How Much Do Estate Sale Companies Charge?
Most estate sale companies charge 25–40% of gross proceeds and nothing upfront — you pay only out of what actually sells. Smaller estates land toward the higher end of that range because the company's setup effort is roughly the same whether the sale grosses $4,000 or $40,000; larger, higher-value estates spread that same effort across more revenue and can often negotiate a lower rate.
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Get Matched FreeCommission by Estate Size, Roughly
These are general industry ranges, not a quote — always get a written number from the company itself.
- Small estate (1–2 bedrooms, light inventory): 35–45% — the flat cost of staging and staffing a sale is hardest to absorb on a small gross
- Medium estate (typical 3-bedroom family home): 30–38% — the most common range for a standard full-household sale
- Large estate (4–5 bedrooms, dense inventory): 28–35% — more items to sell means more revenue to spread the same fixed effort across
- High-value estate (fine art, jewelry, antiques pushing gross proceeds into six figures): 20–30%, often individually negotiated
What Actually Moves the Rate
Two companies quoting the same estate can land 10+ points apart. The rate mainly reflects:
- Estimated gross proceeds — the single biggest factor; higher expected revenue justifies a lower percentage
- Item complexity — fine art, antiques, and collectibles that need individual research and pricing cost more labor per item than generic furniture
- Local market — companies in areas with strong buyer traffic can sometimes offer a lower rate because sell-through is faster and more reliable
- Services bundled in — a company that includes staging, full cleanout, and donation coordination in its commission will naturally price higher than one that charges those separately
Costs Outside the Commission
Commission covers running the sale itself — pricing, staging, staffing, marketing, checkout. It usually does not automatically cover everything else:
- Post-sale cleanout — clearing whatever didn't sell is frequently a separate line item, commonly a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on volume
- Formal appraisals — most companies price from experience, not a written appraisal; if you want one for a specific high-value item, that's typically billed separately by an outside appraiser
- Minimum fees — some companies set a floor (often $500–$1,500) for estates too small to generate a commission that covers their basic costs
- Advertising add-ons — rare, but a few companies charge extra for premium listing placement on top of their standard marketing
Reading a Commission Quote Correctly
A lower percentage isn't automatically the better deal — a company with a strong buyer list and proven local track record can net you more at a higher commission than a cheaper company with thin marketing reach.
- Ask what the commission includes — staging, cleanout, and donation coordination should each be confirmed, not assumed
- Get the minimum fee (if any) in writing, along with what happens if the sale underperforms it
- Compare 2–3 quotes on the same terms, not just the headline percentage
- Confirm the payout timeline — most companies pay out within 7–14 days of the sale, itemized
- If the estate is small enough that the commission math feels close to a wash, compare it against selling it yourself online first — see our estate sale vs. Facebook Marketplace guide for the trade-offs
Have a specific high-value item — art, jewelry, a collection — you're not sure your estate sale company will price correctly? See hiring an appraiser before an estate sale for when a separate written appraisal is worth the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there ever an upfront cost to hire an estate sale company?
Usually no — most companies work entirely on commission and are paid only from what the sale generates. A few charge a setup or minimum fee for very small estates where a straight percentage wouldn't cover their basic costs; ask about this specifically before signing.
Why do small estates get charged a higher percentage?
The company's fixed costs — staging, staffing, marketing, running the sale — are roughly the same whether the home is small or large. On a small gross, that fixed effort eats a bigger share of the proceeds, so companies charge a higher percentage to make the job worth taking on.
Does the commission cover cleaning out what doesn't sell?
Not automatically. Many companies offer post-sale cleanout as a separate paid service rather than including it in the commission. Ask specifically whether cleanout is bundled in, billed separately, or your own responsibility, and get the answer in writing before the sale.
Should I choose the company with the lowest commission?
Not necessarily. A company with a larger buyer list, more social media reach, and a proven local track record can generate meaningfully more in gross proceeds — sometimes enough to outweigh a few extra points of commission. Compare expected results, not just the percentage.
How do I get an accurate commission quote?
Book a free in-home walkthrough with 2–3 companies. A real quote requires seeing the actual inventory — phone estimates without a walkthrough are rough at best. Ask each company to put their rate, any minimum fee, and what's included in writing before you decide.