How do I find estate sales near me?

Search by ZIP code at estatesalefinder.net/estate-sales-near-me or use your device location. Browse on a live map or list view, filtered by date, distance, and item type.

How do I hire an estate sale company?

Visit estatesalefinder.net/hire-an-estate-sale-company and complete the intake form. Your hire request goes exclusively to one matched company with full context, instead of being blasted to every company in the ZIP code.

How accurate is the Ai pricing?

The Ai Photo Appraiser identifies items from photos and pulls real eBay sold listing data, with pattern recognition for hundreds of collectible categories. The suggested price is a starting point to guide you, not a guaranteed value.

How much do estate sale companies charge in 2026?

Most estate sale companies charge a commission of 30–50% of total gross sales. The national average sits around 35–40%. Smaller or lower-value estates often land at the higher end (40–50%) because the company does the same amount of work for a smaller payout, while large, high-value estates can negotiate down toward 25–30%.

Is the commission the only cost, or are there extra fees?

Commission is the main cost, but many companies add separate fees for things like advertising, staffing, credit-card processing, post-sale clean-out, hauling, and trash removal. Some bundle these into the commission; others bill them on top. Always ask for the fee structure in writing so you know your true net before you sign.

What is a typical minimum or guarantee?

Many companies set a sales minimum (often $3,000–$10,000 in expected gross) before they'll take a sale. For estates under that threshold, they may charge a flat fee, a higher commission, or decline the job. A 'guarantee' means the company promises you a set dollar amount regardless of how the sale performs.

Do I pay anything upfront?

Reputable companies almost never charge large upfront fees — they're paid from the proceeds of the sale. Big upfront charges are a red flag. The standard model is commission-based, so the company only earns when your items sell.

How much will I actually take home?

On a $20,000 sale at a 40% commission with no extra fees, you'd net about $12,000. If the company adds $1,500 in advertising and clean-out fees, your net drops to roughly $10,500. That's why understanding both the commission AND the add-on fees matters so much.

Can I negotiate the commission rate?

Yes. Commission is negotiable, especially for larger estates, high-value items, or homes in desirable areas. Get quotes from two or three companies, compare what each rate includes, and use that to negotiate. The lowest rate isn't always the best deal if it excludes advertising or clean-out.

What happens to unsold items and does that cost extra?

Most companies discount steeply on the final day (50–75% off). Leftovers can be donated, hauled away, or returned to you. Clean-out and hauling are often billed as a separate fee ($200–$1,500+ depending on volume), so clarify this before signing.

Is hiring a company worth it versus doing it myself?

For most estates, yes. A professional company prices items at market value, attracts more buyers, and handles staging, security, payments, and clean-up. They typically generate higher gross sales than a DIY sale — often enough to more than cover their commission, while saving you weeks of stressful work.

Why do commission rates vary so much by company?

Rates reflect the company's experience, marketing reach, staffing, insurance, and the services included. A 45% rate that includes professional advertising, a large buyer email list, full staffing, and clean-out can net you more than a 30% rate where you pay separately for everything.

How do I find a fairly priced, reputable company near me?

Use our free Hire an Estate Sale Company search to enter your ZIP code and see vetted local pros. Compare their commission rates, read reviews, view their past sales, and request quotes from two or three before deciding.

How Much Do Estate Sale Companies Charge?

Q: What is an estate sale?

An estate sale is the sale of personal property from a household, typically due to death, downsizing, divorce, or moving. Unlike garage sales, estate sales often include antiques, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, and artwork.

Most estate sale companies charge a commission of 30–50% of total sales, with a national average around 35–40%. Here's exactly what that includes, the fees to watch for, and how much you'll actually take home — updated for 2026.

30–50%

Typical commission range on gross sales

35–40%

National average commission rate

$0 upfront

Reputable companies are paid from proceeds

How estate sale pricing works

Nearly all estate sale companies work on commission — they take a percentage of everything the sale earns, and you keep the rest. Because they only get paid when your items sell, they're motivated to price well and bring in buyers. The exact rate depends on a few things:

Estate size and total expected value — bigger, higher-value estates can negotiate lower rates
How much work is involved — cleaning, organizing, hauling, and staging all factor in
What's included — advertising, staffing, security, and clean-out vary by company
Your local market — companies in high-demand areas may charge more or less

For a much deeper, plain-language breakdown of every fee, read our companion article: What Estate Sale Companies Charge — and the Fees Nobody Warns You About.

Estate sale fees at a glance

Fee	Typical cost	What it covers
Commission	30–50% of gross sales	The main cost. Average ~35–40%.
Advertising / marketing	Included or $100–$500	Photos, listings, email blasts, signage.
Staffing	Usually included	Setup crew, cashiers, security on sale days.
Clean-out / hauling	$200–$1,500+	Removing unsold items after the sale.
Credit-card processing	2–3% of card sales	Sometimes passed through to the seller.
Minimum / guarantee	$3,000–$10,000 gross	Threshold to take the sale, or a flat fee for small estates.

Ranges are industry estimates for 2026 and vary by region, estate size, and company. Always confirm the full fee structure in writing.

What you'll actually take home

The commission percentage is only half the story — your net payout depends on total sales and any add-on fees. Here are three realistic examples (before any extra fees):

Small estate

Gross sales$8,000

Commission45%

You net~$4,400

Apartment or condo, modest furnishings.

Average estate

Gross sales$20,000

Commission40%

You net~$12,000

Typical family home, full of contents.

Large / high-value

Gross sales$60,000