Household Goods Appraisal

5.0from 80+ client reviews
Household goods appraisal services for estate tax (Form 706), charitable donations (Form 8283), and insurance claims, prepared in accordance with IRS requirements. AppraiseItNow appraises kitchenware, linens, small appliances, decorative accessories, and everyday furnishings.

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DEFENSIBLE, USPAP-COMPLIANT HOUSEHOLD GOODS APPRAISAL REPORTS — QUALIFIED FOR THE IRS, INSURANCE AGENCIES, LENDERS, AND MORE.

  • IRS
  • Goodwill Industries
  • Chase
  • State Farm
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • The Salvation Army
  • Bank of America
  • United States Courts

The personal property team behind every report we write

Between them, our personal property appraisers hold ISA and CAGA designations, and every report is written to USPAP for the IRS, insurance agencies, lenders, and more.

Joe Kattan

Joe Kattan

Owner & CEO

Joe founded AppraiseItNow to make a certified, USPAP-compliant appraisal as simple to order as anything else online. A former Bain & Company strategy consultant, Joe leads the entire team and specializes in strategy, growth, and the firm's tech capabilities.

Anne Hay

Anne Hay

Personal Property Appraiser

ISA Accredited Member with 30 years in the trade, from running estate sales and an auction gallery to appraising luxury apparel, furniture, artwork, antiques, and business assets, primarily for IRS tax filings.

Jason Dolph

Jason Dolph

Machinery & Equipment Appraiser

Third-generation auctioneer and CAGA Certified Appraiser with more than 20 years valuing machinery, equipment, vehicles, business assets, and estates for banks, attorneys, and trustees across the Carolinas.

Ashley Innes

Ashley Innes

Personal Property Appraiser

ISA Accredited Member specializing in Asian art, with a Master's from SOAS and a Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art. Ashley chairs the ISA's Antiques, Furnishings, and Decorative Arts committee and appraises for charitable donation, insurance, and equitable distribution.

Aron Blue

Aron Blue

Client Success Manager

Manages each engagement from the first enquiry to the delivered report, and keeps you posted at every step along the way.

  • USPAPWritten to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice
  • International Society of AppraisersAccredited Member
  • Certified Appraisers Guild of AmericaCertified Appraiser
  • The Appraisal FoundationAuthorized by Congress as the source of appraisal standards
Standard
USPAPHousehold goods appraisals are prepared in accordance with USPAP.
Value definitions
FMV, Replacement, ACVFair Market Value, Replacement Value, or Actual Cash Value, chosen for the intended use.
Delivery
Remote or onsitePhotographs and item descriptions for most; onsite recommended for large estates, high-volume contents, or hands-on condition checks.
Purposes
Insurance to claimsInsurance coverage, estate tax reporting, divorce proceedings, charitable donations, and damage or loss claims.

Household goods appraisals from AppraiseItNow itemize the contents of a single room or an entire home

AppraiseItNow provides household goods appraisals for insurance coverage, estate tax reporting, divorce proceedings, charitable donations, and damage or loss claims, as part of our broader personal property appraisal services.

Itemized valuations

Accurate, itemized values the IRS, insurers, and courts can review

Our appraisers deliver itemized valuations of everything from a single room to an entire home, prepared for review by the IRS, insurance carriers, and courts.

Same standards

Fine art and jewelry rigor, applied to household contents

Household goods are handled with the same rigor and documentation standards we apply to fine art, jewelry, and other high-value assets, whether the contents are everyday or specialty.

How we work

Photographs and descriptions remotely, onsite for large estates

Most household goods appraisals are completed remotely using photographs and item descriptions. Onsite inspection is available and recommended for large estates, high-volume contents, or items that need hands-on condition assessment.

Furnishings, appliances, electronics, garage contents, and hobby collections are all household goods we appraise

We appraise household goods across every category, from everyday furnishings to the specialty collections kept in the home, for insurance, estate, divorce, donation, and claims purposes.

Furnishings and decor

Furniture, lighting, mirrors, rugs, and window treatments

The furnishings and soft goods of the living areas and bedrooms:

  • Living room and bedroom furniture
  • Lighting fixtures, decorative accessories, mirrors
  • Bedding, linens, and window treatments
  • Rugs and floor coverings

Kitchen and electronics

Appliances, cookware, electronics, and musical instruments

The working equipment of a household, from the kitchen to the media room, plus the instruments kept in the home:

  • Kitchen appliances, cookware, small electrics
  • Electronics, home theater, smart home equipment
  • Musical instruments kept in the home

Garage, sport, and hobby

Tools, lawn equipment, fitness gear, and craft supplies

Contents outside the main living areas that still add up:

  • Tools, lawn equipment, and garage contents
  • Sporting goods, fitness equipment, outdoor furniture
  • Hobby and craft supplies with aggregate value

AppraiseItNow documents household contents for homeowners, renters, executors, attorneys, CPAs, and insurance professionals

We serve homeowners, renters, and executors who need documented valuations of household contents, and the attorneys, CPAs, divorce attorneys, and insurance adjusters who need an independent appraisal report for a legal, tax, or claims purpose.

Households and executors

Documented contents for a policy, an estate, or a divorce

Homeowners, renters, and executors who need a reliable, itemized valuation of everyday and specialty household contents.

Attorneys and adjusters

Independent reports for legal, tax, and claims files

Attorneys, divorce attorneys, CPAs, and insurance adjusters who need an independent household goods appraisal report for a proceeding, a filing, or a claim.

What household goods appraisal clients say we are known for

Household Goods Appraisal Reviews: “Their process was honest, efficient, and very detailed” and “Five stars all the way”

  1. Being the appraiser they come back to“I highly recommend their services” Bruce A.Mentioned in 13 reviews
  2. Showing the research and the comparables behind the numberMentioned in 7 reviews
  3. Answering fast, and staying reachable while the work runsMentioned in 6 reviews
  4. Delivering the finished report ahead of the deadlineMentioned in 6 reviews
  5. Taking on items other appraisers had already turned downMentioned in 4 reviews

Across 23 published household goods appraisal reviews, every one from a client who paid AppraiseItNow for an appraisal, the three things they raise most often are that they would hire us again, how much research is visible in the report, and how quickly we answer.

  • AppraiseItNow Inc. is the best company I was lucky to find by accident. I was looking for someone to appraise cabinets for a donation to charity. I asked for multiple referrals, called multiple appraisal services, etc., and no one could help me. I found AppraiseItNow and from the moment I started working with them, they were wonderful! Joe guided me on what I needed to send him, what needed to be done and stayed in touch with me the entire time. Their customer service is OUTSTANDING and a welcome surprise in today’s world where good customer service is an anomaly! They returned an appraisal in a timely manner, it was clear, concise, cost-effective and exactly what I needed. They followed up with me multiple times to ensure that I received it and everything was OK. My CPA is also thrilled to have them as an accredited appraisal service he can use for other clients. I rarely leave reviews, but I could not pass giving them 5 stars and I’d give 10 if possible! THANK YOU JOE AND ALL AT APPRAISEITNOW!!👊🏼
    Lisa K., Tampa, FL ·

    Personal Property Appraisal for Charitable Donation

  • I've dealt with several appraisers, and this was my first time using AppraiseItNow. They were by far the best. They did a great job. Their process was honest, efficient, and very detailed. Their staff was highly credentialed, and they provided IRS-compliant guidelines in their evaluation process, which was exactly what we were looking for. Their customer service also had prompt response times and was a pleasure to work with. If I need this service again, I won't go anywhere else.
    Robert E., Boca Raton, FL ·

    Personal Property Appraisal for Charitable Donation

  • We had an excellent experience working with AppraiseItNow. From start to finish, their team was professional, responsive, and incredibly thorough. They took the time to understand our specific needs and delivered a detailed and accurate appraisal that was well organized and easy to understand. Communication was clear and timely throughout the entire process. They were always available to answer our questions and provided thoughtful explanations whenever we needed more clarity. Their attention to detail and strong market knowledge gave us complete confidence in the final report. It’s clear that they take pride in their work and genuinely care about providing high-quality service. We would absolutely recommend AppraiseItNow to any business or property owner looking for a reliable and professional appraisal company. Five stars all the way.
    Heather D. , Las Vegas, NV ·

    Personal Property Appraisal for Charitable Donation

  • I asked AppraiseItNow to value a piece of sports memorabilia for purposes of a charitable donation. The item is rarely sold. Their research unearthed an important recent sale of a similar item, which I had not found previously, and which the first appraiser I used had not found either. AppraiseItNow was a good deal more expensive than the first service, but they crafted a detailed report in which I have much more confidence. They also helped me make sure the correct tax forms are used. Thank you!
    Cynthia W. , Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA ·

    Sports Memorabilia Appraisal for Charitable Donation

  • I used AppraiseItNow for the first time last month and I was extremely pleased with the results. I needed an appraisal done for insurance purposes and the level of detail about each of my antique furniture pieces was thorough and very helpful in my being able to get the highest amount possible from my insurance company for the antique items that were damaged. I could see that they spent time making sure that the information she included was correct and current for my antique furniture items in the current market. The team responded to my emails timely to answer any questions I had. I would highly recommend Appraise It Now to get a thorough and professional appraisal done on antique items. I do intend to use them again for other antique furniture and jewelry that I have. Job well done! 😃🤗
    Paige E. , Baldwin, NY ·

    Antique Furniture Appraisal for Insurance Claim

  • It is a pleasure to work with Joe and his team. They communicate every step along the way and made the process simple for us to have more than 35 firearms appraised. It was all done in a timely manner and the final report is easy to understand. I highly recommend their services.
    Bruce A. , Saint Johns, FL ·

    Gun Appraisal for Probate

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How our Valuation Process Works

1

Appraisal Request

Submit estimate or list of items for our review.

2

Quote Issued

We'll share a flat fee quote for your approval.

3

Kickoff & Intake

Submit details on all of your items for our review.

4

Research & Analysis

We'll conduct detailed research and prepare a written USPAP-compliant report.

5

Report Delivery

Delivery of your report and supporting documents (e.g., signed IRS Form 8283) by email.

How much does a Household Goods appraisal cost?

Standard Fee Range

$395 – $2200

Standard range for our Household Goods appraisals based on past projects

  • Fixed fee quoted before any work starts
  • No hourly billing
  • USPAP-compliant report, accepted by insurers, courts and the IRS

Two report tiers. Your intended use sets which one you need.

Standard Household Goods Appraisals

from $195

USPAP-compliant report for standard purposes

  • Insurance Coverage
  • Personal Use
  • Probate Court
  • Estate Distribution

Advanced Household Goods Appraisals

IRS-qualified

from $295

USPAP-compliant and IRS-qualified report for advanced purposes

  • Charitable Donations
  • Estate Tax
  • Insurance Claims
  • Divorce
  • Legal Purposes

Pricing By Volume

Please note that the fees listed below are for informational purposes and are subject to change. Our team will review your materials and issue your quote before we get started.

  1. 1 item

    $195 – $495

    Single-item appraisal

  2. 10 items

    $695 – $1200

    Small collection pricing

  3. 50-100+ items

    $1,600 – $3,500+

    Discounted collection pricing

What Drives Cost?

  • Intended use of the appraisal and required compliance guidelines
  • Number of items in scope
  • Item type and complexity (fine art, specialty items, etc.)
  • Documentation and provenance quality (clear photos, receipts, prior appraisals, ownership history)

Our Household Goods appraisal fees are transparent, scope-based, and designed to be fully USPAP-compliant for your intended use. We don't bill by the hour and will propose a fixed fee before we start our work, so you'll know exactly what you are paying before engaging our team. Please note that the pricing outlined here is strictly for informational purposes; before issuing your quote, we will need to get a better understanding of your assets so we can properly scope the assignment.

AppraiseItNow appraises every category of personal property for gift tax, estate tax, charitable donations, divorce, and insurance claims

Given the USPAP-compliant nature of AppraiseItNow’s appraisal reports, we prepare our deliverables for major legal, tax, and financial reporting purposes for individual and commercial clients.

Popular uses of our appraisal reports include:‍

Taxes, Estates & Financial Planning

Life Events & Special Circumstances

  • Divorce
  • Social Security reporting or Medicaid Application Filings
  • E-2 visa applications

Insurance & Risk Management

Frequently Asked Questions on Household Goods Appraisals

Is replacement cost the same as fair market value for household goods?

No. IRS Publication 561 cautions that replacement cost alone usually does not establish fair market value, because it ignores how buyers actually price used property. Presenting purchase receipts or insurance schedules as value evidence commonly overstates estate, donation, and litigation values and invites IRS or court adjustment.

Why are household goods valued item by item rather than room by room?

Because lump-sum entries like living room furniture are weak and easily challenged. Courts and tax authorities weigh original cost, age, brand, condition, and utility at the item level, and professional standards call for valuing significant items individually at current market prices with specific market references.

Where does market data for used household contents come from?

There is no universal price guide for everyday furnishings, so values draw on actual transaction markets: general auctions, estate sales, consignment stores, resale marketplaces, and current retail catalogs. A credible report discloses the specific venues and dates used for each class of item.

How does the cost approach work for household goods?

It starts from the current replacement price of a comparable new item, then applies depreciation through index and percent-good factors reflecting physical wear, functional issues, and market desirability, rather than simply subtracting a fixed amount per year of age.

Is there one required formula for valuing household goods?

No. The cost, sales comparison, and income approaches are the accepted frameworks, but statutory value definitions and depreciation schedules vary by state and by purpose (tax, insurance, litigation, donation), so a flat percentage-of-purchase-price rule applied everywhere is not defensible.