A fine art appraisal is a comprehensive report that extensively documents your collection and provides an opinion of value at a given point in time based upon the intended purpose of the appraisal.  The appraisal report will include images and all the necessary informative data to fully describe your items.  The value is determined through extensive research of the relevant marketplace based on the artistic appeal, quality, condition, provenance and rarity.   All appraisals are completely confidential and information is kept with strict security. We appraise personal property that fall under the category of fine art, such as paintings, sculpture, works on paper or photographs, for private individuals, estates and corporations.

Our appraisal fees are competitive with industry standards and based on a flat hourly rate, not including travel expenses.   Verbal appraisals and valuation consultations will be charged on a case-by-case basis. For larger appraisals, an overall adjusted hourly rate or total cost will be determined in a clearly written proposal for the scope of work required.  The scope of work for each appraisal includes the time to examine the property, inventorying and photography, market research and preparation of the final appraisal report. No fees are ever related to the value of the property being appraised nor based upon a percentage of the appraised values.  Our appraisals come with the backing of up-to-date compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the extensive expertise of our appraisers and guaranteed acceptance by all intended users of the appraisal.

• Insurance Coverage ​• Auction/Sale Value Estimates • Charitable Donations • Estate Planning • Gift Tax • Equitable Distribution • Estate tax • Financial Planning • Damage/Loss Claims • Expert Witness Testimony and Opinions of Value • Consultation for Sale • Inventory and Collection Management • Collateral and Lending • Liquidation and Equitable Distribution • Divorce

Yes - we are bonded for any losses or damage while on site evaluating and during research of your collection.

​No -  all appraisals, valuations and consultations are strictly confidential.  Insurance appraisals do not create a record of ownership beyond the personal uses of the client.  Even appraisals intended for use by the IRS for tax purposes are only delivered to the hiring client for use in their own tax/ownership reporting.  Any additional required IRS forms (such as Form 8283 for Noncash Charitable Donations) will be signed by the appraiser and provided directly to the client for their own filing.

Yes - dependent upon the purpose of the appraisal, it is necessary to distinguish between determining replacement, fair market, marketable cash or liquidation value.  If you just want to know what your items might bring if offered for sale, that may not require a full formal appraisal and is an option many collectors choose to help them plan for their collection.  We are happy to discuss this with you and will clearly determine the most appropriate value for your appraisal needs.

Our appraisals are accepted by major insurance companies, banks, the IRS, trust companies, attorneys, probate courts and shippers. Each appraisal is prepared in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Art appraisals are an important aspect of owning and protecting your art. As market conditions can affect the value of art, it is recommended to have an appraisal completed or updated every 2 to 4 years in order to keep your insurance and personal records current.