By Chris & Katie Taylor
The first question every family asks, answered with real numbers: what estate sales actually cost in Arizona, why we charge $120 an hour instead of a commission, and the add-on charges to ask about before you sign anything.
A full-service estate sale in Arizona usually costs two things: a setup fee for preparing the sale, and a commission on what it brings in. Taylor Family Store in Kingman charges neither. We bill $120 an hour for the whole team (not per worker) for the work we actually do and take no percentage of the sale, and we do not take a commission from the sale. We put an hour estimate in writing after a $120 consultation. That estimate depends on the size of the estate, the condition of the home, and how much sorting and staging the sale takes.
What does an estate sale company charge in Arizona?
A commission is a percentage of everything the sale grosses, taken out of the proceeds at settlement, and most full-service companies also charge a setup fee on top of it. We charge neither one. Nationally, EstateSales.org and EstateSales.net put commissions in the 30% to 50% range, higher for low-value, high-effort estates. We charge no commission at all, just $120 an hour, and here is what that buys: a full-service sale where we aim to sell every item, priced from real local-market knowledge and put in front of a large buyer network. The model is published on our pricing page.
What does the fee cover?
With a full-service company, the fee covers the entire production of the sale. Our hourly rate includes:
- Item-by-item inventory and pricing from real resale-market data
- Staging and display throughout the home
- Marketing: online listings, social media, our newsletter, and local channels
- Fully staffed sale days with checkout and theft prevention
- A written settlement statement of every item sold
- A certified check at the end, mailed to you if you are out of state
What extra fees should you watch for?
Always ask what the rate includes, and just as important, ask how a company gets paid on the things that do not sell. A low headline commission can be made back in add-ons, and a company that also buys leftovers or hauls them away has an incentive that a sales-only company does not. The most common things to ask about:
| Possible fee | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Minimum fee | Is there a minimum charge if the sale grosses less than expected? |
| Setup or cleaning fee | Is pre-sale prep billed separately, or included in the rate? |
| Advertising fee | Is marketing included, or invoiced on top? |
| Credit card fees | Who absorbs card processing on sale days? |
| Unsold items | Does the company profit from what does not sell, by buying or hauling it? Or does it stay yours? |
Our answer to the last one is simple: estate sales are all we do, so whatever does not sell stays yours to keep or donate. We never buy your leftovers or haul them away, which means we have no reason to price anything so high it sits. We are glad to point you to local donation options, but the unsold items are always yours.
Estate sale, buyout, or cleanout: which costs less?
An estate sale is what we do, but it is not the only way the industry turns a houseful of belongings into money. A cash buyout and a cleanout are two other options families weigh, and it helps to understand all three before you decide. The difference that matters most: with a buyout or a cleanout, the company takes what is left, so it can profit from the things that do not sell. With a sales-only model like ours, what does not sell stays yours.
| Option | How you pay | Best when | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estate sale | $120 an hour for the whole team (not per worker) with us, no commission | The home has enough sellable contents to stage a sale | Taylor Family Store: sales only |
| Cash buyout | Nothing. You receive one upfront offer | You need speed and certainty over maximum return | Other companies in the industry, not us |
| Cleanout | Flat rate to clear the house | Contents have little resale value and the house must be cleared | Other companies in the industry, not us |
There is no universally cheapest option: a sale usually nets the most when contents have value, a buyout trades total return for speed, and a cleanout is a practical choice when there is little to sell. We only run sales, but we will tell you honestly if a buyout or cleanout fits your situation better. We compare all the routes in Estate Sale vs. Buyout vs. Auction vs. Consignment.
What affects the rate you are quoted?
- Estate size: a packed four-bedroom takes more staff days than a tidy two-bedroom
- Item value: higher-value contents support a lower percentage
- Access and prep: heavy cleaning or sorting before staging adds work
- Logistics: rural Mohave County properties can add travel and setup time
This is why a quote over the phone is guesswork. We walk the property (or review video for out-of-state families), give a realistic estimate of proceeds, and put a specific rate in writing before you sign anything.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you pay for an estate sale? With us you are invoiced $120 an hour for the whole team (not per worker) for the hours worked, against the estimate you approved. Nothing is taken out of the proceeds, so the money the sale brings in is yours.
- Are estate sale fees negotiable? The rate reflects the work involved, and a walkthrough is the honest way to land on a fair number.
- What happens to items that do not sell? They stay yours. You keep them or donate them, and we can point you to local donation options. We never buy or haul away your leftovers.
- Do you charge for the first visit? Yes. An on-site consultation is $120 flat, in person or by video. If you hire us for a sale within 30 days we credit it against your first invoice. Phone calls are always free.
Need the house cleared before it lists? That is exactly what we do. Book a consultation — $120 or call (928) 385-8413.