If you’re trying to budget for emptying a house in the Madison area, a written quote for your actual house is the only number that counts. Call and we’ll connect you with an independent local cleanout company for a free quote.
Estate cleanout prices cover a wide range because houses do. A one-bedroom condo and a farmhouse with a full barn are different jobs. Below are published price ranges from national cost guides and Madison-area companies, plus local disposal fees, so you have a realistic starting point. Prices vary and change, so treat these as ranges and get a written quote.
Madison Cleanouts is a referral service, not a cleanout company. When you call, we connect you with an independent local company that gives you a quote and does the work.
Published estate cleanout price ranges
Nationally, estate cleanouts typically run $275 to $4,000, with an average around $1,250, according to HomeAdvisor. A Madison-area published range from Junk Removal Plus / LoadUp is higher, at $1,225 to $6,400 for estate cleanouts.
- Junk removal by the load: about $225 on average per load, and about $675 for a full truck (LawnStarter, Dec 2025).
- Piano removal: about $400 (HomeAdvisor).
- Large appliance removal: $50 to $150 each (HomeAdvisor).
Local disposal fees in Madison and Dane County
If you’re hauling things yourself, these are the public fees to know. They also help explain part of what a company charges.
- Dane County Landfill (Rodefeld), 7102 Maahic Way: 2026 rates are $15.03 for 0–500 lb, $30.05 up to 1,000 lb, and $60.10 per ton over 2,000 lb. Residents only. It doesn’t accept Freon appliances, propane tanks, electronics or hazardous chemicals. (fee structure)
- Dane County Clean Sweep: $15 per household trip for hazardous waste like liquid paint and chemicals. (Clean Sweep)
- City of Madison appliance fees: $35 for large appliances and $15 for microwaves, mowers and small fridges, charged only to residents without city recycling service. (city appliance page)
What drives the price up or down
Volume is the biggest factor: how many truckloads it takes to empty the house. After that, it’s how hard the work is and how much special handling is needed.
- Volume: a full basement, garage and attic can add a lot to the job compared with the main floor alone.
- Stairs and basements: carrying things up narrow basement stairs or down from a second floor takes more people and time.
- Heavy items: pianos, safes, chest freezers and cast-iron tubs cost more to move.
- Appliances with refrigerant: refrigerators, freezers and dehumidifiers need refrigerant recovered by a DNR-registered technician, and major appliances are banned from Wisconsin landfills.
- Electronics: TVs, monitors and computers are banned from Wisconsin landfills under E-Cycle Wisconsin and have to be recycled.
- Sorting time: if the crew has to go through every drawer for papers, photos and donations, that’s more hours than hauling straight to the truck.
How to lower the cost
The cheapest load is the one that’s gone before the crew arrives. A few steps can shrink the job noticeably.
- Schedule donation pickups first. St. Vinny’s offers free home pickup of furniture and household goods, and Habitat ReStore offers free pickup (608-663-1191) plus free kitchen-cabinet tearouts. ReStore waits vary from days to a few weeks, so call early.
- Hold an estate sale first if there’s value. Selling furniture, tools and collectibles before the cleanout reduces what has to be hauled. See estate sale, buyout or cleanout.
- Do the small items yourself. Books can go to the Friends of Madison Public Library at 201 W. Mifflin, medications to a MedDrop box, and paint and chemicals to Clean Sweep.
- Get more than one written quote and compare what each includes, not only the total.
DIY with a dumpster vs. hiring a cleanout company
Renting a dumpster costs less in cash but more in time and effort. Published Madison-area dumpster rates:
- Bin There Dump That (7 days): $400 for a 10-yard, $500 for a 20-yard.
- ZTERS (10 days): $625–$715 for a 10-yard, $735–$825 for a 20-yard.
A dumpster fits when you have several people who can lift, a week or so of free days, a driveway for the bin, and mostly ordinary trash and furniture. You’ll still need separate trips for electronics, appliances with refrigerant, hazardous items and medications, since those can’t go in the bin.
Hiring fits when family lives out of town, there’s a closing date coming, the house has steep stairs or heavy items, or nobody has the time or strength to carry it all. Many cleanout companies include sorting, donation runs and recycling, but not all do, so ask what’s included when you compare. The estate cleanout page has a list of questions to ask before you hire.
Getting a quote you can trust
A reliable quote usually comes from an in-person walkthrough or a detailed video, not a guess over the phone. Ask for it in writing, with what’s included (disposal fees, appliance and electronics recycling, stairs, sweep) and what would change the price.
Selling the house? See house cleanout before selling. Handling an estate? See probate and executor cleanouts or downsizing and senior moves. For local notes, see Fitchburg, Verona and Sun Prairie, or check the FAQ.
Next step
Call and describe the house. We’ll connect you with an independent local cleanout company for a free, written quote.
