Before you start
- Check who has the authority. Before anything leaves the house, make sure the executor or administrator of the estate (or the person with legal authority) agrees. When in doubt, ask the estate attorney.
- Secure the home. Change or collect keys, stop unnecessary deliveries, and keep utilities on while you work.
- Agree as a family. Decide how items with sentimental or financial value will be divided before the cleanout begins. A short written list prevents disputes later.
- Set a timeline. Is the house being sold, rented or returned to a landlord? The deadline decides how fast you need to work and whether you need help.
Step 1: Find the important papers first
Before any sorting or hauling, search for documents and valuables. They are often in unexpected places: books, freezers, shoe boxes, coat pockets and envelopes among old mail.
- Wills, trust documents, deeds and titles
- Bank, brokerage and retirement account statements
- Insurance policies and recent bills
- Tax returns and property tax records
- Keys, safe deposit box information and passwords
- Jewelry, cash, coins and collectibles
- Photos, letters and family records
Put everything you find in one secure box. Shred old personal papers with account numbers instead of throwing them in a dumpster.
Step 2: Mark what the family keeps
Use colored tape or sticky notes for each family member. Move kept items to one room or to a storage unit so they don’t get mixed up with things that are leaving.
Step 3: Sell or appraise what has value
Antiques, art, jewelry, collections and quality furniture may be worth an appraisal or an estate sale. Estate sale companies usually work on commission and handle pricing and the sale. Do this before donating or dumping, so nothing valuable leaves by mistake.
Step 4: Donate what others can use
Much of a household can be reused. Habitat for Humanity ReStores accept new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials and household goods, and many ReStores pick up large items – check with your local store, because accepted items and pickup vary. Charities, thrift stores and shelters take clothing, linens and kitchenware. Donating first shrinks what is left and may mean a smaller container is enough.
Step 5: Set aside items that need special disposal
Older homes often hold items that must not go in a dumpster:
- Paint, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals and cleaning products – take them to a household hazardous waste collection.
- Old medications – use a pharmacy take-back program or local drug take-back event.
- Refrigerators, freezers and window air conditioners – the refrigerant has to be recovered first.
- Propane tanks, batteries, fluorescent tubes and electronics.
- Firearms and ammunition – contact local law enforcement or a licensed dealer for safe handling.
Details: What can’t you put in a dumpster?
Step 6: Clear the rest – dumpster, junk removal or both
What remains is usually worn furniture, mattresses, old carpet, broken items, papers and years of accumulated things. You have three options:
- A roll-off dumpster if family or friends will do the loading over several days. For a typical house, a 20 yard container is common; a large house with a full basement, attic and garage may need 30 yards. See What size dumpster do I need?
- Junk removal if no one can lift and carry, or if there is only a room or two left.
- Both: a container for the bulk, and a junk crew for the heaviest pieces or the stairs.
Compare the options in dumpster vs. junk removal.
Step 7: Clean and prepare the house
Once the house is empty, it usually needs a deep clean before a sale or rental. Take meter readings, document the condition with photos, and give the keys to the person responsible for the next step.
A realistic timeline
Every estate is different, but a typical three-bedroom house with a basement or garage often looks like this when the family does most of the work:
- Week 1: search for documents and valuables, mark items the family keeps, contact an appraiser or estate sale company if needed.
- Week 2: estate sale or selling valuable items; arrange donation pickups.
- Week 3: donation pickups, household hazardous waste drop-off, container delivery and loading.
- Week 4: final loading, container pickup, cleaning and handover.
With a firm deadline – for example the end of a lease – steps can be compressed, often by combining a container for the bulk with a junk crew for the heaviest items.
Taking care of yourself
Clearing out a parent’s or relative’s home is not only physical work. Take breaks, don’t try to decide about every object at once, and set aside a small box for things you are not ready to decide on. Photos of items that don’t fit in your home can keep memories without keeping everything. If family members disagree, agree on a simple rule early – for example taking turns choosing items – and write it down.
Room-by-room tips
- Kitchen: check cabinets and freezers for hidden valuables; empty and clean the refrigerator before it is removed.
- Bedrooms and closets: check pockets, boxes and under drawers; donate clothing in good condition.
- Basement and garage: expect tools, chemicals, paint and heavy items. Sort chemicals out first.
- Attic: go carefully – old insulation can contain asbestos in some older homes. Do not disturb suspect material.
- Yard and shed: gas cans, fertilizer and old lawn equipment need special handling.
If the home is a rental or a care-facility move
- Rental apartment or house: read the lease for the move-out date and the condition the unit must be left in. Ask the landlord whether a container may stand on the property and where; many apartment complexes do not allow one, which makes junk removal the better option.
- Moving a parent into assisted living: start with what fits in the new room. Measure it, choose furniture first, then work outward. The rest of the house can follow the steps above once the move is done.
- Hoarding situations: homes with extreme clutter may have hidden hazards – mold, pests, structural damage or blocked exits. Consider professional help, protective equipment, and a larger container or several swaps.
Get help where you need it
You don’t have to do everything yourself. Senior move managers, estate sale companies, cleaning services and junk crews can take over individual steps. Many families do the sorting themselves and hire help for the heavy lifting.
How our service fits in
Local Dumpster Network is a free referral service. When you call, you are connected with an independent, local dumpster provider that serves your ZIP code. They can recommend a container size for the house and explain which items they accept. See also home cleanout dumpsters.