Pricing

Business valuation cost in the UK

Simple, fixed-fee pricing for UK SME owners and directors. Scope and price agreed in writing before any work starts. No hourly billing, no hidden costs.

Strategic Value Review

£950

An indicative valuation for early-stage strategic decisions

A concise, confidential view of value for owner-directors weighing succession, exit or a share scheme - before commissioning a full report.

Services

  • Succession planning
  • Exit planning
  • Growth Share feasibility
  • Investment discussions
  • Internal decision-making

Includes

  • Indicative valuation range
  • Key value drivers
  • Strategic commentary
  • Delivered within 2 business days
  • £950 credited against a full valuation commissioned within 3 months

Not suitable for HMRC submissions, legal proceedings or third-party reliance.

Request a value review

HMRC & Tax Valuations

From £1,950

Independent valuation reports for tax, legal and shareholder purposes

Independent, HMRC-aware written reports suitable for advisers, HMRC and shareholder decisions.

Services

Includes

  • Independent valuation report
  • Appropriate valuation methodologies
  • Detailed supporting analysis
  • Adviser-ready documentation
  • HMRC methodology where applicable
  • Delivered within 3-5 business days
Request a core valuation

Equity Structuring

From £2,500

Independent valuations and advice for complex equity structures and shareholder reorganisations.

For growth share issuances, alphabet share reorganisations and management incentive structures - where the economics of the shares matter as much as the number.

Services

  • Growth Shares
  • Alphabet Shares
  • Freeze & Growth
  • Management Incentive Structures

Includes

  • Independent valuation
  • Review of share rights and economic structure
  • Hurdle and participation analysis
  • Coordination with legal advisers where required
  • Tailored advice for complex transactions
  • Delivered within 4-6 business days
Discuss a structuring

Business Sales

From £4,500

Independent advice for business owners preparing for a sale or investment

An in-depth valuation to anchor your asking price, test buyer offers and helping you maximise value before going to market.

Services

Includes

  • Comprehensive valuation
  • Buyer-focused analysis
  • Value enhancement recommendations
  • Transaction support
  • Tailored engagement
  • Delivered within 4-6 business days
Value my business

Bespoke Engagement - On request

When your situation requires more than a standard report - cross-border shareholdings, group reorganisations, ESOP design or ongoing advisory - we scope, price and deliver a tailored engagement.

Discuss your situation
Fixed fee, no surprises
Written report included
HMRC-aware methodology

How we price

What drives the cost of a UK business valuation

Our published fees cover the vast majority of UK SME situations. When a bespoke quote is required, four factors typically explain the difference.

Company size & complexity

A single trading company with clean accounts is faster to value than a group with multiple share classes, intercompany loans or cross-border activity.

Quality of information

Recent management accounts, a clear cap table and accurate forecasts dramatically reduce the work needed and the assumptions we have to make.

Purpose of the valuation

An EMI grant, a shareholder buy-out and a pre-sale anchor each require a different level of depth, scenario analysis and documentation.

Level of scrutiny expected

Reports likely to be reviewed by HMRC, a buyer's adviser or in a dispute require more robust evidence than a purely internal indicator.

Why fixed fees

Predictable cost, predictable scope

Predictable cost

You know the total cost before any work starts. No hourly billing, no end-of-month surprise.

Aligned incentives

We are paid to deliver a defensible report, not to inflate hours. The engagement is scoped, then delivered.

Easier to compare

Fixed fees make it straightforward to compare offers and budget the engagement against the value at stake.

What every engagement includes

  • Independent, fixed-fee engagement letter agreed before any work starts
  • Written report with full methodology, assumptions and references
  • HMRC-aware analysis (UMV, AMV, marketability and minority discounts where relevant)
  • Defensible valuation suitable for shareholders, advisers and HMRC scrutiny

What is not included

  • Legal drafting (shareholder agreements, share purchase agreements)
  • Tax filings or representation in front of HMRC
  • Audit or accounting work
  • Brokerage or M&A intermediation

Optival is an independent valuation advisory firm. We work alongside your accountant, tax adviser and lawyer.

Pricing FAQ

How much does a business valuation cost in the UK?

Optival's fixed fees start from £1,950 for an EMI Valuation. Bespoke engagements (complex group structures, cross-border, ongoing advisory) are quoted on request. The fee is agreed in writing before any work starts.

What is included in the fee?

Every engagement includes a written report with full methodology, HMRC-aware analysis, and defensible discounts where relevant. There is no hourly billing and no hidden costs.

What is not included?

We do not provide legal drafting, tax filings, audit work or M&A brokerage. Our role is independent valuation and advisory; we work alongside your accountant and lawyer.

Can I get a custom quote?

Yes. For complex share structures, group valuations, cross-border situations or ongoing advisory needs, we issue a tailored fixed-fee proposal after a short scoping discussion.

Why is your pricing fixed when others bill by the hour?

Fixed fees protect you from open-ended costs and align our incentives on delivering a clear, defensible report. The scope is agreed up-front; if it changes materially, we agree any variation in writing before continuing.

Ready to scope your valuation?

Tell us briefly what you need. We confirm scope and fixed fee in writing before any work starts.

Request a valuation