Probate Inspection

Colin is fully aware of the diversity of the situations encountered whether valuing fine art and antiques and jewellery in private homes, solicitors offices and banks and storage companies or visiting and clearing mobile homes, Housing Association properties, vehicles and garages. The time spent at an inspection can vary, with the report being sent within five days. Clearance can usually be arranged within in 5 working days or within 24 hours where exchange or completion on a property is imminent. Jewellery is often inspected at solicitors offices, banks or executor's nominated location without the need for security and insurance issues arising. Colin's breadth of knowledge includes all traditional areas of antiques and fine art and jewellery as well as the more modern collectables. His ongoing professional development has included lecturing at Sotheby's Institute of Art, professional courses as well as attending Jewellery courses in Geneva. His firm also holds subscriptions to professional art databases.

House Clearance

Colin can provide a comprehensive full house clearance service to suit your individual requirements, whether you need a whole house cleared including loft, garage and the sheds or just a part house clearance of various items. Colin works closely with other property probate chartered surveyors and estate agents in the region. He successfully meets their frequent need for an efficient and reliable house clearance service between a time constrained exchange and the completion. Colin frequently works outside the usual catchment area particularly when instructed by solicitors trusts, estates departments and executors where the owner has acquired and failed to discard large quantities of items frequently with little or no value, but that require filtering for any valuable items. Having seen vast numbers of properties over the years in this condition nothing takes either him or his operatives by surprise. Colin on frequent occasions has been asked by executors and also those with power of attorney to deal with chattels where the owner or the deceased had been suffering from Obsessive compulsive hoarder syndrome also known as disposophobia syndrome. This type of work involves both a sympathetic approach but also the clearance a “military style" operation not only with manpower to separate the disposable items from items of value but often also incorporating other trades such as vermin control and special cleaning.

Selling Antiques

As an independent Chartered Surveyor Colin is uniquely placed professionally to provide impartial advice on the sale of antiques, fine art and jewellery from individual items to complete collections. He has negotiated preferential rates with both London and local auctioneers which can be passed on to the client. With over 25 years experience he also has a comprehensive bank of private collectors and specialist dealers, where selling through this route may be more advantageous and appropriate. Colin is frequently asked to provide clients with a professional second opinion where a price has been given or auction estimates provided. This initial attendance and opinion is free of charge.

Trading Since

1988