Before anything is removed
- Secure the property — locks, mail hold, and utilities as needed.
- Locate key documents: the will, deed, insurance policies, and any list of specific bequests.
- Identify anyone with a legal or family claim to review specific items before they're removed.
Sorting the property's contents
- Separate items into keep, donate, sell (often through an estate-sale company), and remove.
- If an estate sale is planned, that typically happens before a full cleanout of what remains.
- Flag anything sentimental or uncertain for a family decision rather than a quick call on-site.
The cleanout itself
- An on-site walkthrough gives an accurate scope and timeline — photos alone tend to underestimate the work.
- Confirm access details in advance: keys, stairs, parking, and whether anyone needs to be present.
- Ask what happens to items being removed — donation and recycling versus disposal — if that matters to your family.
After the cleanout
- A final walkthrough confirms the property matches what was scoped and agreed.
- If the property is being sold, this is typically the point where it's ready for staging, repairs, or listing photos.
