Estate Cleanout Cost in San Diego: Pricing by Home Size (2026)
Handling an estate cleanout can be emotionally and physically overwhelming, especially when combined with the logistics of clearing an entire home. Whether you are managing a loved one's estate in Coronado, preparing a rental property for new tenants in National City, or cleaning out a family home in Santee, understanding the costs involved helps you plan effectively and avoid surprises.
How Much Does an Estate Cleanout Cost in San Diego?
The average cost of a full estate cleanout in San Diego ranges from $1,500 to $8,000, with most projects falling between $2,500 and $5,000. The total depends on the size of the home, the volume of items to remove, the condition of the property, accessibility, and whether hazardous materials or hoarding conditions are involved.
At Demo Diego, we provide compassionate, efficient estate cleanout services across all of San Diego County. We understand that estate cleanouts often come during difficult times, and our team treats every project with care and respect. Visit our estate cleanout services page for more details on how we can help.
Below, we break down estate cleanout pricing by home size, explain what is included, and share tips for reducing costs. We also cover donation options in San Diego that can help you give back while reducing your cleanout expenses.
Estate Cleanout Cost by Home Size
The size of the home is the single biggest factor affecting estate cleanout cost. Larger homes simply have more items to sort, pack, load, and haul away. Here is what to expect in San Diego for 2026:
| Home Size | Typical Cost | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $800 – $2,000 | 2 – 4 hours |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,500 – $3,000 | 4 – 6 hours |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,500 – $5,000 | 6 – 10 hours |
| 4+ Bedroom | $4,000 – $8,000+ | 1 – 2 days |
| Hoarding Situations | $3,000 – $15,000+ | 1 – 5 days |
These estimates assume a typical amount of furnishings and personal items. Homes that have been lived in for decades or that have accumulated a large volume of belongings (garages full of boxes, attics packed with stored items, packed closets) will be on the higher end of the range. Conversely, homes that have already been partially cleared will cost less.
What's Included in an Estate Cleanout
When you hire Demo Diego for an estate cleanout in San Diego, our comprehensive service includes:
- 1.Complete item removal. We remove all furniture, appliances, clothing, household goods, electronics, decorations, and personal items from every room, closet, cabinet, garage, shed, attic, and outdoor area.
- 2.Sorting and donation coordination. We sort items on-site and set aside anything that can be donated to local San Diego charities. Usable furniture, clothing, kitchenware, and household goods are donated rather than sent to a landfill.
- 3.Hauling and disposal. All items are loaded onto our trucks and taken to the appropriate facility—donation centers for reusable items, recycling facilities for recyclables, and licensed landfills for everything else.
- 4.Broom-clean condition. After all items are removed, we sweep and leave the property in broom-clean condition, ready for sale, rental, renovation, or a deep cleaning service.
- 5.Flexible scheduling. We work around your timeline. Whether you need the cleanout done in one day or prefer to spread it across multiple visits to allow for family review, we accommodate your needs.
Factors That Affect Estate Cleanout Cost
Volume and Weight of Items
The more items in the home, the more labor, truck space, and disposal trips required. A home with minimal furnishings costs significantly less than one packed floor to ceiling with decades of accumulated belongings. Heavy items like pianos, safes, pool tables, and large appliances also increase the cost due to the additional labor required.
Accessibility Challenges
Multi-story homes require carrying items downstairs. Properties with narrow hallways, tight staircases, or limited parking (common in older San Diego neighborhoods like Normal Heights, Ocean Beach, and Logan Heights) take longer to clear. Condos and apartments in high-rise buildings add elevator logistics and potential HOA restrictions on move-out times.
Hoarding Conditions
Hoarding cleanouts are significantly more expensive due to the extreme volume of items, potential biohazard conditions (mold, pest infestations, spoiled food), and the additional safety precautions required. Hoarding cleanouts in San Diego typically range from $3,000 to $15,000+ depending on severity and home size.
Special Item Handling
Some items require special handling and disposal: refrigerators and freezers with refrigerant, CRT televisions and monitors, paint and chemicals, medical equipment, and firearms. These items may have additional disposal fees or require specific processing at San Diego County facilities.
Urgency and Timeline
If you are on a tight deadline—for example, the home needs to be empty before closing on a sale, or a landlord needs a unit turned over quickly—rush service may be available at a premium. At Demo Diego, we offer same-day and next-day estate cleanout service when schedule allows.
Outdoor Areas
Many San Diego homes have garages, sheds, patios, and yards that also need to be cleared. A packed two-car garage can add $500 to $1,500 to the cleanout cost. Outdoor items like hot tubs, patio furniture, grills, and yard equipment all factor into the total volume and price.
Donation Options in San Diego to Reduce Costs
One of the best ways to reduce estate cleanout costs—and do some good in the process—is to donate usable items rather than sending everything to a landfill. Donated items reduce your disposal volume, which directly lowers the cost. San Diego has several excellent donation options:
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
The San Diego Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts donated furniture, appliances, building materials, cabinets, and home decor. They offer free pickup for large items and donations. This is one of the most popular donation options for estate cleanouts in San Diego because of their broad acceptance criteria and convenient pickup service.
Goodwill and Salvation Army
Both organizations have multiple locations throughout San Diego County and accept clothing, household items, small furniture, and electronics. Goodwill locations are found in Kearny Mesa, Mission Valley, El Cajon, and many other neighborhoods. Salvation Army offers pickup service for larger donations.
Vietnam Veterans of America
VVA accepts clothing, household textiles, small household items, and more. They offer free curbside pickup throughout San Diego, which can be convenient for clearing out closets and bedrooms during an estate cleanout.
Father Joe's Villages
This San Diego-based nonprofit accepts donations of furniture, clothing, housewares, and appliances at their donation center in downtown San Diego. They provide essential services to San Diego's homeless population, so your donated items directly support people in need in the community.
For more information on local donation centers, check out our guide on the best donation centers in San Diego. At Demo Diego, we coordinate donations as part of our estate cleanout service, sorting items on-site and delivering usable goods to the appropriate organizations.
Tips to Save Money on Estate Cleanouts in San Diego
- 1.Pre-sort before the cleanout crew arrives. Go through the home and separate items into keep, donate, sell, and discard piles. The less the crew needs to sort on-site, the faster (and cheaper) the cleanout will be.
- 2.Hold an estate sale. Before scheduling the cleanout, consider hosting an estate sale to sell valuable items. Estate sale companies in San Diego typically take 30% to 40% of the proceeds but handle all pricing, setup, and selling. The remaining items can then be cleared by a cleanout service at reduced cost since there is less volume.
- 3.Sell valuable items independently. Furniture, collectibles, jewelry, artwork, and antiques can often be sold on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or through local San Diego consignment shops for more than an estate sale would bring. This takes more time but can yield significantly higher returns.
- 4.Maximize donations. The more items that can be donated, the less you pay in disposal fees. Donation receipts also provide tax deduction benefits. Keep detailed records of donated items and their estimated fair market value for your tax preparer.
- 5.Bundle with other services. If the property also needs furniture removal, light demolition, or deep cleaning, bundling these services with the same company can save on overall costs. Demo Diego offers both cleanout and demolition services, which is convenient when preparing a property for sale or renovation.
- 6.Get multiple quotes. As with any service, getting at least three estimates from reputable estate cleanout companies in San Diego helps ensure you get a fair price. Compare what each company includes (sorting, donation, hauling, broom-clean) so you are comparing apples to apples.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Cleanouts in San Diego
How long does an estate cleanout take?
A small home (1–2 bedrooms) can typically be cleared in half a day. A standard 3-bedroom home takes 6 to 10 hours. Larger homes or hoarding situations may take 1 to 3 days. At Demo Diego, we send appropriately sized crews to keep the project on schedule—typically 2 to 4 team members depending on the scope.
Can I be present during the estate cleanout?
You are welcome to be present, but it is not required. Many clients prefer to give us access and let our team handle everything while they tend to other responsibilities. If you want to be present to identify items to keep or make decisions about specific belongings, we are happy to work alongside you at your pace.
What happens to items left behind by tenants?
California law has specific requirements regarding abandoned tenant property. In general, landlords must provide written notice and wait a specified period (typically 15 to 18 days) before disposing of a former tenant's belongings. Once the waiting period has passed, you are free to hire a cleanout service to remove the remaining items. Consult a California real estate attorney if you are unsure about your obligations.
Do you handle hoarding cleanouts?
Yes. Demo Diego has experience with hoarding cleanouts in San Diego. These projects require additional care, safety equipment, and often involve biohazard conditions. We approach hoarding cleanouts with sensitivity and professionalism, understanding that these situations are often connected to mental health challenges. Our team uses proper protective equipment and follows all safety protocols.
Can you clean out a property remotely?
Absolutely. Many of our estate cleanout clients live out of state and manage the process remotely. We can provide a virtual walkthrough via video call, give you a quote, and handle the entire cleanout without you needing to be in San Diego. We send photos and updates throughout the process so you know exactly what is happening.
Is an estate cleanout tax deductible?
The estate cleanout service itself is generally not tax deductible. However, items donated to qualified charitable organizations during the cleanout may be eligible for a tax deduction. At Demo Diego, we provide donation receipts for all items we deliver to charitable organizations on your behalf. Consult with a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
Get a Free Estate Cleanout Estimate in San Diego
Let Demo Diego take the stress out of your estate cleanout. We provide compassionate, efficient service with transparent pricing. Call today for a free estimate—we serve all of San Diego County from Oceanside to Chula Vista.
Call 760-860-8080Or visit our Estate Cleanout Services page to learn more about what we offer.