Our Fine Art Appraisal Services

All you need—nothing you don’t.
Appraisal ServicesAppraisal Questions

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1. Free Valuation

We offer free, professional opinions of value based on photos.
This is ideal if you’re just curious, thinking about selling, or unsure if an item warrants a formal appraisal.
You’ll get actionable insight—fast and obligation-free.

$99

2. Formal Appraisal Report

Flat Fee: $99 per item with a $250 minimum. No drive time or office fees.
This is a written report suitable for insurance, collection management, or personal documentation.
• Transparent per-item pricing
• No charge for drive time
• Delivered in most cases within hours
• Includes photographs, descriptions, and market context

$HR

3. USPAP-Compliant Appraisal

Hourly Fee: Quoted individually based on scope and intended use.
Required for IRS filings, legal proceedings (divorce, estate), or donation appraisals over $5,000.
We provide formal appraisals for:
• Estate & Inheritance – Fair Market Value reports for probate, division, or IRS filing
• Insurance Coverage – Replacement value appraisals for collection protection
• Charitable Donation – IRS-acceptable documentation for donated art
• Divorce & Legal Matters – Equitable distribution appraisals for courts or counsel
• Sale or Gifting – Unbiased value opinions before you part with something important
• Prepared in full accordance with USPAP standards
• Includes appropriate certification, language, and analysis
• We’ll guide you through what is necessary—and what’s not

What kinds of things do you appraise?

Here we specialize in fine art:

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Paintings

Original oils, acrylics, and watercolors by known and unknown artists, signed and unsigned, traditional and contemporary.

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Prints & Works on Paper

Watercolors, mixed media, graphite or ink on paper, ink wash compositions, all mediums on paper; plus, lithographs, etchings, block prints, drypoints, serigraphs, monotypes and more.

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Sculpture

Bronze, marble, stone, studio ceramics, art glass, metalwork, and mixed-media works from fine art to studio craft.

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Modern & Contemporary Art

Abstract, conceptual, and post-war works by both local and nationally recognized artists.

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Outsider & Folk Art

Untrained and vernacular art from the 19th and 20th centuries.

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Estate Collections

Multi-item groupings requiring evaluation for equitable distribution or asset documentation.

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Unsigned or Unknown Art

We provide insight even when artist identity or market history is unclear.

Upload Your Photos to Begin

Use our easy photo submission tool on the page below to send us images of your property.
No logins, no paperwork—just a simple upload, and we’ll take it from there. Use the form below to upload images and tell us a little about your artwork.

If the upload form presents a problem, look for the TEXT ME A LINK box and enter a cell phone number there. We’ll reply with a simple link to your phone or that of a friend or relative with images of your property. You can easily text us back with images and information.

Since then, Dirk and his team have cataloged more than 36,000 objects (per statistics on the third-party website LiveAuctioneers.com). Just like the entries in a formal appraisal report, each of those catalog entries required careful examination, authentication, research, market context, and an estimate of value.

In addition to this level of hands-on experience that no other Kansas City appraiser can match, Dirk has completed personal property appraisal studies through the American Society of Appraisers and the University of Missouri Kansas City. He has studied USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) and in March of 2025 earned an appraisal studies certificate from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Dirk continues his professional education through programs like these, viewing lifelong learning not just as part of the job, but as one of its greatest perks.

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What if my family has a house full?

Some situations warrant what we call a Virtual Valuation. Through Facetime or other audio video options we can offer preliminary information, identify important items and provide guidance on potential next steps.

 

Not Sure Which You Need?

Start with a free photo review.
We’ll point you to the right option—and save you time, money, and hassle.