Valuing everything from fine art to the everyday

HMRC-compliant valuations
delivered in 1-3 days

No home visits needed. Expert, compliant
valuations across 15+ categories
of chattels and collectables.

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Rated ‘Excellent’ on Google and Trustpilot

Online or in person valuation? Both Available

At Swift Values we provide complete probate valuations whichever route you choose. Most estates suit our online service well, though if your circumstances need a valuer on site, we offer that too.

Online Valuation

£30 single item – £60 multiple items

Ideal for almost every estate valuation, from everyday household contents and furniture to standard art, antiques, and collectables. Virtually any standard UK home can be completely and accurately valued online without needing a physical visit. HMRC-compliant, delivered in 1–3 days.

Start your valuation

Best for: 95%+ of estates

In-Person Valuation – from £298

Recommended only for exceptional, ultra-high-value estates containing museum-quality pieces, rare masterpieces, or major specialist collections that strictly warrant a physical inspection. This is reserved for high-value items likely to attract international attention from auction houses.

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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.

“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

What we can value

We provide specialist probate valuations across every category of estate contents. Whatever the estate holds, our valuers can assess it for HMRC.

FINE ART & ANTIQUES

Jewellery

Antique and modern jewellery, gold, diamonds, gemstones and costume pieces.

Watches

Wristwatches and pocket watches, from everyday brands to fine and vintage timepieces.

Art

Paintings, prints, drawings and sculpture by listed and unlisted artists.

Asian Art

Chinese and Japanese ceramics, jade, bronzes, scrolls and works of art.

Antiques

Furniture, clocks, decorative objects and period pieces of all kinds.

Silver

Sterling and plated silver, flatware, hollowware and decorative silverware.

Ceramics & Ornaments

Porcelain, pottery, figurines and decorative ceramics.

COLLECTABLES

Wine & Whisky

Fine wine, vintage spirits and collectable single malt whisky.

Books

Antiquarian, rare and first-edition books, manuscripts and maps.

Collectors’ Items & Toys

Coins, stamps, militaria, die-cast models and vintage toys.

Musical Instruments

String, brass, woodwind and keyboard instruments, antique and modern.

Minerals

Mineral specimens, fossils, crystals and natural history items

MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY

Vinyl Records

Rare and collectable records across all genres, plus full collections.

Hi-Fi & Home Cinema Equipment

Amplifiers, turntables, speakers and audio separates.

Cameras & Lenses

Film and digital cameras, vintage equipment and collectable lenses.

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

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 your items or room contents with your phone. Watch our short guide showing exactly how. There is no need to manually list or itemise everything yourself.

We value the items

Our network of qualified industry specialists and valuers assess your items, drawing on decades of expertise across all asset categories. We will reach out directly if any extra details are needed.

Receive your HMRC compliant report

Typically delivered within 1–3 working days and fully prepared under Section 160 IHTA 1984—ready to submit to HMRC 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

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.

Dinky Toys Collection (online valuation)

A group of vintage diecast model vehicles, the kind of boxed and unboxed collection often kept from childhood or inherited as a bequest.

What Was Submitted

A photograph of a group of 22 Dinky Toys, including a 963 Heavy Tractor, a 178 Plymouth Plaza, a 246 gift set box, a Bedford TK Coal Truck and a double decker bus, among others. The executors had received the collection as a bequest and had no idea whether the models held any real value.
Our Assessment

The valuation was completed by one of our specialist valuers. Their expert comments included:

“This is a typical mixed collection of Dinky Toys covering commercial vehicles, cars and a gift set. Condition runs from poor to fair, with some original boxes present and at least one reproduction box noted. Collections of this kind are valued as a group rather than as individual pieces, and condition and box originality are the main factors. The estimate reflects a realistic open-market figure for the group as photographed.”

Estimated Range: £100 to £150
Suggested Probate Value: £125
Next Steps & Outcome

Bechstein Grand Piano (online valuation)

A Victorian mahogany grand piano by C. Bechstein, circa 1898, the kind of large, imposing item that executors often assume must be valuable.

What Was Submitted

Photographs of a C. Bechstein grand piano in a mahogany case, including the maker’s name, the serial number stencilled to the internal frame and the overall condition. The executors assumed the piano was likely the most valuable item in the estate and wanted to know what it was worth before going further.
Our Assessment

The valuation was completed by one of our specialist valuers. Their expert comments included:

“This is a genuine late nineteenth century C. Bechstein grand piano in a standard mahogany case. While the name carries prestige, the market for traditional grand and upright pianos has fallen sharply in recent years, as digital instruments have taken their place and the cost of moving and restoring older pianos is high. For an instrument of this type, age and condition, a realistic open-market figure is modest. Photographs are sufficient to value it at this level with confidence.”

Estimated Range: £400 to £700
Suggested Probate Value: £550
Next Steps & Outcome

The executors had been close to arranging a specialist visit at a cost of over £400 to inspect the piano in person. We were able to confirm a reliable probate figure from the photographs alone, saving them that expense. The piano was later sold at auction, where it made £500, in line with our valuation.

Chinese Blue and White Vase (online valuation, then in person)

A Chinese blue and white porcelain yen yen vase, painted with a continuous landscape of scholars and fishermen, the kind of item where period and authenticity make an enormous difference to value.

What Was Submitted
Our Assessment

The valuation was started online and reviewed by one of our specialist valuers, who immediately flagged it as potentially important. Their initial comments included:

“This vase is decorated and potted in the manner of the Kangxi period. If it is of that period it could be valuable, but pieces of this type were also copied in later centuries, and that distinction can only be confirmed by examining the body, glaze and base in person. From photographs alone the realistic range is very wide.”

Online Estimated Range: £500 to £8,000, subject to physical inspection

Because the potential value was high and the range so wide, we recommended an in-person inspection. This was carried out for a fee of £298, at which point the vase was confirmed as Kangxi period (1662 to 1722).

In-Person Estimated Range: £5,000 to £8,000
Why an In-Person Valuation Was Needed

Trusted by

Why executors choose
Swift Values

Most executors have no idea where to start with a houseful of belongings

It’s the sheer range of an estate that causes the most confusion, and the most risk of getting it wrong for HMRC.

Jewellery, watches, art, antiques, silver, wine, collectables: each one is easy to over or undervalue, and most people do, risking more inheritance tax than the estate owes.

Simply upload photos of whatever the estate holds, and our specialist valuers will assess everything, giving you a clear, HMRC-compliant figure you can submit with confidence. No research, no guesswork, no second-guessing. Just a professional valuation that lets you move forward.

It’s the sheer range of an estate that causes the most confusion, and the most risk of getting it wrong for HMRC.

Jewellery, watches, art, antiques, silver, wine, collectables: each one is easy to over or undervalue, and most people do, risking more inheritance tax than the estate owes.

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 specialist online valuations start 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 service is subject to a fair use policy. We know each estate can vary, and one estate might hold a handful of pieces while another holds fifty. Our pricing is designed to be fair and to cover the most typical estates. If you have an unusually large quantity, you are still welcome to submit it and we may simply be in touch to advise on the best approach.

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

How much does a probate valuation cost?

Online valuations start at £30. A single-item valuation is £30, which suits cases where one piece, such as a ring or a watch, has been left to a named beneficiary. For a mixed estate, our £60 valuation covers the general contents of a typical home and is right for most situations. The £60 service is subject to a fair use policy: if the estate is unusually large or contains a major collection, you are still welcome to submit it and we may be in touch to suggest the best approach. For higher-value or specialist estates, in-person valuations start at £298 per hour plus travel, with a two-hour minimum for London visits. In most cases there is no need to pay more, as our online service handles the majority of estates quickly and at a fraction of the cost. If in doubt, call the office on 0330 088 4099.
What is the difference between an online and in-person valuation?

The same experienced team carries out both. The only real difference is how items are assessed. For an online valuation, you photograph the contents yourself and upload them through your account, and our valuer assesses them remotely. For an in-person valuation, the valuer visits and examines items in hand, which helps with larger, rarer or higher-value pieces. An in-person visit is only worth the cost when the estate justifies it, typically where significant art, antiques, jewellery or important collections are involved. For most estates, the online service gives the same expert assessment far more cheaply.
Will my probate valuation be accepted by HMRC?

Yes. Swift Values has a 100% acceptance rate with HMRC across thousands of probate valuations. Every report is fully compliant with HMRC guidelines and prepared in accordance with Section 160 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984. We are confident enough in our work to offer a full money-back guarantee: if HMRC does not accept your valuation, your fee is returned.
Can you really value items from photographs?

Yes, and it is more straightforward than most people expect. Our valuers spent decades in some of the busiest auction houses in the UK, handling thousands of items every week across every category an estate can hold. At that volume, valuation becomes second nature: a piece that feels rare to its owner is usually familiar to an experienced valuer. Clear overall photographs, a few close-ups of any marks or signatures, and a note of dimensions give us what we need. This is exactly how the major auction houses assess items every day. Valuing from good photographs is well-established practice, not a compromise.
How can you value something accurately from a photo?

This is where experience matters. Our valuers have handled tens of thousands of items across furniture, art, ceramics, silver, jewellery, collectables and more, and that breadth lets them recognise the tell-tale signs of age, quality, attribution and authenticity, often from good photographs alone. Where any doubt remains, we simply ask for further images or recommend a closer inspection. You are never left guessing, and nothing is valued on assumption.
How long does a probate valuation take?

Online valuations are typically completed within one to three working days of your photographs being uploaded. In-person valuations are usually finished in a single visit of around an hour, with the written report following shortly after. Timing depends on the size of the estate and how quickly photographs or access can be arranged, but most executors have what they need well within the timescales the probate application requires.
Why is your valuation cheaper than a traditional valuer?

For generations, probate valuations meant a valuer travelling out to see everything in person, which is why fees have always started high, typically from around £300. That model was built by art and antiques auctioneers for a world of antique-heavy estates, where the items justified the visit. Most estates are not like that now. Families face inheritance tax because of property and investments, not collections, yet still go through a process designed for the exceptional few. Swift Values is the first to bring this online. Whether it is a single item at £30 or a mixed estate at £60, our valuers assess everything from clear photographs rather than travelling to the property, in the same way every auction house, from Sotheby’s to your local saleroom, already works. Some high-value pieces still warrant an in-person visit, but for the vast majority of ordinary household estates this is faster, simpler and priced for what families actually need.
What types of items can you value?

We value almost anything you might find in a household estate. That covers jewellery, watches, art, antiques, silver, ceramics and ornaments, Asian art, books, wine and whisky, musical instruments, collectors’ items and toys, vinyl records, hi-fi and home cinema equipment, cameras and lenses, and minerals. Whether it is a single inherited piece or an entire house of mixed contents, we can value it. If something especially rare or specialist comes up, we have a network of experts to call on.
What if I live abroad but need a UK probate valuation?

Living abroad is not a barrier. As long as someone can access the property and photograph the contents, an online valuation works perfectly well. That person can upload the images directly to your account or send them to you to upload. For in-person valuations, we can collect keys or coordinate with a UK-based solicitor or family member, so you do not need to travel back to manage the process.
Do I need to bring items to you?

No. You do not need to bring or send anything. For online valuations, you photograph the items where they are and upload the images through your account, and the valuer works from those. For in-person valuations, the valuer comes to the property and handles the photography and cataloguing. Items stay exactly where they are throughout, which avoids the risk and hassle of moving valuables.
Can you help after the valuation is complete?

Yes. Once the valuation is done, we can help with what comes next, from recommending trusted house clearance companies to advising on the best way to sell, whether that is auction, private sale or a specialist dealer. Selling well takes a real understanding of each market, from current metal prices to demand for particular makers, artists and collectables, and we are happy to share ours so executors get a fair return.

Valuing everything from fine art to the everyday

HMRC-compliant valuations delivered in 1-3 days

Online or in person valuation? Both Available

Online Valuation

£30 single item – £60 multiple items

In-Person Valuation – from £298

“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.”

What we can value

Jewellery

Watches

Art

Asian Art

Antiques

Silver

Ceramics & Ornaments

Wine & Whisky

Books

Collectors’ Items & Toys

Musical Instruments

Minerals

Vinyl Records

Hi-Fi & Home Cinema Equipment

Cameras & Lenses

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

See exactly what you’ll receive

Online vs In-Person: Real-World Example Valuations

Dinky Toys Collection (online valuation)

Bechstein Grand Piano (online valuation)

Chinese Blue and White Vase (online valuation, then in person)

Trusted by

Why executors choose Swift Values

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

HMRC-compliant valuations
delivered in 1-3 days

Why executors choose
Swift Values