Personal Property Appraisals
Personal property appraisals for IRS charitable donation, estate settlement, divorce division, insurance scheduling, and FEMA claims — prepared to the evidentiary standard the receiving party actually requires.
Personal property valuation is not a state-licensed activity. These assignments are performed as desk appraisals from photographs and documentation, which means NextPhase accepts them anywhere in the United States and internationally.
Machinery & Equipment
Machinery and equipment is a personal property discipline, not a separate one — the same standards, value premises, and USPAP framework apply. It has its own page because the documentation we need from you is different.
Personal Property we appraise
- Firearms & Gun Collections
- Sports Cards & Memorabilia
- Fine Art
- Jewelry & Watches
- Antiques & Furniture
- Coins & Bullion
- Musical Instruments
- Household Contents
Not listed? Ask. This is what comes up most, not an exhaustive list.
To quote your assignment
- Photographs of each item or lot, including maker's marks and serial numbers
- Any receipts, prior appraisals, certificates, or provenance you hold
- Approximate acquisition date and price, if known
- The name of the party who will receive the report
What exactly do you have?
Each of these has its own documentation requirements. Pick the closest match and we will tell you precisely what we need.
Firearms & Gun Collections
Single pieces, inherited collections, and full safes — valued for estate, donation, insurance, and division.
Sports Cards & Memorabilia
Graded and raw cards, signed memorabilia, and complete collections.
Fine Art
Paintings, sculpture, prints, and photography — for donation, estate, insurance, and division.
Jewelry & Watches
Fine jewelry, loose stones, and timepieces for insurance scheduling, estate, and division.
Antiques & Furniture
Period furniture, decorative arts, and full household antique inventories.
Coins & Bullion
Numismatic collections, graded coins, and precious metal holdings.
Musical Instruments
Stringed instruments, guitars, pianos, and brass — for insurance, estate, and donation.
Household Contents
Whole-house inventories for estate settlement, divorce division, and insurance loss.
What is the appraisal for?
Intended use sets the value standard, the report format, and the fee. The scope changes more than most people expect.
Personal Property — from $195
Fixed fee agreed in writing before any work begins.
| Scope | Typical fee |
|---|---|
| 1 item | $195 – $495 |
| 2–10 items | $495 – $1,200 |
| 11–50 items | $1,200 – $2,200 |
| 50+ items / full contents | $2,200 – $3,500+ |
Common questions
Can you appraise items outside Arizona?
Yes — anywhere in the world. Personal property valuation is not a state-licensed activity, and these assignments are performed as desk appraisals from photographs and documentation. Clients across the country and overseas are routine.
Do you have to see the items in person?
Usually not. A well-documented set of photographs, marks, and serial numbers supports a credible conclusion for most personal property. Disputed matters and very high-value single items sometimes warrant inspection, and we will tell you before you commit to anything.
Can you appraise a single item?
Yes. Single-item assignments are common for charitable donation and insurance scheduling. Per-item cost falls sharply as the count rises.
Will the IRS accept the report?
Reports prepared for charitable donation are written to satisfy the qualified appraisal and qualified appraiser requirements under IRS regulations, including everything required for Form 8283. The appraiser declaration is completed and signed as part of the assignment.
Do you buy anything you appraise?
No, and we never will. An appraiser who is also a buyer has an interest in your number being low. That conflict is precisely what makes a report indefensible.
Ready for a number you can defend?
Tell us what you have and what it's for. You get a fixed written quote — never an hourly meter, never a sales call.