Communication:
Email is the best way to communicate with the firm. The Principal is often out of the office inspecting art and other appraised objects onsite or in focused blocks of work performing detailed research on each client’s items. The firm regularly receives 50+ new messages a day and we appreciate your patience as we review each one carefully and respond as soon as possible with direct expert attention given to each message. Current and legacy clients can expect to receive an email response within one business day. The company email account is not actively monitored on weekends or outside of business hours. If you have an appraisal emergency (but rest assured that since 2016 we have not encountered an appraisal emergency) we will do our best to respond as soon as possible.
We are pleased to offer a free 15-minute scheduled initial orientation phone call for new clients. Scheduled phone calls are also always available at the client’s request throughout the appraisal process if they would like them to be added to the billable project time. Email communication is not counted towards billable hours.
To reduce client costs, the firm’s standard policy is to have the main points of contact be the on-site consultation and then the outreach to send the completed appraisal report, but we understand that some clients would prefer more communication while the appraisal research and writing process is happening. We are always happy to provide extensive regular status updates if clients prefer more communication, however, please be aware that this will increase the total appraisal time and cost.
Payment:
Payment is by check made out to “Artifactual History Appraisal” and mailed to PO Box 222, Fairfax Station, VA 22039.
Credit card payment is also available as a convenience for customers who would prefer to pay by credit card with the associated additional credit card fees included in the invoice.
Please let us know your preferred payment method in advance so we can prepare your customized invoice.
A deposit of 50% of the total project time is due at the time of acceptance of the contract. If a range of anticipated hours has been prepared as the project estimate, the deposit is 50% of the lowest anticipated hours in the range.
Work on your appraisal project will begin when the deposit payment has been received.
When your appraisal report is completed, you will be electronically sent a watermarked copy together with the invoice for the remaining project time. Once the final payment is received, you will be sent your final appraisal report for use with the watermark removed.
Payment is due within 15 days of invoicing. Interest will be charged on invoices that remain unpaid after 30 days.
Time Frame:
Preparing an appraisal report is not a fast process. The depiction of appraising on the popular television shows is a highly edited version of a complex research process that has been condensed to be more entertaining for viewers. Researching and writing an appraisal report is a meticulous process to create a legal document that will serve your intended use, whether it is providing protection with insurance coverage for your art collection or estate filing.
If you have a firm deadline such as an impending move or legal estate deadline, please communicate that at the very beginning of our discussion about the project so we can make sure we have the corresponding availability to take on your project and meet your deadline. The appraisal firm is typically working with ten or more different clients for their appraisal needs simultaneously, and we do our best to meet everyone’s needs while maintaining the careful, focused meticulous research necessary to prepare an appraisal report.
Your appraisal will not be ready immediately. The firm often receives inquiries within the week following an on-site inspection asking where the appraisal report is and what day it can be expected. It will not be complete within the week of the appraisal inspection. Researching and writing an appraisal assignment is a detailed process that often involves outreach to galleries and other venues to inquire and try to obtain private pricing data, which requires waiting for an answer. In very specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis the firm is available for expedited appraisal services with an expedited surcharge to the hourly rate to complete an appraisal report with a shorter than typical time frame to meet the client’s deadline. Unless the appraisal assignment has been contracted as an expedited appraisal assignment, expect a turnaround time ranging from several weeks to several months depending on the number of items to be appraised, the complexity of research involved (such as if consultation with outside experts or galleries is needed), and the firm’s portfolio of other concurrent projects at the time. We appreciate your patience as we do the specialized work required to prepare a legal document for your appraisal intended use.
