Appraisal Services
At Artrium, we offer independent, impartial, and objective appraisal services.
Led by Elizabeth Krambeer, IRS Qualified Appraiser and Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), we provide credible, USPAP-compliant reports tailored to your needs. All appraisals meet the standards set forth by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), the recognized ethical and performance guidelines for appraisers in the United States, developed by The Appraisal Foundation. USPAP compliance ensures that your appraisal will be accepted by the IRS, courts, and insurance companies
Areas of Specialization
We appraise a wide range of personal property, with particular expertise in:
Fine Art
Paintings, prints and multiples, drawings, photography, works on paper, and sculpture – from Old Masters to Contemporary works. Our expertise includes American, European, Asian, Aboriginal, Native American, and Russian art.Decorative Art & Antiques
Furniture, carpets, sterling silver, lighting, art glass, porcelain, and other high end home furnishingsJewelry and Smalls
Modern and period jewelry including precious metals and gemstones, vintage and modern timepieces, silver and enamelBooks & Manuscripts
Rare book, manuscripts, and publications, important signatures and documents, historical archives and librariesCollectibles & Specialized Property
Collectibles of all kinds, including vintage toys, ephemera and advertising, artifacts including militaria, Native American, Pre-Columbian, African, Imperial Russian artifacts and icons, and other, as well as classic cars, boats, and motorcycles, select categories of equipment and other tangible personal property.
Types of Appraisals
Each report is thoroughly researched and tailored to your intended use, whether for tax, planning, legal, or insurance purposes. We serve private individuals, fiduciaries, attorneys, wealth advisors, institutions, and family offices across the Midwest and beyond.
Estate Tax
Appraisals that meet IRS standards for filing Form 706 and determining date-of-death fair market value.Gift Tax
For gifts of personal property requiring IRS Form 709 compliance and substantiation.Charitable Donation
For non-cash donations over $5,000, in accordance with IRS Form 8283 requirements.Insurance
Retail replacement value reports to establish or update insurance coverage and for claims.Equitable Distribution
For fair division of property among heirs, business dissolution, or in divorce proceedings.Collateral & Lending
Valuation reports used to secure loans or other financial arrangements.Damage or Loss
Reports for property damage, theft, or loss in transit.Expert Witness
Reports and testimony prepared for litigation and dispute resolution.Appraisal Reviews
Evaluation of other appraisers’ work for consistency, accuracy, and USPAP compliance.Inventory Reports
General property inventory reports for planning, organizing, or insurance reference.
Appraisal Process
1. Consultation and Review
Call, email, or submit a form to initiate a complimentary phone consultation. At any time you may submit photos or previous documentation, and we also offer walkthroughs to assess the scope and scale of your collection or property.
2. Estimate
After a consultation, we provide a quote detailing time, cost, and scope of the project as well as a clear explanation of the final product and a timeline for completion. Upon approval, an appraisal agreement is signed by both parties.
3. Schedule
If needed, we coordinate an on-site visit to inspect, photograph, and document your property in detail. Smaller collections may not require onsite or in-person inspection. For larger or complex collections, appraisals may take up to 90 days, for smaller or straightforward items, 30-60 days.
4. Research
After inspection, we draw on a large variety of research methods, including proprietary market databases and software, artist market charts, auction houses, galleries, and expert consultation to independently and impartially analyze and develop value conclusions in the appropriate markets for the intended use of the appraisal. All work and research is documented, retained in the work file, thoroughly explained the appraisal report.
5. Report
Upon completion of the report, an invoice will be sent for review. Once the invoice is paid, an IRS and USPAP compliant appraisal report, along with any other necessary documents (such as IRS Form 8283) will be provided in both print and digital form.
Get Started with a Consultation
All appraisal and consulting services are billed at an hourly rate based on project scope (number of items, complexity, accessibility, liability considerations, etc.). After a complimentary consultation, we’ll provide a proposal outlining our fees and estimated timeline.