What to Buy and Bring for an Estate Auction

An estate auction needs more than lots and an auctioneer. You need a practical setup for registration, numbered bids, lot display, payments, refreshments, packing, and moving items safely. This shopping list covers the equipment, furniture, tableware, and handling supplies that are easy to overlook. Check quantities against your guest count, number of lots, payment process, and venue layout before shopping, then allow time to test power, printing, and payment equipment.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 90
Foldable tablesqty 4
Registration desk
Payment counter
High tablesqty 6
Transport cartsqty 3

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Printer
Speakerqty 2
Microphoneqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Chargersqty 4
Calculatorsqty 3
Cash register
Payment terminal
Coolersqty 4
Hand trucksqty 2
Glue gunsqty 2
Staplersqty 3

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 90
Glassesqty 100
Platesqty 100
Forksqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Spoonsqty 100
Serving spoonsqty 8
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice packsqty 16
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Pliersqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 2
Coolersqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 12
Auction board
Directional signsqty 12
Welcome sign
Notice boardsqty 4
Photo framesqty 6
Table name cardsqty 20
Buntingqty 6

Lighting

LED lampsqty 12
Desk lampsqty 4
Batteriesqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Paper towel dispensersqty 4
Toilet brushesqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Coffee creamer - 2 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 3 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 1 crate
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Baguettes - 18 pieces
- Mini rolls - 100 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 2 kilogram
- Roast beef - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Cream cheese - 6 tubs
- Egg salad - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12
- Red onion - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 5 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mixed nuts - 3 kilogram
- Cheese biscuits - 5 packs
- Mini quiches - 100 pieces
- Puff pastry snacks - 100 pieces
- Apple pie - 4 pieces
- Brownies - 5 boxes
- Butter cookies - 6 packs
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Bananas - 3 kilograms
- Lemons - 1 kilogram
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 5 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 40 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 packs

Paper goods

Registration formsqty 150
Bid cardsqty 150
Sales receiptsqty 150
Bid numbersqty 120
A4 paperqty 500
Notepadsqty 12
Ballpoint pensqty 40
Pencilsqty 20
Markersqty 12
Sticky notesqty 12
Adhesive labelsqty 500
Bindersqty 8
Envelopesqty 200
Receipt rollsqty 10
Paper wristbandsqty 150
Tapeqty 12
Packing tapeqty 12
Ropeqty 6
Cardboard sheetsqty 100
Bulletin board cardsqty 100
Plastic document sleevesqty 200
Clipboardsqty 12
Scissorsqty 6
Utility knivesqty 3
Rulersqty 4

Auction materials

Auction hammer
Field displaysqty 30
Presentation tablesqty 4
Number signsqty 120
Table numbersqty 20
Queue barriersqty 8
Barrier tapeqty 4
Storage cratesqty 30
Moving blanketsqty 20
Bubble wrapqty 4
Moving boxesqty 50
Wrapping paperqty 4
Carrier bagsqty 100
Hand terminalsqty 3
Cash boxqty 2
Document casesqty 4
Key labelsqty 50
Cable tiesqty 200
Work glovesqty 12

Tips

Plan one registration position and one separate payment counter if possible. Keep the laptop, printer, bid numbers, calculators, cash register, and payment terminal at the registration and payment areas rather than mixing them with refreshments.
Provide at least one table for every main work area: registration, payments, lot display, refreshments, and packing. Add high tables only where guests need to stand and inspect items without blocking seated bidders.
Test the printer, laptop, speaker, microphone, payment terminal, and cash register at the venue at least 24 hours before the auction. Pack chargers, extension cords, and power strips together so missing cables are found before setup.
Bring transport carts or hand trucks before the lots arrive, especially for furniture and fragile pieces. Pack fragile items separately and keep glue guns, staplers, and other fixing supplies with the packing materials, not at the auction desk.
Count cups, glasses, plates, forks, knives, spoons, bowls, and serving trays for the expected attendance, then add a 10 percent spare allowance. Buy or bring coolers early enough to chill drinks before guests arrive.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy for an estate auction?: Start with tables, chairs, a registration desk, a payment counter, lot display supplies, bid numbers, and packing materials. You will also need a laptop, printer, calculators, payment equipment, power cables, transport aids, and refreshments with tableware.
How many tables do I need for an estate auction?: Allow one table for each major station: registration, payments, refreshments, packing, and lot display. For a medium auction, that usually means at least 5 tables, plus extra tables for larger lots or separate display sections.
How many cups and plates do I need for an estate auction?: Use the expected guest count as your base quantity and add 10 percent spare tableware. For 50 guests, prepare at least 55 cups, glasses, plates, and sets of forks, knives, and spoons, with fewer plates if you are not serving food.
When should I prepare the estate auction equipment?: Finish shopping and confirm borrowed equipment at least 3 days before the auction. Test the printer, microphone, speaker, payment terminal, cash register, and power connections at the venue at least 24 hours beforehand.

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