If your family is clearing a grandparent’s house in Stoughton, you can save what matters and let someone else handle the heavy part. Call and we’ll connect you with an independent local cleanout company for a free quote.
When the whole family is clearing Grandma’s or Grandpa’s house
The hardest part of clearing a grandparent’s home is usually agreeing on what to keep, not the hauling. Stoughton was founded in 1847 and settled heavily by Norwegian families, and the Syttende Mai parade has run here since 1910. Plenty of households have deep roots, and a house can hold things several generations care about.
Before anyone starts filling bags, set a day when relatives can walk through and claim items. Keep a simple list of who wants what. Photos, letters and family papers should be set aside first, since they’re easy to lose in a big cleanout.
If you’re the executor, wait before discarding anything
In Wisconsin, the personal representative takes control of estate property and must inventory it, so families generally wait for Domiciliary Letters before selling or throwing things out. Estates of $50,000 or less may use a Transfer by Affidavit instead. This is general information, not legal advice. For questions, contact the Dane County Register in Probate at 215 S. Hamilton St, Room 1005, 608-266-4331 (staff can’t give legal advice), or talk to an attorney. Our probate and executor cleanout page has more.
Estate sale first, cleanout second
If the house has furniture, dishes or tools that could sell, have an estate sale company take a look before the cleanout. AARP says these companies typically take about 30% of gross sales, up to 40%, and recommends not throwing things out until a sale has been evaluated. Local options include Madison Estate Sales LLC, Tallulah & Stella’s and Pink Door Estate Services. See estate sale vs. cleanout to decide.
Stoughton donation spots
- St. Vinny’s: Stoughton has its own St. Vincent de Paul store, and the organization offers free home pickup of furniture and household goods.
- Stoughton Area Senior Center, 248 W. Main: runs a medical equipment loan closet, a good place for a walker, shower chair or similar equipment your grandparent used. Call first.
- Habitat ReStore: East (4207 Monona Dr) takes furniture, cabinets, tools and appliances under 10 years old. No recliners, futons, carpet or paint.
Trash, chemicals and medications
Stoughton residents use the Dane County Landfill (7102 Maahic Way) and Dane County Clean Sweep (7020 Maahic Way). The City of Madison drop-off sites require proof of Madison residency, so they aren’t an option. Clean Sweep takes liquid and oil-based paint and other household chemicals for $15 a trip. Unused medications go in a free MedDrop box, such as the one at Madison Police East, 809 S. Thompson Dr.
For curbside bulky pickup, check with the City of Stoughton’s public works department directly.
What it may cost
Madison-area published ranges for estate cleanouts run from about $1,225 to $6,400, and prices vary with the size of the house and what’s in it. Madison Cleanouts is a referral service. When you call, we connect you with an independent local cleanout company that gives you a quote and does the work. See estate cleanout cost, the FAQ, or our pages for Oregon and Monona and McFarland.
Next step
Once the family has taken what it wants, call and we’ll connect you with a company that can quote the Stoughton house. Or send a short request.
