Why should I hire a qualified appraiser?
Qualified appraisers are formally trained professionals with expert knowledge in their specialties and associated markets. Qualified appraisers have access to market data and trends that can help you make important decisions when it comes to investing, divesting, and planning. This ensures that your assets will be properly and accurately handled.
Elaina Grinwald is a Certified Member of the International Society of Appraisers, the leading professional personal property appraisal association, representing the most highly trained and rigorously tested independent appraisers in the United States and Canada.
How should I prepare for my on-site appointment?
Once you have scheduled an on-site appointment, please be sure that everything you would like inspected is unpacked and readily accessible. If important artworks are hung high on the wall or in a hard-to-reach area, it would be helpful to have them removed. If you have any original receipts or documents, please have them on hand, as these may be helpful to determine provenance.
Your appraiser will bring all of the tools necessary to conduct a thorough inspection including: measuring tape, gloves, scale, loop, magnifying glass, etc.
Don’t forget to check the closets! Remember to bring out any stored items that you might like evaluated, such as sterling silver and jewelry.
Can I email images of my item(s)?
Yes. Images are often a great way to start the appraisal/advisory process, as these give our specialists a visual idea of what is represented in your collection. We recommend that any special markings or points of interest are clearly captured in a photograph. At that point, we can discuss whether an in-person inspection is required and the process involved in assisting with your collection.
What if I have only one item?
We can assist in the valuation and advisory of entire estates to single family heirlooms and would love the opportunity to discuss your individual needs. We work with individual collectors, banks, museums, executors, and corporate collections. No collection is too big or small.
What does an appraisal cost?
The cost of an appraisal varies from project to project. Please contact us for a free initial consulatation to discuss your collection and individual needs. Some appraisals can be provided virtually and others require significant on-site time and extended research. We handle projects big and small and can provide a quote once we’ve had the chance to discuss your needs.