Why We Never Quote Estate Sale Fees Over the Phone
- Arthur Estill
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
One of the most common questions families ask when they first call is simple:
“What do you charge?”
It’s a fair question.
When someone is facing a major transition — settling an estate, downsizing, or managing a loved one’s home — they want clarity quickly.
But here is the honest truth:
A professional estate sale cannot be priced like a flat service.
And we do not believe in giving fee quotes over the phone without first understanding the home.
Estate Sales Are Not One-Size-Fits-All
No two estates are the same.
The workload, value, and preparation required can vary dramatically from one home to the next.
For example:
One home may be organized, staged, and ready
Another may require extensive sorting and preparation
One estate may contain antiques, collectibles, and valuables
Another may consist mostly of everyday household contents
Some homes require deep research and careful pricing
Others require heavy labor simply to bring items forward
These are completely different projects.
So a flat “percentage” or quick phone quote often creates more confusion than clarity.
Why Simple Commission Numbers Can Be Misleading
Some companies advertise a fixed commission rate online, as if the fee is always the same.
But estate liquidation is not that simple.
A commission-only model assumes the scope and value are already clear.
In reality, value is often not fully understood until discovery begins.
Sometimes the work required to properly prepare a home outweighs what a commission alone would fairly cover.
And sometimes families change their plans once they learn what certain items are worth.
That is why any fee structure must be based on a real evaluation — not a guess.
We Believe Fairness Requires a Walkthrough
At Afternoon Estate Sales, we will never make an agreement based on incomplete information.
We insist on seeing the home first because it allows us to answer the real questions:
What is the scope of the work?
What level of preparation is required?
What is the true nature of the contents?
What outcome is the family hoping for?
What approach best protects value?
Only after that can we discuss terms that are fair, clear, and appropriate.
Marketing and preparation begin long before the doors open, which is why every home must be evaluated properly.
The Goal Is Clarity — Not Surprises
Our philosophy is simple:
Families deserve transparency. And professionals deserve agreements that match the actual work.
We do not believe in bait-and-switch pricing.
We do not believe in quoting numbers without context.
And we do not believe homeowners should feel pressured into a structure that doesn’t fit their situation.
Every Estate Deserves a Proper Evaluation
If you are considering an estate sale, the best first step is not guessing at fees.
The best first step is a walkthrough.
That allows us to give you real answers — based on the home, the workload, and the goals of the family.
Because estate liquidation is not a template.
It is a process.
And it should begin with clarity.
If you’d like to schedule a walkthrough and receive a clear evaluation, please
