If you are getting ready to sell your house there is a good chance that you have already noticed how much stuff has piled up over the years that now needs to be cluttered.
Old furniture, broken appliances, electronics, and those empty boxes in the garage that you promised to throw out tomorrow.
Before putting a house on the market, many homeowners decide to clean everything out first. The question is: How much would that cost?
The short answer is that most house cleanouts in US cost between $500 to $5,000.
The final price depends on how much junk needs to be removed and how many labor hours are required.
What Affects the Cost
The biggest factor is how much stuff is inside the house.
A few pieces of furniture and some boxes would cost less than a packed garage or a backyard full of unwanted items.
Other things that affect the pricing include:
- Size of the property
- Number of rooms needed to be cleaned out
- Heavy items like a hot tub, piano, broken furniture, appliances like a full-size fridge
- Distance to the nearest disposal facility
- Whether the apartment is located on top or ground floor
- If stairs are accessible or there is an elevator
- Local disposal fees in the State
Average House Cleanout Costs
Based on our experience, here are some rough examples to give you an idea:
Small Cleanout
A few pieces of furniture, boxes and other household items.
Average cost: $500-$700
Medium Cleanout
There are several rooms filled with unwanted items like furniture, appliances, old electronics and general clutter.
Average cost: $1,000-$2,500
Full Cleanout
The entire home consisting of 3 bedrooms, a garage, attic, and yard needs to be cleared before listing.
Average cost: $2,500-$5,000
Is it Worth Cleaning House Before Selling?
In most cases, it is the best idea because buyers want to see the space.
When your property is full of old furniture and clutter, the rooms look smaller than they actually are.
A clean and open room is easier to photograph, easier to show and often leaves a better first impression.
Many real estate agents we’ve worked with recommend removing old and unnecessary items before listing a property for sale.
Can You Save Money by Doing it Yourself?
Yes, you can!
Some homeowners rent a dumpster and remove everything themselves.
In fact, it is a cheaper option, and Adam Cleanouts does provide dumpster rental service.
You can inquire here.
This can work well for smaller jobs; however, large cleanouts take more time than people expect.
Heavy furniture, multiple trips to the landfill and disposal fees can quickly turn a weekend project into a full week job.
For larger properties, hiring a junk removal company is often faster and less stressful.
How to Get an Accurate Estimate?
Our recommended approach is to schedule an on-site estimate.
A junk removal company walks to your location and quotes you a price after surveying the property.
Most trash removal companies can look at the property and see how much work needs to be done and provide a most accurate estimate.
Adam Cleanouts and junk removal provide an on-site free estimate. You can avail it here.
Photos can help, but an in-person visit is usually the best option.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your property before selling it can really make a big difference.
It helps buyers see the home’s true potential and make the entire selling process smoother, giving you the best deal.
While the costs vary from property to property and state to state, getting rid of unwanted items before listing is often money spent well.
If you’re planning to sell a home in California then getting a professional cleanout estimate is a good first step.
