Equipment Appraisals
An equipment appraisal is a signed opinion of the value of machinery, vehicles, and other physical assets. FMV orders it with the business valuation through accredited appraisers in its network, so collateral and goodwill use the same figures.
Signed by a network appraiserFairMarketValue
Harbor Ridge Mechanical, LLC
At a glance
- Basis
- Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
- Prepared by
- An appraiser in FMV's network, coordinated by FMV
- Deliverable
- Signed appraisal report (PDF)
- Used by
- Banks and lenders, accounting firms
- Delivered to
- The ordering bank's or firm's vault and the client's vault
When it is needed
- An acquisition loan where equipment is part of the collateral.
- A purchase price allocation or §754 adjustment that needs asset-level values.
What the report contains
- Asset-level values from market, cost, and income approaches
- Comparison with observed transactions
- A signed appraisal from an accredited appraiser
- Values carried into the business valuation where relevant
Last updated October 24, 2026
Standards and sources
- USPAP
- Appraisal development and reporting
- Treas. Reg. §20.2031-1(b) and §20.2031-6
- Fair market value
- IRC §6695A and §6662
- Appraiser and valuation penalty standards
Documents we need
- Asset locations
- Financial statements and fixed asset register
- Access for on-site inspection
How an engagement works
FMV coordinates the appraiser. The steps and delivery are the same.
Scope
We confirm the purpose, standard of value, valuation date, and addressee, then issue the engagement letter.
Intake
You or your client upload documents against a checklist. Open items stay visible until the file is complete.
Analysis
A credentialed analyst prepares the valuation and signs the conclusion.
Delivery
The signed PDF goes to your vault and your client's. We keep the workfile for later questions.
Equipment appraisal questions
Who signs an equipment appraisal ordered through FMV?
An accredited machinery and equipment appraiser in FairMarketValue's (FMV's) appraisal network signs the equipment appraisal. FMV coordinates the order and delivery and signs the business valuation.
Is an on-site inspection required for an equipment appraisal?
Usually. The appraiser confirms the scope at engagement, and a desktop appraisal is available where the purpose of the appraisal allows it.
How are equipment values used in the business valuation?
Equipment values feed the asset approach and the collateral analysis, and they are deducted when goodwill is measured, so the lender's file uses the same figures throughout.
What does an equipment appraisal require?
An equipment appraisal requires asset locations, financial statements, the fixed asset register, and access for an on-site inspection where one is needed.
How is the fee for an equipment appraisal set?
An equipment appraisal ordered through FMV is quoted per property or asset group before work begins and billed with the rest of the file.
Trust and reliability
SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 audits are underway. Our security program is documented in the FMV Trust Center.
Get a fixed-fee quote
Tell us the purpose, the company, and the valuation date. We confirm scope and quote a fixed fee before work begins.