Do antique shops buy entire estates or only individual pieces?

It depends on the shop. Some antique dealers buy entire estates or whole households, especially if the contents include many items they can resell. Others only want specific pieces that fit their specialty and will leave the rest.

Selling everything to one buyer can be convenient, but the offer for a full lot reflects the dealer's need to sort, haul, and resell items of mixed value. If the estate contains a few valuable pieces, you may come out ahead by having those evaluated separately.

Get more than one offer, and do not let anyone take items before you agree on a price in writing. For a full household, it can also help to compare a dealer's buyout with what an estate sale company or auction company would likely net you.