By Chris Taylor · Updated November 2, 2026 · 2 min read
How much do estate sale companies make?
Estate sale companies earn a commission, most often 35% to 40% of what the sale brings in, and a typical sale brings in $18,000 to $20,000 (EstateSales.net survey via HomeLight). That works out to roughly $6,300 to $8,000 in commission on a typical sale, before costs.
Commission rates
Most of an estate sale company's income is commission on gross sales. Rates move with the work: small, cluttered or low-value houses run higher, and houses full of valuable pieces run lower (Brown Button). Some companies also charge a minimum fee or a separate fee for cleanouts.
Worked examples
Illustration only. These are arithmetic, not a forecast of what you will earn.
| Sale brings in | At 35% | At 40% |
|---|---|---|
| $8,000 | $2,800 | $3,200 |
| $18,000 | $6,300 | $7,200 |
| $20,000 | $7,000 | $8,000 |
| $35,000 | $12,250 | $14,000 |
$18,000 and $20,000 are the typical range from the survey. $8,000 and $35,000 are shown for comparison only.
What comes out of the commission
- Helpers for setup and sale days
- Advertising and listing fees
- Card processing fees
- Tags, tables, signs and supplies
- Insurance
- Cleanout labor and dump fees, if you include cleanouts
- Your own hours, which are the biggest cost nobody writes down
What changes the number
- Pricing. Pricing from what things actually sold for, not what people ask, moves more than anything else.
- Selling the best pieces online. Watches, sterling and collectibles can bring more from a wider audience.
- An online auction for leftovers. What used to go to donation still earns commission.
- How many sales you run and how big the houses in your area are.
- Cleanouts and buyouts as extra services.
I make no claim about what you will earn. Your area, your houses and your work decide it.
Sources: HomeLight, citing the EstateSales.net 2023 industry survey; Brown Button.
Questions people ask
What percentage do estate sale companies take?
The most common commission rates are 35% to 40%, according to an EstateSales.net industry survey reported by HomeLight. Rates go up for small or difficult houses and down for houses with valuable contents.
How much does a typical estate sale bring in?
A typical estate sale brings in $18,000 to $20,000, according to the same EstateSales.net survey. Many sales are smaller or larger.
Is commission the same as profit?
No. Commission is what you keep before costs. Out of it you pay helpers, advertising, card fees, supplies, insurance and your own time.
More guides
- How to start an estate sale business
- How much estate sale companies make
- One-page estate sale business plan
- Estate sale franchise or start your own?
- See a sample estate sale company website
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