How the quote process works
When you contact a local liquidator, expect a brief phone conversation first — usually 15 to 20 minutes. They'll ask about the home (size, location, accessibility), the contents (categories, quantity, any high-value pieces), your timeline, and your goals. From that conversation, they'll send a written quote covering: estimated gross sale revenue, commission percentage, any setup fees (most established firms have none), expected sale dates, and how unsold inventory will be handled.
If the quote works for you, you sign a simple two-page agreement and the liquidator schedules an in-person walk-through to lock in the appraisal. If the quote doesn't work, you've lost nothing — and you're now armed with a realistic baseline if you want to compare against another liquidator.
How to choose who to call
Look for firms with at least five years in business, verifiable insurance, and references from recent clients — most reputable liquidators will offer all three without being asked. For a large or high-value estate, get two quotes: commission spreads of ten points are common in the same market, and the walk-through conversations themselves will teach you what your estate is actually worth.