Appraisal Associates provides clients with industry-standard appraisal reports, cataloguing and documentation services, purchase and sale advice, and proxy auction bidding. We also provide Ontario Insurance Act umpire and consulting services. 

Appraisal reports

Appraisal Associates provides reports for a variety of purposes, tailored to your needs and the intended use of the appraisal. All of our reports comply with professional standards. Our reports are expressed in clear, concise language, absent of jargon. Clients tell us that our reports are easy to read, thorough, and often exceed their expectations.  

Appraisal Associates provides both brief inventory reports for lower-value insurance coverage and a more comprehensive format using the Object ID™ system of cataloguing for more complex appraisals involving higher levels of due diligence. The Object ID™ method of describing art, antiques, and decorative art is promoted by appraisal organizations, cultural institutions, insurance companies, law enforcement organizations, and members of the art and antiques trade throughout the world.  

Understanding what type of appraisal you need can be difficult, especially as the appraisal business has its share of confusing jargon. This website simplifies the task by first asking you to identify the client category you best fit into and then providing a selection of choices oriented around the intended use of the appraisal document. Please visit our home page to begin this process.

Cataloguing and documentation of collections

We offer complete documentation services for collections of fine art, antiques, decorative art, and collectibles. Appraisal Associates will photograph, research, and catalogue collections. We provide qualitative assessments as well as detailed condition reports, allowing you to keep track of new acquisitions, manage your collection, or take any recommended conservation steps. And if required, we can take the extra step of appraising the pieces in your collection, generating a report for insurance coverage or other purposes.

Purchase and sale advice

Appraisal Associates provides fully researched advice for clients wishing to purchase items for their collections. We follow regional, national, and international auctions and have regular contact with a large network of dealers. Furthermore, we can act on your behalf if you prefer to make purchases anonymously. (Please see our section on proxy auction bidding.)

We also provide advice to clients interested in selling individual items or entire collections. Through our knowledge of the marketplace we can assist in placing properties in the most appropriate venues to maximize return. As independent appraisers, we are not affiliated with any auction house or dealer. As a result, we are able to find the best price whether at home or abroad.

Proxy auction bidding

Individuals active in the fine art and antiques market sometimes prefer to remain anonymous as they develop their collections. Appraisal Associates offers proxy auction bidding to these collectors. We provide advice and guidance on prospective purchases and will execute your bids at public salesrooms. All this is done with strict confidentiality. Unlike most businesses providing this service, our fees are based on an hourly rate rather than a percentage of the hammer price, resulting in a predictable fee.

Ontario Insurance Act umpire services

Under the provisions of the Insurance Act in the Province of Ontario (R.S.O. 1990, Chapter I.8), value disputes related to insurance claims can be resolved through a process identified as “Appraisal.” In this process, two opposing appraisers acting on behalf of the insurer and the insured appoint an umpire. If the two appraisers are unable to agree on a value conclusion, the appointed umpire considers each appraiser’s written submissions. As the Act states, the “finding in writing of any two determines the matters.” In essence, this means the umpire decides which value conclusion holds the most weight, then expresses his agreement in writing.

Appraisal Associates has worked with the insurance industry for many years and has participated in this process. We now offer our clients in the Ontario insurance industry umpire services to aid in the resolution of value disputes. Through our knowledge, experience, and familiarity with the nuances of the appraisal process, we are skilled in appraisal review and can provide independent and unbiased opinions of the strength and validity of any personal property valuation involving art, antiques, or decorative art.

Appraisal consulting

As fully accredited personal property valuers with many years of professional experience, the principals of Appraisal Associates are available as advisors to trainee, newly-qualified, and less experienced appraisers. We can help you to plan and focus your research, assist in the selection and interpretation of comparables, and guide you in the crafting of a logical and supportable appraisal report. As well, we are available to critique appraisal reports in order to ensure that your work product complies with professional standards.

These advisory and consulting services are especially valuable to new appraisers who work without regular peer review. They are also useful to more experienced appraisers engaged in complex and difficult assignments subject to professional and other forms of review. As with all our service lines, our advisory and consulting services for appraisers are conducted on an absolutely confidential basis.