Inventory Appraisal

5.0from 80+ client reviews

Inventory appraisal services for asset-backed lending, charitable donations, financial reporting, and M&A due diligence, conducted to USPAP standards. AppraiseItNow appraises clothing and apparel, consumer products, food and beverage, medical supplies, and equipment inventory.

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Inventory Appraisal
…the team handled it quickly and thoroughly
Donald C., Riverview, FL
It made the entire process feel effortless
Allie W., Long Island City, NY
The cost was absolutely reasonable for what we saved by having this done
Kerri P., Boston, MA
USPAP-CompliantOnsite or OnlineIRS Qualified

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

  • U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Chase
  • GASB
  • Bank of America
  • IRS
  • Wells Fargo

AppraiseItNow Appraises Apparel, Consumer Electronics, Food and Beverage, Medical Supplies, Raw Materials, and Retail Stock

Finished goods and raw materials across wholesale, retail, and industrial environments. If your category is not here, we confirm feasibility during scoping.

  • Folded clothing on white shelving beside rows of boxed footwear in a bright stockroom

    Apparel & footwear

    Clothing, footwear, and fashion accessories, from one season of overstock to a full product line.

  • Shelves of sealed product boxes for consumer electronics in a distribution warehouse

    Consumer electronics

    Phones, computers, accessories, and other technology products, sealed or open-box.

  • Pallets of shrink-wrapped cases of packaged food and beverages in a dry-goods warehouse

    Food & beverage

    Packaged and shelf-stable goods, beverages, and perishable stock.

  • White shelving of boxed gloves and packaged consumables in a medical supply storeroom

    Medical supplies & health products

    Medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, healthcare consumables, and health and beauty products.

  • Stacked flat-pack furniture cartons and shelves of boxed housewares in a warehouse showroom

    Home goods & furniture

    Housewares, furnishings, furniture inventory, and hardware and building supplies.

  • Pallets of raw material sacks, steel coils and bins of metal components on a factory floor

    Raw materials & components

    Raw materials, components, and work-in-process on a manufacturer’s floor.

  • Rows of shelving bins of packaged goods and a packing station in a fulfillment warehouse

    Wholesale, retail & fulfillment stock

    Distribution inventory held for resale, retail store stock, and e-commerce fulfillment inventory.

  • A pallet of mixed open cartons of returned goods with a clipboard on top in a warehouse corner

    Surplus, returns & obsolete goods

    Excess and liquidation inventory, returned or damaged items, and slow-moving stock.

Also appraised

  • Books, media, and educational materials
  • Toys, games, and recreational products
  • Tools and light equipment
  • Consignment inventory
  • Distributor and dealer stock

We Appraise Business Inventory for Tax Reporting, Lending, and Transaction Diligence

USPAP-compliant inventory valuations for both. The scope, procedures, and depth of analysis follow the intended use: some assignments document value for IRS reporting, others involve physical verification and operational risk assessment for lenders and investors.

Shrink-wrapped pallets of boxed goods on a warehouse floor with a clipboard on the nearest pallet

Tax reporting & charitable donations

Usually completed remotely

When inventory is donated or transferred for tax purposes, the objective is a defensible opinion of Fair Market Value suitable for filings such as IRS Form 8283. We review inventory records, quantities, condition details, photographs, and available cost information, then analyze the wholesale or secondary markets where comparable goods transact at the effective date.

Typical situations:

  • Corporate charitable contributions and transfers to nonprofit organizations
  • Liquidation of excess or obsolete goods
  • Estate and trust matters where the estate holds business stock
  • Insurance and third-party claims documented from records
What you receive
A USPAP-compliant, IRS-qualified appraisal that supports the reported value for Form 8283. The focus is documentation and defensibility rather than operational or audit procedures.
Who it is for
Business owners contributing excess stock to a nonprofit, families settling an estate that holds inventory, and the CPAs who file for them.
A barcode scanner and a clipboard with a count sheet on a racking shelf in a warehouse aisle

Lending, financing & transaction diligence

Remote, onsite, or hybrid

When inventory is used as collateral or evaluated in connection with financing, acquisition, or restructuring, stakeholders need deeper analysis than pricing alone. We examine not just what the inventory should sell for, but whether the reported inventory can be relied upon.

Typical situations:

  • Asset-based lending, borrowing base decisions, and underwriting
  • Acquisition or partner buyout diligence and purchase price allocation
  • Restructuring and collateral strategy
  • Fair value for financial reporting and the auditors
What you receive
A USPAP-compliant report summarizing the procedures performed, the information relied upon, and key findings, including any factors that may influence recovery or collateral risk.
Who it is for
Banks and asset-based lenders, business operators, internal finance teams, CPAs, and attorneys.

Either way the premise of value is agreed before work begins, the report is written to USPAP, and the fee is quoted as a flat amount up front.

Lending & diligence assignments

What an Inventory Diligence Appraisal Examines Beyond Price

For a lender or a buyer the question is not only what the stock is worth but whether the count, the carrying values, and the operation behind them can be relied on. Five things we test, and the three premises of value a report can state.

  1. Quantity verification

    We test whether recorded quantities appear reasonable relative to what is physically present.

  2. Value verification

    We assess whether costs or carrying values align with observable market evidence.

  3. Operations

    We review intake, tracking systems, cycle counts, security, and how shrinkage, returns, and damage are managed.

  4. Activity & obsolescence

    We analyze turnover, aging, and exposure to markdown or liquidation risk.

  5. General risk factors

    We note operational, facility, or market conditions that could impair recovery.

Premises of valueIllustrative. No bar here is a quote.
  1. FMVFair Market ValueWhat comparable goods would bring between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither under compulsion, at the effective date.
  2. OLVOrderly Liquidation ValueWhat the stock would bring in a liquidation sale, given a reasonable period of time to find purchasers.
  3. FLVForced Liquidation ValueWhat the stock would bring at a properly advertised public sale with the seller compelled to sell with a sense of immediacy, as-is and where-is.

The premise is agreed before work begins and stated in the report. Donation, tax, and estate work is Fair Market Value; lenders usually ask for a liquidation premise.

We recommend an onsite visit when:

  • Access constraints limit counting
  • Condition or damage is uncertain
  • Physical verification is required for reliance
  • Logistics could affect recovery

The inventory team behind every report we write

Between them, our inventory 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

Anne Hay

Anne Hay

Personal Property Appraiser

Jason Dolph

Jason Dolph

Machinery & Equipment Appraiser

Ashley Innes

Ashley Innes

Personal Property Appraiser

Aron Blue

Aron Blue

Client Success Manager

  • 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

What clients say we are known for

AppraiseItNow Reviews: “Very pleasant experience with him and highly recommend” and “AppraiseItNow was timely and thorough”

  1. Being the appraiser they come back toMentioned in 44 reviews
  2. Answering fast, and staying reachable while the work runsMentioned in 34 reviews
  3. Showing the research and the comparables behind the number“AppraiseItNow was timely and thorough” Kerri P.Mentioned in 29 reviews
  4. Delivering the finished report ahead of the deadlineMentioned in 21 reviews
  5. Taking on items other appraisers had already turned downMentioned in 14 reviews

Across 80+ published AppraiseItNow reviews the picture is consistent: every one is from a client who paid us for an appraisal, and the three things they raise most often are that they would hire us again, how quickly we answer, and how much research is visible in the report.

Read all our five-star appraisal reviewsEvery AppraiseItNow review, in the client's own wordsVerified on GoogleSee our Google Business Profile
  • We had a very unusual appraisal request for merchandise valued at over half a million dollars, and the team handled it quickly and thoroughly. We will definitely return for any future appraisal needs and highly recommend them to anyone in need of appraisal services. – TGBA, Inc., Tampa, FL
    Donald C., Riverview, FL ·

    Inventory Appraisal for Charitable Donation

  • I had items appraised for both my business and personal wardrobe, and the experience was seamless. The appraisal was comprehensive and detailed, the turnaround time was reasonable, and Joe was communicative, quick to respond, and very patient in answering all of my questions. It made the entire process feel effortless, and I will definitely be using their services again in the future!
    Allie W., Long Island City, NY ·

    Inventory Appraisal for Charitable Donation

  • AppraiseItNow was timely and thorough. Their communication was excellent and they were really easy to work with. I received a text and email immediately upon completing the inquiry form and was able to get them all the info they needed within an hour to get the ball rolling. The cost was absolutely reasonable for what we saved by having this done. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for an online appraisal!
    Kerri P., Boston, MA ·

    Inventory Appraisal for Charitable Donation

  • Joe is very helpful and professional! I have searched for appraisers before and it’s hard to find someone who can manage complex projects! The items I donated covers many skus and Joe has managed to help me valuate them quickly and accurately! The team provided me with all necessary documents too so I can submit with my tax return. Joe is there to answer all my questions as well. Very pleasant experience with him and highly recommend!
    Yang S., Los Angeles, CA ·

    Inventory Appraisal for Charitable Donation

  • Had a great experience working with AppraiseItNow for a potential loan our company was working on. I was very appreciative of the time they took to prepare the appraisal, plus the extra effort to advise us and explain the appraisal findings.
    David O., New York, NY ·

    Inventory Appraisal for Loan Collateral

  • From the start they were very responsive, price competitive, and had a quick turn around time. Thank you so much to Joe who was very sweet in responding to my emails; I am looking forward to utilizing AppraiseItNow for many years to come.
    Chris S., San Clemente, CA ·

How much does an inventory appraisal cost?

Standard Fee Range

$695 – $3,500

Standard range for our Business Inventory 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
Get a fixed-fee quote

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

Standard Business Inventory Appraisals

from $495

USPAP-compliant report for standard purposes

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

Advanced Business Inventory Appraisals

IRS-qualified

from $495

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. Small collection

    $495 – $1,200

    Single SKU or small lot; streamlined scope

  2. Medium collection

    $795 – $4,500

    Handful of line items with multiple quantities

  3. 50+ items

    $1,200 – $8,000+

    High-volume catalog—discounted per-item pricing

What Drives Cost?

  • Number of line items (volume)
  • Quantity of items within each line item
  • Required level of catalog detail (fields, photos, attributes)
  • Diversity and complexity of item categories
  • Documentation quality and provenance availability
  • Intended use of the appraisal

Our Business Inventory 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.

Popular uses

Inventory Appraisals From AppraiseItNow Support Charitable Donations, Transaction Diligence, Insurance Claims, Lending, and Estates

Inventory appraisals support donors giving surplus stock to nonprofits, buyers and auditors valuing it in a transaction, claims after stock is lost, lenders advancing against it, and executors settling a business owner's estate. Each use below explains the basis of value the report follows.

Inventory Appraisals Available Anywhere in the US

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Featured Inventory Appraisal Case Studies

Real inventory assignments we have completed, showing the intended use each report was prepared for, the standard of value applied, and how the conclusion was supported.

See all case studies
Valuing a Bulk Board Game Donation for the IRS

Valuing a Bulk Board Game Donation for the IRS

Thousands of board games across five titles, donated with stock photos only. The value had to hold up for the IRS without a single picture of the actual stock.

Read the case study
Fair Market Value Appraisal for Charitable Food Donation

Fair Market Value Appraisal for Charitable Food Donation

A large lot of private-label snack bars given to a food bank. No brand, no listings, so value came from national-brand bulk pricing.

Read the case study
Wellness Product Inventory Appraisal for Charitable Donation

Multi-Million-Dollar Wellness Product Inventory Valuation for Charitable Donation

A multi-million-dollar inventory of beverages, skincare and supplements donated by a Utah company, all new and unopened.

Read the case study

Frequently Asked Questions: Inventory Appraisals

When is an inventory appraisal required?

They are commonly needed for charitable contributions, estate matters, asset-based lending, financing transactions, restructuring, and internal reporting.

What types of inventory can be appraised?

Assignments frequently include finished goods, raw materials, work-in-process, consignment inventory, returned items, and slow-moving or obsolete products.

Do you support asset-based lending (ABL)?

Yes. In ABL and financing contexts, our work often extends beyond pricing to include quantity testing, market support, turnover analysis, and identification of risks that may affect collateral recovery.

What value types can be provided?

Depending on the need, we may provide Fair Market Value, Orderly Liquidation Value, or Forced Liquidation Value. The premise is established before work begins.

What does the appraisal evaluate besides price?

In lending and transaction environments, we often assess quantity reliability, market support, turnover, and operational risks that may affect recovery.

How long does the process take?

Timing depends on the size and complexity of the inventory and whether onsite procedures are needed. After initial information is reviewed, we can confirm a delivery schedule.