How much does it cost to have an artwork appraised?

Art appraisal costs are typically structured as a fixed fee based on the scope of the assignment, not a flat industry rate or a percentage of the artwork's value. Fees are driven by factors like the number of pieces, how much provenance research is required, and the intended use of the report (an estate tax filing for the IRS demands a different depth of analysis than a straightforward insurance appraisal).

What Determines the Fee

A single painting with clear documentation and a known artist typically costs less to appraise than a piece requiring extensive research into attribution or ownership history. Larger collections often see a lower per-item cost than single pieces, since much of the appraiser's groundwork applies across the whole group.

Reputable appraisers price by the assignment or by the hour, never as a percentage of the artwork's value; a percentage-based fee is a red flag for a conflict of interest, since it gives the appraiser an incentive to inflate the number. Our appraisers hold credentials with organizations such as the ASA, ISA, and AAA, and every fine art appraisal we prepare is done in accordance with USPAP, whether the purpose is estate settlement, insurance scheduling, or a charitable donation deduction.

Getting an Accurate Quote

Because cost depends so heavily on scope, we quote each engagement as a fixed fee after reviewing details on the piece: clear photographs, the artist or maker, medium and dimensions, and the reason for the appraisal (estate, insurance, donation, or otherwise). If you're still trying to gauge a painting's value before committing to a full written report, see our answer on how to get a painting appraised for free for lower-cost first steps, or start with our page on how to find out what your painting is worth for context on the process itself.