About Appraisals
Written appraisals will be provided for a fee of $40.00 per quilt. Written documents require approximately 30 minutes per quilt, are strictly confidential, and in most instances will be delivered to the quilt owner at the time of the appraisal. Quilts requiring additional research or consultation may be slightly higher, and will be mailed to the client upon completion of research.
Values may be for insurance replacement, fair market value, or for donation purposes in accordance with IRS guidelines. Appraisals are prepared in accordance with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
In the event a quilt does not warrant a written appraisal, or if the client simply has questions about a quilt, blocks, or tops, an oral evaluation is available for $20.00 per quilt. These should not require more than five minutes, but because they are oral, they are not confidential. These evaluations are not to be considered an appraisal. Oral evaluations are for antique and/or vintage quilts only. Because values for new quilts require a complicated set of computations, oral evaluations cannot be given for new quilts. Appraisals are available at guild meetings, quilt shows, before or after lectures, or by private appointment. Quilts may be appraised while hanging in shows.
Quilt Show Requirements
Appraisers do not pay vendor’s fees, as appraisals are considered to be an added benefit to those who attend the shows. Guild must provide pre-show publicity; ads must state that appraisals will be available for a fee.
Host guild will not be responsible for food or travel expenses, but will be responsible for providing a room at the host hotel or a modestly priced hotel within fairly close proximity to the show.
Two banquet sized tables, set together to support the area of the quilt, are required. A third table, which may be smaller, will be provided for the appraisers tools and paperwork. A chair for the appraiser and one or two for clients are also needed. A totally private room is not necessary, but PLEASE do not place the appraisal area in a busy, noisy, mainstream location. A far corner, or side wall away from the hustle and bustle of the show will help provide client comfort, as well as assist the appraiser in concentration.
The appraisal area can become quite crowded and busy at times, and it is of great benefit to the appraiser and the client if there is an assistant at hand. She may assist in folding/unfolding of quilts and returning them to the owner, take measurements, or help to answer quick questions from onlookers so that the appraiser can work with fewer interruptions. Any guild member who is interested in antique quilts will enjoy this duty. There are times that the appraiser will bring an apprentice, and it will not be necessary to assign a guild member.
Quilt shops - Schedule an appraisal day for your customers!
This has been extremely successful, and often brings in new customers. There is no cost to the shop, just advertise in your newsletter or in local papers. Many times customers bring incomplete tops or blocks, and I can help them to choose additional fabrics, batting, backing, etc. from your stock. Expect a fun day, packed with information!
