Appraisal and valuation

What it is, and what it is worth.

In writing, with the reasoning shown. Origin, age, construction, knot count, materials, condition and value, documented well enough for an insurer, an executor or a court.

Request an appraisal Which type do I need

Measured, not assumed

This rug arrived in our records with a width of one inch, a truncated import value. A tape measure caught it. Labels and paperwork are wrong constantly, which is why valuation starts with the physical rug.

The distinction nobody explains

Replacement value and fair market value are not the same number.

This confuses almost everyone, and it is the single most useful thing to understand before you commission an appraisal.

Replacement value

What it costs to buy again

Retail replacement cost for a comparable rug today, from a reputable dealer. This is the number insurers schedule and the number a claim pays out against. It is the highest of the three.

Fair market value

What it would sell for

What a willing buyer would pay a willing seller in an open market. Used for estates, probate, donation and divorce. Typically well below replacement value, sometimes by half or more.

If someone tells you your rug is worth $12,000 and you then try to sell it for $12,000, you will be disappointed and you will blame the appraiser. That $12,000 was almost certainly replacement value. We state which basis we are using on every report, on the first page, in plain language.

Purposes

Six reasons people need this.

Insurance scheduling

Most homeowner policies cap rug coverage far below what a hand knotted rug is worth. A scheduled item needs a documented replacement value.

Estate and probate

Executors need fair market value at date of death, documented defensibly, often for several pieces at once.

Charitable donation

Written valuation supporting a deduction, with the basis and methodology stated.

Divorce and division

Neutral valuation both parties can work from, which is usually cheaper than arguing about it.

Damage and loss claims

Before and after value, cause of damage, whether restoration is viable, and diminished value if it is not.

Before you sell

Know what you have before you accept an offer. This is the cheapest protection against a lowball.

Pricing

Three levels.

Start cheap. Most people only need the first one, and we will tell you if that is you.

Level one

Photograph opinion

$35

per rug, from photographs

Origin and likely age
Construction and probable materials
Value range, basis stated
Written by email, 3 business days
Not suitable for insurance or court
No physical inspection

Start here

Level two

Full written report

$175

first rug, $145 each additional

Physical inspection at our bench
Fiber determined under magnification
Knot count and construction verified
Measured dimensions and condition map
Replacement or fair market value, stated basis
Photographic plates and appraiser statement
Accepted for insurance scheduling

Request a report

Level three

Collection or on site

$650

day rate, plus travel

We come to the residence or estate
Up to 20 pieces in a day
Full schedule with individual values
Suitable for probate and litigation
Coordinated with attorneys or executors
Travel quoted from Myrtle Beach

Discuss an estate

Also available	Price	Notes
Valuation refresh on an existing report	$95	Insurers generally want values updated every three to five years.
Damage and diminished value assessment	from $245	Before and after value, restoration viability, for a claim.
Expert opinion letter	from $350	For disputes over authenticity or misrepresentation.
Rush, 48 hours	plus 35%	Where a closing or filing deadline requires it.
Appraisal bundled with a wash or repair	less $30	The rug is already on our bench, so the handling is already done.

What is in a report

Nine things, every time.

Origin and weaving region, with the reasoning stated
Estimated age or period, and how it was determined
Construction: hand knotted, hand woven or otherwise, and knot type
Knot density in knots per square inch, counted rather than estimated
Fiber determination for pile and foundation, by burn test and magnification
Measured dimensions, taped, not taken from a label
Condition assessment with damage located and photographed
Value with the basis named: replacement or fair market
Appraiser statement, date of inspection and photographic plates

Independence

An appraisal is not an offer to buy.

We also buy and sell rugs, and that creates an obvious conflict which we handle by separating the two conversations completely.

The appraisal is the appraisal

A valuation stands on its own. We do not adjust a number because we might want to buy the piece.

If we want to buy it, we say so

Any purchase interest is disclosed in writing alongside the report, and you are free to take the report elsewhere.

Third party review available

For estates, litigation and anything above $25,000 we will arrange independent review at cost if you want it.

Request an appraisal

Start with why you need it.

The purpose determines the basis of value and the level of report, so it is the first thing we ask rather than the last.

Your name

Phone

Firm or company, if any

Purpose

Level

How many rugs

City

State

Sizes

Anything else you need

Pickup and return Come to the property Wash while you have it Repair estimate too Consign it afterwards Independent third party review Rush, 48 hours Coordinate with an attorney Send directly to my insurer

Link to photographs

Deadline

Context

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