FAIR Buyer Guide

Antiques Appraiser Checklist: Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Before hiring an antiques appraiser, confirm intended use, verify specialty alignment, demand fee transparency, and require documented methodology and evidence standards — all before you pay or share sensitive item details.

Question 1: What is this appraisal for?

The first question is not who to hire but what the report is for. Intended use determines valuation basis, report structure, and who will review the final deliverable.

Insurance coverage updates and policy scheduling typically require replacement-value framing.
Estate planning and tax reporting often require fair-market-value framing and IRS-aligned documentation.
Resale, donation, and litigation support each have their own evidence expectations.
If you are unsure of the use case, the appraisal may be misdirected from the start.

Question 2: Does the appraiser specialize in this category?

Antiques span furniture, silver, ceramics, textiles, clocks, militaria, and many other subcategories. Generalist appraisers often produce weaker comparable evidence for niche categories.

Ask for specific antiques subcategories the appraiser handles regularly.
Request evidence of recent comparable work in your category.
Verify that the appraiser can articulate why certain comparables were selected or excluded.

Question 3: How are fees structured?

Fee transparency is the fastest credibility filter. A legitimate appraiser discloses pricing model and scope expectations before engagement.

Fees should be flat, hourly, or per-item — never contingent on the appraised value.
Ask for a written quote that covers the full scope, including any revision or review cycles.
Be cautious of appraisers who will not explain their pricing in writing before intake.

Question 4: What credentials and track record can be verified?

Credentials matter, but they are not a substitute for visible standards and sample-quality evidence.

Ask whether the appraiser publishes methodology, standards, or fee-disclosure pages.
Request a redacted sample report or outline to review structure and evidence depth.
Check whether the appraiser appears in a public directory with complete profile information.

Question 5: What does the intake and delivery process look like?

A defensible appraisal follows a repeatable sequence from intake normalization to final quality assurance.

Intake should include a clear checklist: photos, condition notes, provenance, and prior valuations.
The report should explicitly state intended use, valuation date, and methodology.
Final delivery should include a main report, supporting exhibits, and a clear revision path.

Question 6: What red flags should walk you away?

Several warning signs indicate an appraiser may not produce defensible work.

No clear intended-use statement in the sample report.
No comparable rationale or assumption disclosure.
Vague or evasive answers about fee structure.
Overbroad guarantees without scope qualifiers.

FAQ

What is the single most important question to ask first? Ask what the appraisal is for. If the appraiser cannot articulate how intended use changes the report, they are not the right choice.
Should I use a directory or search the web directly? A public directory with association profile, standards pages, and fee transparency is usually a better starting point because it reduces ambiguity before outreach.
Do I need an in-person appraisal for antiques? Not always. Many antiques can be appraised online with strong photos and provenance documentation, but high-stakes or condition-sensitive items may require physical inspection.
How do I know if an online appraisal is legitimate? Look for published standards, clear fee disclosure, a documented intake process, and a redacted sample report that shows methodology and comparable evidence.
What should I do after receiving an appraisal report? Route the report through the relevant stakeholder — insurer, CPA, or advisor — before using it for scheduling, filing, or claims.