from recent sales. Verify that they carry insurance. A reputable company is transparent about their commission, provides a clear written contract, and can point you to satisfied past clients.
What should be in an estate sale contract?
Commission rate, sale dates, setup timeline, what items are excluded, what happens to unsold items (who coordinates removal and who pays), whether the company takes a cut of any post-sale bulk purchases, and what the company is responsible for after the sale ends. If any of these aren't in the contract, ask for them to be added in writing.
How far in advance do I need to hire an estate sale company?
Most estate sale companies need 2-4 weeks of setup time before the sale can happen. Good companies in busy markets may be booked 4-6 weeks out. Contact companies as soon as you have a rough timeline in mind. The earlier you start, the better your options.
Sources
- SeniorLiving.org - What is assisted living and how to choose
- A Place for Mom - Assisted living guide and resources
- NESAA - Estate sale consumer resources
What is a Senior Move Manager? A Senior Move Manager is a trained specialist who helps older adults and their families navigate moves, downsizing, and care transitions. They handle the logistics so you don't have to.
An SMM coordinates the full downsizing process from sorting and estate sales to donating and disposing so your family does not have to manage every detail.
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