In essence, appraisers are in the business of addressing the fundamental question: What is the item’s value? Whenever there is a question about the worth of your personal property, there is a risk involved: selling too low or paying too much, not getting your fair share of a division of property, incurring tax penalties, or being audited when claiming a deduction for charitable contributions or calculating estate taxes.

A professional appraiser helps you manage these and other risks by providing a written opinion of value upon which you can base your financial decisions. Rather than being just an educated guess, the professional appraiser’s opinions are based on prescribed methods of evaluation, research, and report writing.

The accurate estimation and documentation of personal property values rests primarily on the knowledge and expertise of the appraiser. It is wise to choose the most competent professional appraiser with demonstrated expertise regarding the property in question. A professional appraiser can help you protect your assets by providing a written appraisal.

With a written appraisal in hand, you can be confident of the valuation of your property. In addition, the professional written appraisal is a legal document able to withstand courtroom examination and scrutiny from government authorities.

Step 1 – Initial Consultation

An initial consultation is conducted to discuss the client’s needs, timelines, inspection schedule, etc.

Step 2 – Examination

All of the property to be included in the Appraisal Report is carefully examined by the appraiser. The appraiser notes the characteristics of each item, including its condition, obtains measurements and takes photographs. The information is recorded by hand. The time spent in this phase is “On-Site” time.

In situations where a personal inspection is not possible as a result of theft, destruction by fire, or other circumstances, we rely on the client to provide us with photographs and/or detailed descriptions of the property.

Step 3 – Documentation

Photographs are taken to document the item’s existence and aid in the research.

If you have any relevant documentation, such as receipts, invoices, or old appraisals, we ask to review these. Documentation can provide a previous context of worth in the marketplace and enhance the value of your property.

Step 4 – Research

Appraisal values are based upon comparative sales analysis for each item. Research time is the time taken to identify marks and labels, verify dates, locate comparable items, investigate retail markets, and consult experts, if necessary. This approach produces an accurate report that fully protects you and your property.

Step 5 – Appraisal Report

All appraisal reports are issued in electronic form with digital signatures. Although we discourage it for environmental reasons, reports can be issued on paper if arrangements are made in advance. Included in the report is a cover letter detailing the process taken and definition of values used; the total value of the property; an itemized list of the property appraised; one set of photographs of the items, and the appraiser’s qualifications.

To save time and money, we recommend that you prepare in advance for the on-site inspection:

• Decide which items you want to have appraised

• If there are items in the attic, closets, or garage, please make sure they are accessible

• Unpack items in drawers, boxes, trunks

• Group similar items together

• Arrange china and glass by patterns

• Sort sterling from silverplate if you can

• Gather receipts, sales slips, certificates of authenticity, photographs, or earlier appraisals and place them with the appropriate items

• Move large pieces of furniture away from the wall if possible

• If there is art work hanging on the wall, please remove it if possible

• If this is an estate appraisal with a will, make sure that all items specifically bequeathed are available for inspection

• Furniture appraisal

• Household Contents appraisal

• Antique Furniture appraisal

• Jewellery appraisal (including estate jewellery as well as fine and costume jewellery)

• Decorative Art appraisal

• Textile appraisal (Rugs & Tapestries)

• Silver appraisal (Flatware, Hollowware, Decorative)

• Gold appraisal

• Estate and contents sales

• Glass & Crystal appraisal

• Porcelain & China appraisal

• Coin appraisal

• Antique appraisal (watches, clocks, toys & dolls, etc.)

• Sports Memorabilia appraisal

• Fine Art appraisal (All Periods and Types)

• Books & Historical Document appraisal