A good estate sale company will conduct a brief phone interview to learn about your needs and expectations, followed by scheduling an in-home consultation. This consultation is an opportunity for the company to provide insight on the viability of your sale and discuss their pricing structure.

The company will provide a contract confirming the sale dates, the agreed upon pricing / services, and their policies and procedures. Once the contract is executed, the company will get to work photographing, researching, pricing, and displaying the items in your home. The company may also post items for sale online using a variety of marketplaces, or agree to take certain items on consignment. The company will advertise your sale using various online tools and marketplaces.

On sale days, the company will manage the onsite execution of the sale and provide receipts or a log of the items sold. Typically, the company will discount items over the course of the sale to ensure as many items as possible are sold. They will then provide a final reconciliation and issue a check, less the agreed upon commission and the cost of any additional services agreed to such as cleaning and junk removal / donation coordination.

There are many estate sale companies, and they all offer various pricing solutions. Some may charge straight percentage commission of the items sold, while others may include a set-up fee or establish a minimum fee to ensure their execution costs are covered. Whatever pricing structure you agree to, make sure it is clearly indicated in the contract you sign.

Don't let the commission percentage be the only criteria when choosing a company. A lower commission does not necessarily mean you will make more money. A more experienced company that is knowledgeable, or does a better job researching and pricing your items, could possibly make you more money even while charging a higher percentage.

It is best if you remove all items you want to keep before anyone meets with you to evaluate the home. If you cannot remove the items, then you should mark those items "not-for-sale" prior to having the estate sale company come in for a consultation. If you remove items from the sale after you have signed your contract, the estate sale company may charge you for them.

Do not throw anything away before your consultation. What you may deem as "old junk" could have serious value. Let someone with a trained eye and knowledge of what's selling in the current marketplace decide what you should and should not throw out prior to your sale.

Most estate sale companies request that you move prior to your sale or, at the very least, not be present on sale days. Plan accordingly for these situations prior to scheduling your sale.

Go to an estate sale in your area! If you are unfamiliar with estate sales, attend a couple in your area to see how they work. Ask the companies you're interviewing for their upcoming sales so you can see them in action.