What to Expect
Start to finish, with no surprises — including what happens after the report is delivered.
Before you call
Know roughly what you have and, more importantly, what the appraisal is for. Intended use sets the value standard, the report format, and the fee. If you are not sure, say so — helping you work that out is part of the job.
The quote
A fixed fee and a delivery date, in writing, before any work begins. No hourly billing. If the scope changes materially we issue a revised quote first, never an invoice afterwards.
Documentation or inspection
Personal property and business engagements usually run on documentation you provide. Real property and most equipment involve an inspection. You will be told which applies before you commit.
Research and analysis
Market, asset, and industry research appropriate to the effective date — which for estate and litigation work is frequently a date in the past. The recognised approaches are applied and reconciled with the reasoning shown.
The report
A USPAP-compliant report stating intended use, intended users, scope of work, value premise, and any extraordinary assumptions, signed with a certification. In whatever format the receiving party requires.
After delivery
Questions about the report are answered at no additional charge. If the matter becomes contested, testimony and rebuttal are quoted separately.
Seven steps, and you know the fee before step one.
We do not bill by the hour. Scope and fee are agreed in writing before any work begins.
Engagement
Scope, objectives, intended use, and a fixed fee agreed in writing before any work begins.
Inspection
On-site evaluation, or structured remote documentation review for desk assignments.
Research
Market, asset, and industry research appropriate to the effective date of value.
Analysis
The recognised approaches applied and reconciled — with the reasoning shown, not asserted.
Reporting
A clear, complete, defensible report in the format the receiving party requires.
Deposition
Preparation and expert testimony where the matter is contested.
Trial
Direct and cross-examination support through resolution.
What a compliant report contains
If any of the following is missing, the receiving party can reject the report — and you tend to find out at the worst possible moment.
- The intended use and the intended users, stated explicitly
- The scope of work actually performed, including what was and was not inspected
- The value premise applied — fair market, replacement cost, or liquidation
- The effective date of value, which is frequently not the report date
- Any extraordinary assumptions or hypothetical conditions relied upon
- The reasoning, shown rather than asserted
- A signed certification from the appraiser who performed the work
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.