Halls are a team of independent fine art, antique and jewellery valuers that was founded in Shrewsbury in 1845. We understand that dealing with the loss of a loved one can be a difficult and emotional time and that valuing the general and household goods (chattels) can be a daunting task.
We work closely with family members. solicitors, executors and trustees to produce RICS accredited written valuation reports for either probate or potential sale through auction. Our reports are based on ‘open market values’ in accordance with Section 160 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 (IHT) or potential sale at auction and our work is HMRC compliant. If an estate is close to or over the Inheritance Tax threshold, we aim to avoid potential scrutiny, prevent penalties for negligence and avoid lengthy delays
Probate valuations for jewellery and watches involve determining the value of individual items or collections for the purpose of estate planning, probate, or potential sale at auction. The valuation is typically based on open market value rather than retail replacement value, and takes into account factors such as the authenticity, age, and condition of the pieces.
Halls professional valuers can provide an impartial and accurate assessment of the jewellery and watch's worth, helping to ensure that the estate is divided fairly and that any potential tax liabilities are accounted for. This includes valuing items such as rings, necklaces, watches, coins, and other items of value.
Probate valuations for paintings and art works involve determining the value of individual pieces, collections, or bequeathed items for the purpose of estate planning, probate, or potential sale at auction. This includes paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. The valuation is typically based on open market value rather than retail replacement value, and takes into account factors such as the artist, the medium, the condition, and the rarity of the work.
Halls professional valuers can provide an impartial and accurate assessment of the art's worth, helping to ensure that the estate is divided fairly and that any potential tax liabilities are accounted for. They can also provide advice on the best options for selling the art, such as which auction house to use, how to find a private buyer, or what to state the value as for inheritance tax purposes.
We offer a household contents valuation for probate, which is simply the process of working out how much an individual's possessions and home are worth on the open market. Our probate valuation of house contents is a simple process, and we do it with care and sensitivity. We understand that quite often the most valuable possessions in an estate are the items you wouldn't think are valuable.
Once everything in the estate has been valued, you will be given a report which facilitates the application for the grant for probate. Unlike insurance valuations, probate valuations give you an idea of the sale value of your loved one's possessions. This helps if you decide whether to sell them, or just in making sure the estate is split according to your loved one's wishes.
Trying to put a value on your loved one's possessions while grieving can be incredibly difficult. Our expert probate valuers will take care of the whole process for you, giving you a completely impartial valuation along with the time and space you need to grieve. Most valuations are simple and don't take longer than an hour and we aim to provide a compassionate and efficient service.
Probate valuation fees include all work carried out by the specialist at the property, mileage, administration, formatting and binding of the document.
The Halls valuation team will provide a full and detailed report of the objects and we will provide two bound copies of our valuation for your records. Probate valuations are legal documents and are produced under the RICS guidelines
Our fees for written off-site valuation appointments are: £220 + VAT for the first hour, per specialist £120 + VAT for each subsequent hour, per specialist
Our fees for written in-house valuation appointments are: £140 + VAT for the first hour £100 + VAT for each subsequent hour
Asian & Islamic Art - Books & Manuscripts - Ceramics & Glassware - Clocks & Barometers - Coins & Banknotes - Furniture & Furnishings
Militaria & Medals - Modern & Contemporary Art - Paintings & Prints - Silver & Jewellery - Watches & Wristwatches
You were all so helpful when I phoned up after my uncle died. I hadn’t been an executor before and didn’t know where to start. Thank you for sorting out the probate valuation so quickly and speaking to my solicitor on my behalf……….
Ms B, Wolverhampton
My wife and I would like to thank you for our insurance valuation which we received in the post today. It was a pleasure to meet with your team, when you visited the house, who were discrete and professional in their approach to the work in hand………
Mr W, Welshpool