Estate cleanout checklist: where to start
Clearing a home after a loss feels like too much. Taking it in a clear order makes it manageable. This checklist covers what to do before the hauling starts.
1. Confirm who can authorize the work
Before anything is removed, make sure the right people have agreed. If an attorney or executor is handling the estate, talk to them first. We are not lawyers and cannot advise on estate matters, so ask the person handling it what you may remove and when.
2. Find the important items first
- Legal papers, wills, deeds, titles and insurance documents
- Bank and tax records
- Jewelry, cash and small valuables
- Photos, letters and keepsakes
- Medications, which should be disposed of safely
3. Sort the rest into groups
- Keep: family items and heirlooms
- Sell: furniture, collectibles and tools worth selling, through an estate sale or online
- Donate: clothing, household goods and furniture in good shape
- Haul away: everything else, including trash and damaged items
4. Set a timeline
Work backward from your deadline, such as a listing date or a closing. Leave time for an estate sale, if you plan one, before the hauling.
5. Call a hauler for the rest
Once the sorting is done, we remove what is left. That includes furniture, appliances, boxes, garage and attic contents, and trash. We can coordinate access with a realtor or family member if you live out of town. Pricing depends on volume, access and the size of the home, and we quote before we start.
6. Walk through before you finish
Check closets, the attic, the garage and sheds one last time. See our estate cleanout service, or call or text us to talk it through.
Last updated October 2026. This guide is general information and is not legal, financial or insurance advice.
Common questions
Do I have to be there?
Not always. If we can arrange access and written authorization with the executor or realtor, we can work without you.
Can you clean the house after the cleanout?
We remove the contents and debris. We can refer you to a cleaning service if you need one.
How long does an estate cleanout take?
Small homes can be done in a day. Larger homes may take longer.