Understanding the cost of a probate valuation is an important part of administering an estate. At Dawsons Auctioneers, we offer transparent, fixed probate valuation fees, with no hidden charges and no obligation to sell.
Our valuations are carried out by experienced specialists and prepared in line with HMRC requirements, giving executors, solicitors and beneficiaries confidence that estate assets have been assessed correctly.
Valuer Visit for a Probate Valuation & Written HMRC Report
1-2 bedroom properties £595
3-4 bedroom properties £795
5-6 bedroom properties £995
NB: If a valuation takes significantly longer than for that of a standard house, for example when dealing with a hoarder house, then additional hours will be charged at £150 per hour.
Valuation of single items
£350 (should a site visit be needed)
£75 per item for a desktop valuation (where photographs have been provided / site visit is not needed)
Please note that when items of significant value are consigned for sale with Dawsons, then the valuation fee may well be reduced or waived.
Desktop Car Valuations including HPI Check (from photographs and information provided by Valuer / Client):
Cars from 1980 onwards £125 per car
Cars from before 1980 £175 per car
Rare, historic, unusual vehicles and car collections POA (price on application)
We appreciate that estate funds are not always readily available. We can offset valuations fees and clearance costs against auction proceeds, where applicable.
For larger properties, country estates/farms, large personal collections, motor vehicles or commercial contents, please contact us directly to discuss your requirements.
Selling at Auction (No Sale, No Fee)
There are NO hidden charges
Consignment (Entry) Fee = Zero
Insurance / Marketing / Photography Fees = Zero
We only charge a Success Fee: Standard Rate = 17.5% (Note: this fee is negotiable on items or collections of significant value).
Transport: TBA
Clearance
For items not suitable for sale, we can provide a full house clearance quote. Our clearance fees are based on the volume and weight of items in the property. Fees can be offset against auction proceeds if required, meaning no estate funds are needed up front.
All charges are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate.
Insurance Valuations
Available upon request.
Probate valuation fees depend on the size, complexity and nature of the estate, including:
The number of rooms and overall property size
The volume of contents
Whether specialist items are present (art, jewellery, antiques, collections)
Access and location
We do not charge a percentage of the estate’s value. Instead, fees are based on the work required to prepare a thorough, HMRC-compliant report.
Our probate valuation fees cover:
A professional visit by a specialist valuer
A room-by-room inventory of estate contents
Individual valuation of items where required
Market-accurate probate values (not insurance replacement values)
A written, HMRC-compliant probate valuation report
There are no additional charges for standard documentation required for probate applications.
Unlike some valuation providers, we do not offer free valuations in exchange for a commitment to sell. This ensures:
Independence and impartiality
Accurate market values suitable for probate
No pressure on executors or beneficiaries
Should you later wish to explore selling items through auction or private sale, this can be discussed separately — but there is no obligation.
For executors, clarity and certainty are essential. Our fixed probate valuation fees help you:
Budget accurately for estate administration
Demonstrate due diligence to beneficiaries
Reduce the risk of HMRC queries or disputes
We are happy to explain our fee structure in advance and provide a quote before proceeding.
We regularly work with solicitors and legal professionals acting on behalf of estates.
Our probate valuation fees reflect:
Professional standards
HMRC compliance
Clear, consistent reporting suitable for legal files
We can also accommodate repeat instructions and provide prompt turnaround times where required.
In many cases, probate valuation fees may be treated as an allowable estate expense. We recommend confirming this with the acting solicitor or accountant, as individual circumstances vary.
Do you charge a percentage of the estate value?
No. We charge fixed fees based on the work involved, not the value of the estate.
Is there a cheaper option for probate valuations?
Low-cost or “free” valuations are often tied to a requirement to sell. Our fees reflect independent, professional valuations suitable for probate and HMRC.
Do you charge extra for jewellery, art or antiques?
Specialist items may affect the overall fee, depending on volume and complexity. This will always be discussed in advance.
Is there an obligation to sell items after valuation?
No. There is no obligation to sell following a probate valuation.
Over £10m worth of valuables assessed each year.
Members of The Society of Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers and The Art Loss Register.
Trusted by many of the UK’s top 500 law firms.
No hidden costs, we agree our fees with you in advance.
