Generating a professional standard appraisal report usually includes the following tasks:

 

— a personal inspection of your objects to note their features, dimensions and condition  ***

— photography for both research purposes and to include images in the appraisal report

— a review of relevant documentation in your possession (original sales receipts, provenance, etc.)

— research on the objects, their markets, relevant comparable sales and asking prices 

— composition of a clear and useful appraisal report conforming with RICS Valuation – Global Standards

 

***  Remote appraisals can be carried out with accurate documentation and good quality photographs. Please see the link at the bottom of this section to learn how to collect useable data and photos.

 

Your appraisal report:

Appraisal reports issued by S. P. Sweeting Appraisals are well-organized multi-page documents conforming with accepted valuation standards. They describe and value your artworks or objects within a defined context such as insurance coverage, donation, probate, etc. 

 

Appraisal reports contain: 

— a letter of transmittal page indicating a total value and other key elements of the assignment’s findings 

— an extended preface outlining the essential information required to understand the valuation process and value conclusions 

— basic assumptions and limiting conditions 

— a signed certification
— the appraiser’s professional profile 

— a detailed or short descriptive inventory of the appraised items
— value estimates assigned to individual items or specified group of items

 

Some reports, such as donation appraisals, contain narrative “rationales of value” with relevant comparable sales. Most appraisal reports contain photo images of the objects appraised. Appraisal fees are discussed below.