How long does an appraisal take?
In short: Most single-item reports are delivered within a week of inspection. Collections get a timeline in the written scope, based on the item count.
The clock starts at inspection, or for remote work, from the day I have usable photographs and video. Remote clinic opinions typically take five to ten days from then.
If you have a deadline (an insurance renewal, a filing date, a court date), tell me in your first message. The scope will say whether it can be met before you commit.
What slows a report down
Most delays come from the first message, not the work. Missing photographs, an unclear purpose or an unknown count mean another round of questions before I can send a scope. What to send in a first message covers it.
For remote work, blurry or incomplete images are the usual hold-up. I ask for better ones before I start, and you are not charged for the reshoot.
What you receive
The report is delivered by email as a PDF, with the photographs and my signed certification. I try to reply to messages within three business days, and the written scope states the timeline for the report itself, so you know the date before you agree.