Updated September 2026
What are the contents of a house actually worth?
Island Estate Clearing prices every project after walking your property on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. We assess contents in Qualicum Beach, Parksville, Nanaimo and Ladysmith based on item volume, resale potential and truck access. We reply within 24 hours to set up your walk-through and provide a written price.
What contents are worth depends on the specific items stored inside the home. Here is what moves that, and what it means for the price we quote you.
Household contents include loose items in a home: furniture, tools, jewellery, collections and household goods.
| Driver | Why it changes the value |
|---|---|
| Era and condition of the furniture | Furniture from some eras reliably sells. Most ordinary furniture around the house doesn't. |
| Tools and machinery | A working shop is often the highest-value part of a rural property. |
| Jewellery and precious metals | Small in size but high in value, and best appraised first. |
| Deliberately assembled collections | A collection put together on purpose usually sells. One that just piled up over the years usually doesn't. |
| Whether a buyer exists locally | An item is only worth money to the estate if there's a buyer for it nearby. |
How do we price a clearing job?
We set the price of a clearing job by what is actually in the property, not by its floor area. Two homes of equal square footage can hold vastly different volumes and present varying truck access. That is why we walk your property before we give you a price.
What actually drives the cost?
Volume comes first: the sheer quantity of items physically in the home. Next is resale potential: how many items we can sell to offset clearing costs for you. Accessibility matters next, including stairs, elevators, tight driveways and narrow street parking. Outbuildings also factor in, as farm sheds and shops often hold more than the main residence. Finally, travel distance to disposal and donation centres creates an added cost on rural properties.
What are the exact probate fees?
For a probate application in British Columbia, statutory costs include a $200 filing fee (waived under $25,000), and probate fees of nil under $25,000, $6 per $1,000 from $25,001 to $50,000, and $14 per $1,000 above $50,000 under the Probate Fee Act.
What do you get before the work starts?
We inspect the site and send a written scope and price, listing items we expect to sell separately.
For what this looks like in practice, see selling the contents.
Related: selling the contents · the executor's guide · downsizing moves · Nanaimo
For a written scope and price on your property, send the details and we'll arrange a walk-through.
We clear and prepare the contents of a family home across Vancouver Island.
You don't have to sort, identify or value anything first. Send us whatever you know and we'll arrange a walk-through.