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Probate · 7 min read · Published

Probate valuations and auction houses in East Yorkshire

Where to get probate valuations in East Yorkshire, and what HMRC expects. It names David Duggleby in Scarborough and Spicer's Auctioneers in Goole.

By Aaron Johnson, Consultant Solicitor and TEP, a solicitor in Bridlington who writes every guide himself.

This guide is general information about the law of England and Wales, not legal advice. Each case is assessed on its own merits.

Guides · Probate · No. 13 of 21Published · 7 minutes

When you administer an estate, you must value everything the person owned at the date they died. HMRC needs those figures for the inheritance tax return, and the Probate Registry needs them for the application. Getting them right protects you as executor and means the right amount of inheritance tax is paid. East Yorkshire has auction houses and valuers who do probate work regularly.

Why probate valuations matter

As executor, you must report the value of the estate to HMRC. If the estate is not an 'excepted estate', that means a full inheritance tax account (form IHT400), even if no tax is due. An estate that needs the residence nil-rate band to avoid tax must file an IHT400. For an excepted estate (deaths from 1 January 2022) there is no separate tax form: you give the estate figures in the probate application itself. Either way you must declare everything the person owned at the date of death: property, bank accounts, investments and personal possessions.

Getting valuations wrong causes real problems. Overvalue the estate and you pay too much inheritance tax. Undervalue it and HMRC may open an enquiry, with penalties and interest on top. A written valuation from a reputable auction house or valuer gives you a defensible position if HMRC asks questions.

What needs valuing

These types of personal property usually need valuing for probate:

  • Jewellery and watches
  • Antiques and collectibles
  • Art and prints
  • Furniture (antique or valuable)
  • Vehicles
  • Tools and equipment
  • Collections (stamps, coins, wine, books)
  • Musical instruments
  • Garden equipment and machinery

For everyday household contents of modest value, a reasonable estimate is usually enough. For anything that might be worth more than a few hundred pounds, get a professional valuation.

Waves washing over the sand beside a line of old wooden groynes on Hornsea beach

Auction houses in East Yorkshire

David Duggleby Auctioneers, Scarborough

Visit the David Duggleby Auctioneers website.

David Duggleby is an auction house in Scarborough that offers probate valuations across East Yorkshire. It values estates of all sizes, from household contents to collections of art, antiques and jewellery. It will visit the house to do so. Items can then be sold through its auctions.

Spicer's Auctioneers, Goole

Visit the Spicer's Auctioneers website.

Dee Atkinson and Harrison of Driffield now concentrates on property and rural work. In 2019 its fine art saleroom passed to Andrew Spicer. The saleroom now trades as Spicer's Auctioneers and has been based in Goole since 2020. Spicer's offers probate valuations of house contents.

Auction House Hull and East Yorkshire

Auction House Hull and East Yorkshire is part of the Auction House network. It holds regular auctions of homes, land and commercial property. It is a practical option for families in Hull and the area around it who need to sell a property. Its probate service covers valuing and selling the property. For a valuation of furniture and belongings, it works with partner auctioneers.

Getting a probate valuation

How to Get a Probate Valuation

  1. Contact the auction house or valuerSay you need a probate valuation. They do these regularly and will know what is required.
  2. Arrange a home visitMost valuers will come to the house and assess the items where they are. This is usually easiest, especially for a large estate.
  3. Receive the written valuation reportThe valuer lists each item with its open market value at the date of death.
  4. Use the figures in the tax returnPut the figures in the IHT400, or in the probate application for an excepted estate. Keep the report. You may need it if HMRC raises a query.
A bunch of house keys on a dark wooden table

Formal vs informal valuations

Not every item needs a formal valuation:

Informal Estimate vs Formal Probate Valuation

Informal EstimateFormal Probate Valuation
Free or low costCharged for; ask for a quote
Suits low-value itemsNeeded for valuable or unusual items
Verbal or a brief noteDetailed written report
May not satisfy HMRCStrong evidence, though HMRC can still check it
No protection for the executorHelps show the executor took reasonable care

Property valuations for probate

Houses, flats and land also need valuing for probate. You have two main options:

  • RICS surveyor valuation: a formal written valuation from a chartered surveyor. Ask for a quote; the fee depends on the property. This carries the most weight with HMRC and is the safer choice for a high-value or unusual property, or an estate near the inheritance tax threshold.
  • Estate agent market appraisal: a free, informal valuation based on comparable local sales. Estate agent appraisals are often used where no inheritance tax is payable. HMRC does not promise to accept them, and its Valuation Office can check the figure.
A steaming glass cup of tea on a saucer by a window, a garden blurred beyond

Vehicles

Ordinary cars, vans and motorcycles can be valued using trade guides such as Glass's or CAP HPI, adjusted for condition and mileage. This is usually reasonable evidence of the open market value, but HMRC does not promise to accept it. A classic, vintage or unusual vehicle needs a specialist valuation. A local classic car dealer or marque specialist can usually help.

When to instruct a solicitor

If you are unsure about any part of valuing the estate, or the estate is complicated, get legal advice. Aaron works with local valuers and auction houses regularly. He can organise the valuations, complete the inheritance tax return and apply for the grant of probate. His probate fees are fixed and listed on the fees page.

Sources

The official pages behind the rules this guide explains. Each was checked on .

  1. How to value an estate for Inheritance Tax and report its value: Identify assets and debts

    GOV.UK

  2. How to value an estate for Inheritance Tax and report its value: Check if you need to send full details of the estate

    GOV.UK

  3. How to value an estate for Inheritance Tax and report its value: If Inheritance Tax is due or full details are needed

    GOV.UK

Written by Aaron Johnson, Consultant Solicitor and TEP · Law of England and Wales as at 21 March 2026 · Ends

Questions people ask about this.

General answers for England and Wales. What applies to you depends on your circumstances.

Do I need a professional valuation for probate?

For anything of real value (jewellery, antiques, art, collections) yes. For everyday household items of modest value, a reasonable estimate is usually enough.

How much does a probate valuation cost?

It depends on the size of the estate and the valuer, so ask for a quote before you book. The fee is paid by the estate, not by you personally.

Can HMRC challenge a probate valuation?

Yes. If HMRC thinks assets were undervalued it can ask for a new valuation and charge penalties and interest. A professional valuation greatly reduces this risk.

What is the difference between a probate valuation and a market valuation?

A probate valuation is the open market value at the date of death: what a willing buyer would have paid a willing seller on that day. A market valuation for sale reflects today's market and may include an asking-price margin.

Next step

Ready when you are.

Sixty seconds of questions that end on a named plan and a fixed fee, with VAT.

Or call 01262 310 850, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm.

Appointments are usually available within a few working days, including Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and home visits across East and North Yorkshire.

Important

This guide contains general information about the law of England and Wales as at March 2026. It is not legal advice and should not be relied on in place of advice on your own circumstances. Probate, inheritance tax and intestacy law change often; check any specific point before acting on it. Outcomes for any one person depend on their facts, the documents, and decisions taken by HMRC, the courts and others. Fees shown are fixed once agreed in writing, before any work starts. Safe Harbour Legal and Legal Studio Solicitors are trading names of MDLS Solicitors Limited (company number 08599445), authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA 598793. The complaints procedure is at legalstudio.co.uk/sra-complaints (Legal Studio's website).