Printable Garage Sale Checklist: Two Weeks Out to Sale Day
A printable garage sale checklist covering everything from sorting and pricing to signs, supplies and cleanup, organized into a simple timeline you can follow.
Print this page (it’s formatted to print cleanly) or keep it open on your phone, and tick things off as you go. Your browser’s print option will hide the site navigation and keep just the checklist.
Two weeks before
- Choose a date, hours and a rain date
- Check city and HOA rules for permits and signs
- Walk through each room, the garage and storage, and pull out what you’ll sell
- Set aside a “not sure” box and decide by the end of the week
- Ask neighbors whether they’d like to join (more houses bring more shoppers)
- Line up a charity pickup or drop-off for leftovers
One week before
- Clean and test items (wipe down, check batteries, gather parts and pieces)
- Price everything, or set up price zones and colored dots
- Photograph your best items
- Make your flyer and social image
- Post online listings and your first social post
- Put flyers up on community boards
- Get small bills and coins for change
- Decide whether you’ll accept payment apps
Two or three days before
- Make or print signs: big, bold, with arrows
- Gather tables, racks, blankets and boxes for display
- Refresh listings and post a sneak peek
- Check the weather and confirm your rain plan
- Charge your phone and a backup battery
The day before
- Group items by category so they’re ready to carry out
- Bump online listings and post a reminder
- Put up signs if allowed overnight
- Set up as much as you can in the garage
Supplies for sale day
- Cash box or apron with change
- Payment-app sign or QR code, if accepting payment apps
- Price stickers, markers and tape
- Shopping bags and newspaper for wrapping
- Extension cord for testing electronics
- Measuring tape
- Calculator (or your phone)
- Water, snacks and sunscreen
- A chair for you
Sale morning
- Put up remaining signs at key turns
- Set out tables with big items near the street
- Put “Free” items at the end of the driveway
- Post “We’re open!” with a photo
After the sale
- Take down every sign and flyer
- Box up leftovers for donation
- Mark online listings as ended
- Count up and celebrate
More garage sale guides: blog.flyr.cc