Knowledge Base

Can antiques be valued before clearance?

Value antiques before anything leaves the property. Once an item is gone, proving what it was worth is hard.

  • Waste taken to licensed transfer stations
  • Careful, discreet crews
  • Itemised inventory for probate
  • Free no-obligation assessment
  • London-wide, 7 days by arrangement

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Why the order matters

HMRC needs the open market value of the contents at the date of death. That is what the goods would fetch, not what they cost new.

If you clear first and value later, you have no evidence. Beneficiaries may also question the figures.

What to flag for assessment

Set aside anything from these groups:

  • Antique and period furniture
  • Paintings, prints, and sculpture
  • Silver, gold, and jewellery
  • Clocks, watches, and barometers
  • Ceramics and glass
  • Rare books, maps, and stamps
  • Militaria and medals
  • Mid-century furniture and lighting
  • Vinyl, cameras, and instruments

Value is not always obvious. Plain-looking mid-century pieces often sell well. Heavy Victorian furniture often does not.

Who can value

  • RICS-qualified surveyor. Best where the estate is large or Inheritance Tax is likely.
  • Auction house specialist. Good for a category, such as jewellery or art.
  • Specialist dealer. Useful for niche collections.

For everyday household goods, a reasonable written estimate is usually enough.

Value the items in the house

There are three good reasons:

  • Nothing is damaged in transit.
  • The valuer sees the items in context, which can help with provenance.
  • You avoid paying to move things that are then rejected.

Prepare before the valuer arrives

  • Do not clean or polish anything. It can reduce value.
  • Gather receipts, certificates, and old insurance schedules.
  • Photograph each item, including maker's marks.
  • Note anything named in the will.
  • Keep sets and pairs together.

After the valuation

Executors then choose to:

  • Keep items for beneficiaries
  • Sell at auction, with proceeds to the estate
  • Sell to a dealer if speed matters
  • Donate items with little market value

Auction is usually the most transparent route. The sale record also supports the estate accounts.

Then the clearance

Once valuation and sales are settled, the remaining contents can be cleared.

We can hold the clearance until your valuer has been, and we can move specific items to an auction house on your instruction.

Talk to us

We survey the property, then send a written quote. No fixed price is given before we see the contents.

Call 0794 455 7700 or email info@houseandofficeclearance.co.uk.

Not sure where to start?

We'll walk the property with you, explain what happens to each category of contents, and put it in writing.

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Next step

Speak to someone who has handled probate clearance

Free, no-obligation assessment across Greater London and the M25. At Probate Clearance London, we work to your timescale and to the executor's requirements.

Learn more about probate house clearance