When Do You Need an Appraisal?

Appraisals can help you in determining the true market value of your items, ensuring you understand their worth before making decisions about selling, donating, or bequesting. Whether a single piece or an entire collection, an appraisal provides an accurate and professional valuation based on key factors such as age, quality, condition, provenance, and comparable market values. Without an expert appraisal, you risk under or over-valuing your items, which can result in unfavorable outcomes..

At Weschler’s, our appraisers and specialists bring over 100 years of combined experience in assessing a wide range of property, including European and American furniture, fine art, jewelry, and Asian works of art. By choosing Weschler’s for your appraisal, you can trust that our team will provide a thorough, market-informed evaluation. Whether you need a verbal auction valuation or a formal written appraisal for insurance or estate planning, our deep expertise ensures that your property is propertly evaluated and a comprehensive report is prepared according to the standards of the American Society of Appraiseres (ASA), the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Getting an appraisal from Weschler’s not only helps you understand the true value of your items but also gives you the confidence to move forward with informed decisions about selling, donating or gifting.

Curious about the market value of an item?

Let our family of appraisers and specialists advise you.

Submit photos and descriptions of up to three items to receive a complimentary auction valuation.

Get Started

Need a formal written appraisal?

We offering the following types of written appraisals:

The price at which a ‘willing buyer and seller’ would agree to complete a sale.

Fair market value is used for estate tax, estate planning, marital division, charitable contributions, or other informational purposes.

What it would cost to replace property with something of similar origin, age, quality, condition or provenance.

Replacement value appraisal is provided strictly for the purposes of insuring property scheduled separately from a blanket homeowner’s policy.  Certain categories of fine art and antiques are more sensitive to market changes and require more frequent review.  An insurance industry rule of thumb is that appraisals should be updated at least every three years.

The amount for which an asset can be sold at the end of its useful life.

In insurance circles, this term commonly refers to the scrap value of damaged property.  In property insurance, salvage value will be subtracted from any loss settlement if the insured retains the damaged property.

The value given to property that is sold or changes hands under forced or limiting conditions such as bankruptcy.

This type of appraisal is usually provided for commercial and/or judicial purposes.

Ready to make an appointment?

Formal written appraisals are available by appointment.  Items can be reviewed at our gallery, in your home or at the location of the property.

The appraisal fee is based on the time involved and the scope of the appraisal, as quoted by the appraiser.

Call our office at 202-628-1281 to speak to an appraiser and schedule an appointment.

William P. Weschler, Jr.

Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA)

American Society of Appraisers

Mark Weschler

Accredited Member

International Society of Appraisers

Colette Chipman

Accredited Member

International Society of Appraisers

Samuel A. Botsford

Member

International Society of Appraisers

Jonathon Weber

Member

International Society of Appraisers

Still need more information?

We're happy to help.

Send us an email to [email protected] with your questions.