Help for an inherited house in Boston, MA
Start with the cleanout, then line up what the house needs next.
Boston is in Suffolk County.
Estate cleanoutFull or partial cleanouts of an inherited house, including donation drop-off and haul-away.Verifying local prosJunk removalHaul-away for furniture, appliances and debris when the job is smaller than a full cleanout.Verifying local prosEstate salesCompanies that price and sell the contents of the house, often before the cleanout.Verifying local pros
Estate sale companies usually serve a whole region. See estate sales across Suffolk County.
Getting rid of things in Boston
From the town's own pages. Fees and rules change. Confirm with the town before you go.
- Furniture and bulky items: Furniture can go out with curbside trash (or be donated). 311 can answer questions about bulk item pickup. (source, checked Nov 2026)
- Mattresses and box springs: Not collected with regular trash. An appointment is required for every mattress and box spring; book through 311. Put it on the curb by 6 a.m. on the appointment day or after 5 p.m. the night before. (source, checked Nov 2026)
- Appliances (white goods): Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and other Freon items need a special collection appointment through 311 or the online Special Item Pickup form. Fridge and freezer doors must be removed and food taken out. (source, checked Nov 2026)
- TVs, monitors and electronics: TVs and computer monitors need a special collection appointment through 311 or online. Also accepted at Zero Waste Days. (source, checked Nov 2026)
- Hazardous waste days: Zero Waste Days for household hazardous waste, Boston residents only with photo ID, utility bill or lease. The Sept. 26, 2026 event was moved to Saturday, Nov. 21 at 315 Gardner St., West Roxbury. (source, checked Nov 2026)
- Dumpster or roll-off permit: A dumpster on a street or sidewalk needs a Street Occupancy Permit from Public Works, applied for online. The application asks how many dumpsters and what size. (source, checked Nov 2026)
Not checked yet: transfer station or drop-off. Check with the Boston public works department for those.
Compare towns: mattress and furniture rules for other Massachusetts towns.
Items Massachusetts bans from the trash statewide are listed in the cleanout guide.