thefineartappraiser

Why you need us

You may want to retain an appraiser to assist you in settling an estate, establishing value for a charitable donation, obtaining insurance, settling a damage claim, or for setting a price for a purchase or sale. Perhaps you merely need a professional opinion of value for objects that may be retained as valuable assets. Lenders are required to acquire an appraisal report prepared by an impartial and unbiased appraiser to obtain an opinion of the value of the collateral. You may also need a valuation for financial reporting or gift tax purposes. We will conduct an on-site inspection where we will inventory, photograph, and carefully document all objects to be included in the report.

Our Mission

We recognize and identify value in your fine art collections and antique collectables, and provide professional appraisal reports backed by defensible and thorough research and analysis. We serve the public by providing fair, objective and disinterested information based on the facts of valuation methodology. We abide by a strict code of ethics which ensures unparalleled standards of ethics, conduct and professionalism. The code requires the appraiser to serve the public interest as follows:

• provide independent valuation outside of third party influences
• retain no outside interest in the subject property other than an accurate and professional value
• contract for appraisal work only within the areas of their professional expertise
• reach objective value conclusions by considering all factors in appraisal standards
• use the highest standards of connoisseurship in examining and documenting property
• professional remuneration is independent of the value of the subject property

Who we work with

We are happy to work with individuals, institutions, artists and art trade professionals, to provide valuation services for a variety of purposes, such as: Insurance, Damage and Loss, Equitable Distribution, Resale/Inventory, Estate or Legacy Planning, Charitable Contributions, and Liquidation. Athough CERTIFIED IN FINE ART AND DECORATIVE ART as specialty areas, appraisers are also familiar with antiques, and experienced in appraising items of value in over 20 fields of study. We DO NOT formally appraise from photographs. The items must be viewed in person. (No tourist type collectibles appraised).

The appraisal process

First, your appraiser will interview you regarding the reason you require an appraisal. Many people consult an appraiser saying, “I just want to know what it is worth.” The appraiser will explain the many levels of “worth” or value, such as what an item of fine art would be worth if you were going to sell it, and even then, where you are considering selling it. Your appraiser must know who the intended users are and the intended use of the appraisal, in order to correctly develop an appropriate appraisal.

The scope of work, which is the type and extent of research and analyses required to prepare the appraisal, is determined by the appraiser at this time. In each appraisal, an appraiser must identify the problem to be solved, determine and perform the scope of work necessary to develop credible assignment results, and disclose the scope of work in the report.

The client and appraiser will schedule a date for an on-site inspection. The client may provide the appraiser with information relevant to the objects being appraised. On-site, each object is inspected, other information is gathered and photographs taken to fully document the condition and appearance of the object.

After data collection and analysis is complete, the appraiser determines the best approach to value each object. The three traditional approaches to value are the cost approach, the sales comparison approach, and the income approach.

A professional, categorized report is then generated that includes photographs, descriptions and values as well as analyses of the objects and current market conditions. It is delivered to the client as both soft and hard copies.