Antique probate
valuations from £30

HMRC-compliant valuation of home contents, delivered in 2-3 days

No visit required in most cases.
Send us your photos. Our expert
valuers do the rest.

Start your valuation

Rated ‘Excellent’ on Google and Trustpilot

Online or in person valuation? Both Available

Swift Values provides probate valuations for antiques and estate contents, either online or in person. Most estates can be valued from photographs, but we can arrange a site visit where the situation genuinely calls for one.

Online Valuation

£30 single item – £60 multiple items

Suitable for around 95% of antiques probate valuations, including furniture, ceramics, glass, silver, pictures, clocks, ornaments, books, collectables and general household antiques.

Most estate items do not need a home visit. Clear photographs usually allow our valuers to identify what is there, assess condition, recognise anything that may need further research, and prepare an HMRC-compliant probate report within 1–3 working days.

Start your valuation

Best for: 95%+ of estates

In-Person Valuation – from £298

Recommended only for larger, higher-value or more complex estates where a physical inspection would genuinely add value.

This may include substantial collections, important furniture, significant works of art, specialist antiques, large house contents, or items where condition, authenticity, attribution or scale cannot be properly assessed from photographs alone.

Enquire Now

Best for: high-value or specialist estates

Not sure which you need? Call the office on 0330 088 4099 and we will be happy to help.

What we can value

We provide specialist probate valuations for antiques, collectables and older household items. Whether the estate includes a few inherited pieces or a more substantial collection, our valuers can assess them for HMRC.

ITEMS WE CAN VALUE FOR PROBATE

Georgian & Victorian Furniture

Chests, chairs, tables, bookcases, bureaux, wardrobes and other 18th and 19th-century furniture.

Edwardian & Later Furniture

Early 20th-century, Art Deco, mid-century and traditional household furniture with probate value.

Clocks & Barometers

Longcase clocks, bracket clocks, mantel clocks, carriage clocks, wall clocks and barometers.

Ceramics & Glass

Porcelain, pottery, dinner services, studio ceramics, cut glass, art glass and decorative pieces.

Silver Plate & Metalware

Tea sets, trays, candlesticks, flatware, copper, brass, pewter and other decorative metalwares.

Boxes, Treen & Small Antiques

Tea caddies, writing slopes, sewing boxes, jewellery boxes, carved wood and smaller antique objects.

Collectables & Curios

Militaria, maps, books, rugs, textiles, walking sticks, tribal items and unusual estate pieces.

Need help? Call the office on 0330 088 4099 and we will be happy to help.

“Valuations are the biggest single area of risk, accounting for a large part of our compliance checks. You are strongly advised to instruct a qualified independent valuer.”

Source: Inheritance Tax Toolkit, HMRC, Published July 2018

Your probate valuation in 3 easy steps

Swift Values provides a simple, cost-effective way to meet your probate valuation obligations. Here’s how it works:

Take photos

Photograph each piece with your phone. Watch our short guide showing exactly how. No need to list or itemise each piece.

We value the items

Our expert valuers assess everything, drawing on decades of experience and will ask questions if more detail is needed.

Receive your HMRC compliant report

Typically delivered within 1-2 working days and prepared under Section 160 IHTA 1984 – ready to submit with confidence.

✔ No home visit required ✔ 100% transparent with no hidden costs ✔ From just £30

✔ No home visit required

✔ 100% transparent with no hidden costs

✔ From just £30

How to photograph your jewellery for a probate valuation

Simply take clear, useful photographs so our gemmologists can prepare your probate report quickly and accurately.

You do not need professional photos or a home visit. In this short video our founder Mark explains exactly what to photograph, how to capture each piece, and which details help our valuers identify anything that may need closer attention.

See exactly what you’ll receive

Every Swift Values report is a professionally formatted PDF, ready to submit with your probate application. It includes:

Fully illustrated PDF report

High-value item breakdown for IHT 407

Valuer notes to detail specifics

Section 160 compliance statement

Signed declaration for IHT400

Valuer bio

View example report

Online vs In-Person: Real-World Example Valuations

Not sure what each valuation service can cover — or when an in-person visit is really needed?

Let’s take a look at three real-world examples to show what our valuers can provide from photos alone, and when they recommend a closer look.

Moorcroft Collection (online valuation)

A group of Moorcroft pieces inherited by an executor who had been told by the deceased that the collection was particularly special.

What Was Submitted
Our Assessment

Our ceramics valuer identified the collection as modern Moorcroft pottery, including a Nicola Slaney Eventide-style vase, eleven dishes, an octagonal plate titled Designer’s Medley, and two framed lids.

They explained that Moorcroft is a recognised and collectable name, but that values vary significantly depending on age, artist, pattern, condition and current demand. In this case, the collection was attractive and saleable but the market for many modern Moorcroft pieces is more modest than families often expect.

Estimated Range: £250 – £350

Suggested Probate Value: £300
Next Steps & Outcome

No further action was needed. The executor used the online valuation figure for probate, and the beneficiaries were satisfied with the explanation and outcome. One beneficiary had suggested arranging an auction house visit, but the online valuation gave the estate a clear HMRC-compliant figure without the additional cost of an in-person appointment.

Royal Lancastrian Lustre Vase (online valuation)

A single piece of art pottery inherited by a family who had always been told it was valuable, but were unsure what it was or whether the marks underneath were significant.

What Was Submitted
Our Assessment

Our ceramics valuer recognised the vase as a Royal Lancastrian lustre vase by Gordon Forsyth for Pilkington, dating from circa 1910. They explained that this was a specialist piece of British art pottery, with value driven by the maker, artist, lustre decoration, condition and current collector demand.

From the photographs provided, our valuer gave an estimated probate range of £1,500 – £3,000, depending on condition.

Suggested Probate Value: £2,500
Next Steps & Outcome

Because condition can materially affect the value of important ceramics, we explained that an in-person valuation could be arranged for £298 if the family wanted further confirmation. In this case, they were satisfied with the online assessment and used the £2,500 figure for probate.

The vase was later sold at auction for £2,400 hammer, which supported the online valuation and showed that a home visit had not been necessary for probate purposes.

Trusted by

Why executors choose
Swift Values for antiques

Most executors know antiques can be difficult to judge, especially when older pieces were bought many years ago for significant sums.

Antique furniture, ceramics, clocks, rugs and decorative objects have all been affected by changing fashions. Items that cost thousands, or even tens of thousands, 20, 30 or 50 years ago may now have much lower resale value, sometimes only in the low hundreds.

Our job is to give you a realistic probate figure, not encourage unnecessary expense. Upload your photos and we will identify what matters, flag anything that needs closer attention, and provide a clear HMRC-compliant valuation.

No guesswork, no inflated expectations and no paying for a home visit unless it is genuinely needed.

Swift-Values-Probate-Valuations-For-Executors

Trusted by thousands of executors

Rated ‘Excellent’ on Google. Over 1,000 valuations completed UK-wide.

I was overwhelmed by my mother’s estate. Swift Values made it simple and sent a professional report within two days. The service was perfect.

Barbara, Ipswich

Clear, thorough and incredibly quick. Exactly what we needed for probate to go through quickly.

Richard, Southampton

The report was far more detailed than I expected for the price. HMRC accepted it without question.

James, Salford

What’s included in your probate valuation?

Our online antiques valuation starts at just £30 for a single item and £60 for multiple pieces, which suits the vast majority of estates.

If anything requires specialist input, we’ll tell you early and confirm any additional costs before proceeding. No surprises.

Service

Single item

Multiple items

Price (ex. VAT)

£30

£60

The £60 multiple-item service is subject to a fair use policy. We know antiques and household collections vary widely: one estate may include a few pieces of furniture and ornaments, while another may contain cupboards full of ceramics, clocks, metalware, rugs or collectables.

Our aim is to keep probate valuations simple, fair and proportionate for normal estates. You will always receive a valuation from the £60 service. If the contents are unusually large, complex or likely to need detailed individual research, we will explain this clearly and quote for any extra work before going further.

Ready to start your probate valuation?

From just £30. Delivered in 1-3 working days.

HMRC-compliant – guaranteed, or your money back.

Start your valuation

Questions? Call the office on 0330 088 4099

Swift Values FAQs

What types of antiques can you value for probate?

We value a wide range of antiques, collectables and older household items commonly found in estates. This includes Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and early 20th-century furniture, clocks, barometers, ceramics, glass, silver plate, metalware, rugs, textiles, boxes, books, maps, militaria and general curios.

We can also help with mixed estates where the executor is unsure what is valuable and what is simply ordinary household contents.
Can antiques really be valued from photographs?

Yes. Most antiques can be valued from clear photographs, especially for probate purposes where the figure needs to reflect realistic open-market value.

Photographs usually show enough to assess age, style, condition, quality, period and market demand. If we need more detail, we will ask for extra images of marks, labels, joints, backs, bases, damage, clock movements or other important features.
Why are some antiques worth much less than the family expected?

Many traditional antiques have fallen significantly in value as tastes have changed. Dark wood furniture, formal dining furniture, large cabinets, rugs, clocks and decorative objects were often expensive when bought but can now have much lower resale value.

A piece that cost thousands many years ago may now be worth only a few hundred pounds, or sometimes less. Our role is to give a realistic probate value, not repeat old insurance figures or historic purchase prices.
Do you value antique furniture?

Yes. We can value most antique and traditional furniture from photographs, including chests, chairs, dining tables, cabinets, bookcases, desks, bureaux, wardrobes, sideboards and occasional tables.

Useful images include the front, side, back, underside, drawer construction, handles, feet, locks, labels, damage and any signs of alteration or restoration.
How do you value antiques for probate?

ou upload photographs of the items, and our valuer reviews them for age, condition, quality, period, maker, market demand and likely open-market value.

For probate, the figure is not an insurance value or retail replacement figure. It needs to reflect the realistic value at the date of death, in line with HMRC requirements.
Can you value clocks and barometers?

es. We can value longcase clocks, bracket clocks, mantel clocks, wall clocks, carriage clocks, barometers and related items.

Helpful photographs include the case, dial, movement, maker’s name, weights, pendulum, key, interior and any labels. For important clocks, originality and condition can make a significant difference.
What if I do not know whether something is antique or valuable?

That is very common. Executors often inherit a house full of older items without knowing what matters and what does not.

You do not need to identify the items yourself. Send us the photographs and we will assess what is there, separate ordinary low-value items from anything that needs closer attention, and provide a clear probate valuation.
Will my antiques valuation be accepted by HMRC?

Yes. Every report is prepared in line with Section 160 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 and HMRC’s open-market value requirements.

Our reports are designed for executors, solicitors and estate administrators who need a clear, defensible figure for probate. We also offer a money-back guarantee if HMRC does not accept the valuation.
Is the £60 antiques valuation enough for a mixed estate?

For most small groups, yes. The £60 multiple-item service is designed for a limited number of antique or collectable items, such as a group of chairs, a few clocks, several pieces of furniture, or around 10 items needing individual consideration.

It is not intended as a full house contents valuation. If you need the contents of an entire property valued for probate, our online house contents valuation is usually the more appropriate service at £119.
When would an in-person antiques valuation be needed?

An in-person valuation may be useful for very high-value estates, substantial house contents, important furniture, rare clocks, specialist collections or items where condition, authenticity, scale or attribution cannot be judged properly from photographs.

Most estates do not need this. We will only recommend an in-person valuation where it is genuinely proportionate.
How much does an antiques probate valuation cost?

Our online antiques valuation starts at £30 for a single item and £60 for multiple items. This suits most normal estates, including mixed groups of furniture, ceramics, clocks, metalware, collectables and decorative household antiques.

If an estate is unusually large, complex or likely to require detailed individual research, we will explain this clearly and quote for any additional work before proceeding further.

Antique probatevaluations from £30

HMRC-compliant valuation of home contents, delivered in 2-3 days

Online or in person valuation? Both Available

Online Valuation

£30 single item – £60 multiple items

In-Person Valuation – from £298

What we can value

Georgian & Victorian Furniture

Edwardian & Later Furniture

Clocks & Barometers

Ceramics & Glass

Silver Plate & Metalware

Boxes, Treen & Small Antiques

Collectables & Curios

“Valuations are the biggest single area of risk, accounting for a large part of our compliance checks. You are strongly advised to instruct a qualified independent valuer.”

Your probate valuation in 3 easy steps

Take photos

We value the items

Receive your HMRC compliant report

✔ No home visit required ✔ 100% transparent with no hidden costs ✔ From just £30

✔ No home visit required

✔ 100% transparent with no hidden costs

✔ From just £30

How to photograph your jewellery for a probate valuation

See exactly what you’ll receive

Online vs In-Person: Real-World Example Valuations

Moorcroft Collection (online valuation)

Royal Lancastrian Lustre Vase (online valuation)

Trusted by

Why executors choose Swift Values for antiques

Trusted by thousands of executors

Barbara, Ipswich

Richard, Southampton

James, Salford

What’s included in your probate valuation?

Service

Single item

Multiple items

Price (ex. VAT)

£30

£60

Ready to start your probate valuation?

From just £30. Delivered in 1-3 working days.

Swift Values FAQs

Antique probate
valuations from £30

Why executors choose
Swift Values for antiques