Ask Phyllis: a blog series of frequently asked real estate questions.
Hauler Pricing Dispute
Dear Phyllis,
I have been an avid reader of yours for years and truly enjoy the variety of topics you cover. We are preparing to sell my mother’s home in North Hills and have spent months sorting through papers and personal belongings. We’ve donated many items to different charities and had hoped to hold an estate sale. However, we were told that unless a house is full of furniture, companies are not interested in taking it on.
Our Realtor arranged for a hauler to remove the remaining items. In the meantime, my brother-in-law found someone on Nextdoor who agreed to purchase the dining room set, including the table, leaf, eight chairs, hutch, and buffet. When the hauler arrived to remove the remaining items, he refused to complete the job at the price he had originally quoted. This led to a heated exchange. He claimed his original price assumed he could resell some of the furniture in the home. Is this a common practice, and how would you suggest we handle this pricing dispute with the hauler?
Sincerely, Henny
Dear Henny,
This sounds like a stressful situation, especially after all the work you’ve put into clearing the home. Unfortunately, last-minute issues with haulers are not uncommon. The hauler likely based his original quote on reselling higher-value items, like the dining room set. When those items were removed, the expected resale value disappeared. As a result, he reconsidered the price or backed out. While this explains his reaction, it may seem unprofessional.
If you’re on a tight timeline with photos and listing dates approaching, ask for a revised quote based on the remaining items. Then decide if it’s worth negotiating to keep things moving. Also, factor in the money you received from selling the dining room set.
At the same time, consider getting another quote. Some removal companies price based only on volume and labor, not resale value. Because of that, their pricing tends to be more consistent and predictable. Even if the cost is slightly higher, the added reliability may be worth it given your timeline. Ultimately, this comes down to a mismatch in expectations. Focus on the fastest, most practical solution so you can stay on track and get the home ready for sale.
Best regards, Phyllis
