FAQs
Answers before you reach out
The questions we are asked most often, answered up front — what we do and do not appraise, how remote appraisal works, what we need from you, what it costs, and how long it takes.
- Do you appraise houses or land?
- No. This practice covers personal property, vehicles, boats, and equipment only. Real estate is a separate discipline under a separate licence, and we do not take that work. If you need a house or a parcel valued, a licensed real estate appraiser is who you want.
- Do you appraise cars, boats, and equipment?
- Yes. Vehicles, vessels, and machinery are part of the practice, alongside household contents. They are quoted on a separate asset schedule rather than on the per-item household tiers, because a car takes the research a car takes however many other items are on the list.
- How is a car priced against a household item?
- On a different schedule. Household contents are quoted per item, from $10 a line. A vehicle, a vessel, or a machine is quoted as an asset of its own, from $250, because each one carries its own market research. A car in an estate is never billed as another $10 line.
- Do you have to see the property in person?
- Only when photographs and documents cannot support the value. Most assignments are prepared remotely, and the report states that plainly along with what it relied on. If an item genuinely has to be examined in hand, we say so before you pay rather than issue an opinion we cannot stand behind.
- What is a remote appraisal?
- Also called a desktop appraisal, it's an appraisal prepared from photographs and documentation you provide rather than an in-person inspection. It follows the same USPAP standards as any other appraisal — the report states that it was performed remotely and what it relied on, which is what keeps it compliant. Where photographs cannot support the value, we say so before you pay rather than proceed on them.
- Do you serve my area?
- Yes. Because appraisals are prepared remotely wherever photographs and documents allow it, we work with clients anywhere in the United States. Where you live doesn't change the cost or the timeline.
- What types of property do you appraise?
- Antiques, collectibles, fine art, jewelry, furniture, and general household property, along with vehicles, boats, and equipment. We do not appraise real estate. If you are unsure whether something falls within our scope, ask — we would rather tell you up front than take on work we cannot do well.
- Are your appraisals certified?
- Yes. Every appraisal is certified and follows the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), and Everything Appraised is accredited by the Certified Appraisers Guild of America (CAGA).
- What do you need from me?
- Two things, and ideally both: clear photographs of each item, and an inventory spreadsheet listing them. Photograph every item from several angles, with close-ups of any marks, signatures, or labels. Either one on its own will work if that is all you can manage, but together they are faster and more accurate. Send whatever documentation you already have as well — receipts, prior appraisals, certificates, or provenance. We'll tell you exactly what's needed for your items before you start.
- What should the inventory spreadsheet include?
- One row per item, with a short description, the quantity, and anything you know about its age, maker, or origin. Add where it came from and what was paid for it if you have that. A plain spreadsheet is enough — there is no template to fill in, and we'll ask if we need more detail on a particular item.
- Can you sign IRS Form 8283?
- Yes, where the assignment is a qualified appraisal. We sign the appraiser's declaration; your accountant or tax preparer files the form with the return.
- Do I need certificates or documentation for jewelry and artwork?
- For gemstones and diamonds, yes. We need the grading report, laboratory documentation, or certificate of authenticity that came with the stone, because value turns on characteristics no photograph can establish. For artwork, documentation is not required, but we strongly suggest it: a certificate of authenticity, a bill of sale, exhibition history, or provenance will only strengthen your appraisal and the value we can support.
- How quickly do you reply?
- Quote requests are answered the same or following business day, Eastern Time. The turnaround on the report itself depends on the scope, and the quote states it before you commit.
- How long does the appraisal itself take?
- It depends on the scope — a single item is much faster than an entire household, and a mixed estate with vehicles in it is slower than either. The quote states the timeline before you commit to anything.
- What does an appraisal cost?
- Fees are based on the research each item or asset requires, never on a percentage of the appraised value — USPAP forbids tying the two together. The pricing page sets out two schedules: the per-item household tiers with their $150 minimum, and the per-asset floors for vehicles, boats, and equipment. Those figures are a guideline; every appraisal is still quoted on what it actually involves, and the quote is fixed before any work starts.
- Do you buy the items you appraise?
- No. Robert Porter does not buy or sell the property he appraises and does not take a commission. An appraiser with a stake in the outcome is not an independent appraiser, and USPAP does not permit it.
- Can an appraisal be done entirely from photographs?
- For most property, yes. Some items — certain gemstones, attributions that hinge on physical examination, and equipment whose configuration the photographs cannot settle — genuinely require inspection in hand. If yours is one of those, we'll say so rather than issue an opinion we can't stand behind.
- Do you work with attorneys and financial professionals?
- Regularly. We collaborate with the legal and financial professionals already involved in a matter, so appraisals and documentation meet the requirements of the process at hand. The page for attorneys sets out who signs, what the scope is, and what we need from counsel.
- How do I get started?
- Request a quote. Tell us what needs appraising, what the appraisal is for, and when you need it, and you get a fixed price back before any work begins.
- Is my information kept confidential?
- Yes. Client information and appraisal details are handled with strict confidentiality throughout the process.