ESTATE SALES COACH
Estate Sale Contract Template for Estate Sale Companies
Put the agreement in place before work begins at the property.
If you are starting or running an estate sale company, the client agreement needs to cover much more than the commission. It should state who has authority to hire your company, what property is included, how items can be sold, who makes pricing decisions, how expenses are handled, what happens to unsold property, and when the client will be paid.
The Estate Sales Coach toolkit includes 12 editable Microsoft Word templates based on the working systems of an established estate sale company.
Where Can I Get an Estate Sale Contract for My Company?
There are three common options. You can purchase a general agreement online, ask a local attorney to create one, or start with an editable template written specifically for estate sale companies and have it reviewed for your business and state.
A general service contract may cover the basic relationship, but estate sales raise questions that other service businesses do not face. Who can remove an item after it has been photographed? Can the company use an online auction or sell privately to a dealer? Who approves discounts? Is a cleanout included? What happens when an item does not sell?
The Estate Sales Coach toolkit includes a client agreement and supporting forms for situations that come up before, during, and after a sale.
What Should an Estate Sale Company Agreement Cover?
Before accepting a sale, the company and the client should agree on:
• Who has authority to sign the agreement and give instructions
• Which property is included and which property is excluded
• When the company will have access to the property
• Who makes pricing and discount decisions
• Whether items can be sold through an online auction or private sale
• How commissions, labor, advertising, and other expenses are handled
• What happens if the client removes or withdraws an item
• How valuable, disputed, or personally significant property will be handled
• What happens to items that do not sell
• Whether cleanout or disposal services are included
• How customer pickups and access to the property will be managed
• When the client will receive the final accounting and payment
These are operating decisions. If they are not settled in advance, the client, power of attorney, family members, real estate agent, clearout crew, and estate sale company may each understand the plan differently.
The agreement gives everyone a written plan to follow.
Why a General Contract May Not Be Enough
Estate sales often involve several people, a large amount of property, changing instructions, short deadlines, and decisions that must be made quickly.
One family member may believe an item is included while another believes it was excluded. A client may expect the house to be completely cleared even though cleanout services were never discussed. A valuable item may be removed after the company has already photographed and advertised it.
No agreement can prevent every disagreement. A detailed agreement records the decisions most likely to cause confusion and gives the company a consistent process to follow.
Clear terms do not make the relationship impersonal. They help the company and client understand what will happen before the work starts.
What Is Included in the Estate Sales Coach Toolkit?
The toolkit contains 12 editable Microsoft Word templates covering the client agreement and related parts of the estate sale process, including online auctions, private sales, clearouts, receipts, and settlement documentation.
You can:
• Add your company name, logo, and contact information
• Adjust the language to match the services you offer
• Remove provisions that do not apply
• Add requirements for your state or business
• Have the completed documents reviewed by a qualified local attorney
• Reuse the customized forms for future clients
The templates give you an organized starting point without requiring you to write every document from scratch.
Built From Estate Sale Operations
Estate Sales Coach resources are based on the daily operations of Sundown Modern Vintage and Estate Sales, LLC, an established estate sale company.
The forms address situations we encounter in actual estate sales, including several people giving instructions, questions about item ownership, changes to the sale plan, online auctions, private sales, client withdrawals, unsold property, clearout work, customer pickups, expenses, and settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this an estate sale contract for families hiring a company?
No. The toolkit is primarily for estate sale company owners and people starting an estate sale business. The company customizes the agreement for use with its clients.
Can I edit the templates?
Yes. The templates are provided as Microsoft Word documents. You can add your branding and adjust the wording to match your services and procedures.
Can I use the agreement in any state?
The documents can be edited, but contract requirements vary by state. Have your customized agreement reviewed by a qualified attorney in your state before using it with clients.
Has the toolkit been reviewed by an attorney?
No. The toolkit is based on practical estate sale operations and is provided for educational and business planning purposes. It is not legal advice or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney.
Is an estate sale agreement the same as a consignment agreement?
Not necessarily. A consignment agreement commonly covers individual items delivered for sale. An estate sale agreement usually covers a larger project involving property access, preparation, pricing, sales methods, commissions, expenses, unsold items, and settlement. An attorney can advise you on the right agreement for your business.
Start With Documents You Can Adapt
If you are starting an estate sale company or improving the systems in an existing business, the Estate Sales Coach toolkit provides editable documents for the issues that arise throughout an estate sale.
Educational and business planning material only. Not legal advice. The templates have not been reviewed or approved for use in every jurisdiction. Have your customized documents reviewed by a qualified local attorney.