Katy Littler

When faced with probate, many executors discover an unexpected challenge: accurately valuing household contents for HMRC. What starts as a seemingly simple task – after all, how hard can it be to price a few ornaments and furniture pieces? – quickly becomes a complex web of research, subscription fees, and second-guessing.

The digital age has democratised access to auction records, sales data, and expert knowledge. Platforms like eBay, specialist auction databases, and art price indices promise to put professional-level information at your fingertips. For executors already stretched by legal fees and emotional pressures, the prospect of handling valuations independently appears both practical and economical.

Yet beneath this appealing surface lies a more complicated reality. Professional valuers spend years developing the expertise to distinguish between similar-looking items with vastly different market values. They understand the subtle factors that can transform a £20 ornament into a £2,000 collectible, or identify when that inherited painting might be worth serious money.

This guide examines the tools available for independent research, their genuine capabilities, and – crucially – their limitations. We’ll explore what you can realistically achieve yourself, and help you decide whether the DIY route truly represents the saving it appears to be.

Where to Start: Useful Tools for Executors

For executors considering the DIY approach, there are several tools available:

eBay

eBay’s strength lies in its massive user base and the “completed listings” search function, which shows actual transaction prices rather than hopeful asking prices. The platform works well for modern household items, branded goods, and collectibles where multiple examples exist in the marketplace.

the-saleroom.com

This platform aggregates auction results from professional UK auction houses, making it invaluable for period furniture, ceramics, glassware, and decorative arts. The advantage over eBay is dealing with catalogued lots assessed by auction house specialists, providing more reliable condition reports and attributions.

The downside is cost and complexity. Full access requires monthly subscriptions around £25-£40, and interpreting results demands understanding of auction dynamics. The same oak dresser might achieve £200 at a provincial sale or £800 at a specialist furniture auction, depending on factors invisible to inexperienced researchers.

artprice.com

For potential artworks, prints, or sculptural pieces, Artprice offers the most comprehensive database of international auction results. The platform tracks millions of lots across thousands of auction houses, providing historical context that can distinguish between worthless reproductions and valuable originals.

However, Artprice demands both financial commitment (annual subscriptions exceed £250) and expertise to interpret effectively. Subtle differences in medium, size, or attribution can mean the difference between £50 and £5,000.

The Challenges of Going It Alone

Professional valuers spend years learning to distinguish between valuable pieces and convincing reproductions. A genuine Clarice Cliff bowl and a 1980s imitation might appear identical to untrained eyes, yet one commands hundreds whilst the other manages pounds. This expertise gap extends to recognising maker’s marks, assessing restoration work, and understanding condition impact – knowledge that database searches alone cannot provide.

There are costs involved in the DIY approach as well, with professional databases chargin hundreds annually for their data.

Finally, the time required often exceeds expectations too – thoroughly researching a single piece can consume several hours across multiple platforms. For households with dozens of potentially valuable items, this represents a substantial commitment.

When It’s Worth Bringing in a Professional

Rather than paying for subscriptions, spending hours online, and second-guessing your results, it is often better to pay a small fee for the advice of someone who knows what they’re looking at.

Professional valuers immediately identify valuable items and understand which pieces warrant detailed attention. Their experience transforms research that might take days into assessments completed within minutes. They carry professional indemnity insurance and understand HMRC requirements, providing legal security that DIY efforts cannot match.

The expertise gap proves particularly significant when potential treasures hide amongst everyday items. Specialists recognise valuable maker’s marks, understand market conditions, and distinguish between genuine antiques and reproductions – distinctions that determine whether items are worth pounds or thousands.

For most executors, professional valuation represents better value than the hidden costs and uncertainties of independent research, delivering superior accuracy and peace of mind during an already challenging process.

At Swift Values our services are designed to meet HMRC’s standards, starting from just £25.

Some of the most valuable personal possessions within an estate are not immediately obvious. Rather than being kept in safes or mentioned in the will, they are stored in attic boxes, mixed in with everyday items or recorded on paperwork that is easy to overlook.

A single maturing cask of whisky held in a warehouse could be worth over six figures. An old trading card or wristwatch might appear unremarkable but could sell for thousands.

At Swift Values we help solicitors and executors identify these overlooked assets and understand what they are dealing with. Our HMRC-compliant probate valuations cover house contents, individual items and specialist categories such as whisky, art, jewellery and collectibles. We provide the clarity and reassurance needed to handle estates thoroughly and reduce the risk of missing something important.

1. Whisky Casks

A maturing cask of whisky is typically held in a bonded warehouse, with the only clue that it exists being ownership paperwork and receipts. Such documents are often buried amongst old emails or filed away alongside other papers, making them easy to miss during probate.

The value of a whisky cask depends on several factors. Age is a major one, with older whisky being rarer and more desirable. The distillery is equally important, with names such as Macallan, Springbank and Glenfiddich often commanding a premium. The type of cask used, such as ex-sherry or bourbon, and the amount of liquid remaining in the cask also influence the final value.

In 2022, a 35-year-old Macallan cask sold for over £1 million. Its value came not just from its age but from the reputation of the distillery and the rarity of a cask that old still being held intact. This type of asset will never be found on a shelf or in a drawer and so is easy to overlook.

Executor tip: Never bottle a cask without taking advice first.  A professional valuation will almost always be the best starting point. If any paperwork refers to distilleries, storage facilities or brokers, keep it safe and speak to a specialist.

2. Musical Instruments

Musical instruments are often kept for sentimental reasons, passed down through generations or stored away and forgotten. But some of them, particularly older or professionally made instruments, can carry significant value.

Violins are a common example. While many are mass-produced and inexpensive, others — particularly those from 19th-century makers or with labels indicating European craftsmanship — can be worth thousands. Guitars are another area where values vary widely. A Fender or Gibson from the 1960s or 70s in good condition can be a serious asset.

Even instruments that appear worn or are missing strings should not be dismissed. Condition is important, but provenance, rarity and brand are what counts. Pianos, woodwinds and brass instruments from respected makers may also be valuable, particularly if they were professional-grade models when first purchased.

Executor tip: Do not assume a musical instrument is of little importance just because it looks old or unused. Photographs alone are often enough for a specialist to give an initial opinion.

3. Wristwatches

Brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe and Omega are easy to spot, but lesser-known names can also be highly sought after if the model is rare or has an interesting history. Steel sports watches, particularly vintage models like the Rolex Submariner or GMT-Master, are especially popular with collectors and can be more valuable than their gold equivalents.

Key indicators of value include the brand, reference number, age, overall condition and whether the original box and papers are still present. Even slight variations in dial design, case material or production run can make a substantial difference in price.

Not every valuable watch looks flashy. Some of the most sought-after models are subtle and would only be recognised by aficionados. For instance, a limited-edition Panerai worth tens of thousands could easily be overlooked by a layman.

Executor tip: Do not clean or polish a watch before it has been seen by an expert. Collectors often prefer the original patina, even if there is some wear. If a watch is unfamiliar or appears unusual, it is always worth seeking professional advice before deciding what to do with it.

4. Trading Cards and Retro Games

Old trading cards and video games are easy to dismiss as childhood clutter, but are becoming increasingly collectible and in turn valuable. Interest in collectibles from the 1980s and 1990s has grown sharply in recent years, with nostalgic millenials driving up prices for the rarest and best-preserved examples.

Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering and early sports cards are often the most valuable, especially if they are first editions, misprints or limited-run promotional items. For example, a single high-grade Pikachu Illustrator card has sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds. Cards that are professionally graded and encased in protective plastic sleeves are usually the ones to pay attention to.

Retro video games have also become a serious collecting category. Sealed copies of games for consoles like the Super Nintendo or PlayStation One, especially well-known titles like Super Mario or The Legend of Zelda, can sell for thousands. Values increase dramatically if the packaging is intact and the condition is rated as near mint.

Executor tip: Handle cards and games with care. Bending, scratching or removing them from sealed packaging can significantly reduce their value. If a collection appears to be well organised or includes protective cases or grading certificates, it is worth having it assessed by a specialist before taking any further steps.

5. Retro Tech and Audio Equipment

Older technology is often seen as obsolete, but some vintage electronics are now considered highly collectible. Items that once seemed outdated can, in the right context, be worth a considerable sum.

Early home computers, such as the Apple-1, Commodore 64 or original IBM PCs are sought after by collectors and museums. A working Apple-1 with its original components recently sold for nearly £300,000. While few estates contain something quite that rare, even lesser-known machines from the 1980s and 1990s can surprise if they are well preserved and complete.

Hi-fi equipment and audio gear also attract strong interest, especially from brands known for quality and innovation. Vintage amplifiers, turntables and synthesizers made by companies such as Linn, Moog or Quad can sell for thousands, particularly if they have not been modified or heavily used.

Condition matters, but provenance and rarity are just as important. Original packaging, instruction manuals and early serial numbers can all add value. These items are often found in lofts, garages or cupboards.

Executor tip: Avoid powering up old electronics without professional input, as this can cause damage. Instead, photograph labels and serial numbers and consult a specialist. Even items that appear basic or forgotten may be of significant interest to collectors.

Why This Matters for Probate

Overlooked items in an estate are not just missed opportunities. They can lead to undervaluing the estate, create complications with HMRC, or raise questions from beneficiaries later on. Personal possessions that seem ordinary — a trading card, a violin, or an old stereo — may turn out to be the most valuable assets in the house.

For solicitors and executors, the challenge lies in knowing what to look for. That is where Swift Values can help. Our services start from just £25 for an online item check and scale up to full in-person house contents valuations. Every report is prepared by a category expert and delivered in an HMRC-compliant format suitable for probate.

Whether it is a single item or the entire contents of a property, we help estate professionals understand what they are dealing with and provide the reassurance that nothing important has been missed.