One of our new year’s resolution at NorCal Valuation Inc. is to be even more paperless in 2013. We took a big step in saving paper last year when we stopped mailing printed equipment appraisal reports. We now send electronic reports to all of our clients, whether attorneys, lending institutions, corporations, CPAs, or small businesses….Read More
Appraising Propane Equipment: Customer & Storage Tanks
Whether retail propane companies need an equipment appraised for collateral lending situations, buy-sell agreements, family law, estate tax or any other reason, the equipment appraiser needs to take a good look at not only the basic equipment of the retail propane industry — trucks and trailers, customer tanks, and large volume storage tanks — but…Read More
Appraising Propane Equipment: Delivery Trucks
Earlier, we reviewed current conditions in the retail propane industry, a commodity-based industry in a mature market place suffering from reduced sales and relatively flat projected growth. With a general understanding of the industry situation, the retail propane equipment appraiser can more easily address the interesting challenges in valuing the 3 standard equipment categories of…Read More
Appraising Propane Equipment: Industry Overview
Retail propane companies may need their equipment appraised for collateral lending situations, buy-sell agreements, family law, estate tax or several other situations. Whatever the reason, when appraising retail propane equipment, it’s important for an equipment appraiser to understand the overall retail propane industry as well as how the basic equipment — trucks and trailers, customer…Read More
Creating an Asset List for Appraisals
When you or a client need an equipment appraisal, the first step should be generating an asset list. Not just “oh, we have a lot of construction equipment,” but a solid, comprehensive asset list. Why is this? Because when you call an equipment appraiser to get a quote and timing, the first thing an experienced…Read More
Scope of Work for Appraisals
As an equipment appraiser, I can verify that defining the scope of work is a critical first step in any appraisal process. Even before quoting a price on an equipment appraisal, we need to closely define our scope of work. Scope of work is defined by our friends at USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) as…Read More
When to Choose a Desktop Appraisal
Like most equipment appraisers, I generally discourage equipment desktop appraisals. Most folks who ask for one are making an assumption that a desktop appraisal, since it wouldn’t include a physical inspection of the equipment, would be less expensive, or at least quicker, and usually, it’s not. That’s not to say that I never do a…Read More
The Bankruptcy Appraisal Process: 5 Steps to Saving Money – Part 2
PART 2: Cut costs on your equipment appraisals with these 5 simple steps from Northern California ASA Equipment & Machinery Appraiser, whatever your business: agriculture, manufacturing, construction or excavation, recreation, heavy equipment, rolling stock or shop production. This Part 2 of 2 discusses details of providing useful equipment photographs, planning an efficient on-site inspection, and working with a qualified, accredited equipment and machinery appraiser. Following these steps will provide you with the equipment appraisal you need for the least amount of cash outlay. Read More
The Bankruptcy Appraisal Process: 5 Steps to Saving Money
PART 1: Cut costs on your equipment appraisals with these 5 simple steps from Northern California ASA Equipment & Machinery Appraiser, whatever your business: agriculture, manufacturing, construction or excavation, recreation, heavy equipment, rolling stock or shop production. This Part 1 of 2 discusses details of preparing a thorough Asset Spreadsheet in an electronic program and providing complete Equipment Information, including reports needed for Speciality Equipment and Machinery. Carefully following these steps will provide you with the equipment appraisal you need with the least amount of cash outlay. Read More
Before Getting a Bankruptcy Appraisal, Obtain Legal Assistance
Considering bankruptcy? Before calling an equipment appraiser for an appraisal of your business assets and equipment for bankruptcy purposes, call a bankruptcy attorney. Good legal advice can save business owners costly mistakes in the bankruptcy process, including the possibility of disqualification. With your attorney’s help, you can decide if filing for bankruptcy is the best option for your business and determine the steps along the way, including a qualified equipment appraisal of your business assets. Read More
What’s Your Equipment Worth?
How does a qualified equipment appraiser determine the value of the equipment on your farm, manufacturing facility, restaurant, recreational center, or production shop? Three approaches to value can be used in equipment appraisal–sales comparison, cost, and income; deciding which is most appropriate for your equipment is one of the equipment appraiser’s important determinations whether appraising agricultural equipment, construction equipment, production or recreational use equipment or other business assets. Read More
The Role of Levels of Trade in Appraisals
Equipment appraisals for different reasons may yield different bottom-line values, depending on the level of trade used by your equipment appraiser. USPAP regulations require that an appraisal report “identify the type and definition of value.” Learn more about it! Read More