Expert Probate Valuations For

Single Items, Antiques & Chattels

Professional Probate Valuations for Single Items, Antiques & Chattels

Valuing estate items for probate can be overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. At Swift Values, we provide fast, expert valuations for individual items, antiques, and chattels, helping solicitors and executors handle probate with confidence.

Whether you’re dealing with jewellery, artworks, watches, or collectibles, our HMRC-compliant single item service is designed to be quick, affordable, and fully compliant with probate requirements.

Not sure if something is valuable? Our £25 online valuation gives you a professional open-market estimate within 1–2 working days — ideal for items mentioned in a will, removed for safekeeping, or simply in need of clarity.

Get Your Items Professionally Valued For Probate Today

Begin with a cost-effective online valuation or arrange a comprehensive in-person visit — both fully HMRC-compliant.

For Private Executors

Quick, secure booking for probate valuations.

Start Valuation

For Solicitors

Access your portal to manage valuations and track reports.

Choose the Right Valuation Approach for Your Items

Whether you have a single object or a small collection, we offer two probate valuation services to suit your needs — a fast, convenient online option or a more detailed in-person assessment where required.

Online Valuation – £25+VAT per item or group

Who Is It For?

Who Is It For?
How It Works

Our online service is ideal if you’re unsure what something’s worth or whether it needs a full appraisal. Upload photos and details, and one of our probate experts will provide a fast, HMRC-compliant valuation, often the perfect starting point before deciding if an in-person visit is necessary.

You can submit a single item, or a small related group, such as a few watches, pieces of jewellery, books, or medals.

Click here to view an example £25 online valuation report

Submit Photographs
Upload clear, well-lit images of each room, along with any individual items you think may be of particular interest or value.
Specialist Assessment
A qualified valuer will review the images, assess the contents, and prepare an open-market valuation based on what is visible.
Receive Your Report
You’ll receive a professionally prepared valuation report, along with expert guidance on whether any items warrant further inspection or an in-person visit.

Online and In Person Probate Valuations6

In-Person Valuation – From £249+VAT

Who Is It For?

Who Is It For?
How It Works

For high-value items or larger collections our in-person service provides a detailed room-by-room appraisal at the property. A qualified valuer will inspect, photograph, and document items on-site, delivering a comprehensive HMRC-compliant report within around 7 days.

Click here to view an example £249 in person valuation report

Book a Time
Choose a convenient date and time for your valuation using our online booking system or by contacting our team directly.
On-Site Valuation
A qualified valuer will meet you at the property, conduct a thorough room-by-room assessment, and document key items for the report.
Receive Your Report
You’ll receive a detailed, HMRC-compliant valuation report within approximately 7 days, including itemised values and expert notes.

We have a team of experienced valuers on hand who are able to assess all types of item, from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Antiques

Asian Art

Art

Books

Cars

Collectors’ Items

General Items

House Contents

Musical Instruments

Jewellery

Watches

Wine & Whisky

Trusted By

“Valuations are the biggest single area of risk, accounting for a large part of our compliance checks. It is important to properly ascertain the value of assets. For assets with a material value you are strongly advised to instruct a qualified independent valuer.”

Source: Inheritance Tax Toolkit, HMRC, Published July 2018

What You Receive from a Swift Values Valuation

Every valuation report we provide is fully HMRC-compliant, ensuring a smooth probate process with accurate and defensible valuations. Whether you choose an online or in-person service, you will receive a professional assessment prepared by a qualified jewellery specialist.

Click the sections below to see what’s included in your report, along with pricing and typical turnaround times.

Included in Your Probate Valuation Report

Included in Our Valuation Report	Why It Matters
HMRC-Compliant Open Market Valuation	Meets Inheritance Tax Act 1984 Section 160 requirements for accurate probate reporting.
Professional Valuation Opinion	An expert assessment of the contents’ worth based on market conditions.
Clear Valuation Format	Online valuations provide a valuation range and suggested next steps. In-person valuations provide a categoric value for each item over the £1,500 threshold.
Item Descriptions & Condition Notes	Key details on furnishings, decorative pieces, and significant personal effects.
Photographs	Visual documentation for probate records and future reference.
Specialist Input Where Needed	If an item requires further expertise (e.g., artwork, antiques), we provide clear recommendations.
Next Steps Guidance (Online Valuation Only)	Advice on whether further inspection or formal valuation is necessary.

Pricing & Turnaround

Service Type	Description	Price (ex. VAT)	Turnaround Time
Online Valuation	Ideal for assessing entire rooms or contents when unsure of value.	£99 per estate	1-2 working days
In-Person Valuation	Home visit by a qualified valuer. Best for high-value contents.	From £249	Report within 7 days

Common Questions About House Contents Valuations for Probate

How Is Probate Value Different from Insurance Value?

What is probate value?
Probate value refers to the open market value of an item at the time of death, as defined under Section 160 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984. It reflects what the item might reasonably fetch if sold at auction or on the second-hand market. This is the figure HMRC uses to calculate inheritance tax and is not based on original purchase price or retail value.

What is insurance value?
Insurance value represents the cost of replacing an item with a new equivalent of similar quality. It tends to be higher than probate value because it reflects current retail prices or the cost of commissioning a like-for-like replacement, rather than what the item might sell for second-hand.

Why are the two values different?
Probate value considers likely sale proceeds in today’s market, while insurance value is about replacement cost. For example, a watch might be worth £500 at auction (probate value) but cost £2,000 to replace new (insurance value). Each serves a different legal and financial purpose.
Do I Need to Value Every Item in the House for Probate?

You don’t need to list every single item individually. HMRC requires a fair and realistic open market valuation of the contents, rather than a full inventory of every object in the house.

In most cases, everyday items like furniture, kitchenware or personal effects are grouped together and given a combined value. The focus is on identifying items of potential significance or higher value—typically anything likely to be worth more than £500 to £1,500. Our experts will highlight anything that may need more detailed assessment and ensure the report meets HMRC’s expectations without overcomplicating the process.
What if I’m an Executor Living Abroad?

That’s no problem. Our online valuation service is designed to work seamlessly for international executors. You can begin the process remotely by uploading photographs and information from anywhere in the world.

If a site visit is required, we’ll handle the logistics by sending a valuer to the property or liaising directly with your UK-based contacts. You won’t need to travel to the UK to get things moving.
Will an online valuation accepted by HMRC for probate?

Yes. All our online valuation reports are fully HMRC-compliant and meet the standards required under Section 160 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984. For many estates, especially those without high-value collections, an online valuation is a cost-effective and legally valid way to provide open-market values. If we spot anything that may need closer inspection, we’ll let you know and recommend next steps.

Need Help or Have Questions?

We’re here to support you — whether you need guidance choosing the right service or have questions about an ongoing valuation.

Call us: +44 (0)330 088 4099
Email: enquiries@swiftvalues.co.uk

For Private Executors

Quick, secure booking for probate valuations.

Start Valuation

For Solicitors

Access your portal to manage valuations and track reports.