THE 8 STEP
APPRAISAL PROCESS
To initiate the appraisal process please email lead appraiser Claudia Hess, AAA, MBA at hessartadvisory@gmail.com
1. Upon contacting us, we will ask you the most important question:
What do you need this appraisal for? eg: Insurance, estate, donation, "I just want to know the value"
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2. We'll set up an inspection appointment. Covid-19 update! see Long Distance appraisals below.
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3. The inspection will include:
Determination of what is potentially worth appraising.
Inspection, photographing, measuring, and description of the items for our use. Making sure all is available to view in a clean well lighted space, makes the process go smoother. All associated information is also important to have or better yet send before hand.
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4. The client (you) will then sign a letter of agreement, and pay the appraiser the initial consultation fee.
The consultation fee is $500 for the first two hours of work.
5. Back in the office:
We determine and research comparable sales in the
appropriate market in order to determine the value conclusion.
6. Write a formal legal document (if needed):
This is professionally written appraisal, following the USPAP
protocol as promulgated by the Appraisal Standards
Board of The Appraisal Foundation.
7. Notify you when the valuation work is completed.
8. You submit the balance of the amount due, then we send the document to you.
APPRAISAL TIPS
How to Prepare for an Appraisal
Since time is money, we'd like to help you be
prepared for your appraisal. Organization is key!
For the items to be examined:
• Make sure they are clean
• Remove anything from inside an object or furniture
• Try to group like items together
Pictures:
• Remove the works from the wall.
• For cleaning glass on a framed work, spray glass cleaner on a soft clean cloth not onto the glass itself, so no cleaner seeps into the work.
• For some works on paper, we might need to examine them outside the frame, depending on the value/condition of the work. We can discuss this prior to the first appointment.
Provide as many details as you can:
• The item's age and condition
• Where and when the item was purchased.
• Have there been any previous appraisals done on the item?
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Long Distance Appraisals Checklist:
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Name of artist
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Digital photographs of top, bottom and sides of objects.
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Measure the item's dimensions: height x length x width, and inside the frame (called sight measurement)
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Additional photograph of signature and any condition issues*.
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What is the ownership and purchase history of the work(s)?
*Carefully examine the item for blemishes, cracks, etc.
There are good tips on photographing on the resources page.
Please double check your photos to make sure they are very clear. Please do not text anything, the resolution is not good enough. Email only.