5 Questions You Should Always Ask Before Hiring an Appraiser

Whether you're appraising a family heirloom, an entire estate, or a museum-quality art collection, choosing the right appraiser matters. An appraisal is more than an estimate; it's a well-supported, researched opinion of value developed for a specific purpose. The quality of that opinion depends entirely on the qualifications, ethics, and judgment of the professional preparing it.

Before hiring an appraiser, here are five questions you should always ask.

1. Are you a member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), or the American Society of Appraisers (ASA)?

Professional affiliation is one of the first indicators that an appraiser takes their profession seriously.

Organizations such as the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), and the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) require members to adhere to a code of ethics, pursue continuing education, and maintain professional standards. Membership also connects appraisers with a network of specialists and colleagues, allowing them to consult experts when unique or highly specialized objects arise.

It's also worth asking what level of membership or credential an appraiser holds. Each of these organizations offers multiple membership tiers that reflect increasing levels of education, testing, demonstrated appraisal experience, and professional achievement. While entry-level membership demonstrates a commitment to the profession, advanced credentials generally indicate a deeper investment in appraisal methodology, continuing education, and experience.

Professional affiliation alone does not guarantee quality, but it is an important indicator of an appraiser's commitment to ethical practice, ongoing education, and professional accountability.

2. When did you last complete a USPAP course?

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) establishes the ethical and performance standards for appraisal practice in the United States.

Every appraiser begins by completing the 15-hour USPAP course. To remain current, practicing appraisers should complete the 7-hour USPAP Update Course every two years. This continuing education ensures appraisers stay informed about changes to professional standards, ethics, and best practices.

If an appraiser is unable or unwilling to tell you when they last completed USPAP training, you should question whether they are qualified to provide a credible appraisal that would be accepted by insurance carriers, legal professionals, or tax authorities.

3. Do you specialize in this type of property? What is your educational and professional background?

Appraising personal property is a broad profession. Expertise in one collecting category doesn't automatically translate to another.

For example, you wouldn't hire a numismatist who specializes in rare coins to appraise a painting by Cy Twombly. Likewise, an expert in contemporary art may not be the right person to evaluate antique firearms, rare books, or historical silver.

Ask about an appraiser's specialties, education, and professional experience. Have they worked extensively with objects like yours? Do they regularly research that market? Have they handled similar assignments for insurance, estate tax, donation, or equitable distribution purposes?

The more closely an appraiser's expertise aligns with your property, the more confidence you can have in the resulting appraisal.

4. What does the appraisal process look like for my intended use?

Not every appraisal assignment follows the same process.

An appraisal prepared for insurance scheduling may require different documentation than one prepared for estate tax reporting or charitable donation. Depending on the assignment, an appraiser may need:

• High-quality photographs

• Measurements and identifying marks

• Provenance or purchase documentation

• Conservation or condition reports

• An on-site inspection

It's also important to understand how the engagement will be handled. Will you receive a written engagement agreement outlining the scope of work, intended use, fees, and timeline? What information will you need to provide? How long should you expect the process to take?

A qualified appraiser should be able to clearly explain the process before work begins, so there are no surprises along the way.

5. What can I expect when working with you?

An appraisal is built on independence and objectivity, but it's also a collaborative process.

You're trusting an appraiser with your family's history, valuable property, or an important financial decision. You should feel comfortable asking how they communicate, what the process is like from start to finish, and what previous clients have appreciated about working with them.

Do they explain complex valuation concepts in a way that's easy to understand? Will they keep you informed throughout the assignment? Are they responsive to questions? Do they set realistic expectations about timelines and deliverables?

The best appraisers maintain the public's trust by remaining impartial in their opinions of value while also treating clients with professionalism, transparency, and respect. Technical expertise is essential, but so is finding someone you feel confident working with.

Choosing the Right Appraiser

An appraisal often supports significant financial, legal, and personal decisions. Taking a few minutes to ask these five questions can help ensure you're hiring someone with the qualifications, ethics, expertise, and communication style to provide credible results.

A professional appraiser should welcome these questions. In fact, the best appraisers expect them.

Appraisal Questions?

Contact Lindsey Owen at (312)783-8749 or lindsey@loappraisals.com