Appraisals

We offer appraisal services for any Make and Mode0l built 1940 to 1995 at a flat fee of $350.

We can do prewar (1939 and earlier) cars also but there is a longer turn around time due to the availability of of manufacturing recohrds and data. One off, ultra rare, oddballs, no problem

This includes 1 hour of travel time. Additional travel is $50 per hour.

(Multiple Vehicles in any single day are billed as one trip @ $50 hr.)

90% of the time we need to see the vehicle in person.

Cerified apprasisals there is no exception, the car has to be inspected.

Please make sure that the car is accessible. 3 ft around outside of the car please. We're not Movers.

 (Here's the long version explaining our methods)

Inspection typically takes about an hour, and we don't need to drive the car much of the time.Yes, you're wondering how that's possible.  35 years  of repairing and restoring cars helps. It's usually a jaunt around the block or a short run at higway speed. We prefer that you drive, because it's easier to focus on what the car is doing and any noise that is going on .

Steven has worked on thousands of cars over the years, and knows the glitches and weaknesses of almost any car or make. In the  past, it was not considered unusual for him to be working on 10 or more projects at the same time.He also knows what is involved in repairs and what the labor and parts will cost within 10% give or take.

Maria photgraphs the vehicle with a high definition camera top to bottom, inside and out. She has a keen eye and knows when something doesn't look right. She will take several hundred pictures and catch every last detail.

Steven closely inspects the body, interior and mechanical aspects of the car photographing and documenting the smallest details.

If it has ever had an accident, no matter how good the reapair, he will inform you on the spot and show you what has been repaired and how it was done.

All of the photos are reviewed and any issues are noted in the photo. Some cars will have 20 pictures, some will have 120 .It depends on the car and there are many factors considered 

The comparable values are completed before the inspection along with equipment options specific to the vehicle. Each appraisal s a little different, and the method of calculation is clearly explained. We typcally know exactly what we're looking for before we see any car.

Depending on available sales records, we often compensate for market trends, and even inflation. We then provide 2 values. One inludes the estimated value with suggested repairs that will make it a #1 or  #2 car.There are many cars that can never be #1 and if they are, they are graded hard. The second value is the "What you can sell it for tomorrow"  This is the appraised value.

Your appraisal is then completed, reviewed, proofed, and converted to printable PDF. It is attached to a Paypal invoice (They accept all forms of payment) and delivered to your email.The turnaround time is 3-4 days. You typically receive the appraisal 1 or 2 days post inspection.Occasionally it gets done a day or two late because the car is so rare that comparables cannot be found, but this is a rare occurence. You'll be informed at the outset.

Inspections are Saturday by appointment, exceptions are made with prior scheduled requests.