Can you get something appraised for free?

No, a formal tool appraisal is not free, though free online tools can give you a rough ballpark that isn't suitable for any official purpose.

Free valuation calculators and quick online estimates can be useful if you're just curious what a drill press or a box of vintage hand planes might be worth on the resale market. But they rely on generic pricing data, not an inspection of your specific tools, and they carry no professional standing. If you need a number for an insurance claim, an estate or probate filing, a divorce settlement, or a charitable donation deduction, a free estimate won't hold up. Those situations call for a professional tool appraisal prepared in accordance with USPAP (the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice), documenting condition, provenance, and market comparables specific to your items.

A formal appraisal is a fixed-fee engagement, not a free service, because it requires an appraiser's time to research comparable sales, assess condition, and produce a defensible written report. That said, the cost is quoted upfront after we understand the scope: how many items are involved, how complex the collection is, and what the report will be used for. There's no charge or obligation just to describe your tools and get pricing information before committing.

If you're weighing whether to move forward, it helps to know what the report will actually be used for:

• Documenting replacement cost or fair market value for an insurance claim
• Establishing a date-of-value figure for an estate or probate matter
• Supporting the division of tools in a divorce
• Substantiating a charitable donation deduction or a resale decision

Tell us about your tools and we'll follow up with a scope and quote before any work begins.