The Ultimate Guide to Valuing and Selling Antiques

Selling antiques is a fusion of excitement, challenge, and anticipation. The challenge can come from understanding the true value of the item you are wanting to sell before you take it to auction. You may have had a family heirloom for years or picked up something yourself at an auction recently and are eager to pass it on. 

Either way, a thorough valuation will mean that you get the best possible price. Like any market, the antiques landscape can fluctuate and knowing what to look for in an antique piece, in terms of history, its condition, its rarity and its value are key elements that all add up to helping you make informed decisions about selling, and at what price.

Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers is a specialist auction house, and we concentrate on the valuation and selling of high quality pieces. We have a reputation for excellence and our team makes sure that accurate valuations and appraisals result in successful sales, across all our categories. Our aim is to guide you through the entire process and finish your journey with a successful sale. Within this post we cover everything you need to know about valuing and selling your antiques. 

The Importance of a Valuation 

Obtaining an accurate valuation for your antique items is essential as it makes sure you are selling it at the right price; for both you and the buyer. Without a thorough assessment you are at risk of underselling and missing out on potential profit for you. The other side is that without it you are at risk of asking too high a price and then risk not selling. Proper valuation helps build trust with potential buyers, showing them that your item is priced fairly based on its true worth. Professional auctioneers like Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers have the knowledge and experience to evaluate and value how much your item is worth and will therefore maximise your chances of achieving the best possible return when selling your valuable items.

How to Identify Valuable Antiques

There are considerations when you are looking for valuable antiques and these include age, rarity, provenance, and condition. It is known that older items, especially those with a well-documented history or evidence of authenticity, often hold their value. Items that are rare or part of a limited production series tend to attract more interest and higher bids. Authenticity is also important in determining an item's worth, as genuine antiques are far more valuable than replicas. Expert auction houses like Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers can help authenticate your items so you can truly understand their worth and maximise their potential in the market.

The Valuation Process at Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers

We provide a free online valuation service, allowing you to upload images and provide basic information about your item. From there, we aim to give you an accurate valuation based on the details you've shared. This process is both quick and convenient, helping you gauge interest before committing to a sale.  

This is vital, as it helps establish the auction estimate and sets clear expectations. For larger or more significant pieces, we also offer a complimentary in person home assessment by one of our specialists to conduct an in depth valuation on site. This ensures that all relevant details are captured accurately, giving you the best chance of a successful sale. 

As part of the valuation, we take great care to analyse your item’s age, condition, and history so in preparation for this, we recommend you gather all the relevant information you can, including receipts, certificates, and verifications to help with this stage of the process. 

When to Sell Your Antiques

This we appreciate can be a tricky decision to make as it could depend on the sentimentality of the item but it can also make a big difference on the price. Market trends change, as does the demand for items for potential buyers, so timing is key. Choosing the right moment can result in a significantly higher sale price compared to slower market periods.

Certain seasons and times of the year do see a higher demand for specific categories like fine art or jewellery. Our experts monitor these trends meaning they can advise you on the best times to auction your pieces. We also recommend you research your item and find out when similar items are sold as this will mould the journey for your specific item.

How to Maximise Profits from Your Sale

We have buyers attending our auctions face-to-face and online allowing your items to be seen on a global scale. To maximise profits from your sale from potential buyers all over the world, we recommend you clean your item and restore it if necessary to improve the overall condition and appeal. Ensuring your item is presented in its best condition can drive higher bidding and greater competition among potential buyers. We do recommend getting it looked at by a specialist first though as it isn’t always needed and could decrease the value if overdone or done incorrectly.  

Another element to maximising profits is providing your item with a detailed description and setting a reasonable reserve price. Both will attract more potential buyers, ensuring competitive bidding and helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your sale.

Post Sale Process

If you are lucky enough to sell your item at an auction, then great news. Firstly, there is the payment; statements and cheques will be sent out within four weeks, so you know your money is on its way to you. After the sale, we also provide full transparency on the sales process, including details on the final bid and any fees involved. Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers take pride in their transparency, so you will find our clear commission rates on our website. This means you can enjoy the results of your sale with confidence and clarity.

If in the unfortunate circumstance your item does not sell then we will notify you within 14 days. You can then resell with a lower reserve price in a future auction or collect your unsold item within 28 days. 

Want to Learn More on How to Sell Items Via an Auction?

Are you considering selling items via auction? Here at Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers we offer a free valuation service to help you get started. This is an ideal way to understand more about your item and its potential worth. Our experts will provide you with an accurate estimate and guide you through the selling process. 

You can also plan which date you want to sell your item at auction via our upcoming auction calendar. Here you will find all the dates for our auctions and if there are any specific categories being auctioned on certain days. Feel free to get in touch with us today; Hutchinson Scott Auctioneers is a trusted auction house, and we look forward to welcoming you to one of our auctions.