USPAP-compliant appraisals by best-in-class appraisers
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Joe Kattan
Anne Hay, ISA AM
Jason Dolph, CAGA
Ashley Innes, ISA AM
Aron Blue
About AppraiseItNow's Furniture Appraisal Services
AppraiseItNow provides professional furniture appraisals for estate tax reporting, charitable donation filings (IRS Form 8283), insurance coverage and claims, divorce proceedings, and probate. Our appraisers evaluate individual pieces and entire household contents, from single heirloom chairs to complete furnished estates, delivering accurate valuations that meet IRS, insurance, and legal standards. Our mission is to deliver defensible, USPAP-compliant valuations with exceptional speed, professionalism, and client service.
Furniture appraisals are a specialized subset of professional personal property valuations, and our appraisers serve individuals, families, estate attorneys, CPAs, executors, and insurance professionals who need credible, documented valuations. Many furniture appraisals can be completed remotely using photographs and detailed descriptions, though onsite inspections are coordinated when collection size, condition assessment, or scope complexity requires physical examination. We offer Fair Market Value (FMV), Replacement Value, and Actual Cash Value (ACV) appraisals for various intended uses.
What Types of Furniture Do We Appraise?
Furniture spans a wide range of periods, styles, materials, and origins, each requiring specific expertise to value accurately. AppraiseItNow appraises:
- Antique furniture, including American, European, and Asian period pieces
- Mid-century modern furniture by recognized designers and manufacturers
- Victorian and Edwardian case goods, seating, and bedroom sets
- Arts and Crafts and Mission-style furniture
- Contemporary designer and custom-made furniture
- Upholstered pieces including sofas, settees, and armchairs
- Dining sets, sideboards, and formal room furnishings
- Office furniture with collectible or historical significance
- Painted, lacquered, and decoratively finished furniture
- Outdoor and garden furniture with antique or designer provenance
Who Does AppraiseItNow Serve?
AppraiseItNow serves individual homeowners, collectors, and families needing furniture valuations for estate settlement, insurance, or donation purposes, as well as professional advisors including estate attorneys, CPAs, and insurance adjusters who require defensible, third-party appraisal reports.
How much does appraisal cost?
Appraisal Type
Standard Fee Range
Pricing By Volume
What Drives Cost?
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How our Valuation Process Works
Written USPAP-compliant personal property appraisals for when defensibility matters.
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
- Gift Tax - IRS Form 709
- Estate Tax - IRS Form 706
- Charitable Donations - IRS Form 8283
- Estate planning, equitable distribution, and probate
- Loan Purposes
Life Events & Special Circumstances
- Divorce
- Social Security reporting or Medicaid Application Filings
- E-2 visa applications
Insurance & Risk Management
- Insurance coverage
- Insurance claims
- Third-party & legal damage claims
What types of furniture does AppraiseItNow appraise?
AppraiseItNow appraises a wide range of furniture and furnishings, from antique and period pieces to modern and contemporary items. This includes dining sets, bedroom furniture, case goods, upholstered pieces, decorative arts, and designer or maker-signed items. We also appraise rugs, tapestries, and textiles that are often part of a furniture collection or estate.
Are your furniture appraisals USPAP-compliant?
Yes. All furniture appraisals completed by AppraiseItNow follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, specifically Standards 7 and 8, which govern the development and reporting of personal property appraisals. Standard 7 requires identification of the property, analysis of relevant characteristics and market conditions, and a credible value conclusion. Standard 8 requires the report to describe physical and economic characteristics, include comparable sales data, and contain a signed certification, making the report defensible for the IRS, insurers, courts, and other intended users.
What are common reasons someone needs a furniture appraisal?
Furniture appraisals are needed for a variety of legal, financial, and personal purposes, including:
- Estate tax filing using IRS Form 706
- Charitable donation deductions requiring IRS Form 8283
- Insurance coverage or damage claims
- Divorce proceedings and equitable asset distribution
- Probate and estate distribution among beneficiaries
- Selling or purchasing significant pieces at a fair price
Can you appraise furniture in poor condition, with unknown provenance, or with limited documentation?
Yes. Appraisers evaluate furniture based on observable physical characteristics such as dimensions, materials, construction quality, maker's marks, and condition, including any repairs or restorations. Unknown provenance or missing documentation does not prevent a credible appraisal, though it may affect the final value conclusion. It is worth noting that restorations or refinished surfaces can significantly reduce value for antique pieces, and a qualified appraiser will account for these condition factors in the analysis.
Can you appraise large collections or multiple pieces of furniture?
Yes. AppraiseItNow regularly appraises small groupings, full household contents, and large estate collections containing dozens or hundreds of individual pieces. Volume pricing is available for larger collections, and our team can coordinate the scope and methodology to ensure every item is properly documented and valued.
Do you provide online or remote furniture appraisals?
Most furniture appraisals are completed remotely using photographs, descriptions, and supporting documentation submitted by the client. For larger projects, complex collections, or situations where a physical inspection is required by scope or purpose, we can coordinate an in-person appraiser anywhere in the United States. Remote appraisals are a practical and widely accepted option for most furniture valuation needs.
How much does a furniture appraisal cost?
Furniture appraisal fees depend on the number of items, the complexity of the pieces, and the intended use of the appraisal. Standard appraisals for insurance coverage, personal use, probate, or estate distribution start at $195, while advanced appraisals for charitable donations, estate tax, insurance claims, divorce, or legal proceedings start at $295. Volume pricing is structured as follows:
- 1 item: $195 to $495
- 10 items: $695 to $1,200
- 50 to 100 or more items: $1,600 to $3,500 or more
Do you offer discounted pricing for large volumes?
Yes. AppraiseItNow offers discounted per-item pricing for larger furniture collections. A single-item appraisal typically ranges from $195 to $495, while a collection of 50 to 100 or more items is priced between $1,600 and $3,500 or more, representing meaningful savings compared to individual item rates. Contact us to discuss your collection size and receive a custom quote.
How long does a furniture appraisal take?
Most remote furniture appraisals are completed within 7 to 10 business days from the time all required information is received. Onsite inspections or larger collections typically take 2 to 3 weeks to complete. Rush service is available for same-day or next-day turnaround upon request if your situation requires a faster timeline.
Who prepares the appraisal report?
Furniture appraisal reports are prepared by credentialed personal property appraisers with specialized expertise in furniture, antiques, and decorative arts. Each report is signed by the appraiser responsible for the value conclusion, and any significant assistance from other specialists is disclosed by name in the report, as required by USPAP Standard 8.
Are your appraisers ISA, ASA, or AAA credentialed?
Yes. AppraiseItNow's personal property appraisers hold credentials from recognized professional organizations including the International Society of Appraisers (ISA). These credentials require demonstrated competency, adherence to USPAP, and ongoing education. The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and Appraisers Association of America (AAA) are among the other bodies that set standards for furniture and personal property appraisers in the US.
Do you prepare appraisals for IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions)?
Yes. When donating furniture with a fair market value exceeding $5,000, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal completed by a USPAP-compliant appraiser with no conflict of interest, and the appraiser must sign Section B of Form 8283. AppraiseItNow prepares appraisals that meet these requirements, and our reports include all information needed to support your charitable deduction. Failure to obtain a properly signed qualified appraisal can result in the IRS disallowing the deduction entirely.
Do you prepare appraisals for IRS Form 706 (Estate Tax)?
Yes. For estates that meet or exceed the federal filing threshold, currently $13.61 million for 2024, IRS Form 706 requires USPAP-compliant appraisals for significant personal property including furniture. AppraiseItNow prepares estate tax appraisals that document fair market value as of the date of death and meet IRS standards for defensibility. Our reports are structured to support the executor, estate attorney, or CPA preparing the return.
Do you buy, sell, or broker furniture?
No. AppraiseItNow is an independent appraisal firm and does not buy, sell, or broker furniture. This independence is essential to providing unbiased, credible valuations that are accepted by the IRS, insurers, courts, and other parties. Clients seeking to sell furniture after receiving an appraisal can use the report to inform pricing or negotiations with dealers and auction houses.
What information do you need to get started?
To begin a furniture appraisal, it helps to provide the following:
- Clear photographs of each piece from multiple angles, including any maker's marks, labels, or signatures
- Dimensions and a description of materials and construction
- Known history of the piece, including any provenance documents or prior appraisals
- Condition notes, including any repairs, restorations, or damage
- The intended use of the appraisal, such as insurance, estate, donation, or divorce
- Any purchase receipts, auction records, or supporting documentation you have available
Can AppraiseItNow appraise furniture located anywhere in the U.S.?
Yes. Remote appraisals are available to clients nationwide, making it easy to get a credible valuation regardless of your location. For larger estates, complex collections, or situations requiring a physical inspection, we can coordinate an in-person appraiser in any state. Our nationwide reach ensures consistent quality and USPAP compliance wherever your furniture is located.
Will my appraisal be accepted by the IRS, insurers, or courts?
AppraiseItNow appraisals are USPAP-compliant and prepared by qualified appraisers, meeting the standards required by the IRS for estate tax and charitable donation filings, by insurance companies for coverage and claims, and by courts for legal proceedings including divorce and probate. Each report includes comparable sales data, a description of physical and economic characteristics, and a signed certification as required by USPAP Standard 8. These elements are what regulators and institutions look for when evaluating the credibility and defensibility of an appraisal.
How do appraisers determine the value of antique versus modern furniture?
The valuation approach differs meaningfully between antique and modern furniture. For antiques, appraisers rely heavily on the sales comparison approach, referencing recent auction results from houses like Christie's or Sotheby's for comparable pieces, and place significant weight on provenance, maker attribution, originality, and condition. For modern furniture, the cost approach is often more relevant, calculating replacement cost minus depreciation, and group depreciation schedules used in furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) contexts may apply when valuing large sets or commercial furnishings.
Can a refinished or restored piece of antique furniture still qualify for a high appraisal value?
Restoration and refinishing are among the most consequential condition factors in antique furniture appraisals. A refinished surface can reduce an antique's value by as much as half compared to an unaltered piece, because originality and patina are key drivers of authenticity premium in the antique market. Appraisers are required under USPAP to document and disclose these condition factors, and buyers, donors, and estate planners should understand that even well-intentioned restorations can significantly affect fair market value.
What is the difference between fair market value, replacement value, and actual cash value for furniture?
These three value types serve different purposes and can produce very different numbers for the same piece of furniture. Fair market value reflects what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an open market, and is the standard required for IRS estate tax and charitable donation purposes. Replacement value represents the cost to replace the item with one of similar kind and quality at current retail prices, which is typically higher and is used for insurance coverage purposes. Actual cash value accounts for depreciation and represents what the item is worth in its current condition, often used in insurance claims settlements.
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