FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about having or attending an estate sale.

Where do we begin?

The first step is a walkthrough at your place. You can set up this consultation right here. During our meeting, we'll take a tour of your home together and figure out the perfect strategy for your estate sale, auction and/or clean out. We'll also dive into scheduling, discuss your timeline, and give you a full rundown of our process, from the first step to the last.

How far in advance should I call you?

We would like you to call as soon as you believe you might need our services. We often have sales lined up for several weeks in advance but by calling as soon as you are aware of your needs, we may be able to fit you in at the last-minute.

How long does the process take?

Our estate sale process is usually 1-2 weeks from start to finish! There is the occasional project that can take weeks to get set up and organized and our team is set up to be able to handle simple to complex projects.

Do I have enough for an estate sale?

Great question! You can give us a call at 609-474-6704 or contact us here, and we can talk through your situation and see if an estate sale makes sense. Even if an estate sale doesn't fit, we will still advise you on other strategies and solutions that will.

What will it cost me for Done Right Estates to execute my estate sale?

There are no up-front, out-of-pocket expenses to you, no hidden fees and no sliding scales. We charge a percentage of total sales (25% – 50%), and simply deduct that from the proceeds at the end of the sale. The percentage is dependent on the details of your situation and the amount of time and resources needed to provide a solution. For a full list of what is included in the percentage visit the "Our Services" tab under the "About Us" section or main page of our website.

Should we donate or discard all the old clothes, towels, linens, sheets, junk, etc.?

Believe it or not these items are completely sellable at an estate sale and bring in additional profits to benefit the sale. For example, many of our shoppers are pet owners who need old towels and sheets to protect their home! Even junk drawers and old buckets of nails can sometimes yield usable and collectible items for our eclectic shoppers. After the estate sale we can help you donate any items that do not sell, and clean out any remaining debris and junk from the property.

Are there any upfront costs?

No upfront costs, backend costs or sideways costs! In all seriousness, we only work on commission that is charged as a percentage (25% – 50%) of total sales.

Do you operate in my area?

We provide estate sale, clean out, appraisal and auction services in North and Central NJ, and Eastern PA.

If the executor lives out-of-state, can we still have an estate sale?

Yes. We have been handling out-of-state clients for many years. The process is simple and we communicate with you via phone and email throughout our work together. If you're working with a local realtor, lawyer or relatives, we can work through them as well.

What is the "setup" process like?

First, we arrange display tables and move furniture around to create more space for items to be sold. Next, we go through drawers, boxes, and cabinets, cleaning items that need it. We then sort items into those that can be sold and those that can't, look up the value of antiques and higher value items, and price these items accordingly. Along the way, we often find personal items like family photos, tax documents and other sensitive materials. We set these aside for the estate owner to review. Setups are unique to each situation, and if necessary we will tape off cabinets, move items you want to keep to closed off areas and make the area safe to shop in (clip low hanging lights, remove debris, put watch your step signs, etc.)

What is your fee for coming to the house and assessing it for an estate sale?

Our consultation and meeting with you are free of charge.

Are you bonded and insured?

Yes, we are fully insured and bonded.

How do you protect our home?

Homeownership is the largest investment for the average American. This is why maintaining the condition of your home is our highest priority when having an estate sale. We work in homes of all sizes and identify the measures we need to take to make sure the home is left in as good or better condition than when you turned it over to our team. This includes everything from carpet and wood floor covering to making all customers take off their shoes. We have team members stationed throughout the home to help carry larger items to ensure no damage gets done to the home.

I am worried about theft. Do you offer security precautions?

Theft can be prevalent among estate sales as people think there is no surveillance within a home. We have solved this issue in a few different ways: • Limiting the number of customers allowed in the home at one time • Wireless security camera system that we bring to each sale • Glass cases for expensive jewelry and small items • Strategic placement of costly items near the register for constant monitoring

How will I be paid?

Once the estate sale is finished we provide you a list of sold items, and pay you via wire, zelle transfer, check and/or cash. If we are providing auction services and/or clean out services in addition to your estate sale, payment will be settled after completion.

Can I be living in the house when you do the estate sale?

Unfortunately, we are unable to work in a home that someone is living in. If this is a challenge for you, we can brainstorm with you during our initial consultation.

How do I prepare for the estate sale?

We require one thing before our team can come into your home and start the estate sale process and that is that everything that is not for sale has been removed or placed behind a locked door. The only thing you have to do to prepare for having an estate sale is just removing anything that you want to keep!

What if there are items I don't want donated?

All items included with the estate sale are always your items. After the sale, many of our clients take a look at what has not sold, or we send them photos so they can decide if there is anything that they would rather keep than donate/trash. The post-sale cleanout is also an optional service that can be canceled at any time before we start.

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