Estate Cleanout Directory
Services  ·  Guides  ·  List Your Company

Using a Storage Container During an Estate Cleanout

During an estate cleanout you often need somewhere to put belongings that are not staying in the house but are not ready to go either: furniture waiting for a family member, items for an estate sale, or things you need to sort later. A portable storage container dropped in the driveway is one answer.

When a container makes sense

  • The house is being sold quickly and you need it empty for showings or closing.
  • Family members live far away and need time to decide what they want.
  • You are staging for an estate sale and want to clear rooms first.
  • Belongings are going to another city; some containers can be shipped.

If everything is going to the landfill, a dumpster is the right tool instead. See dumpster rental vs. junk removal.

Container vs. self-storage unit

  • Container: loaded at the house, no truck needed, can stay on-site or be taken to the company's facility, and some can be shipped.
  • Storage unit: often cheaper month to month for long storage, but you need a truck and helpers to move everything there.

Many families use a container for the cleanout and then move what is left to a unit or a relative's home.

Sizes and what to ask

Containers commonly range from small (about one room) to large (a whole house). Shipping containers bought or rented for long-term storage are heavier-duty and often 20 or 40 feet long. When comparing quotes, ask about:

  • Delivery and pickup fees, and the monthly rental.
  • Whether the container can stay on-site and for how long.
  • Insurance or damage protection for contents.
  • Weather-tightness, locks, and climate control if you are storing antiques, papers or photos.

Placement rules

Check whether you need a permit to put a container on the street, and any HOA rules about driveway containers. Make sure the surface is level and there is clearance for the delivery truck.

Keep track of what goes in

Photograph items as they are loaded and keep a simple list, especially if they belong to the estate and will be divided among heirs. See estate cleanout checklist and how long an estate cleanout takes.

Find storage and shipping containers near you, or an estate cleanout company to handle the whole job.