United Capital Source Logo

› Blog › Business Appraisal & Valuation: The Essential Guide

Business Appraisal & Valuation: The Essential Guide

financial, planning, report, business appraisal, fair market value, intangible assets

There are various points through a business’s lifetime when business ownership must know the company’s actual economic value. Ideally, a small business owner can track and monitor the business’s value over time.

However, there’s no tried and true single method to determine a company’s value. You cannot calculate it in your accounting software or quickly determine it. A company’s value is also something of a moving target. It can change as market conditions shift or a company’s assets and liabilities shift.

That’s why most small businesses must rely on a business valuation from a third-party source. The most reliable way to value a company is with a certified appraisal.

But there are many considerations when ordering an appraisal for your company, not the least of which is the time and money costs. This guide covers what you must know about business appraisals to help you when you must get your company valued.

Specifically, we’ll answer these questions and more:

Join our Newsletter for great tips and updates.

We will help you grow your small business., what is a business appraisal.

success, investment, business

A business appraisal is a valuation method to determine your business’s worth. The “gold standard” of a business valuation is the certified appraisal, which we will focus on in this article.

With a certified appraisal, a professional appraiser uses various methods to determine the true value of a company’s assets to determine its overall value. Small business owners need to have their company appraised periodically for multiple reasons, such as selling the company, buying out a partner, settling a lawsuit, or applying for certain small business loans.

Certified appraisers dig beneath the financial data when determining your company’s value. They typically use three valuation methods to estimate a company’s worth.

The Asset Method

The asset method, also called the cost valuation method, involves calculating the total value of your assets as listed on the balance sheet. Then the appraiser subtracts the value of your total liabilities from the balance sheet to determine your company’s total present equity.

When appraisers use the asset method, they usually use a book value approach or adjusted net asset approach. With a book approach, the appraiser uses the book value on the balance sheet. With the adjusted net asset approach, appraisers determine the fair market value of your assets.

The Income Method

The income approach is straightforward. Appraisers conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine the overall value of the company. The benefits include profits, increased value, etc., while the costs include required operating capital, ownership risk, and liabilities. This is sometimes called the income capitalization technique.

The Market Value Method

The market approach is the most subjective of the three and is similar to how mortgage companies perform a home appraisal. The appraiser determines the value of the business based on comparable companies in the same industry and market . This includes looking at the sales price of similar businesses, especially those that are a similar size.

What’s the difference between a Business Valuation and an Appraisal?

The terms “business appraisal” and “business valuation” are largely synonymous and used interchangeably. However, some businesses might create a distinction between the two.

Business appraisal is more commonly associated with the total value of a business’s tangible assets. Business valuation often refers to a company’s total value, including intangibles like intellectual property, market share, and brand recognition.

Because of this, there’s been a recent trend to move away from business appraisal terminology and use business valuation instead. However, the most reliable form of business valuation remains certified appraisal.

Who performs a Business Appraisal?

laptop, office, hand

Various financial professionals, such as certified public accountants (CPAs), can perform an uncertified valuation, but the most qualified business appraisers are certified. It may seem obvious, but only a certified business appraiser can conduct a certified appraisal.

Certified business appraisers follow industry-wide business valuation standards. They must pass certification criteria such as providing professional references, submitting a valuation for peer review, completing a training program, and passing an exam.

Several organizations issue the professional designation. Credentials will include at least one of these certifications:

  • Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA).
  • Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA).
  • Certified Business Appraiser (CBA).
  • Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV).

What are the advantages of Business Appraisals?

Business appraisals give you a more accurate understanding of the value of your assets from an objective, third-party source. It’s an excellent way to look at the actual value of your business.

Understanding your company’s value, and having documentation to back it up, is essential for the sales process. Whether trying to sell your ownership stake or buy out a partner, having an appraisal lets you set a fair price.

The valuation also becomes useful during mergers and acquisitions. If a larger company approaches you about merging with your business, the appraisal lets you set the parameters of how that process will work. If you’re trying to acquire another company, getting it appraised helps you avoid overpaying.

Investors tend to check business valuation reports, and having your business appraised could help attract investors. This is especially true if you can demonstrate an increase in value over time.

What are the disadvantages of Business Appraisals?

Business valuations can be costly and time-consuming, especially when getting a certified appraisal. Your business might spend several thousand dollars, and it could take several days or weeks to get the report.

Most appraisals can’t predict a company’s ability to stay in business for a long time. While the appraisal gives you an idea of how much your company is worth now, that assumption could change.

Another drawback is that it could be challenging to find comparable businesses to your own. Appraisers might not be able to determine a market value for your company without that data.

The best business valuations use a combination of multiple approaches to determine a business’s worth. Relying on only one appraisal method could prevent you from getting your company’s true value.

Pros & Cons

pros, and, cons

  • Provides an objective look at the value of your business assets.
  • Looks at the overall true value of your business.
  • Helps facilitate the sales process when selling a company or buying out a partner.
  • Provides business owners with valuable information for mergers and acquisitions.
  • Can help attract new investors when trying to grow the business.
  • Costly & time-consuming.
  • Can’t account for a company staying in business long-term.
  • Difficult to find comparable companies.
  • Relying on only one appraisal method won’t give an accurate business valuation .

Frequently Asked Questions

seek, help, faq

Here are the most common questions about business appraisals.

Why do businesses need Appraisals?

You might be wondering, “Why is a business valuation important?” There are several reasons why a small business owner might need to request a business valuation.

Selling the Business : One of the most common reasons business ownership needs an appraisal is when selling the business. You want to ensure you get or pay a fair value for the company.

This could include selling a business outright or a partner or partners buying out another partner. Sometimes, an uncertified business valuation can suffice in lieu of a certified appraisal.

But the prospective buyer might prefer a certified business valuation. Any buy-sell agreements should include the valuation method and the funding mechanism for the sale.

Court Order : Businesses that are the subject of a lawsuit or dealing with other legal issues are sometimes required to get a certified business valuation by court order.

Tax Purposes : Suppose a business owner wants to “gift” their ownership stake to a family member or as a bequest in their will. The IRS requires a certified business appraisal to determine the taxes owed on the transfer or bequest.

Business Loans : Some lenders will require a business appraisal when underwriting a loan request. The requirement is usually for larger business loans from traditional lenders .

Pre-IPO Valuation : Companies considering going public with an initial public offering (IPO) must conduct a valuation. Investment bankers and underwriters typically conduct these appraisals. Whether preparing for an IPO or selling a company privately, you should obtain a business valuation before putting the company on the open market.

How much do Business Appraisals cost?

The business valuation cost can vary significantly depending on your company’s size, industry, and appraisal type. Uncertified business valuations can start at $500 for small sole proprietorships .

However, most business valuations are much more expensive. Certified appraisals start at $5,000 and could go up to $20,000.

What documents are required for a Business Appraisal?

Small business owners must provide multiple financial documents when conducting a business valuation. Examples of documents you must provide include the following:

  • Financial statements for the previous five years.
  • Income statements.
  • Balance sheets.
  • Cash flow statements.
  • Intellectual property (IP) documentation such as trademark licenses, patents, or copyrights .
  • Documents on other intangible assets.
  • Organization charts.
  • Lists of products or services the company provides.
  • Customer lists.
  • Customer concentration.
  • Supplier lists.
  • Competitor lists.
  • Financial forecasting documents.
  • Any relevant contracts or service agreements.
  • Business leases or deeds for commercial real estate.

How long do Business Appraisals take?

The appraisal process requires a fair amount of research and due diligence. It can take up to 20-40 hours of the expert’s time to conduct the appraisal.

Regarding turnaround, small business owners can typically expect the appraisal results in 5-10 business days. You should follow up with the appraiser if you haven’t received the report within two weeks.

When is an Appraisal required for Small Business Loans?

Business valuation requirements for small business loans depend on the lender and the type of loan. The US Small Business Administration (SBA) requires approved lenders to obtain an appraisal (along with other extensive documentation) for most SBA loan types .

However, some SBA loans might not require it. Always check with your SBA-approved lender if you are unsure about the documentation requirements.

Many traditional lenders (commercial banks and credit unions) also require a business valuation, especially for larger, long-term loans. For example, commercial lenders typically order an appraisal for commercial real estate loans .

Fortunately, many alternative lenders provide various working capital loans with much more lenient documentation requirements. Alternative lenders are non-bank, online funders using fintech tools to quickly analyze your business’s financial health.

The flexible underwriting requirements also result in fast approval and funding times. Some examples of small business loans you could obtain from an alternative lender or marketplace without an appraisal include:

  • Business term loans .
  • Business lines of credit .
  • Equipment financing .
  • Bad credit business loans .
  • Merchant cash advances .
  • Invoice factoring .
  • ERTC advances .

Business Appraisal & Valuation – Final Thoughts

entrepreneur, idea, competence, fair market value

As a small business owner, it would be best to have a working knowledge of your company’s value. That information proves invaluable when trying to sell your business, buy out a partner, or acquire or merge with another business.

The most reliable form of business valuation is the certified appraisal. With this method, appraisers look at your company’s worth from multiple approaches, including its total assets, current equity, market value, and income. The certified appraiser may come up with more than one value, but they will try to synthesize that data into a single estimated value.

When ordering a business valuation, look for accredited appraisers. You want to ensure that the appraisal is as accurate as possible.

Contact us if you have more questions on business appraisals or want to apply for a small business loan . Our loan experts can answer any questions you might have.

Share this post:

  • Categories: Business Tips

Picture of United Capital Source

United Capital Source

laptop, office, hand, lenders loss payable vs loss payee

Lenders Loss Payable vs Loss Payee Explained: The Essential Guide

economy, profit, stock exchange, best financial affiliate programs

Best Financial Affiliate Programs: The Essential Guide

bank, money, finance, more banks tightened lending terms

Banks Tightening Credit Criteria for Small Business: Exploring Your Options

A business owner calculating their APR on their Small Business Loan

What Is An APR?: The Comprehensive Guide

A person calculating the net working capital formula

Net Working Capital Formula: The Comprehensive Guide

A handshake after the purchase of an existing small business

Purchasing Existing Businesses: The Essential Guide

Most recent articles, ready to grow your business see how much you qualify for:.

Current monthly sales deposit average to your business bank account?

I don't own a business & want to learn about your loan programs $ 0 - $ 5,000 $ 5,000 - $ 10,000 $ 10,000 - $ 25,000 $ 25,000 - $ 50,000 $ 50,000 - $ 100,000 $ 100,000 +

How much Working Capital would you like for your business?

$ 5,000 - $ 10,000 $ 10,000 - $ 50,000 $ 50,000 - $ 100,000 $ 100,000 +

State Alabama Alaska Alberta Arizona Arkansas British Columbia California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Manitoba Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Brunswick New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York Newfoundland and Labrador North Carolina North Dakota Northwest Territories Nova Scotia Nunavut Ohio Oklahoma Ontario Oregon Pennsylvania Prince Edward Island Quebec Rhode Island Saskatchewan South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Need Instant Help?

Quick links.

appraisal of business plan

  • To be eligible, it’s necessary to have a business bank account with a well-established U.S. bank such as Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citibank, or other major banks. Unfortunately, online-based bank accounts like PayPal, Chime, CashApp, etc., are not permitted.
  • When describing your current average monthly sales deposits to your business bank account, please provide accurate information. Our approval process is based on your current business performance, and it’s essential to provide accurate details about your current sales in the first question on the application form. We cannot approve applications based on projected revenues after receiving funding.

Take a minute, Get a FREE Consultation

  • No Cost, No Obligation Quote
  • Multiple products offered
  • A few minutes can shape the next few years

$1.2+ Billion Matched to US Businesses

  • Search for a Business
  • Established Businesses
  • Asset Sales
  • How to Buy a Business
  • BizBuySell Edge
  • Search Franchises For Sale
  • Low Cost Franchises
  • Restaurant and Food Franchises
  • Business Opportunities
  • Retail Franchises
  • Sell a Business on BizBuySell
  • Sell Multiple Businesses
  • How to Sell a Business
  • Value a Business
  • Find a Broker
  • Learning Center
  • Market Insights
  • Business for Sale Blog
  • For Brokers
  • My Saved Listings
  • My Saved Searches
  • My Listings
  • Guide to Selling
  • Add a New Listing
  • Franchise Recommendations
  • Edge Profile
  • Recommendations
  • Location Insights
  • Buyer Video Series
  • Guide to Buying
  • My Valuation Reports
  • Get Valuation Report
  • Email Preferences
  • My Billing Info
  • Seller Learning Center
  • Step 2: Set an Asking Price

What is a Business Appraisal and When a Small Business Owner Might Need One

Business appraisal word cloud.

A business appraisal is a process involving a professional appraiser assessing a business's fair market value. It is a widely recognized method used to determine the worth of a business for various reasons, including mergers and acquisitions, buy-sell agreements, selling a business, lender financing, and business investments. While larger corporations typically undergo regular business appraisals, small business owners may also significantly benefit from obtaining an independent business appraisal, as it gives them an accurate understanding of their business's value.

This article aims to provide an overview of the fundamentals of business appraisals. We will explore why small business owners may require a business appraisal, the various methods used to calculate a business's value, and the benefits of obtaining an independent appraisal.

Additionally, we will discuss the cost of hiring a certified appraiser and provide guidance on selecting the right appraiser to assess your business's worth thoroughly. By the end of this article, you will better understand the importance of business appraisals and how they can help small business owners make more informed decisions.

Business Appraisal Fundamentals

When conducting a business appraisal, professional appraisers use three primary approaches to evaluate a business's value: the market approach, the income approach, and the asset approach. The market approach uses market data to compare the subject business to similar businesses sold in the past. This method considers various factors, such as the subject business's size, performance, industry, and trends, to determine its value.

The income approach uses the current value of expected future cash flows the subject business generates as the basis for its valuation. This method focuses on the business's financial performance and considers the risks associated with its future cash flow projections to determine its worth.

On the other hand, the asset approach uses the sum of all tangible and intangible assets owned by the subject business to determine its value. This approach assesses the business's balance sheet to arrive at its value.

Each valuation method is suitable for different types of transactions. For instance, when valuing a business for sale , an appraiser may use a combination of all three approaches to ensure a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of the business's worth. By understanding these different methods and when to apply them, business owners can make informed decisions about their value and how to maximize it.

Do You Need a Business Appraisal?

Small business owners can benefit from obtaining an independent business appraisal in several situations, including buy-sell agreements, business mergers, selling a business, lender financing, and business investments.

In the case of buy-sell agreements, an independent appraisal is used to determine the fair market value of a company to buy out some portion of an owner’s stake in the business. Such an agreement outlines how ownership will be transferred in specific scenarios, such as death or disability, and having a clear and accurate assessment of the company's worth is crucial.

If two companies are considering a merger, an independent appraisal can be used to determine both companies' fair market value for an equitable exchange ratio. This assessment ensures that both parties receive a fair share of the merged entity's value.

When selling a business, an independent appraisal provides an objective analysis of the company's fair market value. This valuation helps the owner price the business appropriately to ensure a successful sale.

For lender financing, an independent appraisal can be used to determine the collateral value of the company so the lender can adequately determine the amount of funding. This assessment helps the lender minimize the risk of taking a loss if the company cannot repay them.

Lastly, business investments involve investors investing capital in a company in exchange for equity or other types of compensation. Therefore, an independent appraisal of the company's fair market value can provide investors with an informed assessment of its worth, enabling them to make sound investment decisions.

Certified Business Appraisals

In some cases, such as when dealing with taxes or litigation, it may be necessary to get a certified appraisal from a qualified certified public accountant accredited in business valuation (ABV). A certified appraisal is a valuation based on accepted standards and methods that have been reviewed and approved by a third party. In addition, a certified appraiser must have experience in business valuation and adhere to ethical standards set forth by professional organizations such as the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) .

When is it recommended to get a certified appraisal? Generally speaking, getting a certified appraisal when dealing with taxes or litigation is recommended, since these require higher levels of accuracy and expertise than other types of transactions.

How to find a certified appraiser? You can find qualified appraisers through professional organizations such as ASA or online directories of accredited appraisers.

Cost of Hiring a Business Appraiser

The cost of hiring a business appraiser varies depending on several factors, including the size and complexity of the company, the type of transaction, and the experience and reputation of the appraiser. Larger and more complex businesses typically require a more comprehensive valuation process, which can result in higher appraisal fees.

One can imagine the level of difficulty involved in valuing a business with multiple business units or product lines that operates across several geographies relative to a small, one-location, one-product business.

The type of transaction is also a factor in the cost of hiring an appraiser. Different transactions have unique valuation requirements, and the appraiser's scope of work will depend on the transaction type. For example, the valuation requirements for a merger or acquisition will differ from those of a buy-sell agreement , which will impact the appraiser's fees.

Finally, the experience level of the appraiser can also meaningfully impact the cost. Experienced appraisers with a proven track record of delivering high-quality work will typically charge higher fees for their services. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3,000-$35,000 for a valuation report from an experienced appraiser.

However, remember that the fees for a comprehensive valuation can go much higher, particularly for large and complex businesses or unique transaction types. Ultimately, the cost of hiring an appraiser should be viewed as an investment in obtaining a fair and accurate assessment of a business's worth.

Benefit of Independent Valuation

As a small business owner, it's crucial to know the actual value of your business, especially when preparing your business for sale and engaging in critical transactions. A business appraisal is an independent valuation of your business based on accepted standards and methods. This provides an accurate value of your business that can be used for various types of transactions.

Ultimately, an independent business appraisal is essential for any small business owner who wants to make informed business decisions. Feel free to reach out to a certified appraiser to gain a better understanding of your business's value so you're prepared for any important transaction.

Business Plan Evaluation

What’s a rich text element, static and dynamic content editing.

para link here

What is Business Plan Evaluation?

A business plan evaluation is a critical process that involves the assessment of a business plan to determine its feasibility, viability, and potential for success. This process is crucial for entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders as it helps them make informed decisions about the business. The evaluation process involves analyzing various aspects of the business plan, including the business model, market analysis, financial projections, and management team.

The purpose of a business plan evaluation is to identify strengths and weaknesses in the plan, assess the feasibility of the business idea, evaluate the potential for profitability, and determine the likelihood of achieving the business objectives. The evaluation process also helps identify areas where improvements can be made to enhance the chances of success. This process is particularly important for solopreneurs who are solely responsible for the success or failure of their business.

Importance of Business Plan Evaluation

The evaluation of a business plan is an essential step in the business planning process. It provides an opportunity for the entrepreneur to critically examine their business idea and identify potential challenges and opportunities . The evaluation process also provides valuable insights that can help improve the business plan and increase the chances of success.

For investors, a business plan evaluation is a crucial tool for risk assessment. It allows them to assess the viability of the business idea, the competence of the management team, and the potential for return on investment. This information is vital in making investment decisions.

For Solopreneurs

For solopreneurs, the evaluation of a business plan is particularly important. As they are solely responsible for the success or failure of their business, it is crucial that they thoroughly evaluate their business plan to ensure that it is feasible, viable, and has the potential to be profitable.

The evaluation process can help solopreneurs identify potential challenges and opportunities, assess the feasibility of their business idea, and determine the likelihood of achieving their business objectives. This information can be invaluable in helping them make informed decisions about their business.

For Investors

Investors use the evaluation process to determine whether or not to invest in a business. They look at various aspects of the business plan, including the business model, market analysis, financial projections, and management team, to assess the potential for success. If the evaluation reveals that the business plan is solid and has a high potential for success, the investor may decide to invest in the business.

Components of a Business Plan Evaluation

A business plan evaluation involves the analysis of various components of the business plan. These components include the executive summary, business description, market analysis, organization and management, product line or service, marketing and sales, and financial projections.

Each of these components plays a crucial role in the overall success of the business, and therefore, they must be thoroughly evaluated to ensure that they are realistic, achievable, and aligned with the business objectives.

Executive Summary

The executive summary is the first section of a business plan and provides a brief overview of the business. It includes information about the business concept, the business model, the target market, the competitive advantage, and the financial projections. The executive summary is often the first thing that investors read, and therefore, it must be compelling and persuasive.

In the evaluation process, the executive summary is assessed to determine whether it clearly and concisely presents the business idea and the plan for achieving the business objectives. The evaluator also assesses whether the executive summary is compelling and persuasive enough to attract the attention of investors.

Business Description

The business description provides detailed information about the business. It includes information about the nature of the business, the industry, the business model, the products or services, and the target market. The business description also provides information about the business's competitive advantage and how it plans to achieve its objectives.

In the evaluation process, the business description is assessed to determine whether it provides a clear and comprehensive description of the business. The evaluator also assesses whether the business description clearly outlines the business's competitive advantage and how it plans to achieve its objectives.

Methods of Business Plan Evaluation

There are several methods that can be used to evaluate a business plan. These methods include the SWOT analysis, the feasibility analysis, the competitive analysis, and the financial analysis. Each of these methods provides a different perspective on the business plan and can provide valuable insights into the potential for success.

It's important to note that no single method can provide a complete evaluation of a business plan. Therefore, it's recommended to use a combination of these methods to get a comprehensive understanding of the business plan.

SWOT Analysis

SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that is used to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to a business. This method involves examining the internal and external factors that can affect the success of the business.

In the evaluation process, a SWOT analysis can provide valuable insights into the potential for success of the business. It can help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the business plan, as well as the opportunities and threats in the market.

Feasibility Analysis

A feasibility analysis is a process that is used to determine whether a business idea is viable. This method involves assessing the practicality of the business idea and whether it can be successfully implemented.

In the evaluation process, a feasibility analysis can provide valuable insights into the feasibility of the business plan. It can help determine whether the business idea is practical and whether it can be successfully implemented.

In conclusion, a business plan evaluation is a critical process that involves the assessment of a business plan to determine its feasibility, viability, and potential for success. This process is crucial for entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders as it helps them make informed decisions about the business.

The evaluation process involves analyzing various aspects of the business plan, including the business model, market analysis, financial projections, and management team. The purpose of a business plan evaluation is to identify strengths and weaknesses in the plan, assess the feasibility of the business idea, evaluate the potential for profitability, and determine the likelihood of achieving the business objectives.

Whenever you're ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:

1. The Creator MBA :   Join 4,000+ entrepreneurs in my flagship course. The Creator MBA teaches you exactly how to build a lean, focused, and profitable Internet business. Come inside and get 5 years of online business expertise, proven methods, and actionable strategies across 111 in-depth lessons.

2. ​ The LinkedIn Operating System :​  Join 22,500 students and 50 LinkedIn Top Voices inside of The LinkedIn Operating System. This comprehensive course will teach you the system I used to grow from 2K to 550K+ followers, be named a Top Voice and earn $7.5M+ in income.

3. ​ The Content Operating System​ :  Join 10,000 students in my multi-step content creation system. Learn to create a high-quality newsletter and 6-12 pieces of high-performance social media content each week.

4. ​Promote yourself to 215,000+ subscribers​ by sponsoring my newsletter.

Sites

Get the newsletter everyone is talking about

Drop your email to get weekly small business advice

  • SMALL BUSINESS TOOLS
  • LIFE AT GOSITE
  • Starting Your Business
  • Growing Your Business
  • Running Your Business
  • Marketing Tips
  • Success Stories
  • Contact Hub
  • Contracting
  • Auto Services
  • Beauty & Spa
  • Pest Control
  • Pool Cleaning

Business Appraisals: Everything You Need to Know Before Getting One

A business appraisal is the process of valuing your business. If you’re considering hiring an appraiser, here’s what you need to know.

featured_image

To you, your business is invaluable. 

However, there are many different reasons why a small business owner may need to appraise their business. Whether you’re bringing on a business partner , applying for a loan, or selling, knowing the monetary value of your business can come in handy. 

If you think you may need an appraisal and don’t know where to start, keep reading. We’ll guide you through what you can expect, the process of hiring an appraiser, costs, and other alternatives that could be a better option for you. 

If you’re still planning on running your business after the appraisal, don’t forget to download our guide on how to turn your website into a small business apps to generate steady revenue and growth. 

CAN CUSTOMERS FIND YOU ONLINE? We can tell you!

What is a Business Appraisal? 

Two people sharing a table with financial statements laid out, a calculator, and a computer.

An appraisal is the best way to get a fair and unbiased assessment of the value of your business, property, or assets. It requires you to hire a certified professional to conduct a thorough analysis of your business’s economic prospects, property or physical assets, market value, and financials. 

The process of conducting an appraisal varies, however, it’s important to note that all comprehensive appraisals take time—avoid hiring any appraisers that promise a quick turnaround. 

Why Would My Business Need One?

As we mentioned above, there are multiple reasons to hire a business appraiser. Below are some of the most common: 

  • Buying or selling a business: An appraisal will help you come up with the dollar amount that both parties feel comfortable with. 
  • Buying or selling a business property: Not all businesses have real estate but if you do, you’ll need to hire an appraiser that specializes in real property.  
  • Getting divorced: A divorce oftentimes involves the splitting of assets, which can include business properties—especially if you run a family-owned business.  
  • Filing for bankruptcy: An appraisal will help with creditor negotiations and preparing a financial restructuring plan. 
  • Applying for a loan: Some business loans, such as EIDL loans , require you to use your business or certain parts of your business as collateral. In this case, an appraiser will evaluate those assets. 
  • Separating from or bringing on a new partner: Hire an appraiser if you’re looking to settle a dispute with a business partner or draft a buy-sell agreement. 
  • Filing an insurance claim: After a natural disaster or damages, an appraiser may be called in by your insurer to determine repair costs. 

How Will My Business Be Valuated 

Person in front of a laptop, a clip board and pen.

Depending on your needs, your appraiser will choose the appropriate approach to estimate the value of your businesses. Here are some of the most common ways: 

Market Value 

A market value approach can involve an analysis of your business’s economic performance, such as revenue, profit, and both tangible and intangible assets. It’s then compared to similar businesses in an open market to determine a potential selling price. 

Asset Value

This approach is commonly used when a business is expected to close. It involves subtracting your liabilities from the value of your assets based on their fair market value to obtain your business’s overall appraisal.  

Earning Value

For this approach, appraisers use projected income earnings or cash flow. Based on the method used—such as capitalization of earnings or discounted cash flow—a capitalization or discount rate is applied to those projections. 

Hiring an Appraiser

Small business owner speaking to an appraiser.

A good appraiser will be able to determine the best method to evaluate your business and give you an unbiased assessment. Below is what you can expect when looking for and hiring a business appraiser.  

First, it’s important to note that there are a few specializations for appraisers. If you’re looking to appraise your business’s real estate or intellectual property, there are appraisers who specialize in each. If you’re just looking for a general business appraiser, be sure to look for one with experience in your area and industry. 

Hiring an appraiser is not cheap. Unfortunately, many legal proceedings such as divorce or a partner dispute may require it. On average, appraisers charge between $20 to $500 per hour and take 20 to 50 hours to complete an appraisal. 

If your needs aren’t very complex, you may be able to get an appraisal for $1,000. However, the range is typically between $3,000 to $35,000—the figure tends to be on the higher end when litigation is involved. 

When hiring an appraiser, you will first need to discuss the reason why you need a valuation and your main goal. Prepare to go over the financial and operational structure of your business and gather all documentation including financial records, tax returns, payroll, inventory reports, shareholder agreements, lease and loan documents, business plans and projections, etc. 

You’ll then want to verify that you both agree on the scope, timeline, and fee. It’s also good to keep in mind that an appraiser is there to conduct their evaluation fairly and independently—they are not your business’s employee or advocate. 

Doing Your Own Business Valuation

Business owner looking at a financial report on his computer.

If there aren’t any legal requirements to hire an independent appraiser, you may also choose to do it yourself. Although there’s plenty of room for bias, doing your own valuation is a great way to understand what your business is worth and how to measure it. It also makes for a perfect practice run if you’re planning on selling your business down the line. 

We suggest researching the valuation methods we discussed above in-depth and choosing the one that best suits your goals. Use any knowledge you gain from your own business valuation to help with pitching, negotiating, or growing your business . 

Speaking of growing your business—if you’re ready to transform your website into a revenue-generating, digital storefront , be sure to check out this guide! 

Group 12 (2) (1) (1)

Keep Reading

appraisal of business plan

How to Set Up Your Google Business Profile for Local ...

7 Creative Ways to Drive Traffic in the Pest Control Industry

7 Creative Ways to Drive Traffic in the Pest Control ...

appraisal of business plan

Leveraging Google My Business Listings for Local Success

  • Corporate Finance
  • Financial Analysis

Valuing a Company: Business Valuation Defined With 6 Methods

  • Search Search Please fill out this field.

Adam Hayes, Ph.D., CFA, is a financial writer with 15+ years Wall Street experience as a derivatives trader. Besides his extensive derivative trading expertise, Adam is an expert in economics and behavioral finance. Adam received his master's in economics from The New School for Social Research and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in sociology. He is a CFA charterholder as well as holding FINRA Series 7, 55 & 63 licenses. He currently researches and teaches economic sociology and the social studies of finance at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

appraisal of business plan

What Is a Business Valuation?

A business valuation, also known as a company valuation, is the process of determining the economic value of a business. During the valuation process , all areas of a business are analyzed to determine its worth and the worth of its departments or units.

A company valuation can be used to determine the fair value of a business for a variety of reasons, including sale value, establishing partner ownership, taxation, and even divorce proceedings. Owners will often turn to professional business evaluators for an objective estimate of the value of the business.

Key Takeaways

  • Business valuation determines the economic value of a business or business unit.
  • Business valuation can be used to determine the fair value of a business for a variety of reasons, including sale value, establishing partner ownership, taxation, and even divorce proceedings.
  • Several methods of valuing a business exist, such as looking at its market cap, earnings multipliers, or book value, among others.

Investopedia / Katie Kerpel

The Basics of Business Valuation

The topic of business valuation is frequently discussed in corporate finance. Business valuation is typically conducted when a company is looking to sell all or a portion of its operations or looking to merge with or acquire another company. The valuation of a business is the process of determining the current worth of a business , using objective measures, and evaluating all aspects of the business.

A business valuation might include an analysis of the company's management, its capital structure , its future earnings prospects or the market value of its assets. The tools used for valuation can vary among evaluators, businesses, and industries. Common approaches to business valuation include a review of financial statements, discounting cash flow models and similar company comparisons.

Valuation is also important for tax reporting. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that a business is valued based on its fair market value. Some tax-related events such as sale, purchase or gifting of shares of a company will be taxed depending on valuation.

Estimating the fair value of a business is an art and a science; there are several formal models that can be used, but choosing the right one and then the appropriate inputs can be somewhat subjective.

Methods of Valuation

There are numerous ways a company can be valued . You'll learn about several of these methods below.

1. Market Capitalization

Market capitalization is the simplest method of business valuation. It is calculated by multiplying the company’s share price by its total number of shares outstanding. For example, as of January 3, 2018, Microsoft Inc. traded at $86.35. With a total number of shares outstanding of 7.715 billion, the company could then be valued at $86.35 x 7.715 billion = $666.19 billion.

2. Times Revenue Method

Under the times revenue business valuation method, a stream of revenues generated over a certain period of time is applied to a multiplier which depends on the industry and economic environment. For example, a tech company may be valued at 3x revenue, while a service firm may be valued at 0.5x revenue.

3. Earnings Multiplier

Instead of the times revenue method, the earnings multiplier may be used to get a more accurate picture of the real value of a company, since a company’s profits are a more reliable indicator of its financial success than sales revenue is. The earnings multiplier adjusts future profits against cash flow that could be invested at the current interest rate over the same period of time. In other words, it adjusts the current P/E ratio to account for current interest rates.

4. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Method

The DCF method of business valuation is similar to the earnings multiplier. This method is based on projections of future cash flows, which are adjusted to get the current market value of the company. The main difference between the discounted cash flow method and the profit multiplier method is that it takes inflation into consideration to calculate the present value.

5. Book Value

This is the value of shareholders’ equity of a business as shown on the balance sheet statement. The book value is derived by subtracting the total liabilities of a company from its total assets.

6. Liquidation Value

Liquidation value is the net cash that a business will receive if its assets were liquidated and liabilities were paid off today.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the business valuation methods in use today. Other methods include replacement value, breakup value, asset-based valuation , and still many more.

Accreditation in Business Valuation

In the U.S., Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) is a professional designation awarded to accountants such as CPAs who specialize in calculating the value of businesses. The ABV certification is overseen by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and requires candidates to complete an application process, pass an exam, meet minimum Business Experience and Education requirements, and pay a credential fee (as of Mar. 11, 2022, the annual fee for the ABV Credential was $380).

Maintaining the ABV credential also requires those who hold the certification to meet minimum standards for work experience and lifelong learning. Successful applicants earn the right to use the ABV designation with their names, which can improve job opportunities, professional reputation and pay. In Canada, Chartered Business Valuator ( CBV ) is a professional designation for business valuation specialists . It is offered by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators (CICBV).

Internal Revenue Service. " Sale of a Business ."

Yahoo Finance. " Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) ."

Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. " Distinguish Yourself. Obtain the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) Credential ."

Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. " AICPA Annual Membership Dues ."

  • Valuing a Company: Business Valuation Defined With 6 Methods 1 of 37
  • What Is Valuation? 2 of 37
  • Valuation Analysis: Meaning, Examples and Use Cases 3 of 37
  • Financial Statements: List of Types and How to Read Them 4 of 37
  • Balance Sheet: Explanation, Components, and Examples 5 of 37
  • Cash Flow Statement: How to Read and Understand It 6 of 37
  • 6 Basic Financial Ratios and What They Reveal 7 of 37
  • 5 Must-Have Metrics for Value Investors 8 of 37
  • Earnings Per Share (EPS): What It Means and How to Calculate It 9 of 37
  • P/E Ratio Definition: Price-to-Earnings Ratio Formula and Examples 10 of 37
  • Price-to-Book (PB) Ratio: Meaning, Formula, and Example 11 of 37
  • Price/Earnings-to-Growth (PEG) Ratio: What It Is and the Formula 12 of 37
  • Fundamental Analysis: Principles, Types, and How to Use It 13 of 37
  • Absolute Value: Definition, Calculation Methods, Example 14 of 37
  • Relative Valuation Model: Definition, Steps, and Types of Models 15 of 37
  • Intrinsic Value of a Stock: What It Is and Formulas to Calculate It 16 of 37
  • Intrinsic Value vs. Current Market Value: What's the Difference? 17 of 37
  • The Comparables Approach to Equity Valuation 18 of 37
  • The 4 Basic Elements of Stock Value 19 of 37
  • How to Become Your Own Stock Analyst 20 of 37
  • Due Diligence in 10 Easy Steps 21 of 37
  • Determining the Value of a Preferred Stock 22 of 37
  • Qualitative Analysis 23 of 37
  • How to Choose the Best Stock Valuation Method 24 of 37
  • Bottom-Up Investing: Definition, Example, Vs. Top-Down 25 of 37
  • Financial Ratio Analysis: Definition, Types, Examples, and How to Use 26 of 37
  • What Book Value Means to Investors 27 of 37
  • Liquidation Value: Definition, What's Excluded, and Example 28 of 37
  • Market Capitalization: What It Means for Investors 29 of 37
  • Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Explained With Formula and Examples 30 of 37
  • Enterprise Value (EV) Formula and What It Means 31 of 37
  • How to Use Enterprise Value to Compare Companies 32 of 37
  • How to Analyze Corporate Profit Margins 33 of 37
  • Return on Equity (ROE) Calculation and What It Means 34 of 37
  • Decoding DuPont Analysis 35 of 37
  • How to Value Private Companies 36 of 37
  • Valuing Startup Ventures 37 of 37

appraisal of business plan

  • Terms of Service
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Search Search Please fill out this field.
  • Building Your Business
  • Operations & Success

What Is a Business Appraiser?

Definition & Examples of Business Appraisers

How Does a Business Appraiser Work?

  • Do I Need an Appraiser?

Types of Business Appraisers

Cost of hiring a business appraiser, can i do my own business valuation.

MoMo Productions / Getty Images

In general, an appraiser is someone who assesses the value of a piece of property, particularly to determine a fair sale price. A business appraiser specializes in evaluating tangible and intangible property to determine what a business is worth.

Business owners may need a fair appraisal for many different reasons, from preparing for a sale to making an initial public offering. Any time an owner or prospective buyer needs an unbiased, outsider opinion of the business's value, they would hire a business appraiser. Learn more about what these specialists do and when you might need their help.

All types of property have value, including business property, and the value of that property is best determined by hiring an expert called an appraiser. Appraisers work in all types of situations: 

  • A property/real estate appraiser evaluates the value of homes and other real property.
  • Some appraisers specialize in certain types of property, such as livestock appraisers and art appraisers.

Regardless of the type of appraiser, they are required to use unbiased methods to provide a fair valuation of the property. Business appraisers are required to operate independently to prepare a business valuation or to value business assets, using financial analysis, physical review, and industry comparisons.

Business appraisers must meet specific standards to achieve what's called Certification in Entity and Intangible Valuations (CEIV). Several organizations offer pathways to this certification, such as the American Society of Appraisers. Appraisers can also be certified/licensed by state regulatory boards for the states in which they practice.

There are several ways to get certified to appraise businesses. Certified Public Accountants, for example, can receive a certification called Accredited in Business Valuation.  

An appraiser can value a business in several different ways. These might include:

  • The fair market value method usually considers the value of all equipment, furniture and fixtures, vehicles, and intangible assets. Fair market value is defined as what the property would sell for in an open market, with the price determined by a willing buyer and willing seller.
  • A liquidation value assumes that the business has stopped and all assets must be sold quickly. This is the most drastic valuation because it means that the business owner will receive only the minimum value. 
  • A capitalization of earnings valuation seeks to determine a company's value today based on its projected future earnings. That is, working backward from a point in the future and using assumptions on how much the earnings will increase from the present. This can also be done in terms of future cash flows.

There are many other ways to value a business, and a trained appraiser will usually use several different valuation methods to come up with a few estimates for a business's value.

The valuation of shares of business stock is different from valuing the business or its assets. This type of valuation typically involves investment bankers, not a business appraiser.

Do I Need a Business Appraiser? 

There are many situations that might necessitate a business appraisal, including:

  • Business buying and selling: Before selling a business, many business owners get an appraisal. For an ongoing business, there may be a need for an appraiser in a buy-sell situation, where one of the owners leaves the company. 
  • Real estate : Within a business, there may be times when an appraiser is needed to value real estate, for sale or purchase. In this case, a real property appraiser is needed. 
  • Business disputes : Appraisers may be needed to value a business within the process of business disputes, such as shareholder disagreements or divorces where the business property is involved.
  • Business damages/disaster : An appraiser may be needed to value a business for insurance purposes, after a disaster or other damage to the property and assets. 
  • Bankruptcy : The process of business bankruptcy usually includes an appraisal for valuation.

These are just a few examples. A business owner can seek out an appraisal at any time. 

Given the many possible scenarios for a business valuation, there are a variety of different kinds of business appraisers. Some specialize in valuing businesses for sale or for other purposes. Others focus on intellectual property (patents, copyrights, and trademarks) and other intangible assets .

An equipment appraiser, on the other hand, evaluates equipment for sale as part of a business transaction. For example, if a business wants a loan, and pledges specific business assets as collateral for that loan, an appraiser will review the condition of the assets and the fair market value.

The cost of a business appraisal depends on the circumstances. Most appraisers work by the hour, so the size and complexity of the company (the number of assets) play a big part in the cost. According to Mariner Capital Advisers, the cost of a business appraisal can vary from $5,000 to over $30,000.  

If you are looking for an appraiser for your business, check one of the Institute of Business Appraisers and The American Society of Appraisers . Both of these organizations formally accredit business appraisers.

You can run an informal valuation of your small business at any time. However, if you need a valuation for insurance or for selling a business, you will typically need an outside independent appraiser. Likewise, if your business is a corporation or partnership, or if you have multiple subsidiaries or other complex situations, you will definitely need the services of an independent appraiser.

Key Takeaways

  • A business appraiser is someone who performs an independent assessment of a business's value.
  • Business appraisers can be trained and certified by several different organizations to use unbiased methods to conduct business valuations.
  • Business owners can seek an appraisal at any time but do so most often when preparing for a sale or dealing with certain disputes.

Appraisal Institute. " The Appraisal Profession ." Accessed July 17, 2020.

American Society of Appraisers. " CEIV™ Certification ." Accessed July 17, 2020.

American Institute of CPAs. " Credentials ." Accessed July 17, 2020.

U.S. Small Business Administration. " Determining the Value of a Business ." Accessed July 17, 2020.

Mariner Capital Advisors. " 10 Things To Know About Business Valuation ." Accessed July 17, 2020.

How to Set, Track, and Achieve Business Objectives with 60 Examples

By Kate Eby | April 10, 2023

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on LinkedIn

Link copied

Businesses that set objectives make better decisions. Business objectives allow companies to focus their efforts, track progress, and visualize future success. We’ve worked with experts to create the most comprehensive guide to business objectives.

Included in this article, you’ll find the differences between business objectives and business goals , the four main business objectives , and the benefits of setting business objectives . Plus, find 60 examples of business objectives , which you can download in Microsoft Word.

What Is a Business Objective?

A business objective is a specific, measurable outcome that a company works to achieve. Company leaders set business objectives that help the organization meet its long-term goals. Business objectives should be recorded so that teams can easily access them. 

Business objectives cover many different factors of a company’s success, such as financial health, operations, productivity, and growth. 

One easy way to make sure that you are setting the right business objectives is to follow the SMART goal framework . SMART objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. 

To learn about setting project objectives using the SMART framework, see this comprehensive guide to writing SMART project objectives .

Business Objectives vs. Business Goal

A business goal is a broad, long-term outcome that a company works toward. Goals usually inform which strategies that department leaders will implement. A business objective , however, is a specific, short-term outcome or action that helps the company achieve long-term goals.

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, goals and objectives are not the same . In general, goals are broad in scope and describe an outcome, while objectives are narrow in scope and describe a specific action or step. 

While these differences are important to understand, many of the common frameworks for successful goal-setting — such as SMART, objectives and key results ( OKRs ), and management by objectives (MBO) — can be useful when writing business objectives. 

When deciding on objectives for a team or department, keep in mind the overarching goals of a business. Each objective should move the company closer to its long-term goals.

Project Goals and Objectives Template

Project Goals and Objectives Template

Download the Project Goals and Objectives Template for Excel | Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

Use this free, printable template to learn how to break down project goals into individual objectives using the SMART framework. Write the primary goal at the top of the worksheet, then follow the SMART process to create one or more specific objectives that will help you achieve that goal. 

For resources to help with setting and tracking goals at your company, see this all-inclusive list of goal tracking and setting templates .

What Are the Four Main Business Objectives?

The four main business objectives are economic, social, human, and organic. Each can help a business ensure their prolonged health and growth. For example, human objectives refer to employees’ well-being, while economic objectives refer to the company’s financial health. 

These are the four main business objectives:

  • Example: Reduce spending on paid advertisements by 20 percent.
  • Example: Reduce average customer wait times from eight minutes to four minutes. 
  • Example: Hire two new chemical engineers by the end of Q2.
  • Example: Improve the efficiency of a specific software product by 15 percent.

Types of Business Objectives

There are many types of business objectives beyond the main four. These range from regulation objectives to environmental objectives to municipal objectives. For example, a global objective might be to distribute a product to a new country. 

In addition to economic, social, human, and organic objectives, here are some other types of business objectives companies might set: 

  • Regulatory: These objectives relate to compliance requirements, such as meeting quality standards or conducting internal audits.
  • National: These objectives relate to a company’s place in and how they contribute to the country they operate in, such as promoting social justice causes and creating employment opportunities. 
  • Global: These objectives relate to a company’s place in and its contribution to many countries, such as improving living standards and responding to global demands for products and services. 
  • Environmental: These objectives relate to a company’s environmental impact, such as reducing chemical waste or making eco-friendly investments. 
  • Healthcare: These objectives relate to the health and well-being of a population, whether within or outside an organization. These objectives might be improving healthcare benefit options for employees or refining a drug so that it has fewer side effects.

The Importance of Having Business Objectives

Teams need business objectives to stay focused on the company’s long-term goals. Business objectives help individual employees understand how their roles contribute to the larger mission of the organization. Setting business objectives facilitates effective planning. 

Here are some benefits to setting business objectives:

Sully Tyler

  • Develops Leadership: Company leaders are more effective when they have a clear vision and can delegate tasks to make it a reality. Setting objectives is a great way to improve one’s leadership skills.
  • Increases Motivation: People tend to be more invested in work when they have clear, attainable objectives to achieve. Plus, each completed objective provides a morale boost to keep teams happy and productive. 
  • Encourages Innovation and Productivity: With increased motivation and workplace satisfaction come more innovations. Set attainable but challenging objectives, and watch teams come up with creative solutions to get things done.
  • Improves Strategy: Setting objectives that align with overarching company goals means that everyone across the company can stay aligned on strategic implementation. 
  • Enhances Customer Satisfaction: Overall customer satisfaction is more likely to increase over time when measurable quality improvements are in place. 
  • Improves Prioritization: When they are being able to see all of the current objectives, team members can more easily prioritize their work, which in turn makes their workloads feel more manageable. 
  • Improves Financial Health: Setting economic objectives in particular can help companies stay on top of their financial goals.

60 Examples of Business Objectives

Company leaders can use business objectives to improve every facet of an organization, from customer satisfaction to market share to employee well-being. Here are 60 examples of business objectives that can help a company achieve its goals. 

60 Example Business Objectives

Economic Business Objectives

  • Increase profit margins by 5 percent by the end of the Q4. 
  • Recover 50 percent of total outstanding debts from each quarter the following quarter for the next year. 
  • “Increase revenue by 10 percent each year for the next five years,” suggests Tyler. 
  • Offer three new holiday sales events in the coming year. 
  • Move 30 percent of surplus stock by the end of Q2.
  • “Reduce costs by 10 percent each year for the next five years,” suggests Tyler.
  • Reduce monthly interest payments by 1.5 percent by consolidating debt. 
  • Introduce a new credit payment option to expand the potential customer base. 
  • Apply for six government grants by the end of the year. 
  •  Hire an accountant to track expenses and file the company’s taxes. 
  •  Secure a $100,000 loan to start a business.
  •  Pitch your business ideas to a venture capital firm. 
  • Improve your business credit score from 75 to 85 in two years. 
  • Invest in solar panels for your company headquarters to reduce building energy costs by 75 percent. 
  • Establish a monthly practice to analyze your cash flow statement.

Social Business Objectives

  • Decrease customer average customer wait times by 20 percent in two months.
  • Improve the average customer service satisfaction rating from 3.2/5 to 3.8/5 in six months through targeting trainings. 
  • Hire a contract UX designer to redesign the company website interface in four months. 
  • Decrease customer churn by 15 percent in one year. 
  • “Triple the customer base within two years,” suggests Tyler.
  • Offer 20 percent more customer discounts and specials over the course of two years. 
  • Increase market share by 5 percent in three years. 
  • Increase monthly sales quotas for sales associates by 10 percent. 
  • Develop a sales incentive program to reward top-performing sales associates with vacations, bonuses, and other prizes. 
  • Donate $10,000 to local causes, such as public school funds or local charities. 
  • Partner with a charitable organization to host a company-wide 5K.
  • Increase your marketing budget by 15 percent.
  • Hire a new marketing director by the end of Q3.
  • Donate 40 percent of surplus stock to a relevant charity. 
  • Increase engagement across all social media platforms by 10 percent with a multiplatform ad campaign.

Human Business Objectives

  • Hire three new employees by the end of Q1.
  • Hire a contractor to train your IT team on new software. 
  • Rewrite and distribute your company values statement. 
  • Conduct a quarterly, company-wide productivity training over the next two years. 
  • Establish a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee. 
  • Design and implement a mentorship program for diverse employees. 
  • Create an incentive program that grants additional vacation days for all employees when company-wide productivity goals are met. 
  • Offer a free monthly happy hour to improve the employee experience. 
  • Select change leaders across multiple teams to provide support for a corporate reorg.
  • Start three employee resource groups (ERGs) within the next six months. 
  • Diversify websites and career fairs where the hiring team recruits applicants to encourage a more diverse pool of candidates for new jobs. 
  • Invest in an office redesign that improves the office atmosphere and provides more in-office resources, such as free coffee and snacks, to on-site employees. 
  • Upgrade employee laptops to improve productivity and employee satisfaction. 
  • Conduct a yearly, comprehensive employee experience survey to identify areas of improvement. 
  • Throw office parties to celebrate change milestones. 

Organic Business Objectives

  • Increase the top line by 15 percent every year for the next five years.
  • Achieve 20 percent net profit from 10 product enhancements in the next two years.
  • Decrease raw materials costs by 10 percent by the end of the year.
  • Reduce downtime by 25 percent by the end of the year.
  • Within two years, attain a rate of 25 percent new revenue from products released within the last year.
  • Improve customer acquisition ration by 10 percent every quarter for the next two years. 
  • Reduce total inventory levels by 20 percent over four months.
  • Interact with at least 20 Instagram users every month for one year.
  • Have a new product launch covered by at least three reputable industry publications within two months of the launch date.
  • Grow both the top line and the bottom line by 60 percent every year for three years. 
  • Reduce product defects by 15 percent every year for four years.
  • Increase on-time delivery dates for top customers by 25 percent over the span of three quarters.
  • Conduct yearly workplace safety reviews.
  • Decrease average customer wait times for responses to social media queries from 45 minutes to 15 minutes by the end of Q4.
  • Improve your company website to be on the first page of search results within six months.

Download 60 Example Business Objectives for

Microsoft Word | Adobe PDF

Track the Progress of Business Objectives with Smartsheet

Empower your people to go above and beyond with a flexible platform designed to match the needs of your team — and adapt as those needs change. 

The Smartsheet platform makes it easy to plan, capture, manage, and report on work from anywhere, helping your team be more effective and get more done. Report on key metrics and get real-time visibility into work as it happens with roll-up reports, dashboards, and automated workflows built to keep your team connected and informed. 

When teams have clarity into the work getting done, there’s no telling how much more they can accomplish in the same amount of time.  Try Smartsheet for free, today.

Discover why over 90% of Fortune 100 companies trust Smartsheet to get work done.

Real Estate Appraisal Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Financing a real estate appraisal business is no small feat. This #1 Real Estate Appraisal Business Plan Template & Guidebook offers guidance on the process of structuring a business plan, as well as practical advice for staying ahead of the competition. It's an essential resource for any aspiring real estate appraiser looking to up their game.

Nick

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

  • How to Start a Profitable Real Estate Appraisal Business [11 Steps]

How to Write a Real Estate Appraisal Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your real estate appraisal business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your real estate appraisal business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a real estate appraisal business:

Our mission at ABC Real Estate Appraisals is to provide fair and reliable appraising services to our clients that are derived from our experience, knowledge of the market, and respect for all parties involved. We strive to continuously expand our services through innovation and best practices that are tailored to each customer, while respecting the value of their property.

Image of Zenbusiness business formation

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Real Estate Appraisal Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your real estate appraisal business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is my business?
  • What are the products and/or services that I offer?
  • Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
  • How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
  • How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

Image of Zenbusiness business formation

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your real estate appraisal business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your real estate appraisal business includes the following elements:

Target market

  • Who is your target market?
  • What do these customers have in common?
  • How many of them are there?
  • How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

  • Who are your current customers? 
  • Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
  • How can their experience with your real estate appraisal business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

  • How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
  • Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
  • Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
  • How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

  • Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
  • Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
  • What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

  • Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
  • What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
  • What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
  • How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

appraisal of business plan

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

  • The equipment and facilities needed
  • Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
  • Financial requirements for each step
  • Milestones & KPIs
  • Location of your business
  • Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a real estate appraisal business?

  • License and/or certifications
  • Computer/tablet
  • Software for appraisals, property analysis, and report writing
  • Digital camera/camera
  • Office supplies (printer, paper, pens, etc.)
  • Business cards
  • Insurance (professional liability)

5. Management & Organization of Your Real Estate Appraisal Business.

The second part of your real estate appraisal business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

  • How many employees you need in order to run your real estate appraisal business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
  • The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
  • How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Real Estate Appraisal Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a real estate appraisal business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a real estate appraisal business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your real estate appraisal business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your real estate appraisal business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your real estate appraisal business plan:

  • Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
  • Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
  • Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
  • Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
  • Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
  • Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

appraisal of business plan

Frequently Asked Questions About Real Estate Appraisal Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a real estate appraisal business.

A business plan for a real estate appraisal business is essential in order to help you understand the potential success of your business and create a roadmap for achieving it. A business plan will provide important information about your target market, marketing and sales strategies, pricing, operations, capital requirements and other essential elements of running a successful business. It can help you determine the viability of your appraisal business, obtain financing to start or grow the existing business, and anticipate challenges that may arise during the process. Additionally, a sound plan can be shared with potential partners or investors to get them on board with your vision.

Who should you ask for help with your real estate appraisal business plan?

You should contact a business consultant or mentor who specializes in real estate appraisals and has experience developing business plans. Additionally, your local Small Business Administration or SCORE office may be able to provide helpful resources and advice.

Can you write a real estate appraisal business plan yourself?

Yes, you can write your own real estate appraisal business plan. The first step is to assess the business opportunities in your local area and decide which services you will offer to meet the needs of the local market. Research the competition, identify potential customers, and determine how you will be able to differentiate yourself in order to acquire a share of the market. Estimate business costs and potential profits, develop a pricing structure that is competitive yet profitable, and create a marketing plan to reach potential customers. As you create your business plan, consider legal issues such as licensing and insurance requirements as well as any additional regulations or professional standards that apply in your area or industry. Having an understanding of these factors will help you to minimize risk and ensure that your real estate appraisal business is profitable.

Related Business Plans

image of Home Inventory

Home Inventory Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Home Inspection

Home Inspection Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Home Decor

Home Decor Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Health And Wellness

Health And Wellness Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Hauling

Hauling Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Hardware

Hardware Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Handyman

Handyman Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Hair Extension

Hair Extension Business Plan Template & Guidebook

image of Handbag

Handbag Business Plan Template & Guidebook

I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

  • Call +1-913-717-5770
  • Commercial Appraisers

The #1 App for Commercial Appraisers

PUBLIC SECTOR

#1 Single Property Commercial Appraisals 

COMMERCIAL LENDERS

Making Life Easier for Commercial Lenders

How to Start Your Own Appraisal Business

Your Own Commercial Appraisal Business

Jeff Weiner

Related resources.

As appraisers, I’m sure you have heard the following questions at some point in your career: When are you going to hang up your own shingle? When are you going to start your own business?

According to the  U.S. Valuation Professions Fact Sheet , published by the Appraisal Institute in early 2019, there are 78,015 certified appraisers in the United States. Out of this population, the fact sheet indicates that 45.8% of certified appraisers label themselves as sole proprietors. This should not be a surprise, as appraising has always been an industry made up of small business owners. However, your decision to start your own appraisal business may not be as a one-person show. Perhaps you have growth in mind. You envision growing a team, teaching new appraisers, and scaling a business.

If you are thinking about becoming a business owner yourself, there is much to deliberate. This blog will serve as a starting point. For a list of even more items to consider, refer to this  article .

Becoming an Appraisal Business Owner

Where to begin? There is always the option to start your business from scratch. Alternatively, you can purchase an existing business. Should you decide to start from scratch, there are fewer upfront costs. However, building a business from the ground floor is no easy task.

Purchasing an existing business comes with risk, as there is either an upfront payment or liability. Purchasing an established business far exceeds the startup costs of a new, 1-person company. In this case, you want to buy an established business with a good reputation and solid revenue. The  average age of appraisers is high. So, it’s likely many appraisal businesses will be available for sale over the next few years.

Generally, an existing business will sell based on a revenue multiplier. Valuation Magazine published a great article on this topic in the first quarter of 2016, titled  “ Changing Hands ” . This article quotes that gross revenue multipliers typically range from less than one to more than three. That’s a wide range. In many cases, it is possible to finance the transaction. Structure a deal paying the seller monthly based on a percentage of revenue collected for a specified period, such as five-ten years. The quality of the client base, data, and workflow processes have a direct impact on the value of an appraisal company. So, do the homework. Overpaying for an unprofitable client base and file cabinets full of old appraisals isn’t good business. On the other hand, a business with  trained staff  and modern technology will command more.

Ultimately, the decision to purchase a business or start your own will come down to what is best for your personal situation. The question to ask yourself is: Which scenario will be best for generating profitable work?

BOOK A DEMO TODAY

Generating business and establishing relationships.

If you decide to start your own appraisal business, you must build new client relationships with many different appraisal users. Some may include lenders, attorneys, municipalities, Departments of Transportation, taxing authorities, as well as many others. One way to build credibility is to publish a market segment survey of interest to your prospective clients.

Most appraisal businesses have a very heavy lean towards lending work, as lenders are among the largest users of appraisals. Getting on the approved list of a bank can run the gamut from simple to complex. In some cases, it can be as simple as calling the bank and asking to get on their list. Many times, however, it takes a lot of time and effort to get on an approved list. Once you are on the list, there is no guarantee any work will come your way.

When starting a business, these client relationships must be established. Alternatively, when purchasing a business, existing relationships need fostering. The seller of the business can make introductions.  They help build a comfort level between the client and the buyer of the business. There is an inherent risk here since there are not typically any long-term contracts with clients.

Market Your Appraisal Company

Along with cultivating relationships, it is equally as important to have a marketing and online presence. Create a marketing plan that includes a way to introduce yourself. Think about how you plan to grow your business. Being accessible to your potential clients will drive business. Your quality of work will then drive recurring business. Check out the recent blogs about setting up a  good website  and creating a strong  LinkedIn profile . When potential clients get your call, they check to see if you are “legit”.

Generating a consistent book of business takes a lot of time and effort. However, it is crucial to long-term survival. Once you generate the business, the next consideration is managing the workflow. In today’s lending environment, quick turnaround times are typical. It is not unusual to have turnaround times in the two-to-three-week range. With quicker turn times, it becomes more important than ever before to maximize efficiency.

Efficiency Drives Success

The best way to maximize efficiency is to deploy technology in smart ways inside your appraisal business. In too many cases, appraisers are inefficient because they are reluctant to embrace technology. “This is the way I’ve always done it,” is not a valid reason. As an example, many appraisers still use digital cameras. Smartphones have a higher quality than basic digital cameras. As an appraiser and business owner, be open to stepping outside of the box. Take a look at what you’re currently using and ask,  Is Your Technology Holding You Back?

If you are currently looking to  start your own business , it’s a fresh start. Take time to look into what tools you can utilize to assist you in maximizing efficiency. If you have an established business, it can be difficult to see the forest through the trees. The  realquantum blog  page has a lot of articles specifically about tech, so here is a pretty good place to start learning. Now is the time to take a step back and make a plan for operating at optimal capacity. The future of your business depends on it. Good luck!

Schedule a Demo Today

See these features in action with a free live demo.

Realquantum is a SaaS company providing web-based real estate appraisal software and database products that accelerate the commercial real estate appraisal process.

  • Our Pricing
  • Additional Details

Who We Serve

  • Public Sector
  • Commercial Lenders
  • Our Mission
  • Culture & Values
  • Success Stories
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright 2023 realquantum

Built by Twofold.

How to Start a Real Estate Appraisal Business

A real estate appraisal company's specialty is appraising land and buildings. In other words, an appraiser makes an independent assessment and estimates the value of real estate property or commercial buildings for purchase or sale . Real estate appraisals are used when people buy a home or business, apply for a new mortgage or to refinance an existing one, need information for insurance reasons, and settle estates after divorce or death.

Appraisers prepare a written description of the property, draw up diagrams, and then estimate the value. They also verify legal descriptions of property with city or county records. Fair value is determined by property condition, values of homes in close proximity to the home being valued (called a "comp"), building replacement costs, and valuations based on professional valuation manuals and cost estimators.

Learn how to start your own Real Estate Appraisal Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Real Estate Appraisal Business Image

Start a real estate appraisal business by following these 10 steps:

  • Plan your Real Estate Appraisal Business
  • Form your Real Estate Appraisal Business into a Legal Entity
  • Register your Real Estate Appraisal Business for Taxes
  • Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  • Set up Accounting for your Real Estate Appraisal Business
  • Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Real Estate Appraisal Business
  • Get Real Estate Appraisal Business Insurance
  • Define your Real Estate Appraisal Business Brand
  • Create your Real Estate Appraisal Business Website
  • Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your real estate appraisal business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

  • What are the startup and ongoing costs?
  • Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Real Estate Appraisal Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state's business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your real estate appraisal business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a real estate appraisal business.

After you have your license and legal stuff out of the way, startup costs are very low. You can usually start with just a laptop and a professional suit — less than $1,000.

What are the ongoing expenses for a real estate appraisal business?

Virtually none. However, you must maintain your own computer equipment software to conduct appraisals. This should not set you back more than a few hundred dollars per year.

Who is the target market?

Clients are usually homeowners, but may also be other businesses.

How does a real estate appraisal business make money?

Appraisers make money by charging a fee for appraisals. This fee is usually a flat fee, but may also be a per-hour fee.

In general, you can charge between $300 and $400 for a two hour inspection. For complex inspections, or inspections that take several hours or days, you can charge $1,000 to $3,000.

The fee largely depends on where you live. In larger cities, you can command higher fees because rents are higher and home prices more expensive. People expect to pay more for appraisals in New York City, for example. They expect to pay less in a small rural town.

How much profit can a real estate appraisal business make?

A real estate appraisal business can earn between $30,000 and $200,000 per year, per real estate appraiser. Wide variation in income and revenue exists because of the inherent volatility across real estate markets. Some areas are more expensive and thus command higher fees. Other areas are cheaper and thus command lower fees.

There's also the fact that inexperienced appraisers earn less because of their lack of experience, education, or both. More experienced appraisers tend to charge more for their expertise.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Making an appraisal business more profitable can be done in one of several ways. You can consider staging homes that you appraise, assist in the sale and purchasing of homes, and do more in-depth inspections for individuals who want them.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your real estate appraisal business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

  • Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
  • Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

In most states, it is necessary to obtain a real estate appraisal license .  Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Service Agreement

Real estate appraisal businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a service agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example service agreement.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your real estate appraisal business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Real Estate Appraisal Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Real Estate Appraisal Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a real estate appraisal business

Set up a website, hand out business cards, and make contacts at networking events. You should consider networking with real estate agents, mortgage brokers, life insurance agents, financial planners, and local business leaders.

How to keep customers coming back

Provide excellent and honest service. Most of the people that get into this industry are selling their services as a commodity. The one way you can attract customers and keep them coming back is to sell your personality and stay competitive on price points. You can also attract more customers by doing a thorough job on the appraisal. For example, be objective, but also tell people how they can negotiate the price of the home and save themselves some money. Maybe the roof needs repair. These are objective facts you can convey to your customer, without being biased. At the same time, you're making sure that you are accurately representing the real value of the property.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is ideal for individuals who are detail-oriented, good with numbers, like having a flexible work schedule and are highly motivated.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a real estate appraisal business?

Real estate appraisers gather and verify data on residential and commercial properties. They measure structures, physically inspect the exterior and interior of buildings, photograph property, and analyze market sales, the architectural quality, and the intended use of the property.

They also perform in-house appraisals and valuations for individuals, stay on top of the current real estate market conditions, assist in the construction of financial models for the real estate industry, gather data on recent sales, pending sales, and current listings. Real estate appraisers also maintain property records, indicating changes in local property values over time. They may also prepare and defend clients in formal appeal proceedings with help from senior appraisers or other companies.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful real estate appraisal business?

You will need good people skills. You'll also need a license to appraise real estate, along with a minimum of required hours of courses and training. Check with your state for specific requirements and examinations for different types of appraiser licenses. An example for an real estate appraisal license requirements in Michigan can be found  here .

What is the growth potential for a real estate appraisal business?

Growth potential is usually small. An appraisal business is usually owner-operated, but may be grown into a larger company if there is enough demand. Some larger firms include the Tri County Appraisal Group; A Quality Appraisal, LLC; and Dugger, Canaday, Grafe, Inc.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a real estate appraisal business?

Consider mentoring under a senior appraiser. This can be a hard business to break into, so it may be helpful to work under others for a set period of time.

How and when to build a team

You won't ever need a team of people unless you decide to grow your business. If you do decide to grow, grow organically as prospects and leads grow. When work gets to be too much for you to handle alone, consider hiring an assistant appraiser and train them to do your job.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

  • American Society of Appraisers
  • Appraisal Institute
  • Appraiser Forum

Real World Examples

  • Tri County Appraisal Group
  • A Quality Appraisal, LLC

Further Reading

  • How to Become a real estate appraiser
  • 5 things appraisers can do to get more business
  • Real Estate Licensing Requirements

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

Working RE Magazine, Real Estate Appraisers News, Home Inspectors News, Real Estate Agents News, Real Estate Brokers News

Five Steps to Growing An Appraisal Firm

Appraiser News Editions , Real Estate Appraisers

Editor’s Note:  This story is republished from the latest print edition of Working RE Magazine, mailing to over 60,000 appraisers nationally. ( Am I a WRE subscriber? )

Five Steps to Growing an Appraisal Firm

By Dustin Harris, The Appraiser Coach

There is a difference between an appraisal office and an appraisal firm. While the former usually applies to one person shops working alone to keep it all together, the latter is typically a larger-scale operation with division of labor and streamlined processes. Either structure works—just differently. Each is a business decision that comes with its own set of pros and cons. For some business owners’ personalities, the single-person appraisal business is the way to run things. For others, growth is the desired destination. For those who are wanting to grow, but may need a little guidance, there are five steps, which I have identified in working with my appraiser clients. These will put you on a trajectory to growth in a way that will push you but not crush you.

Vision You do not dig a hole to build a house before you have a blueprint—a very detailed plan for what the final product will look like. Those plans may be altered slightly along the way, but you will at least have a general direction as to where you are headed. Similarly, do not start your growth process without a detailed plan as to how you will get from point A to point B. What are you trying to accomplish? Why are you making major changes to your business model? Take some time (schedule it on the calendar) to be alone for some real contemplation about where you want to take your business. This is called “Working on It, Not in It” (OINII), and it should be deliberate. There must be both rhyme and reason to your madness. Before you begin, decide what the end looks like.

Prepare Once your plan is developed and written, it is time to start putting in the foundation that will allow growth without strangulation. If you have been a single-person appraisal shop for many years, it is very likely you do not have the current technology that will allow you to add personnel without dealing with some major bottlenecks. Perhaps you need to set up some hardware that will form the backbone for your expansion. Do you need more computer stations? Have you thought about switching to a server so your new staff can work while mobile? Will your new human resource force be in the field? Do you need to purchase tablets or laser measuring devices for them to use?

What about software? Do you have the current license capacity for your appraisal software? What about file transfer services such as Onedrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox? You may also need to make arrangements for your staff to gain lawful access to the MLS. Think outside the box. If you have been used to doing this on your own, there are likely many things that will need to be arranged long before you put out your first help wanted ad.

Hire for Basics I sometimes see fellow appraisers make the mistake of putting the cart before the horse in the way they grow. They get busy, are turning down too much work, and decide they must hire another appraiser to assist them right now (if not last week). Though this may seem like a logical leap to take, it is likely too much too soon. A more logical sequence might include hiring a basic level employee first. Getting someone to help with your data-entry and receptionist duties may do more to free up your time than you might think. With this extra time, you may be able to complete more volume in a day or be better able to focus on your business growth plan (rather than just allowing it to grow undirected).

Once you get those basics covered, you might next consider more skilled employees who can help you to be more careful and efficient as an appraiser. These are the tasks that an entry-level employee can’t/shouldn’t do, but someone with a little more skill and experience might bring to the table. Market analysis, regression, sketching and in-depth research are all tasks that should probably be covered before you jump to the level of advanced help.

Hire for Advanced Tasks Once your basics and intermediate levels in human resources are covered, it is time to look at advanced growth. Many appraisal firms never get to this level (and that is okay), but some do. Perhaps you are poised and ready for real growth within your office including additional appraisers. If this is you, proceed cautiously. There are many business models that include additional appraisers working under the same company umbrella, and each come with their own set of advantages and challenges.

If you are a slow and steady individual, perhaps training from scratch is the way to go. If you are more of an “I need someone helping me appraise yesterday” kind of person, you might want to consider hiring another Certified Appraiser and providing them with advantages they cannot have on their own. In other words, ask yourself why someone would want to work with you rather than on their own. If you can answer that question, you can likely attract good talent to help you grow your empire.

Manage and Review Hiring is only the first step. Management is ongoing. This is where many appraisal business owners decide that a ‘firm’ is not for them. Management is a skill which is unique to some personalities (meaning it is not so easy for others). When you sign on to hiring and growing, you must follow that decision to the end of the row. In other words, hiring also means you sign on to the process of training and closely managing those individuals. Nothing sinks a business faster than loose management of employees. Remember, this is your brand and your name on the line.

Conclusion Growth of an appraisal company into a true appraisal firm is not for everyone. Many are very happy with being a single-entity appraisal shop. Many make more money as an individual appraisal company than they might trying to manage and oversee other employees. Others are big dreamers who see themselves at the helm of an appraisal empire. Again, this is a business decision. If you decide to grow by hiring help, take your time. Plan things out. Do it right so you do not regret trying to jump too far too fast. Personally, I have seen a big advantage to utilizing the law of delegation. It has freed up time for me to work on my business (rather than just in my business) and has allowed me success that I could not have had otherwise.

CE Online – 7 Hours (approved in over 30 states) How To Support and Prove Your Adjustments Presented by: Richard Hagar, SRA

Now you can improve your skills and earn CE credit conveniently online. Richard Hagar’s, SRA highly acclaimed adjustments seminar is now available online for CE credit in most states. Do you have the proper support for your adjustments? Stop taking the same old CE courses and learn proven adjustment methods with instructor Richard Hagar, SRA. Fannie Mae states that the number one reason appraisals are flagged is the “use of adjustments that do not reflect market reaction.” Stay out of trouble with Fannie Mae, your state board and your AMC/lender clients with solid, supportable adjustments. Learning how to make defensible adjustments is the first step in becoming a “Tier One” appraiser, who earns more and enjoys the best assignments. Up your game, avoid time-consuming callbacks and earn approved CE today!

“Why wasn’t this taught years ago?” – Jackie Henry

How to Support and Prove Your Adjustments Sign Up Now!  $119   – 7 Hrs. Approved CE ( OREP Insureds Price: $99 )

About the Author Dustin Harris is a successful, self-employed, residential real estate appraiser. He has been appraising for nearly two decades. He is the owner and president of Appraisal Precision and Consulting Group, Inc., and is a popular author, speaker and consultant. He also owns and operates The Appraiser Coach where he personally advises and mentors other appraisers helping them to also run successful appraisal companies and increase their net worth. His free podcast can be listened to on iTunes and Stitcher. He and his wife reside in Idaho with their four children. He loves playing in the outdoors and watching movies indoors.

>  Click to Print

Send your story submission/idea to the Editor: [email protected]

Tags: news editions amc , news editions fha

One Comment

' src=

by M. E. Atwood, MAI SRA, CMEA

September 7, 2016 at 10:59 am

DAYUM IT!! There are beauty shops, barber shops, donuts shops, bakery shops, welding shops and all kinds of “shops”…however, I have never ever heard of an attorney, Doctor, Dentist, or CPA call their “practice” a SHOP! I cannot speak for other appraisers, but I for one, DO NOT HAVE A SHOP! Show some respect for yourself and our profession….you have an appraisal PRACTICE!! We will never gain respectability as long as we don’t respect ourselves. (RANT OVER!)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Natural HR

What are appraisals and are they important for my business?

Appraisals and the need for them are currently a hot topic in and around the business world.  Business leaders are questioning the importance of them. HR Managers are validating the need for them. But are appraisals a thing of the past or a necessary business process?

Whether you are of the thinking appraisals are a process driven, a form-filling activity that takes away creativity and adds more administrative pressure to managers and HR managers, or you think a standardised appraisal system is key to company performance – the importance to get it right, whatever approach you take is fundamental to success.

Even if you are a small, micro business getting the building blocks right to a successful, motivated and objective orientated workforce is key from the moment you hire someone.

You might have a brilliant employer branding strategy, excellent onboarding processes and a strong organisational culture, but does every employee understand their role, their objectives and how they align with the overall strategy and what they need to do to support it?

So what are appraisals?

Performance Appraisals or Performance Reviews as sometimes they are known are an individual plan for each employee. They don’t necessarily need to be resource heavy, paperwork-heavy and an unfavourable process, but they are key.

An appraisal should reflect the employee’s job, their key responsibilities, their wider participation within the team and their overall contribution (or expected contribution) to company-wide business objectives.

Appraisals should focus on performance and personal development with specific areas for employees and employers to concentrate their efforts on above and beyond the day-to-day environment.

Our 7 stage appraisal process breaks it down;

1) what should an appraisal look like.

Appraisals can look like a number of things, an Excel spreadsheet, a word document, or even a hand written piece of paper. More often than not, appraisals now ‘live’ online in the cloud as part of an organisation’s HR system freeing up storage space and keeping information secure (and handy!)

Whatever format you choose, keep it consistent across the business and stick with it!

But what does an appraisal actually look like? What messages? What themes? What headlines?

This is company-specific and again usually designed by the HR department to formalise the process and keep it consistent across the organisation. Even if appraisals are online, messages and key themes need to be organisation-wide but make sure they are specific to your organisation and not a standardised template (all good HR systems with performance management modules should be able to do this!)

For example, an appraisal could have SMART objectives; Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time-Based or it could be less measurable with top line ideas and expectations to be achieved.

Whatever headline messages you choose, whatever KPI’s you want to track, consider the purpose of an appraisal; to manage performance across the business and highlight opportunities for professional, personal development to achieve success.

2) Who should develop an appraisal?

Another healthy debate within the HR world, with HR professionals pushing people managers to be more self-serving, while managers often believe this is the responsibility of the HR department.

As HR departments become more active in business planning, keeping abreast of individual plans isn’t the best use of an HR professional’s time.

It is much better for the employee’s line manager to develop an appraisal with both the HR department, who can give a high level, company-wide objectives and then the employee who will be able to advise on their capability to deliver.

An appraisal, shouldn’t be a rigid document and process with a one type fits all approach (which is it why can’t be something HR are fully responsible for).  An appraisal needs to consider the individual, the manager and the department.  After all you can’t apply the same appraisal document to the receptionist in a hospital to a junior doctor; their key strengths and responsibilities couldn’t be further apart.

3) Who is responsible for an appraisal?

Line managers are ultimately responsible for the appraisal process within their employee management responsibilities.  However, for appraisals to be effective and not a document that sits on a shelf (or in the cloud) for the next 12 months, the appraisal process needs to be collectively owned by the manager, the employee and the HR department.

  • The HR department is responsible for standardising the appraisal method, format, tools, information collection and storage across the business.
  • The line manager is responsible for understanding the objectives and goals of the department they manage, the individual team members within it, their contribution, their skills and what they individually need to achieve to deliver the objectives of the department.
  • The employee, without the employee’s significant input the appraisal process will fall at the first hurdle. The employee needs to feel engaged with the process and understand their personal development is important to the business which feeds through to their performance and the overall performance of the business.

Click here If you want to find out more about how Natural HR’s online HR software can support your business with performance management from HR to self-service

4) When do appraisals take place?

This is a hot topic in HR and business in general with answers ranging from informal day-to-day appraisal reviews to monthly to quarterly to half-yearly to once a year reviews to tick the HR box (or none at all!)

What works for one business, might not work for another and the same applies to your people after all everyone is individual.

One thing we suggest is doing them, and don’t do it once a year to tick the box.  Your people are important assets in your business, ensure they are engaged with your business, ensure they feel empowered to be part of a bigger picture, appraisals provide an opportunity to listen to your employee and listen to their requirements to be able to perform better.

5) Where do appraisals take place?

This is again down to the company, company values and company culture.  Appraisals are ultimately a conversation. Conversations can either be formal and set within a formal environment, or they could be in the local coffee shop.  Wherever you choose, choose somewhere away from the day-to-day environment, away from the wider team and somewhere you can converse clearly and openly.

Another suggestion for appraisals even in the digital world is to do them face-to-face wherever possible.  If you manage remote staff, then face-to-face reviews might not be something you can often do, but wherever you can, appraisals are best approached in person.

6) How long do appraisals have to take and how do you do them?

Again, this depends on the frequency you do them.  If you leave them in the filing cabinet all year, you will have a longer discussion.  The more regular you do appraisals, the easier and quicker they become. If they form part of regular one-to-ones, then there’s no need to diarise monthly appraisal meetings – they could be an additional 15 minutes as part of the regular work in progress catch up. If your organisation has a more formal performance management process, dedicated appraisal times might be required. Whatever frequency you choose, make sure you discuss progress and any barriers to progression. Review the objectives and the KPIs and check whether the objectives set are still valid, especially if appraisals are infrequent.

7) How do you actually deliver appraisals?

‘Doing appraisals’ doesn’t need to be scary. The less you think of appraisals as a ‘doing’ activity, the more they become part of your management style, the easier they become.

In most organisations, especially those with 50 employees or more, HR departments will (or should) deliver an overview of the appraisal process, and offer support to managers to deliver appraisals.

However, there can be tricky appraisals. Not all employees deliver time and time again to the expectations set by the organisation, and delivering negative feedback can be difficult.

Why are appraisals important to my business and why is it important to get right?

To summarise, appraisals are important conversations to align employee’s outputs, performance and personal development with the business strategy.

Appraisals whether formal or informal provide a framework for both employer and employee. A systematic approach to monitoring performance and employee engagement. Whatever process you choose, use good tools around it to support the overall requirements.

Take a look at Natural HR’s performance appraisal module to find out how we could support your appraisal process.

You May Also Like

Are higher salaries the saving grace for recruitment & retention issues?

Are higher salaries the saving grace for recruitment & retention issues?

Natural HR

How can we drive more efficient HR in 2023?

Marc Thomas

How HR software enhances employee onboarding

Comments are closed.

About Natural HR

About us Partners Contact us

Our Product

Benefits View features Payroll Integrations Success Stories Guides

About this website

End User License Agreement Privacy Policy Modern Slavery Act Cookie Policy

award logos

© Natural HR Limited 2010 - 2023 - Registered in England and Wales #: 08292934

  • Absence Management
  • Asset Management
  • Document Management
  • Employee Engagement
  • Expenses and Mileage
  • HR analytics and reporting
  • Performance Management
  • People Management
  • Recruitment
  • Self-service
  • Talent Management
  • Time and attendance
  • Training & Development
  • Payroll Module
  • Integrations
  • Success stories
  • Events and Webinars
  • Webinar Library
  • Book Your Demo
  • Contact sales: +44 (0)121 663 1500

appraisal of business plan

It should be noted that there is no special software required to use these templates. All business plans come in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel format. Each business plan features:

  • Excecutive Summary
  • Company and Financing Summary
  • Products and Services Overview
  • Strategic Analysis with current research!
  • Marketing Plan
  • Personnel Plan
  • 3 Year Advanced Financial Plan
  • Expanded Financial Plan with Monthly Financials
  • Loan Amortization and ROI Tools
  • FREE PowerPoint Presentation for Banks, Investors, or Grant Companies!

1.0 Executive Summary

The purpose of this business plan is to raise $100,000 for the development of a property appraisal business while showcasing the expected financials and operations over the next three years. Property Appraiser, Inc. (“the Company”) is a New York based corporation that will provide value appraisals of homes on behalf of homeowners, real estate investors, and banks in its targeted market. The Company was founded in 2009 by John Doe.

1.1 Products and Services

The primary revenue stream for the business is property appraisal and real estate analysis for the general public. Mr. Doe will become licensed by the state’s appraisal licensing authority to perform certified appraisals to the general public and banks that have taken homes into foreclosure. One of the most interesting aspects of the business is that it is needed in all economic climates, including the deleterious real estate market currently occurring within the United States. The third section of the business plan will further describe the services offered by the Property Appraiser.

1.2 The Financing

Mr. Doe is seeking to raise $100,000 from as a bank loan. The interest rate and loan agreement are to be further discussed during negotiation. This business plan assumes that the business will receive a 10 year loan with a 9% fixed interest rate.

1.3 Mission Statement

The Property Appraiser’s mission is to become the recognized leader in its targeted market for property appraisal services.

1.4 Mangement Team

The Company was founded by John Doe. Mr. Doe has more than 10 years of experience in the construction and real estate industry. Through his expertise, he will be able to bring the operations of the business to profitability within its first year of operations.

1.5 Sales Forecasts

Mr. Doe expects a strong rate of growth at the start of operations. Below are the expected financials over the next three years.

1.6 Expansion Plan

The Founder expects that the business will aggressively expand during the first three years of operation. Mr. Doe intends to implement marketing campaigns that will effectively target individuals, banks, contractors, and real estate investors within the target market.

2.0 Company and Financing Summary

2.1 Registered Name and Corporate Structure

Property Appraiser, Inc. The Company is registered as a corporation in the State of New York.

2.2 Required Funds

At this time, the Property Appraiser requires $100,000 of debt funds. Below is a breakdown of how these funds will be used:

2.3 Investor Equity

Mr. Doe is not seeking an investment from a third party at this time.

2.4 Management Equity

John Doe owns 100% of Property Appraiser, Inc.

2.5 Exit Strategy

If the business is very successful, Mr. Doe may seek to sell the business to a third party for a significant earnings multiple. Most likely, the Company will hire a qualified business broker to sell the business on behalf of Property Appraiser, Inc. Based on historical numbers, the business could fetch a sales premium of up to 4 times earnings.

3.0 Products and Services

Below is a description of the property appraisal services offered by Property Appraiser, Inc.

3.1 Property Appraisal Services

As stated in the executive summary, the primary revenue stream for the business will be to determine the approximate free market value of a property. For each appraisal rendered, Mr. Doe anticipates a fee of $500 to $750 depending on the size and complexity of the appraisal. Appraisals will be completed in line with regulations set forth by the State. These certified appraisals will often be used in direct conjunction with the acquisition of properties and loans, and as such, they must adhere to standards in determining free market value. Mr. Doe (and his staff) will often use comparables, recent home sales, and pending home sales in making determinations of free market value.

4.0 Strategic and Market Analysis

4.1 Economic Outlook

This section of the analysis will detail the economic climate, the property appraisal industry, the customer profile, and the competition that the business will face as it progresses through its business operations. Currently, the economic market condition in the United States is in recession. This slowdown in the economy has also greatly impacted real estate sales, which has halted to historical lows. Many economists expect that this recession will continue until mid-2009, at which point the economy will begin a prolonged recovery period. However, property appraisal businesses operate with relatively strong economic stability as home sellers/buyers and real estate investors are required to have certified property appraisals in order to obtain home loans. During strong real estate markets, property appraisal companies are demanded among real estate developers to certify the value of new properties. As such, the business will be able to remain profitable in any economic climate.

4.2 Industry Analysis

Within the United States, there are 4,500 companies that provide certified property appraisal services. Each year, these businesses aggregately generate $1.7 billion a year of revenue while providing jobs to more than 17,000 people. Total payrolls in each of the last five years have exceeded $500,000,000. This is a mature industry, and the future expected growth rate will mirror that of the general economy.

4.3 Customer Profile

In this section of the analysis, you should describe the type of customer you are seeking to acquire. These traits include income size, type of business/occupation; how far away from your business is to your customer, and what the customer is looking for. In this section, you can also put demographic information about your target market including population size, income demographics, level of education, etc.

4.4 Competitive Analysis

This is one of the sections of the business plan that you must write completely on your own. The key to writing a strong competitive analysis is that you do your research on the local competition. Find out who your competitors are by searching online directories and searching in your local Yellow Pages. If there are a number of competitors in the same industry (meaning that it is not feasible to describe each one) then showcase the number of businesses that compete with you, and why your business will provide customers with service/products that are of better quality or less expensive than your competition.

5.0 Marketing Plan

Property Appraiser, Inc. intends to maintain an extensive marketing campaign that will ensure maximum visibility for the business in its targeted market. Below is an overview of the marketing strategies and objectives of the Company.

5.1 Marketing Objectives

• Establish relationships with contractors, real estate investors, and banks within the targeted market.

• Implement a local campaign with the Company’s targeted market via the use of flyers, local newspaper advertisements, and word of mouth advertising.

• Develop an online presence by developing a website and placing the Company’s name and contact information with online directories.

5.2 Marketing Strategies

Mr. Doe intends on using a number of marketing strategies that will allow Property Appraiser, Inc. to easily target homeowners, real estate investors, and developers within the target market. These strategies include traditional print advertisements and ads placed on search engines on the Internet. Below is a description of how the business intends to market its services to the general public. Property Appraiser, Inc. will also use an internet based strategy. This is very important as many people seeking local services, such as property appraisers, now the Internet to conduct their preliminary searches. Mr. Doe will register the Property Appraiser with online portals so that potential customers can easily reach the business. The Company will also develop its own online website showcasing the Company’s services, preliminary pricing, and contact information. Finally, Mr. Doe will develop ongoing relationships with real estate investors, contractors, and home builders that continually need the services of a licensed property appraiser.

5.3 Pricing

In this section, describe the pricing of your services and products. You should provide as much information as possible about your pricing as possible in this section. However, if you have hundreds of items, condense your product list categorically. This section of the business plan should not span more than 1 page.

6.0 Organizational Plan and Personnel Summary

6.1 Corporate Organization

6.2 Organizational Budget

6.3 Management Biographies

In this section of the business plan, you should write a two to four paragraph biography about your work experience, your education, and your skill set. For each owner or key employee, you should provide a brief biography in this section.

7.0 Financial Plan

7.1 Underlying Assumptions

• Property Appraiser, Inc. will have an annual revenue growth rate of 10% per year.

• The Owner will acquire $100,000 of debt funds to develop the business.

• The loan will have a 10 year term with a 9% interest rate.

7.2 Sensitivity Analysis

In the event of an economic downturn, the business may have a decline in its revenues. However, property appraisal services are demanded regardless of the general economy as people selling homes (like in today’s market) will continue to require certified appraisals for their properties. Finally, the high margin revenues generated by the business will ensure the continued profitability of the business despite declines in top line income.

7.3 Source of Funds

7.4 General Assumptions

7.5 Profit and Loss Statements 

7.6 Cash Flow Analysis

7.7 Balance Sheet

7.8 General Assumptions

7.9 Business Ratios

Expanded Profit and Loss Statements

Expanded Cash Flow Analysis

  • Companies & Markets
  • Banking & Finance
  • Reits & Property

Energy & Commodities

  • Telcos, Media & Tech
  • Transport & Logistics
  • Consumer & Healthcare
  • Capital Markets & Currencies

Pertamina, ExxonMobil plan appraisal drilling in carbon capture effort

Indonesia estimates its depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline aquifers could provide storage for hundreds of gigatonnes of CO2

State energy firm Pertamina and ExxonMobil plan to conduct appraisal drilling for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) hub in Indonesia, with the companies signing an initial storage deal with South Korea’s KNOC on Wednesday (May 15).

Indonesia, which estimates its depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline aquifers could provide storage for hundreds of gigatonnes of CO2, this year allowed CCS operators to set aside 30 per cent of their storage capacity for imported carbon.

During the Indonesia Petroleum Association’s annual conference on Wednesday, Pertamina and ExxonMobil signed a deal for preliminary work to design a commercial model for the Asri Basin Project CCS hub.

“Pertamina Hulu Energi and ExxonMobil will carry out appraisal drilling in order to collect data which will later become a reference for the development of the hub,” said Awang Lazuardi, chief executive of Pertamina Hulu Energi.

A preliminary joint study by Pertamina and Exxon found that the Asri basin, in Pertamina’s Offshore South East Sumatra block, had the capacity to store up to 3 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide and would require investments of US$2 billion.

The companies also signed a framework agreement with South Korea’s KNOC allowing it to join the partnership and inject emissions into the facility, Nicke Widyawati, chief executive of Pertamina, told reporters on the sidelines of the conference. REUTERS

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Newsletter Img

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE

  • Indonesia's Pertamina ramps up Balikpapan refinery operation after revamp

BT is now on Telegram!

For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to   t.me/BizTimes

Oil rebounds, gains 1% after US crude draw, lukewarm inflation data

Qatar to sign more long-term lng contracts this year, qatarenergy ceo says, gold prices edge lower as traders eye us data for fed clues, brazilian president dismisses petrobras chief; us-listed shares tumble, golden agri q1 profit falls 60% to us$37 million on weaker crude palm oil prices, support south-east asia's leading financial daily.

Get the latest coverage and full access to all BT premium content.

Browse corporate subscription here

The Business Times

  • International
  • Opinion & Features
  • Startups & Tech
  • Working Life
  • Events & Awards
  • Breaking News
  • Newsletters
  • Food & Drink
  • Style & Travel
  • Arts & Design
  • Health & Wellness
  • Paid Press Releases
  • advertise with us
  • privacy policy
  • terms & conditions
  • cookie policy
  • data protection policy

SPH MEDIA DIGITAL NEWS

MCI (P) 064/10/2023 © 2024 SPH MEDIA LIMITED. REGN NO. 202120748H

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

  • Sustainability
  • Latest News
  • News Reports
  • Documentaries & Shows
  • TV Schedule
  • CNA938 Live
  • Radio Schedule
  • Singapore Parliament
  • Mental Health
  • Interactives
  • Entertainment
  • Style & Beauty
  • Experiences
  • Remarkable Living
  • Send us a news tip
  • Events & Partnerships
  • Business Blueprint
  • Health Matters
  • The Asian Traveller

Trending Topics

Follow our news, recent searches, indonesia's pertamina, exxonmobil plan appraisal drilling in carbon capture effort, advertisement.

TANGERANG, Indonesia :State energy firm Pertamina and U.S. major ExxonMobil plan to conduct appraisal drilling for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) hub in Indonesia, with the companies signing an initial storage deal with South Korea's KNOC on Wednesday.

Indonesia, which estimates its depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline aquifers could provide storage for hundreds of gigatonnes of CO2, this year allowed CCS operators to set aside 30 per cent of their storage capacity for imported carbon.

During the Indonesia Petroleum Association's annual conference on Wednesday, Pertamina and ExxonMobil signed a deal for preliminary work to design a commercial model for the Asri Basin Project CCS hub.

"Pertamina Hulu Energi and ExxonMobil will carry out appraisal drilling in order to collect data which will later become a reference for the development of the hub," said Awang Lazuardi, chief executive of Pertamina Hulu Energi.

A preliminary joint study by Pertamina and Exxon found that the Asri basin, in Pertamina's Offshore South East Sumatra block, had the capacity to store up to 3 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide and would require investments of $2 billion.

The companies also signed a framework agreement with South Korea's KNOC allowing it to join the partnership and inject emissions into the facility, Nicke Widyawati, chief executive of Pertamina, told reporters on the sidelines of the conference.

Also worth reading

This browser is no longer supported.

We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with CNA to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be.

To continue, upgrade to a supported browser or, for the finest experience, download the mobile app.

Upgraded but still having issues? Contact us

IMAGES

  1. FREE 7+ Business Appraisal Forms in PDF

    appraisal of business plan

  2. FREE 31+ Sample Appraisal in PDF

    appraisal of business plan

  3. Performance Appraisal: The Ultimate Guide

    appraisal of business plan

  4. What is Performance Appraisal?

    appraisal of business plan

  5. FREE 29+ Sample Appraisal Formats in PDF

    appraisal of business plan

  6. 11+ Investment Appraisal Report Templates in PDF

    appraisal of business plan

VIDEO

  1. Business Valuation Appraisals

  2. Build Your Appraisal Business Through Social Media and Videos

  3. 923 What Are Appraisers Saying About The Profession?_theappraisercoach.com

  4. "Change the Score in 2024" Webinar by DataMaster

  5. BBS 3rd Year

  6. 944 Four Choices In a Slow Market_theappraisercoach.com

COMMENTS

  1. Business Appraisal & Valuation 2024

    The business valuation cost can vary significantly depending on your company's size, industry, and appraisal type. Uncertified business valuations can start at $500 for small sole proprietorships. However, most business valuations are much more expensive. Certified appraisals start at $5,000 and could go up to $20,000.

  2. What is a Business Appraisal and When a Small Business ...

    The BizBuySell Team. A business appraisal is a process involving a professional appraiser assessing a business's fair market value. It is a widely recognized method used to determine the worth of a business for various reasons, including mergers and acquisitions, buy-sell agreements, selling a business, lender financing, and business investments.

  3. What is Business Plan Evaluation?

    A business plan evaluation is a critical process that involves the assessment of a business plan to determine its feasibility, viability, and potential for success. This process is crucial for entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders as it helps them make informed decisions about the business. The evaluation process involves analyzing ...

  4. Certified Business Appraisal: What It Is and Why It Matters

    The key to remembering which is which is that very important word: certified. A certified business appraisal analyzes important elements such as economic and industry conditions, business financials, and the tangible and intangible assets of the business. Using this analysis and the appropriate valuation method, a Certified Valuation Analyst ...

  5. Business Appraisals: Everything You Need to Know Before ...

    An appraisal is the best way to get a fair and unbiased assessment of the value of your business, property, or assets. It requires you to hire a certified professional to conduct a thorough analysis of your business's economic prospects, property or physical assets, market value, and financials. The process of conducting an appraisal varies ...

  6. How to do a market analysis for a business plan

    Renewal rate = 1 / useful life of a desk. The volume of transactions = size of desks park x renewal rate. Value of 1 transaction = average price of a desk. Market value = volume of transactions x value of 1 transaction. You should be able to find most of the information for free in this example.

  7. How to Start a Profitable Real Estate Appraisal Business ...

    5. Acquire necessary licenses and permits for real estate appraisal. Starting a real estate appraisal business involves understanding and complying with various regulatory requirements. Acquiring the necessary licenses and permits is crucial to legally operate and establish credibility with clients.

  8. Valuing a Company: Business Valuation Defined With 6 Methods

    Business valuation is the process of determining the economic value of a business or company. Business valuation can be used to determine the fair value of a business for a variety of reasons ...

  9. Business Appraisals: What Are They?

    Business buying and selling: Before selling a business, many business owners get an appraisal. For an ongoing business, there may be a need for an appraiser in a buy-sell situation, where one of the owners leaves the company. Real estate: Within a business, there may be times when an appraiser is needed to value real estate, for sale or ...

  10. Evaluating a Business Plan I Finance Course I CFI

    Evaluating a Business Plan Overview. In the Evaluating a Business Plan course, we will provide key insights into the business plan development process and let students practice by working through a practical case study. The course will start by sharing an overview of the components which make up a business plan prior to delving into each element.

  11. 60 Examples of Business Objectives

    Economic Business Objective: Also called financial objectives, economic objectives relate to the financial health and growth of the company. These objectives can involve profits, revenue, costs, cash flow, sustainable growth, debt management, and investments. Example: Reduce spending on paid advertisements by 20 percent.

  12. The #1 Real Estate Appraisal Business Plan Template & Guidebook

    Financing a real estate appraisal business is no small feat. This #1 Real Estate Appraisal Business Plan Template & Guidebook offers guidance on the process of structuring a business plan, as well as practical advice for staying ahead of the competition. It's an essential resource for any aspiring real estate appraiser looking to up their game.

  13. Appraisal

    An appraisal is best defined as an expert's estimate of the value of "something.". Within the context of business and finance, that "something" is usually an asset (or a group of assets). Examples of assets that can be appraised include, but are not limited to: Real property (both commercial and residential) Equipment (including vehicles)

  14. Costs to Consider When Starting an Appraisal Business

    We're breaking down the costs of starting an appraisal business so you can plan, budget, and avoid surprises along the way to meeting your career goals. Essential costs when starting an appraisal business. An appraisal business is a relatively inexpensive business to start. Most business purchases you already have—computer, cell phone, car ...

  15. What Are Performance Appraisal Objectives? (With 8 Examples)

    8 performance appraisal objectives. It's important to know the objectives of a performance appraisal so you can understand why having evaluations at work is crucial to the success of individuals and the business as a whole. The objective of performance evaluations is often to: 1. Improve productivity.

  16. Top Appraisers Advise on How to Generate New Business

    20 ideas to get your name out there as an appraiser. As a supplement to the expert advice above, here's a quick list of 20 simple ways to promote your appraisal business: Get out and talk with people. Go to networking events. Attend real estate meetings. Join professional groups in your local area.

  17. How to Start Your Own Appraisal Business

    Generating Business and Establishing Relationships. If you decide to start your own appraisal business, you must build new client relationships with many different appraisal users. Some may include lenders, attorneys, municipalities, Departments of Transportation, taxing authorities, as well as many others. One way to build credibility is to ...

  18. How to Start a Real Estate Appraisal Business

    A real estate appraisal company's specialty is appraising land and buildings. In other words, an appraiser makes an independent assessment and estimates the value of real estate property or commercial buildings for purchase or sale.Real estate appraisals are used when people buy a home or business, apply for a new mortgage or to refinance an existing one, need information for insurance reasons ...

  19. Five Steps to Growing An Appraisal Firm

    Hiring is only the first step. Management is ongoing. This is where many appraisal business owners decide that a 'firm' is not for them. Management is a skill which is unique to some personalities (meaning it is not so easy for others). When you sign on to hiring and growing, you must follow that decision to the end of the row.

  20. PDF Performance Appraisal Plan Examples

    performance plan that focus on results achieved, contain at least one element that is aligned with organizational goals, and are in place within 30 calendar days of the beginning of the appraisal period. Mid year reviews are conducted timely and according to Agency guidelines. Ratings are accurate and issued within 30 calendar days of

  21. 6 Ways to Market Your Appraisal Business (Besides Word of Mouth)

    Other ways to generate business include doing "contract work with a local bank" or working with one or more AMCs. One smart way to market your appraisal services to these types of clients is by getting on their lists of approved vendors. In a previous survey, respondents identified "getting onto approved rosters (lender, AMC, FHA, VA ...

  22. What are appraisals and are they important for my business?

    To summarise, appraisals are important conversations to align employee's outputs, performance and personal development with the business strategy. Appraisals whether formal or informal provide a framework for both employer and employee. A systematic approach to monitoring performance and employee engagement.

  23. TheFinanceResource.com

    1.0 Executive Summary. The purpose of this business plan is to raise $100,000 for the development of a property appraisal business while showcasing the expected financials and operations over the next three years. Property Appraiser, Inc. ("the Company") is a New York based corporation that will provide value appraisals of homes on behalf ...

  24. Pertamina, ExxonMobil plan appraisal drilling in carbon ...

    State energy firm Pertamina and ExxonMobil plan to conduct appraisal drilling for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) hub in Indonesia, with the companies signing an initial storage deal with South Korea's KNOC on Wednesday (May 15).. Indonesia, which estimates its depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline aquifers could provide storage for hundreds of gigatonnes of CO2, this year allowed ...

  25. Ingram Micro Ready to Move on Plan for $1 Billion-Plus IPO

    May 15, 2024 at 3:48 PM PDT. Listen. 1:54. Platinum Equity -backed technology company Ingram Micro Inc. is preparing to move ahead with plans for an initial public offering that could raise more ...

  26. Indonesia's Pertamina, ExxonMobil plan appraisal drilling in carbon

    15 May 2024 11:43AM (Updated: 15 May 2024 06:55PM) TANGERANG, Indonesia :State energy firm Pertamina and U.S. major ExxonMobil plan to conduct appraisal drilling for a carbon capture and storage ...