Estate Cleanout Questions: Madison and Dane County

Most fall somewhere between a few hundred dollars and several thousand. HomeAdvisor puts the national typical range at $275 to $4,000, and one company that publishes Madison prices lists $1,225 to $6,400 for estate cleanouts. The size of the house, how full the basement and garage are, stairs, and heavy items like pianos all move the price. Our Madison cost guide breaks it down.

The hauling itself is often one to a few days, but the sorting beforehand usually takes longer. Families who want an estate sale first, or who need to wait for probate authority, should plan on weeks rather than days. If you have a closing date, tell the company up front so they can schedule backward from it.

Whether cleanout costs come out of the estate or from family members depends on the estate and the will. The personal representative, the estate’s attorney, or the Dane County Register in Probate can explain your situation. This is general information, not legal advice.

Generally, wait until someone has authority. In Wisconsin, the personal representative’s authority comes from Domiciliary Letters issued by the court or Probate Registrar, and the representative is responsible for collecting and inventorying estate property. Smaller estates of $50,000 or less may use a Transfer by Affidavit instead. Securing the house and removing perishables is different from selling or discarding belongings, so ask before you start the second part. See our probate and executor guide.

Anything with legal, financial or family value: wills, deeds, titles, tax returns, bank and insurance statements, recent mail, keys, photos, jewelry and anything family members have asked for. Go through pockets, books and dresser drawers too. Once a truck is loaded, finding one envelope is close to impossible. Our checklist has a full list.

Usable furniture and household goods can go to St. Vincent de Paul Madison, which offers free home pickup and keeps donations in Dane County, or to Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin. The Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Odana Road and Monona Drive takes furniture, newer appliances, cabinets, tools and building materials. Books in good shape can go to the Friends of Madison Public Library shop at the Central Library. Ask any cleanout company how they handle donations and whether you’ll get receipts.

Wisconsin bans TVs, computers, monitors, printers and phones from landfills, and also bans major appliances like washers, dryers, refrigerators and water heaters. The Dane County Landfill won’t take Freon appliances, propane tanks, electronics or hazardous chemicals. Liquid and oil-based paint, solvents and similar chemicals go to Dane County Clean Sweep on Maahic Way. Policies differ from company to company, so ask how they handle appliances, electronics and chemicals, and whether there’s an extra fee.

Take them to a free MedDrop box. Most boxes are at police stations, including Madison Police East and West, Fitchburg, Middleton and Waunakee. Needles and sharps are not accepted in MedDrop boxes. Clean Sweep does not accept medications either.

For a few pieces, yes. Madison residents file a Large Item Work Order first, pick a date, and don’t set items out early. It isn’t built for a whole house, it doesn’t take things like concrete or propane tanks, and since 2025 it doesn’t serve buildings with more than 8 units. Suburbs like Sun Prairie or Fitchburg have their own rules, so check with your village or city.

Only if there’s enough of value to make it worthwhile. AARP notes that estate sale companies typically take around 30 percent of the gross, and up to 40 percent. If the contents are mostly everyday furniture and household goods, donating and a cleanout is usually simpler. Our comparison page walks through it.

Not always. Many families, especially those living out of state, walk through by video, set aside what they’re keeping, and give the company a key or lockbox code. Being there for the first hour, or having a local relative or your realtor stop by, helps answer questions about what stays.

No. We’re a referral service run by Consistent Solutions. When you call, we connect you with an independent local cleanout company that gives you its own quote and does the work. Here’s how it works.