When administering an estate, all household contents must be valued accurately for probate and inheritance tax purposes.
At Dawsons Auctioneers, we provide professional house contents probate valuations across the UK, preparing HMRC-compliant reports for executors, solicitors and families.
Our valuations reflect true open market value at the date of death and are prepared with care, clarity and professionalism.
A house contents probate valuation is a structured assessment of all items within a property, valued for probate purposes at open market value as at the date of death.
This typically includes:
Executors are required to declare the value of estate assets accurately. A professional valuation helps ensure compliance with HMRC requirements and protects against potential disputes.
Our house contents probate valuations follow a clear and proportionate structure.
This approach ensures the probate report is both practical and properly documented, reflecting the nature and value of the estate without unnecessary complication.
Many executors underestimate the importance of accurately valuing general household contents.
A professional house contents probate valuation:
Even seemingly modest contents can contain items of specialist or collectible value.
Our service includes:
Reports are typically issued within a few working days following the visit, subject to estate size and complexity.
We approach valuations with discretion and respect, understanding that probate often follows a bereavement.
As part of our broader probate valuation service, we can assess:
This ensures estates containing mixed contents are assessed accurately by knowledgeable professionals using current market evidence.
Our pricing structure is clear and predictable:
£495 + VAT Includes the first two hours on site, with travel included.
£125 + VAT per additional half hour Charged only where additional time is required.
There are:
You only pay for the time required to complete a thorough probate valuation of the contents.
We provide house contents probate valuations for:
We are happy to liaise directly with solicitors where required.
Do all household items need to be included in probate?
Yes. Executors are required to declare the value of the deceased’s personal possessions and household contents as part of the estate.
Can I estimate the value of house contents myself?
While executors can attempt estimates, inaccurate valuations can lead to HMRC queries or disputes between beneficiaries. A professional valuation provides independent documentation.
Are house contents valued at insurance value?
No. Probate valuations reflect open market value at the date of death, not replacement or retail value.
What if there are very few valuable items?
Even where contents appear modest, a structured valuation provides clarity and compliance. Some estates fall within the initial two-hour fee depending on size and complexity.
Do you clear the property after valuation?
We can advise on next steps, including sale or disposal of items, but there is no obligation to proceed beyond the probate valuation.
If you require a professional valuation of household contents for probate, our team is here to assist.
Request a Probate Valuation
Tel: 0207 431 9445
Email: probate@dawsonsauctions.co.uk
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.
