Updated August 17, 2026. General appraisal information only; not legal, tax, lending, engineering or accounting advice.
Define the assignment condition
The appraisal may be subject to completion according to plans, based on current as-is condition or tied to a construction stage. Confirm the client's required premise.
The effective date and assumptions should be clear. A rendering does not make an unfinished property equivalent to a completed home.
Provide complete plans and specifications
Supply floor plans, elevations, site plan, foundation, living-area calculations, finish schedule, mechanical systems, windows, roofing, garages, decks and site improvements.
Identify allowances, exclusions and optional upgrades. Vague quality descriptions make market comparison and cost analysis less reliable.
Explain the site
Land utility depends on access, topography, drainage, well, septic, clearing and approvals. A large parcel is not automatically more valuable when much of it is difficult to use.
Provide surveys and approvals when available. Appraisal does not replace environmental, septic, zoning or engineering due diligence.
Separate cost from market value
Construction cost helps describe the project but does not automatically equal market value. The appraiser compares the proposed property with competing and recently built homes.
Custom features may cost more than typical buyers contribute, while necessary site work may have limited contributory value.
Document changes and completion
Change orders can alter area, quality and layout. Provide updated plans instead of expecting the final inspection to reconstruct changes.
A completion inspection confirms specified items for the client's purpose; it is not a full code or engineering inspection. Incomplete kitchens, baths or safety items may prevent completion.
Planning checklist
- Confirm proposed or as-is premise
- Provide signed plans
- Provide complete specifications
- Identify allowances
- Provide site and utility information
- Supply contract and change orders
- Distinguish cost from value
- Report material changes
- Provide completion-item list
- Keep engineering inspections separate
Send the address, intended use, effective date and unusual property features so the assignment can be reviewed before scheduling.
Request an AppraisalFrequently asked questions
Can the appraisal be done before construction?
Yes, when adequate plans and specifications support a proposed-construction assignment.
Does contract price set value?
No. It is evidence, but market value requires independent analysis.
What happens after a change order?
Material changes may require updated appraisal analysis.
Is the final inspection a home inspection?
No. It is limited to the client's completion requirements.