USAppraisal

Frequently Asked

My car is one of a kind, modified and/or very rare. How can you accurately appraise it?
Even one of a kind cars have similarities to other vehicles that were built at the same point in history. Examples include early vehicles built by automotive pioneers, “one-offs” built by inventors and/or speculators as well as highly customized cars, hot rods, art cars and tuner cars. The appraisal process provides for a comparison to cars that have similar markets and characteristics.

How much is my car worth?
USAppraisal, LLC has provided a link to various price guides to help you estimate your car’s value range. When you are searching these guides, you will find there are many differences of opinion in valuation of many vehicles. Only by obtaining a professional valuation will you be able to have a third party accurately view, describe and value your vehicle for the purpose intended.

I’ve scheduled an appointment to have you appraise my car. What information do you need?
USAppraisal, LLC builds and maintains a file on every car appraised. While an appraisal can be done without it, copies of all recent repairs or restoration, bills and receipts, recent service and service history are all important. Each file is a record for valuation; the more complete the better. Copies of photographs, registration documents and ownership history when available are appreciated. Copies only please, keep your originals as you would any important papers.

Where can I get an idea of my car’s value?
The first place many appraisers look might be in one of several valuation guides. Simply look up your car’s make, model and year and you will find an estimate of your car’s value. Please keep in mind that appraisal guides are without context…they cannot tell information that is not given to them. Guides are just that: guide books to finding an estimate of the value of your vehicle. This is only a part of the information the professional appraiser uses when estimating the value of any personal property.

Our Values

experience -

In business as USAppraisal LLC since 1990

Discretion -

You will never see a list of past or present clients here.  Client privacy and discretion are assured

documented accomplishments -

We have performed thousands of appraisals on virtually every type of car from three different centuries

professional accreditation -

Dave Kinney, ASA is a senior American Society of Appraisers member.  Phil Neff, AM, is an Accredited American Society of Appraisers member. 

The American Society of Appraisers is the largest multidisciplinary appraisal organization in the world with over 5000 members.

About Us

DAVE KINNEY, ASA

David Kinney is a Senior Member of the American Society of Appraisers, the nation’s largest multidisciplinary appraisal organization (www.appraisers.org). Having been a car enthusiast all of his life, Dave Kinney has been involved in almost every phase of the automobile industry. USAppraisal, LLC is the culmination of over thirty-five years of experience buying, selling, servicing and learning the ins and outs of the many facets of collector, special interest, antique, classic and production vehicles.

Dave Kinney is also well-known as an automotive journalist. You have seen his writing in Autoweek, Automobile, Sports Car Market, Hagerty Insider, and the British publications Octane and Magneto. Kinney is also a past contributor to the New York Times Automobile Section. Additionally, Kinney is the founder and publisher of Hagerty Price Guide (formerly known as Cars That Matter).

PHIL NEFF, AM

Philip Neff III is an Accredited Member of the American Society of Appraisers. A lifelong auto enthusiast, Phil Neff has acquired an almost encyclopedic knowledge of classic automobiles.  He has successfully shown and rallied various cars as well as been involved in the organization of automotive events for the last two decades. Phil is the chief judge at the Greenbriar Concours d'Elegance and is frequently called upon to judge at numerous events across the country.

Before becoming Research Director at USAppraisal, LLC, Phil was the Director of Operations for The Elegance At Hershey, a concours and hillclimb event that was founded in 2011. He was also a project coordinator on seven acclaimed automotive books for Coachbuilt Press in Philadelphia, PA. The experience and knowledge gained there has prepared him to ferret out information on just about any car.

Our Fees

Vehicle Valuation Per Value Date and Per Apposite Value: Appraisals start at $895 per vehicle, for physical appraisal inspections at our office in Great Falls, Virginia or within 30 miles of Washington, D.C. Outside of this area, travel costs will apply. Prior clients and multiple car assignments are eligible for discounted fees. Please contact our office.

We specialize in appraising multiple vehicle collections, estates, and both private and public museum collections. We provide an unbiased valuation of your automobile collection, and provide full reporting that can be used in any official proceeding. Appraisals are provided to assist the collector, attorney, fiduciary, accountant, as well as litigation and dispute resolution. We are experts in providing assistance with estate planning and automobile charitable donations.

The following vehicle appraisals incur additional fees: coachbuilt, limited production, exotic, one-of-a-kind, prototype, historically significant, race cars, hot rods, street rods, modified, and many pre-WWII vehicles. We can also help with other wheeled transportation, including motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Call us, we are here to help with your appraisal needs.

 Diminished Value appraisal fee: $795 per vehicle, plus expenses and mileage if applicable. Exotic and limited production vehicle diminished value reports start at $1,000. Please contact our office.

Consultant Work Performed in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area: $500 per hour or $3,500 full day, $1,800 half day. Includes examination of vehicle condition, opinions of authenticity and originality, preparation and review of depositions, photographs, repairs, reports, restoration, library or other research, consultations, trial preparation, oral and written reports. (Mileage over 30 miles billed at an additional $2.50 per mile one way). New accounts will be initiated with a retainer fee of $4,500 or 50% of estimated appraisal fee including anticipated expenses. Balance of fee is due upon completion and delivery of appraisal.

Consultant Work Performed Outside of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area: will incur additional fees including travel, meals, lodging, and professional support requirements, etc.

Deposition Fee: $625 per hour (two-hour minimum, billed in 30-minute increments; supersedes hourly rate) Travel to and from office is billed at our hourly rate. Out-of-town rate extra. Please contact our office for more information.

Expert Witness Fee: $625 per hour (two-hour minimum, billed in 30 minute increments; supersedes hourly rate) Travel to and from our is office billed at our hourly rate. Out-of-town rate extra.

Open Accounts: Open accounts are billed monthly and are payable upon receipt. Fees for deposition must be paid in advance based upon the anticipated duration of the examination. Balance due, if any shall be paid within five days of the deposition. Fees for court testimony must be paid in advance if retainer balance is less than $3,500.

All appraisals are written to be in conformity with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Written narrative reports are subject specific. Receipt of retainer fees by USAppraisal, LLC indicates client’s acceptance and agreement to the terms and conditions of employment as specified herein.

Questions about fees or a specific quote needed? Please call our office at (703) 759-9100.

Contact Us

An appraisal is the estimation of the value of property at any given point in time, past or present. An appraisal can also entail the forecasting of monetary earning power.

An accurate, up-to-date appraisal is an important part of owning a collector vehicle. Appraisals are essential for insurance valuations, bank (or other) loan verification, personal property taxes and valuation disputes. USAppraisal, LLC provides professional appraisal services for all vehicles, including collector, special interest and antique vehicles built from 1885 to the present. USAppraisal, LLC also provides appraisals of petroliana and automobilia.

Our offices are located in the Washington, DC metro area. We serve clients nationally and internationally and are available to appraise vehicles and automobilia anywhere in the world.

USAppraisal, LLC
9912a Georgetown Pike
Second Floor
PO Box 472
Great Falls, VA 22066

(703) 759 9100 | (703) 759 9099 (fax)
e-mail: appraiser@usappraisal.com