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Intro:
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| Trust your intuition. After you've phoned appraisers and met some in person at galleries and free clinics, determine whom you feel most comfortable working with. Just like working with anyone, you might feel more secure and have better chemistry with a certain appraiser. |
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Now that you've done your initial research and obtained a half dozen or so referrals, it's time to start contacting these appraisers. Being prepared with certain fundamental questions will help you narrow down the list further, and find two or three options specifically tailored to your needs. In what period of art does the appraiser specialize? Is the appraiser an expert on any particular artists? Is the fee based on an hourly rate or a percentage of the value of the painting? Most appraisers charge an hourly rate. Ask for a preliminary estimate of what the appraisal will cost. Can the appraiser give you a preliminary estimate on how long the appraisal will take? Some paintings might only take an hour or two to appraise. Others might require detailed research and therefore take as long as a week or more. If the painting has to be authenticated, how much extra will that cost? What is the appraiser's availability? If you hire them, will they be available immediately? If not, how long will you have to wait? Even though you've reached the appraisers through referrals, you can still ask for references. That way you can contact some of their other customers and determine if they were satisfied. |
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Ask some questions
