Why there is no universal valuation fee
A concise commercial assessment and a detailed report for named third parties involve different work. The number of entities, quality of records, complexity of share rights, forecasting needs and deadline all influence the scope. The right comparison is between equivalent deliverables rather than the lowest headline fee.
Five questions that make quotes comparable
Ask what is being valued; which date and purpose are covered; which methods and information are expected; what written output you receive; and whether follow-up questions are included. Also ask about VAT, disbursements and additional work. A quote should explain its assumptions and the events that would require a revised scope.
Example: two companies with the same turnover
One company has a single trade, clean monthly accounts and straightforward ordinary shares. Another has several subsidiaries, intercompany balances, preference shares and a recent restructuring. Even with identical revenue, the second brief may need more reconciliation and analysis. Turnover alone is therefore a poor way to price valuation work.
What happens after your enquiry
First we clarify your purpose, company structure and deadline. We then identify the information needed and discuss an appropriate deliverable. The scope and fee are agreed before work begins. Sending an enquiry does not commission a valuation or commit you to a fee.
Avoid paying for an unsuitable report
Tell us at the outset if a lender, investor, court, HMRC or another third party needs to use the conclusion. Their requirements may affect who should undertake the work and what standards or procedures apply. Suitability should be checked before a commercial quote is accepted.
Affordable valuations: spend on the question that matters
A valuation should be proportionate to the decision. Explain your budget and required use so the appropriate scope can be considered. A short planning assessment is not interchangeable with a formal report for named third parties, and no budget removes the need for adequate evidence.
Prevent three common sources of extra work
First, confirm whether you need enterprise value, equity value or a particular shareholding. Second, agree a valuation date and supply a consistent set of financial records. Third, tell us who will read and rely on the report. Changing these fundamentals after work starts may require additional analysis.
Compare total engagement cost
Ask about the report format, discussion of findings, subsequent questions, VAT and any additional charges. A quote that excludes the work your recipient requires can be a false economy. We agree fees before work begins and do not advertise an unverified lowest-price claim.
Your starting checklist.
- Why you need the valuation
- Company or group structure
- Financial information currently available
- Required report, recipients and deadline
Start with the purpose. Confidential documents can follow through an agreed channel.
Request a quote for the valuation you actually need
| Your purpose | Scope questions | Output to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing a business sale | Entity, date, maintainable earnings and price basis | A supported valuation conclusion for the agreed purpose |
| Shareholder transaction | Actual holding, rights, governing documents and intended users | A holding-specific analysis within the agreed instructions |
| Employee share options | Proposed shares, rights, timing and HMRC preparation requirements | An EMI valuation brief, with separate eligibility and legal responsibilities |
| Reviewing a buyer’s offer | Enterprise or equity headline, adjustments and payment terms | A scoped review of the financial assumptions and consideration bridge |
Explain the purpose, business or holding, timing and any required recipient. We will discuss information, deliverables and fee before you decide whether to proceed. A discussion does not commission a report. Additional work, specialist requirements and material information gaps are identified in the proposed scope.
What a report can cover Information checklist
Request a valuation quoteScope and fee agreed before work begins. No obligation to proceed.