How Much Does a Home Appraisal Cost? [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $314 - $423

A home appraisal costs $314 to $423 on average, depending on property type, size, location, and appraiser fees

How we get this data
Kitchen home tour black and white floor
Photo: AJ_Watt / Getty Images
Kitchen home tour black and white floor
Photo: AJ_Watt / Getty Images
Cost Insights
  • How much a home appraisal costs depends on factors like property type, size, location, and the complexity of the appraisal.

  • A home appraisal is a professional evaluation of your property’s value, required for most sales and refinancing.

  • Choosing a licensed appraiser ensures a reliable valuation, which can help you secure loans or negotiate better deals.

  • Completing an appraisal can protect your financial interests and fulfill lender requirements.

  • Appraisal fees may increase if your property is large, unique, or located in a remote area, so always ask about potential surcharges.

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by an Angi Editor in accordance with our AI policy.

How much home appraisal costs ranges between $314 and $423 on average. Costs depend on property size, location, and the type of appraisal required, and you may pay as little as $250 or as much as $500. Understanding these costs can help you plan for your next home purchase, sale, or refinance. A home appraisal is a critical step for buyers, sellers, and refinancers. 

Home appraisal checklist, including overall condition, amenities, and home location

Home Appraisal Cost Factors

Several factors impact how much a home appraisal costs. Understanding these details can help you budget and avoid surprises.

Types

There are several types of home appraisals, each suited to different situations and lender requirements. A full interior and exterior appraisal inspection is traditional and best for stricter loan terms, but it has a higher appraisal fee than other options. Drive-by or desktop appraisals are less comprehensive and cost less, but are only acceptable in certain cases.

Appraisal TypeCost RangeDescription
Traditional$350–$600Most comprehensive; includes detailed site interior/exterior inspection and report
Drive-by$200–$350Lender allows limited inspection; not always accepted
Desktop$125–$400Based on property records, floor plans, and local markets

Loan Type

The type of loan used to purchase the home determines the type of appraisal needed. Conventional loans are standard and have more lax requirements, so they cost less than other options. Appraisals for homes purchased with government-backed loans, such as FHA or VA loans, have stricter guidelines and demand more time and expertise from appraisers, driving their service fees up as a result.

Loan TypeCost RangeDescription
Conventional$350–$600Standard for most home sales and refinances
FHA$400–$700Required for FHA loans; includes extra documentation
VA$450–$1,200Required for VA loans; stricter guidelines
USDA loan$400–$900Required for USDA loans; similar to FHA/VA
Refinance$350–$500Used when refinancing a mortgage

Size

The size and type of your property play a crucial role in determining how much a home appraisal costs. Larger homes, multi-family properties, or estates with complex features cost more to appraise than a standard single-family home or condo. Multi-unit or high-value properties require more time and expertise from the appraiser, which increases the fee.

Property SizeCost Range
Condo or small home$375–$450
Standard single-family$375–$500
Large single-family (3,000+ sq. ft.)$500–$1,000
Two- to four-unit property$500–$1,000
Large estate$1,000–$3,000

Specialized appraisals

Unique features or specialized construction, such as historic homes or luxury finishes, may require additional reports or documentation. For example, if your home has rare imported stonework or custom architectural details, the appraiser may need to consult specialists or gather extra information, which can add $100 to $600 to the cost.

Labor

Home appraisals must be completed by state-licensed or certified appraisers. Most charge a flat fee, but some may quote hourly rates for complex properties. Experience, certification level, and local demand can all impact pricing. In high-demand or urban markets, appraiser fees tend to be higher. Sometimes administrative or processing fees are included in the total, but always ask for a detailed breakdown.

Home Appraisal Ongoing Costs

While a home appraisal is a one-time service, there are a few situations where you might encounter ongoing or repeat costs.

Re-appraisals

There are no direct maintenance costs for the appraisal itself. However, you may need a new appraisal every few years if you refinance your mortgage or want to remove private mortgage insurance (PMI). Re-appraisals are required every three to five years in these cases, with costs similar to the original appraisal.

Repairs

If your appraisal identifies issues requiring repair, you may need to pay for a follow-up inspection to confirm repairs were completed. Re-inspection fees range from $100 to $250. Major repair needs can also delay the process and increase your overall costs if multiple visits are required.

Man modern apartment building
Photo: Westend61 / Getty Images

DIY Home Appraisal vs. Hiring a Pro

Homeowners can't perform their own official home appraisal for lending or legal purposes. Lenders require a licensed or certified appraiser to ensure an unbiased, accurate valuation. DIY options, like online estimates or home value calculators, are free or low-cost, but these tools lack the detail and credibility needed for loans or sales.

Only a licensed appraiser is authorized to provide a legal report accepted by lenders. Attempting a DIY appraisal can lead to inaccurate valuations, loan denials, or legal complications, and it’s best reserved for informal planning rather than official transactions.

Pro Tip

A state licensed or certified appraiser is the only individual that can carry out a property appraisal. You should always check to ensure an appraiser you’re considering has the proper credentials from your state. Additionally, since an appraisal is meant to be an unbiased opinion of a property’s value, you should confirm that the appraiser doesn’t have ties to any other party in the sale of the property.

Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser at MWW Appraisals

 — Cedar City, UT

Cost of Common Home Appraisal Add-Ons

Certain situations or requests can add to your total appraisal bill. Here are common add-ons and their costs:

  • Rush or expedited appraisal services: $100–$300

  • Cancellation or rescheduling fees: $50–$150

  • Land appraisal: $500–$6,000

  • Additional appraisal report copies: $25–$50 each

  • Travel charges for rural or remote properties: $50–$200

  • Re-inspection fees: $100–$250

How to Save On Home Appraisal Costs

You can take several steps to help lower your home appraisal costs:

  • Compare quotes from multiple licensed appraisers to find the best value.

  • Prepare your property by cleaning, making minor repairs, and gathering all relevant documents.

  • Schedule the appraisal during regular business hours to avoid rush or after-hours fees.

  • Ask your lender if you qualify for an appraisal waiver or alternative valuation method.

  • Bundle the appraisal with other required inspections, if allowed by your lender.

  • Provide the appraiser with clear access to all rooms and information to avoid delays or extra visits.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a seller, it might feel tempting to skip the appraisal, especially in a hot market that sees a lot of all-cash offers. While you can technically forgo it and hope for an all-cash offer, you’ll likely have a very tough time selling without an appraisal. 

In addition to protecting lenders from risk, appraisals also protect buyers’ investments. As such, it isn’t typically recommended for buyers to skip appraisals.

While parts of the appraisal are out of your control, there are some things you can do to potentially raise the home’s value. You can make necessary repairs and upgrades before the appraiser visits—an appraiser can only value what is currently part of the home, not its potential. You can also provide the appraiser with the cost of recent upgrades. The appraiser will likely increase the value of your home by about 50% or more of what you paid for those improvements.

The purpose of the home appraisal determines which party pays for it. You’re generally responsible for the cost if you need to know the current value of your home to refinance your mortgage, though in some instances the lender will pay for it. The buyer pays for the appraisal when they are applying for their mortgage.

Some appraisers hold a Member of the Appraisal Institute designation. This accolade is the highest credential property appraisers can earn. An MAI appraisal is typically used for commercial properties.

While your lender will likely recommend an appraiser, you can also hire a professional home appraiser on your own. Choose someone who is experienced in your type of residential property, and ensure they hold all of the necessary credentials that your state or region requires.

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