2026 valuation cost guide
The short answer
There is no single standard fee
For specialist artwork valuation work, a practical planning figure is around $350 per hour. This is not a universal fee, and clients should confirm whether GST is included. A single, clearly identified artwork may instead be quoted at a fixed price, while a mixed collection, deceased estate inventory or institutional assignment may be charged by the hour or as a project.
The intended use matters. An insurance valuation, probate valuation, family-law valuation and market-value assessment can require different valuation bases, effective dates and supporting evidence.
The most useful quote explains what will be inspected, researched and delivered, together with any travel, GST or specialist costs.
Common pricing methods
How professional valuation work may be charged
| Fee structure | Often suitable for | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed fee | A single artwork or a clearly defined small group | Whether research, photographs, GST and the written report are included |
| Per-item fee | Several similar objects with a consistent reporting requirement | Whether the fee changes for complex, unidentified or specialist items |
| Hourly rate | Mixed collections, estates, inventories and on-site work | Whether travel, administration, research and report preparation are separate |
| Project quote | Large private, corporate, university, government or institutional collections | The agreed scope, timetable, reporting format and treatment of additional items |
Published Australian examples
What do advertised valuation fees look like?
Published prices vary because the services are not directly equivalent. The following examples were checked in July 2026 and are included to illustrate the market, not to state Henry Valuers’ fees.
| Published service example | Advertised fee | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist fine-art and cultural-material valuation | $350 plus GST per hour | Published as a base rate; the provider states that many single-work valuations can be completed at this minimum rate |
| Single-work art valuation report | $149 per work | Desktop service with a defined report format, subject to available information |
| Specialist artist certificate | $250 for the first eligible work, then $125 for additional eligible works | Limited to original paintings by members of one artist family |
| Art, antiques, contents, probate or family-division work | $240 plus GST per hour | Travel, specialist consulting and other charges may apply |
| Art, antiques, collectables and household contents | $242 per hour including GST | Travel and administrative work may also be charged |
These figures are published market references, not a recommended price or a quote from Henry Valuers. Fees and service terms can change. Source links appear below.
What changes the quote
Five factors that affect valuation cost
Purpose
Insurance, probate, family law, financial reporting and market advice can require different definitions, evidence and reporting.
Number and type of items
A single painting is a different assignment from a home containing art, furniture, silver, ceramics and jewellery.
Identification and research
Uncertain attribution, limited comparable sales and complex provenance can increase the research required.
Inspection method
Some work can begin with photographs. Other assignments require physical inspection, travel and on-site cataloguing.
Report detail
A formal report with photographs, inventory data, comparable evidence and stated assumptions takes longer than preliminary guidance.
Specialist input
Highly specialised objects or authenticity-related questions may require separate expertise that is outside a standard engagement.
Before you instruct a valuer
What should a professional quote explain?
A written scope helps avoid comparing services that provide very different levels of investigation and documentation.
- The items or collection being valued
- The purpose and basis of value
- The effective valuation date
- Whether the work is desktop, on-site or a combination
- The research and documentation included
- The report format and expected completion time
- Whether GST, travel and specialist costs are included
- How additional items or unexpected research will be handled
The process
How to obtain an accurate quote
The clearer the initial information, the easier it is to define an efficient and appropriate valuation scope.
Explain the purpose
State whether the valuation is for insurance, probate, family law, collection management or another requirement.
Describe the items
Provide the approximate number, type, location and any known artist, maker or provenance information.
Share photographs
Include front, back, signatures, labels, inscriptions, dimensions and relevant documents where available.
Confirm the deliverable
Agree on the inspection method, report format, timetable, fee and treatment of additional work.
Remote assessment
Is an online valuation less expensive?
A photograph-led assessment can reduce inspection and travel time when the object is suitable and the client can provide clear images, dimensions, signatures, labels, purchase documents and provenance.
It is not appropriate for every purpose or object. The valuer should explain the limitations and whether physical inspection is required before issuing the final report.
For suitable assignments outside Sydney, read about online art valuation in Australia.
Can one artwork be valued?
Yes. A valuation can cover a single artwork, a small group or a complete collection. Clear photographs and documents help the valuer assess the likely scope before quoting.
Appraisal versus valuation
Why is a free auction appraisal different?
An auction appraisal is generally prepared to help decide whether an item may be suitable for sale and what it could achieve in a particular auction setting.
A formal independent valuation is prepared for a stated purpose and effective date, using an appropriate basis of value and documented research. If the report is for insurance, probate, family law or governance, confirm what form of report the receiving party requires.
Questions
Art valuation cost FAQs
How much does it cost to value one painting?
The cost depends on the artist, available documentation, intended use and research required. A clearly identified work may be quoted at a fixed rate, while uncertain attribution or complex reporting may require additional research.
Do art valuers charge per item or per hour?
Both methods are common. For specialist artwork assignments, a practical planning figure is around $350 per hour, although the final fee depends on scope and clients should confirm whether GST is included. Defined single-item services may instead use a fixed or per-item fee, while estates, mixed collections and on-site inventories may use an hourly rate or project quote.
Does a larger collection cost less per item?
It can. Repeated cataloguing and reporting processes may make a collection more efficient to value, but unidentified, highly varied or specialist objects can still require individual research.
Are photographs enough for an art valuation?
Photographs may be sufficient to begin some assignments, but not every valuation can be completed remotely. The purpose, the object and the available evidence determine whether physical inspection is required.
How long does a valuation take?
Timing depends on the number of items, research complexity, access and report format. Henry Valuers can provide an expected timetable after reviewing the scope.
What is included in a formal valuation report?
The exact content depends on the assignment. A report may include object descriptions, photographs, a stated valuation basis and date, relevant assumptions, market evidence and the concluded values.
Related services
Choose the right valuation pathway
Insurance valuation
Understand replacement value and reporting for insurance purposes.
Probate and estates
Independent valuation for estate administration and related requirements.
Private collections
Structured valuation for a group of artworks and collection assets.
Market references
Sources for the published fee examples
- Newstead Art, Valuations: published specialist artwork valuation base rate of $350 plus GST per hour, checked July 2026.
- Scammells, Art Valuation Report: published single-work report fee checked July 2026.
- David Hart, Valuation Services: published specialist certificate fees checked July 2026.
- Scammells, Valuations: published hourly valuation fees checked July 2026.
- Amanda Addams Auctions, David Freeman Valuations: published hourly fee checked July 2026.
Request a valuation quote
Tell Henry Valuers what needs to be valued, how many items are involved, where they are located and why the valuation is required.