Appraising Residential Contents
Location of the Inspection
Furniture, decorations, silver, ceramics,
glass and collectibles are generally
evaluated on site. If the items are portable,
you may also ask for the inspection to
occur in our office or another location
like a bank vault or office.
The cost of appraisals is based on hourly fees. Being prepared helps keep down your costs.
The following checklist can help you prepare for the appraisal process.
Preliminary Appraisal Preparation
- Talk with your insurance company representative about the limits of your policy to learn what items to include in your appraisal.
- Schedule an appointment for a future date while you complete the following tasks.
- Search your files to gather information you received when you purchased each piece and related documents accumulated during ownership.
- Copy for the appraiser's files the receipts, decorator invoices, former appraisals, insurance schedules that list the items, and documents stating the history of ownership. This information supports essential claims in the report; therefore, it influences value.
- Attend to repairs of damaged items, all before the inspection. Damage and/or condition issues appear in the report.
- Make a list that reports the number of like items in a set of silver or ceramics.
- List pattern names for silver and ceramics or find patterns by contacting manufacturers or searching websites such as www.replacements.com and www.silverwarehouse.com.
Preparation for the day of inspection for items included in the appraisal
- Remove wall hangings and pictures from the wall
- Remove stored items by placing them on a spacious table under a good light for inspection.
- Remove objects and displays placed on furniture you expect the appraiser to inspect
- Tag items with notes to indicate what you know about a piece (origin, maker’s name or pattern, for example) or provide a list with this information.
Collectibles
The appraisal of collections is our specialty built on years of experience appraising substantial property belonging to notable individuals.
Memorabilia includes products of entertainment including advertisements for movies and instruments played by musicians. Ephemera include objects printed and not meant for long-term use. Advertising cards and posters are examples. Disneyana, ceramic figures, glass dinnerware, watches and figures are other collectible categories.
Estate Appraisals
Residential contents accumulate to decorate a home or person. When enjoyment fades or no longer exists, the estate appraiser assists the trustee, conservator or heirs by listing and valuing this personal property. Ceramic and glass figures once displayed in cabinets, linens, silver and china formerly used for dining, and jewelry items used for adornment are listed and appraised. The appraisal assists with the transfer of property to a new owner either by sale or by distribution to the heirs.
Estate Tax Appraisals
The residential content appraisal assists filing with the IRS after death. The report documents the worth of the personal property in a home or safe deposit box. The guidelines written in Treasury Regulations dictate the scope of work for an estate tax appraisal.