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Emptying a home after a death or move
Estate cleanout companies clear a home after a death, a move to assisted living or a sale. Many will sort first, setting aside documents, keepsakes and items worth selling, and coordinate with estate sales, donation centers and recyclers before hauling the rest.
If the family lives far away, look for companies that can work with the executor or realtor, send photos and leave the home broom-clean for listing.
They load it, haul it and sweep up
Junk removal companies send a crew and a truck to carry out furniture, appliances, yard debris and general clutter from anywhere on the property. Most price by how much of the truck you fill, with an on-site quote before they start.
Many donate or recycle usable items. Some things, such as paint, chemicals, tires and certain electronics, may cost extra or need special disposal.
Do-it-yourself hauling
A roll-off dumpster is dropped at your property for a set rental period, you fill it, and the company hauls it away. Common sizes run from about 10 to 40 cubic yards; a 20-yard is a typical choice for a whole-house cleanout.
Prices usually include a weight allowance, with fees for going over. Many cities need a permit if the dumpster sits on the street, and most companies won't take hazardous waste, paint, tires or batteries.
Secure storage on your own property
Portable storage and steel shipping containers are delivered to your driveway or yard so you can store belongings during a cleanout, renovation or move. Some companies will later move the loaded container to their facility or a new address.
Check driveway space and surface, and whether your city or HOA allows a container and for how long.
Unattended deaths, blood and hazardous waste
Biohazard and trauma cleaners handle scenes involving blood, bodily fluids, unattended deaths, animal waste and other hazards that ordinary cleaners can't safely or legally take on. They use protective equipment, remove contaminated materials and treat odors.
Ask about bloodborne-pathogen training, how they dispose of medical waste under state rules, and whether they'll work directly with your homeowner's insurance, which sometimes covers this kind of cleanup.
Patient, judgment-free cleanouts
Hoarding cleanup crews clear severely cluttered homes room by room, sorting what the family wants to keep, donating or recycling what they can, and hauling the rest. Good companies work at the resident's pace and keep a set list of items to look for, such as documents, photos and valuables.
If the person who lives there is involved, ask whether the company works with therapists or organizers trained in hoarding disorder. Forced, all-at-once cleanouts often fail.
Selling a household's contents on site
Estate sale companies price, stage and sell the contents of a home over a few days, usually a weekend, with the public shopping in the house itself. They typically take a commission on sales and can arrange for leftover items to be donated or cleared.
Ask for references, how they handle security and payments, what the commission covers and how quickly you'll be paid after the sale.
Competitive bidding, online or in person
Estate auctioneers sell items to the highest bidder, either at an on-site or gallery auction or online. Auctions can reach collectors nationwide, which helps with valuable or specialized items like antiques, art, coins and firearms.
Auction houses charge sellers a commission and often add a buyer's premium. Ask about fees, photography, shipping and timelines.
Wills, trusts and powers of attorney
Estate planning attorneys draft wills, living trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives, and help families plan to avoid probate and reduce taxes. Many also guide executors through probate after a death.
Many offer flat fees for standard plans. See our guides on estate planning for costs and checklists.
Medicaid, long-term care and guardianship
Elder law attorneys focus on legal issues of aging: planning to pay for nursing-home care, Medicaid eligibility and the look-back period, guardianship and conservatorship, and protecting seniors from financial abuse.
If a parent may need long-term care, talking to one early, before assets are moved or spent, gives the most options.