The American garage is the final resting place for everything that doesn't have a home inside the house. Sports equipment from 2012. Paint cans from three houses ago. That exercise bike that became a coat rack. Here's how to clear it all — and get paid for the good stuff.
Start by categorizing, not cleaning. Walk through and mentally sort everything into zones: tools and equipment, sports and recreation, seasonal items, furniture and household overflow, and actual trash. This takes 15 minutes and saves hours.
Tools are your biggest credit earners. That workbench, the power drill set, the miter saw, the compressor — if they're brand name (DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita), they hold serious value. Group them together for easy appraisal.
Working outdoor equipment has strong resale markets. Riding mowers, push mowers, leaf blowers, pressure washers, snow blowers — all have active buyers in your area. Even if you think they're 'old,' a working Toro from 2018 is still worth $150–$300.
The average garage cleanout with our 2-person crew takes 2–3 hours. Cost: $500–$750 before credits. After appraisals on tools, equipment, furniture, and working appliances stored in the garage, most customers pay $200–$400 out of pocket. Some pay nothing. Some get a check.