desh jack7 months ago
★★★★★
Thanks, Serge, for the quick, professional, and reasonably priced service. Will use you again - highly recommend!
Overview
What happens to the contents depends on what happens to the house. Here is how selling, renting or moving in changes the cleanout, including the one-year Prop 19 clock.
The keys came from the attorney, a sibling or the neighbor who had been watering the plants. Behind the door is a house full of someone else’s life. An inherited house usually ends up sold, rented or lived in by one of the heirs. Each path needs a different level of clearing, on a different timeline. This guide is part of our Sacramento estate cleanout series.
At a glance
- Upfront pricing from $300, confirmed before we start
- Same-day and next-day appointments, open 24 hours a day
- Full service: we lift, load, haul and sweep up
- Licensed and insured, locally owned in West Sacramento
- We donate what is usable and recycle what we can
- No tips expected and no hidden dump fees
If You Plan to Sell
Most buyers and agents want the house empty and broom-clean before photos and showings. Ask your agent for a listing date and work backward: family picks, any estate sale, donation, then the cleanout. Book cleaners for the day after; that is the usual order before a listing.
Some investors buy houses as-is with the contents inside, usually for less. Compare offers both ways before deciding.
If You Plan to Rent It Out
A rental needs to be fully empty, then cleaned and repaired before move-in. Clear the garage, attic and shed too, since tenants will expect to use them. Leaving old furniture “for the tenant” tends to create disputes over who owns it later.
If You Plan to Move In: Prop 19
Since February 16, 2021, Proposition 19 limits when a child can keep a parent’s lower property tax base on an inherited home. According to the Board of Equalization’s Prop 19 fact sheet, the home must have been the parent’s principal residence, and the child must make it their own primary residence within one year of the transfer. There is also a value limit.
That one-year clock is a reason to plan the clearing early if you intend to move in. Talk to the county assessor and a tax professional about your own situation. This is general information, not legal advice. For a specific estate, talk to a California probate or estate planning attorney.
Who Can Authorize the Cleanout
Until the house is formally transferred, an executor, administrator or successor trustee makes decisions about it. Confirm who that is before anything leaves the house. See can you clean out a house before probate in California?
A Workable Order
- Secure the house and find the documents: the will, trust papers, deeds and account statements.
- Family takes what it wants.
- Estate sale or donation for items with value.
- Hazardous items handled separately. Leftover paint, chemicals and old medications have free drop-off routes in Sacramento County; they do not go in our truck.
- Cleanout of everything left. Our estate cleanout service leaves the house broom-clean, ready for cleaners, painters or an agent’s photographer.
We walk the house with you, or with your agent, and give one price by the truckload before anything moves. Most homes clear in a single day; a packed home takes two or three.
| The house | Typical cleanout |
|---|---|
| A partial clearing | About $300 |
| A lightly furnished home, half to a full truck | $320 to $1,000 |
| A packed home that fills several trucks | $2,500 or more |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to empty an inherited house before selling it?
No, but most buyers and agents prefer an empty, broom-clean house. Investors who buy as-is with the contents usually pay less, so compare offers both ways.
How long do I have to move into an inherited home under Prop 19?
According to the Board of Equalization, the child must make the home their primary residence within one year of the transfer to keep the parent’s tax base, and other conditions apply. Check with the county assessor. This is general information, not tax advice.
Real Customer Reviews
Josh South8 months ago
★★★★★
Fast, convenient, and amazing service. I will definitely be a returning customer. Thank you!
Jason Roberts11 months ago
★★★★★
Great and punctual service! Reasonable prices and very friendly. I recommend highly. He hauled away an old piano. Very professional!
Erika Alvarez1 year ago
★★★★★
Fast, affordable, professional, and friendly! I called and Serge was here within about an hour.
BenWendy Webster1 year ago
★★★★★
Serge was awesome to work with. I am very grateful I found his company. I contacted them on a Tuesday and by Wednesday the hot tub was gone. He was on time and worked hard. Left the area cleaned up and I’m so excited to have my backyard back!
Lacey A1 year ago
★★★★★
Prompt response when I inquired about Hot Tub Removal. Fair price. Was available next day and only took about an hr and half. Would highly recommend.
Shawn Herrick1 year ago
★★★★★
Serge was amazing. Would definitely recommend. He was prompt, fair and very professional.
kyle c1 year ago
★★★★★
Reasonably priced, great communication, Serge was very friendly and got my junk hauled with ease! Would absolutely use TCJ Hauling again. Thanks so much
Luis Terrazas1 year ago
★★★★★
This guys are the real deal !!! Serge and his crew took care of our old furniture as we are transitioning into a new apartment. They were able to accommodate last minute and for a competitive price .
Prameet Chandra1 year ago
★★★★★
Messaged TCJ Hauling in need of getting rid of some junk that was accumulating in the garage. Not only was the company able to come the same day but were also very punctual and realiable which above all things mean the most me. The service was fast and the vehicle used was modern and able to accommodate for all the items I needed to be removed. Very Prosfessional and accommodating will definitely call them again and tell my friends and family to do the same. Thank you TCJ Hauling!
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