
Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or refinance, you’ll need a good home appraiser. We’ll show you what to look for when hiring a home appraiser.
A home appraisal costs $314 to $423 on average, depending on property type, size, location, and appraiser fees
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.
Several factors impact how much a home appraisal costs. Understanding these details can help you budget and avoid surprises.
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 Type | Cost Range | Description |
---|---|---|
Traditional | $350–$600 | Most comprehensive; includes detailed site interior/exterior inspection and report |
Drive-by | $200–$350 | Lender allows limited inspection; not always accepted |
Desktop | $125–$400 | Based on property records, floor plans, and local markets |
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 Type | Cost Range | Description |
---|---|---|
Conventional | $350–$600 | Standard for most home sales and refinances |
FHA | $400–$700 | Required for FHA loans; includes extra documentation |
VA | $450–$1,200 | Required for VA loans; stricter guidelines |
USDA loan | $400–$900 | Required for USDA loans; similar to FHA/VA |
Refinance | $350–$500 | Used when refinancing a mortgage |
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 Size | Cost 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 |
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.
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.
While a home appraisal is a one-time service, there are a few situations where you might encounter ongoing or repeat costs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or refinance, you’ll need a good home appraiser. We’ll show you what to look for when hiring a home appraiser.
Home appraisals can come in low, even during an ultra-hot real estate market. Here’s what to do when a home appraisal is lower than the offer you receive.
Get transparent desktop appraisal cost info. Learn what affects pricing, compare options, and find ways to save on your home appraisal.
Discover what the average pre-listing appraisal cost is, what impacts pricing, and how to save money before selling your home.
Get transparent land appraisal cost info. Learn average prices, key cost factors, and tips to save on your next land appraisal.