Estate Cleanouts in Howard County: What to Expect
Clearing out a loved one's home is hard. Not just physically — emotionally.
You're sorting through decades of stuff while grieving. Every drawer has memories. And somewhere in the back of your mind, you're wondering: how am I going to get rid of all this?
We've helped dozens of Howard County families through estate cleanouts. Here's what we've learned, and what to expect if you call us.
The Short Version
- What we do: clear the whole house, help you sort what stays, make the donation runs, haul the rest away, and broom-sweep before we leave.
- What it costs: we charge by how much room your things take up in our truck. A full truck is $399–$649, and some homes need two loads. You get the price before anything is loaded.
- How long it takes: most estate cleanouts take a few hours, not weeks.
- How to start: text photos or a short video of each room to (410) 300-6743.
- Who we are: a local Howard County crew with 550+ jobs finished since November 2025 and a 5.0 rating from 157 Google reviews.
You Don't Have to Do It Alone
Most people try to handle it themselves. They rent a truck, recruit family, and spend weeks making trips to the dump.
That works — until it doesn't. You hit a wall. The garage alone could take a month.
That's when people call us.
How an Estate Cleanout Works With Us
- Send photos. Text pictures or a short video of each room, plus the garage, basement, attic and any shed. If you live out of state, photos from your last visit are fine. For a full house, we'll often set up a quick walkthrough so the price is right.
- Mark what stays. Walk us through on the day ("this goes, this stays"), or put tape or sticky notes on anything the family is keeping. Can't be there? Leave a key or a lockbox code and we'll take it from there.
- We help you sort. Keep, donate or toss. We work through it with whoever is there.
- We make the donation runs. Furniture and household goods in good shape go to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Columbia or Second Chance in Baltimore. Metal goes to the scrap yard, electronics go to eRevival, and the rest goes to the landfill.
- We load everything and sweep up. When we leave, the house is empty and broom-swept.
Ask us about a donation receipt when you book.
Is This a Cleaning Service?
No. We're a junk removal crew, not a maid service. Our job is getting everything out of the house. When we're done it's empty and broom-swept. If you want it scrubbed top to bottom before a sale or move-in, book a cleaning company for after we leave.
What It Costs
We charge by the truck space, so you pay for what's actually there. Our standard truck holds about 13.3 cubic yards.
| How much | Price |
|---|---|
| Single item | $79–$149 |
| Quarter load | $149–$249 |
| Half truck | $249–$399 |
| Full truck | $399–$649 |
A typical estate cleanout runs $399–$649 for a full truck. Some homes need two loads.
No hidden fees. The price we quote is the price you pay. See our pricing page for more.
What About Valuables?
If there might be things worth selling, like antiques, jewelry, coins or collections, pull them out first or have an estate sale company or appraiser look before we come. We can come in after the sale and clear whatever is left.
Before We Come: A Short Checklist
- Find the important papers: wills, deeds, car titles, insurance policies and tax records.
- Decide who in the family is keeping what, and mark it.
- Check drawers, pockets, books and boxes for cash, jewelry and photos.
- Set aside paint, chemicals and fuel. We can't take those. Howard County residents can drop them at the Alpha Ridge Landfill's household hazardous waste area on Saturdays, April through November. Our Howard County recycling guide has the details.
- If the house is being sold, tell us the listing or settlement date so we can plan around it.
When to Call
- You're overwhelmed and don't know where to start
- You're out of state and can't be there for weeks
- The house needs to be empty for sale or rental
- You just need it done
Ready to Talk?
Text Sawyer at (410) 300-6743. No pressure. We'll give you a straight answer on what it'll take.
Get a Free QuoteCommon Questions
How long does an estate cleanout take?
Most take a few hours. A big house with a full basement and garage can take longer, and we'll tell you when we quote.
What do you take?
Furniture, appliances, mattresses, boxes, clothes, and whatever is in the garage, basement, attic or shed. We can't take paint, chemicals or fuel.
Can you clean out a hoarder house?
Yes. We take hoarder houses, including homes with animal waste, and broom-sweep when we're done. We don't do mold remediation or biohazard sanitizing, so if the house needs that, you'll want a remediation company too. Our hoarding cleanup guide has more.
Do we need to be there?
No. A lot of families live out of state, and some would rather not watch the house get emptied. Leave a key or a lockbox code, and tell us what stays by phone or with photos before we start. We'll send you before-and-after photos when we're done.
Do you need to see the house first?
For smaller jobs, photos are usually enough. For a whole house, we'll often walk through it first so the quote is right. Either way, you get the price before anything is loaded.
Where do you work?
All of Howard County, including Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Clarksville, Fulton and Laurel, plus nearby Catonsville and Hanover.
What Families Tell Us
The most common thing we hear after an estate cleanout: "I wish I'd called sooner."
Not because we're miracle workers. But because the weight of doing it alone — the mental load — is heavier than people realize until it's gone.
If you're staring at a house full of stuff and feeling stuck, reach out. We've been there with a lot of families. We can help.