1. Online Appraisals
NOTE: WESTBRIDGE APPRAISALS IS CURRENTLY HALTING ALL APPRAISAL SERVICES AS OF 2024. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST, AND WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN AND IF SERVICES WILL RESUME IN THE FUTURE.
While appraisals undertaken for Insurance Replacement Value or the valuation of estate properties most often require an in-person visit by an appraiser, in certain cases a general Fair Market Value* can be ascertained simply by sending the appraiser the appropriate information on the piece(s) in question. For example, should you wish to sell an artwork privately, establishing a general idea of the current market value of the item is essential, but does not require the full physical documentation and extensive research that often goes into more complete insurance appraisals. As such, Westbridge Appraisals is pleased to offer our Online Appraisal Service, designed to provide clients with a simple yet accurate digital document reflecting our professional opinion on the current value of the piece(s) submitted. Please note that this appraisal is not intended for Insurance Replacement Value. It provides an estimate of Fair Market Value* based on the item information provided by the client. The Online Appraisal document includes the following information:
While appraisals undertaken for Insurance Replacement Value or the valuation of estate properties most often require an in-person visit by an appraiser, in certain cases a general Fair Market Value* can be ascertained simply by sending the appraiser the appropriate information on the piece(s) in question. For example, should you wish to sell an artwork privately, establishing a general idea of the current market value of the item is essential, but does not require the full physical documentation and extensive research that often goes into more complete insurance appraisals. As such, Westbridge Appraisals is pleased to offer our Online Appraisal Service, designed to provide clients with a simple yet accurate digital document reflecting our professional opinion on the current value of the piece(s) submitted. Please note that this appraisal is not intended for Insurance Replacement Value. It provides an estimate of Fair Market Value* based on the item information provided by the client. The Online Appraisal document includes the following information:
- - the name of the Artist (if signed)
- - the title of the painting or artwork (if titled)
- - the medium and size of the artwork
- - signature information (ex. signed front left, verso, base, etc.)
- - provenance if provided or identified
- - condition of artwork if provided by client or observed by appraiser through images
- - our estimate of the Fair Market Value* of the artwork
- - a disclaimer indicating that the appraiser has not seen this work firsthand and that the appraisal is based on the accuracy of the information provided by the client
- - a disclaimer indicating that the appraisal is not intended for Insurance Replacement Value or other legal situations where an appraisal may be required
The appraisal will be emailed to the client as a digital PDF file when complete. Items required by the appraiser are: size of artwork (image size not including frame for paintings and prints); medium of artwork (if known); artist name and additional information if available; title of artwork if available; any additional information on the provenance of the artwork, including where/when it was originally purchased, gallery labels, etc.; images of the artwork at the highest resolution possible. This information may be emailed directly to us.
If you are interested in receiving a Digital Appraisal, or have any questions on the process, please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone or email. The cost for a Digital Appraisal is $65, plus applicable provincial taxes. Accepted methods of payment include Visa, MasterCard and PayPal.
* As defined by the Canada Revenue Agency: "Fair market value generally means the highest price, expressed in dollars, that a property would bring in an open and unrestricted market, between a willing buyer and a willing seller who are both knowledgeable, informed, and prudent, and who are acting independently of each other."
Please note that Westbridge Appraisals only works with fine art items such as paintings, prints and sculpture. It does not appraise items such as jewelry, watches, firearms, stamps or coins.
2. In-Person Appraisals for Insurance, Estate Planning, and Charitable Donation
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO A HIGH VOLUME OF REQUESTS, ONLY OUR ONLINE APPRAISAL SERVICE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. OUR APOLOGIES FOR AN INCONVENIENCES THIS MAY CAUSE.
With our expertise in both domestic and international works of art, Westbridge Appraisals is the perfect choice for your more demanding valuation needs. As a member-in-good-standing of the Canadian Personal Property Appraisers Group (CPPAG), Nicholas Westbridge is certified to produce appraisals for Insurance Replacement Value, Fair Market Value, charitable donations, and fine art components of estates, corporations or institutions. For appraisals in Vancouver, items may be brought directly to our offices (location information found on Contact page), or for multiple items, the appraiser may arrange to visit the client's location. In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Nicholas will visit your home or office by appointment, wherein he will examine your artworks firsthand, taking detailed notes and photographs of all items requested for appraisal. Once this is complete, research will begin and we will prepare a comprehensive appraisal document suited to the requirements outlined in the initial visit (Insurance Replacement, Fair Market Value, etc.). Your final document will be sent to you both electronically (PDF) and as a physical copy that you may keep for your records or submit to the appropriate parties. This document will include detailed information on the artwork, as well as our research findings, colour photographs, and a final estimated value of the items in question.
With our expertise in both domestic and international works of art, Westbridge Appraisals is the perfect choice for your more demanding valuation needs. As a member-in-good-standing of the Canadian Personal Property Appraisers Group (CPPAG), Nicholas Westbridge is certified to produce appraisals for Insurance Replacement Value, Fair Market Value, charitable donations, and fine art components of estates, corporations or institutions. For appraisals in Vancouver, items may be brought directly to our offices (location information found on Contact page), or for multiple items, the appraiser may arrange to visit the client's location. In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Nicholas will visit your home or office by appointment, wherein he will examine your artworks firsthand, taking detailed notes and photographs of all items requested for appraisal. Once this is complete, research will begin and we will prepare a comprehensive appraisal document suited to the requirements outlined in the initial visit (Insurance Replacement, Fair Market Value, etc.). Your final document will be sent to you both electronically (PDF) and as a physical copy that you may keep for your records or submit to the appropriate parties. This document will include detailed information on the artwork, as well as our research findings, colour photographs, and a final estimated value of the items in question.
As each and every item is different, the time requirement to complete an appraisal can fluctuate greatly. Although Westbridge Appraisals endeavours to complete all projects as promptly as possible, this means that we do not have a single flat fee per appraisal. Instead we operate on an hourly basis with a minimum fee, and offer highly competitive rates for the duration of the project. We would be happy to discuss fees via email or telephone. With our combined industry experience and educational background, Westbridge Appraisals is one of Canada's most trusted fine art valuation experts.
Please note that Westbridge Appraisals only works with fine art items such as paintings, prints and sculpture. It does not appraise items such as jewelry, watches, firearms, stamps or coins.
Please note that Westbridge Appraisals only works with fine art items such as paintings, prints and sculpture. It does not appraise items such as jewelry, watches, firearms, stamps or coins.