Quick Answer: If a home has storm damage, tell the appraiser when the event occurred and which date the valuation must address. A current-condition assignment and a retrospective assignment may ask different questions. Keep the damage timeline separate from assumptions about insurance coverage or repair costs.
Last updated: October 27, 2026
Identify the dates
Record the storm date, dates of photographs, inspections and repairs, and the required effective date of value. Label information that comes from memory.
If the damage was discovered later, distinguish the date of discovery from the date the damage is believed to have occurred. Explain the uncertainty rather than making the timeline appear more precise than the records support.
Preserve relevant evidence
Keep dated photographs, inspection findings and repair documentation. Identify temporary work separately from completed repairs.
A contractor’s estimate can explain proposed work. It does not prove that the work was completed or establish the precise effect on market value.
Explain the intended use
Tell the appraiser whether the report concerns an estate, a sale, a divorce or another defined purpose. If an insurer or lender requests a valuation, obtain its requirements first.
A residential market-value appraisal should not be assumed to be an insurance loss adjustment or a replacement-cost determination. Confirm the specific service before commissioning it.
Discuss access and safety
Disclose unsafe or inaccessible areas before the appointment. Do not ask anyone to enter a damaged area solely to complete a valuation visit.
If repairs occur between the initial discussion and inspection, provide an updated record. Ask whether the change affects the agreed scope or timetable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is repair cost automatically deducted from value?
No. The effect on value needs analysis appropriate to the assignment.
Can later photos show earlier condition?
They may provide context, but explain what they actually document.
Does an appraisal decide an insurance claim?
Do not assume that service is included. Ask the insurer and the relevant professional.
Contact Aladdin Appraisal about the property, condition timeline and required valuation date for a residential assignment in Greater Boston or Eastern Massachusetts. Seek safety and insurance advice from the appropriate specialists.
