Equipment Appraisal 101: 5 Steps to

Machinery and Equipment Valuation

Do you understand the value of an equipment appraisal?
Do you have a solid understanding of the steps required to
produce a credible machinery and equipment appraisal?
The who, what, when, where, and why?
If not, this heavy equipment appraisal infographic is the
perfect place to start!

The Appraisal Standards Board describes personal property (personal property =

most everything NOT Real Estate) appraisal development in Standard 7: Personal
Property Appraisal Development of the USPAP publication as:
In developing a personal property appraisal, an appraiser must identify the problem to
be solved, determine the scope of work necessary to solve the problem, and correctly
complete research and analyses necessary to produce a credible appraisal. - retrieved
from http://uspap.org/#/65/
Unfortunately, the rest of USPAP Standard 7 isn't as easy to follow, so we cut
through the legalese and came up with this simple infographic flowchart that will
give you an idea of the machinery and equipment valuation steps we follow:

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The infographic above concludes the simplified version of the machinery and
equipment valuation process. We are now going to delve a bit deeper into the
infographic as it relates to the finer points of the USPAP publication. We will quote
heavily from the Appraisal Foundation (and refer to them interchangeably as
"Appraisal Standards Board" [ASB] and "USPAP") throughout, as they are
recognized by Congress as the source of appraisal standards.
For those of you that didn't vacate the premises after learning that the simple part
was over, heres my take on the valuing machinery and equipment insights from
the infographic:

Step #1: Identify the Problem to be Solved

No equipment appraisal "problem" is a simple one. Like most real-world problems
we face, there are many questions that must be answered to fully identify the
appraisal problem. Fortunately, we've compiled a checklist of questions that need
to be answered to ultimately identify the problem to be solved:

Identify the Client and All Other Intended Users

This is one of the more straight forward identifications, once the "client" and
"intended user" definitions are understood. USPAP defines the client as "the party
or parties who engage, by employment or contract, an appraiser in a specific
assignment." USPAP further clarifies that "The client may be an individual, group,
or entity, and may engage and communicate with the appraiser directly or through
an agent."
In addition to the client, who engages the appraisal assignment, we must also
identify all other intended users. According to USPAP, an intended user is defined
as "the client and any other party as identified, by name or type, as users of the
appraisal or appraisal review report by the appraiser on the basis of
communication with the client at the time of the assignment.".

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eavy Equipment Appraisal says...

It seems like we provide machinery and equipment appraisals for a new business
sector every day, but the most common are:

Bankers & other Lenders

Brokers
Business Consultants
Business Owners (e.g., Construction,
Farming)
Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
Corporations (Mining, Oil Field)

Financial Institutions
Government Officials
Individuals (e.g., inheriting a
machine)
Law Firms & Attorneys
Merger & Acquisition Professionals
Turnaround Management Specialists

The client and all intended users should be clearly identified in the appraisal report.

Identify the Intended Use of the Equipment Appraiser's

Opinions & Conclusions
Why did the client engage an equipment appraiser to provide a machinery and
equipment appraisal? That is the next question we need to answer. We know what
an intended user is, but what about the intended use of an appraisal?
The Appraisal Standards Board defines Intended Use as "the use or uses of an
appraisers reported appraisal or appraisal review assignment opinions and
conclusions, as identified by the appraiser based on communication with the client
at the time of the assignment.".

Identify the Type and Definition of Value

Value is defined by the ASB as "the monetary relationship between properties and
those who buy, sell, or use those properties.". The ASB further states that value
must always be qualified with a specific definition of value, such as Market Value,
Liquidation Value, or Investment Value.

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Identify the Effective Date of the Appraiser's Opinions and

Conclusions
The appraisal effective date sets the (time) frame of reference for which the
appraiser arrived at his or her valuation conclusions.

eavy Equipment Appraisal says...

Appraisal effective date is a very important identification because machinery and
equipment markets vary with the times, as does most any market. For example, a
2006 effective date of a home appraisal (Real Estate or Real Property) would (most
likely) be appraised much higher than that same home with a 2009 effective date,
due to the housing market collapse.
Though valuing Real Estate is a different practice than the valuation of
equipment (and other personal property), it makes sense here to borrow an
example from the recent Real Estate market to illustrate the importance of effective
date.

Identify the Characteristics of the Equipment Property

We feel this is one of the most important steps in delivering a credible equipment
appraisal, so we gave it its own step. We cover this in detail in Step #2: Collect.

Identify any Extraordinary Assumptions or

Hypothetical Conditions
Extraordinary assumptions are things that are believed to be true. It is important to
identify these prior to starting a machinery and equipment appraisal assignment
because if one of those assumptions is subsequently found to be false, it could
affect the equipment appraiser's conclusions or opinions of value.
Hypothetical conditions are things that are currently known to be false, but we
create a hypothetical condition of expected, future outcome. Note these, because

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your appraisal findings are based on these conditions, and your opinions could
change if the expected outcome doesn't come to fruition.

eavy Equipment Appraisal says...

Extraordinary assumptions and hypothetical conditions help to protect the
equipment appraiser. Let's look at a few examples:

Extraordinary Assumptions
Our Desktop Equipment Appraisals are a great example of extraordinary
assumptions. We don't physically inspect the equipment in a desktop appraisal, so
we base our opinions on things we believe to be true, based on information
provided by the equipment owner, phone calls to mechanics, photos, etc.

Hypothetical Condition
A hypothetical condition example as it relates to machinery valuation might be a
front loader that is in the process of an engine rebuild. Most any machine without
an engine is worth less on the open market than a fully functional one. As such, we
base our value conclusion on the expectation that the engine is rebuilt or replaced
with a new one.

Determine Scope of Work

Once the above are identified, the equipment appraiser has completed the first
step in the process: identify the problem to be solved. With the problem detailed,
the appraiser has sufficient information to determine the scope of work necessary
to produce credible assignment results. USPAP defines scope of work at a high
level as "the type and extent of research and analyses in an appraisal assignment".
And at a more specific level:

The extent to which the property is identified

This will be discussed more in Step #2: Collect, but the basic scope of work
question is: Does the appraiser plan to identify only the major components of a
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process (an aggregate plant, for example)? Or does the appraiser plan to identify
the individual characteristics of the equipment (make, model, year, etc.)?

The extent to which tangible property is inspected

This is an important scope of work question to answer, as it is not always
possible to physically inspect each and every equipment item. For example, when
performing a Field Equipment Appraisal for an excavation contractor, it isn't
feasible to travel to see one excavator that is located at a job site 2 states away.

eavy Equipment Appraisal says...

We offer Desktop Equipment Appraisals, whereby we don't physically inspect any of
the machinery. This is a popular choice made by the client or intended users. The
client might opt for a desktop appraisal for a variety of reasons, including: the
appraisal assignment has a tight deadline or because they are usually more cost
effective than a field appraisal.

The type and extent of data researched

Will the machinery and equipment appraiser research comparable sales at a local
level? National? Global? Will the appraiser seek out reproduction or replacement
costs for the equipment property?

The type and extent of analyses applied to arrive at opinions or

conclusions
As per The Appraisal Standards Board, the appraiser must consider all 3 valuation
approaches (covered in Step #3: Consider below).
The last two scope of work considerations take aim at answering the question
of how much digging is necessary to provide credible appraisal results.
Enough with identifications, let's get our eyeballs (and hopefully hands) on the
equipment property.

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Step #2: Collect, Identify, Classify, and

Describe
Now it's time to roll up our sleeves, put our dirt digging (hard) hat on, and dig in.
We already determined what level of detail we plan to identify the equipment in
the scope of work section above. This determination depends largely on the
property being valuated.
For example, let's say our assignment is an aggregate plant. Our machinery and
equipment appraisers will take the following 3 step systematic approach to
identifying the plant's characteristics:

#1 Collect facts and data relating

to the full life cycle of the plant
We will first identify the product and
byproducts that the plant produces. In
our example, the final product is concrete.

#2 Determine how the finished

product is produced
Identify the major components in the
aggregate plant. In our example, we might
have a quarry, a crushing plant, a washing
plant, and a batching plant that all play an
integral role in producing the final product. Often, a plant diagram or flowchart is
the most efficient way to answer this question.

#3 Identify the output capacity of the plant

This is an important identification, especially if we choose to value the plant using
the income valuation approach (more on the income approach in Step #3:
Consider below).

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If the assignment isn't a plant, but equipment valuation for a fleet of rolling stock
(trucks, construction equipment, trailers, etc.), we take a different approach
to identifying characteristics. In this scenario, we are more interested in capturing
and recording equipment characteristics such as year, make (Caterpillar, John
Deere, etc.), model, serial number or VIN, and hours/miles.

eavy Equipment Appraisal says...

The method(s) by which you collect, identify, classify, and describe the equipment
characteristics depends on the scope of work decision "the extent to which tangible
property is inspected" we made above. As mentioned, we provide both physical
inspections (field appraisals) and desktop appraisals.

Regardless of the method by which we identify the equipment's characteristics,

the equipment owner should be able to quickly provide the machinery and
equipment appraiser with the most complete, up-to-date facts and data on the
equipment property. After all, the owner purchased the equipment, oversees the
servicing, and thus, should know it better than anyone, right?
If the owner isn't able to furnish this information, the machinery appraiser should
identify that, realize that it will take extra time to collect this information,
and account for this in the scope of work.

Step #3: Consider 3, Apply 1 Equipment

Valuation Approach
With the complete equipment list at our fingertips, we need to carefully consider
all 3 equipment valuation approaches: 1) Sales Comparison approach 2) Cost
approach 3) Income approach. After careful consideration, the appraiser chooses
one approach that he/she feels is necessary to produce the best credible
assignment results.

Sales Comparison Equipment Valuation Approach

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The sales comparison approach is very common in equipment valuation. If you've

ever heard your Realtor talk about "comps" when buying or selling a home, then
you are familiar with sales comparison approach. The logic here is that an
educated buyer would expect to pay a similar price for similarly sold items. This is
true in any market, whether it be a bulldozer or a house.
The tricky part for an equipment appraiser, however, is that heavy equipment sales
aren't a matter of public record, like home sales are (in most states). This means
that comparable sales for equipment aren't as easy to come by as home sale
prices. So the next time you are evaluating machinery and equipment appraisers
for an assignment, ask each about their sales comparison methodology.

eavy Equipment Appraisal says...

One thing that sets Heavy Equipment Appraisal apart from the competition is our
background in equipment and the strategic alliances we maintain with independent
equipment dealers.
This means that we have strong network connections to those who buy and sell
equipment locally and globally every day, giving us the inside track to those hard-tocome-by equipment sales comps!

The sales comparison equipment valuation approach is best applied when there
exist many sales of the same, or very similar machines.

Cost Equipment Valuation Approach

The cost approach to equipment valuation is a deep topic, but can most
efficiently be explained by this calculation:
Cost Approach = Current Cost - Depreciation
Let's break this equation down by talking a bit more about current cost and
depreciation:

Current Cost
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Specifically, we're looking at current cost of the machine, as if it were new. Clearly, a
machine is never new after leaving the factory and we often appraise equipment
that isn't new in this decade. So how do we arrive at the current cost of that?! To
do so, we first consider the Replacement Cost New approach, then move onto the
Reproduction Cost New approach, if necessary.
Replacement Cost New
What is the cost of replacing the the subject machine with the current-dayequivalent? That is replacement cost.
Reproduction Cost New
If it is more economical (cheaper) to reproduce the same exact item (or the same
exact item is still being manufactured), we will use the reproduction cost approach.

Depreciation
Appraisal depreciation is different than the accountancy term "depreciation" and
consists of functional and economic obsolescence and physical deterioration.
Now that you know a bit about current cost and depreciation, as they relate to
appraisals, we could really de-simplify the equation above to be:
Cost Approach = (Replacement Cost or Reproduction Cost) - (Physical
Deterioration + Functional Obsolescence + Economic Obsolescence)
The cost equipment valuation approach is best applied when dealing with unique
property and there don't exist many sales of the same subject property (thus,
unable to apply the sales comparison approach).

Income Equipment Valuation Approach

The income approach is another accepted machinery and equipment valuation
technique. This approach attempts to forecast future earnings generated by the
equipment being appraised.

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The income technique to equipment valuation includes many steps and variables,
requires making assumptions, and necessitates complex mathematical calculations.
Even with the amount of work required for the income approach, the end result is
still only speculative, and thus, isn't utilized as often as the preceding approaches to
machinery valuation.
Still, there are scenarios where the income approach fits perfectly. A good time to
use the income technique might be for a plant and machinery valuation assignment
- like the aggregate plant example discussed in step 2 above.

Step #4: Equipment Valuation

Now that we've identified all items necessary to produce credible results, collected
all equipment characteristics, and chosen a valuation approach, it's time to
apply our value opinions and conclusion to the equipment or machinery.
Truthfully, we've already accomplished most of this step by way of the previous 3
steps. So now we can take what we have accumulated and start tying those pieces
together for inclusion into the appraisal report.
This will help the machinery and equipment appraiser to compile all of the results
in one place, in an organized manner. This helps to provide big picture clarity on
the assignment by identifying areas that are complete, sections that need attention,
and things that have been overlooked.

With a rough draft of the appraisal report in front of

our eyes, we inspect every detail, looking for
deficient areas. Once those areas are identified, the
appraiser should go into Sherlock Holmes
investigation mode.
This might mean the appraiser gets on the phone
with the foremost expert of a piece of machinery, or
meets up with an appraiser peer to inquire about a
similar experience, or researches auction results,
or...

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The depth of this step will vary from appraiser to appraiser, based on
their experience (and/or imagination), so this might be a good series of questions
to ask when considering appraisers.

eavy Equipment Appraisal says...

It is important to note that appraisers aren't experts on each and every piece of
equipment out there. Shy away from machinery and equipment appraisers
who tell you otherwise, because it's just not possible!
We at Heavy Equipment Appraisal aren't afraid to admit that we're not the foremost
experts on every type of equipment. In fact, we're proud to say it! We think that
trying to be an expert on everything is a stubborn mindset that slows us down, and
minimizes our effectiveness by producing less-credible appraisal results.
While we're not experts on every machine, we are professional researchers who
just so happen to have a background in equipment, cultivate a strategic alliance
with one of the best independent equipment dealers in the United States, maintain
a vast database of equipment sales results, and a possess an ever-expanding
network of contacts in the equipment industry at their fingertips!

Step #5: Deliver

Finish preparing the appraisal report* in accordance with Standard 8 of the of
the USPAP. Make any reconciliations necessary. Deliver the appraisal report to the
intended users identified in Step 1.
*Though we touched on the subject of appraisal report writing throughout, we deemed it
outside the scope of this article, so won't offer any more detail. But don't worry, we will
cover the nuts and bolts of equipment appraisal report writing in another write-up, so
check back soon!
Though delivery seems assumed, we felt it was significant enough to have its own
step to wrap things up. Appraisal assignments should be a collaborative effort
throughout the appraisal life cycle, and appraisal results delivery should be no
different. The equipment owner and/or client should have a chance to see the
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appraisal before the final delivery. The point of this isn't to allow for biased
opinions to persuade values, or any other reason but to help identify omissions or
miscommunications - and ultimately, make any necessary reconciliations.
Once all sides are confident that no blatant errors exist, put the final touches on the
machinery and equipment appraisal report, and deliver it to the client and intended
users.
Simple, right?!
Now we can dust our hands from this appraisal project, burn all of our
research behind us, and move on to the next appraisal assignment, right? Not so
fast! According to the USPAP Record Keeping Rule:
An appraiser must retain the workfile for a period of at least five years after preparation
or at least two years after final disposition of any judicial proceeding in which the
appraiser provided testimony related to the assignment, whichever period expires last. retrieved from http://uspap.org/#/26/

In other words, keep everything. FOREVER! Put

it on lockdown! It's safer that way.
You're proud of your work and want your
appraisal business to thrive, so you want to
show it off to anyone that comes knocking.
Oh, and you probably don't want to be in hot
water by violating the ASB's Ethics Rule!

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