If you’ve lost someone and their Waunakee home now needs to be cleared, you can take it one step at a time. Call and we’ll connect you with an independent local cleanout company for a free quote.
The first few weeks: what to do before a cleanout
Nothing needs to be thrown out in the first few weeks, and in most cases nothing should be. In Wisconsin, the personal representative takes control of estate property and has to inventory it. Families generally wait for Domiciliary Letters, or use a Transfer by Affidavit for estates of $50,000 or less, before selling or discarding anything. This is general information, not legal advice. The Dane County Register in Probate (215 S. Hamilton St, Room 1005, 608-266-4331) can explain the process, though staff can’t give legal advice, and an attorney can help with your situation.
In the meantime, you can walk through the house, find papers and photos, and let family members say what matters to them. The clean out a parent’s house checklist helps you keep track.
Two stops on Klein Drive
Waunakee makes a couple of early errands easy, since both are on Klein Dr. The St. Vinny’s store is at 213 S. Klein Dr, and the free MedDrop box for unused medications is at the Waunakee Police Department, 205 N. Klein Dr. MedDrop doesn’t take needles or sharps.
For larger furniture, St. Vincent de Paul Madison offers free home pickup, and donations stay in Dane County. Goodwill takes clothing, housewares, books and furniture, but not mattresses, hospital beds, pianos or large appliances.
What a Waunakee estate cleanout includes
Once the family has taken what it wants, a cleanout company clears everything else: furniture, closets, the basement, the garage and any sheds. A good one will separate donations from true trash rather than hauling it all to the landfill. For the full process, see our estate cleanout page.
Madison Cleanouts doesn’t do the work itself. When you call, we connect you with an independent local cleanout company that gives you a quote and does the work.
Items that can’t just go in the trash
Wisconsin bans several common household items from landfills. Ask the company you hire how they’ll handle these:
- Electronics: TVs, monitors, computers, printers and phones fall under E-Cycle Wisconsin.
- Major appliances: washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves and water heaters. Refrigerant must be recovered by a DNR-registered technician.
- Paint and chemicals: liquid or oil-based paint goes to Dane County Clean Sweep, 7020 Maahic Way, at $15 per trip. Dried latex paint can go in the trash.
General trash from a Waunakee house can go to the Dane County Landfill at 7102 Maahic Way. The City of Madison drop-off sites aren’t available, since they require Madison residency. For curbside bulky pickup, check with the Village of Waunakee’s public works department.
Rough costs
Published estate cleanout prices for the Madison area range from about $1,225 to $6,400. Certain items add to the bill: HomeAdvisor puts piano removal around $400 and a large appliance at $50 to $150. Prices vary by house and by company. Read more on our estate cleanout cost page or the FAQ.
About Waunakee
“The Only Waunakee in the World” was founded in 1871 and has grown to an estimated 16,000 residents. We also have pages for neighboring Middleton and DeForest.
Next step
When the family is ready, call and we’ll connect you with a company that can quote the Waunakee house. Or send a short request.
