How Much Does a Home Appraisal Cost in 2025?

Home Appraisal Cost Factors

While the average home appraisal costs just $357, several cost factors can drive up that price, such as the type of home, its location, and its condition.

Home Type

Residential House

A residential home’s appraisal fees range from $300 to $400 depending on the type of loan and the home’s location and condition. Expect to pay slightly more in urban areas. But rural areas may have high costs, too, if the appraisal lacks comparable properties or other unusual circumstances.

Farm and Land

Land appraisals for a residential lot cost just $200 to $1,000, but for raw land or farmland of several acres, expect to pay $1,000 to $4,000, on average, with some reports of $8,000 or more for larger acreage; large plots of land can be more difficult to appraise.

Condo

A condo costs $400 to $750 to appraise. Because plenty of comparable properties often surround condos, property values tend to be a little easier to find.

Size of Home/Lot

Hiring a local home appraiser for the average single-family home costs $300 to $400, but a multifamily home could more than double the cost. Similarly, a small two-bedroom home costs less to assess than a large 10-bedroom mansion, primarily because of the difference in the time investment for the appraiser.

Appraising vacant land functions the same. An appraisal for an empty residential lot might cost as little as $200, but you’ll pay much more for several acres of property.

Location of Home/Lot

If the appraiser can easily access your home or lot, standard appraisal costs should apply. But if you live in a popular metropolitan area with a higher cost of living, expect to pay more for your home appraisal (starting at $600 in some cases). Similarly, houses in remote areas, like up in the mountains, will be more difficult for an appraiser to reach, resulting in higher prices.

Condition of Home

If your property is in good shape, a home appraiser can likely finish their job in one to three hours for the typical home size. If there are clear structural issues that require more time to review, however, expect to pay more. More complex appraisals can exceed $1,000 for a basic home.

Residential vs. Commercial

Commercial appraisals cost more than home appraisals, typically between $1,500 and $10,000 or more. Commercial appraisals may include a review of local zoning records, environmental impact studies, and other more complicated assessments that increase the length and complexity of the appraisal.

A Member of the Appraisal Institute (MAI) will often conduct a commercial appraisal. Because the MAI designation requires advanced education and experience, MAI appraisers can charge more.

Home Appraisal vs. Home Inspection

While similar, a home appraisal is less thorough than a home inspection. A home appraisal is a process by which an independent appraiser assesses the overall value of a home, looking at feature lists, home data, and visible defects; mortgage companies generally require a home appraisal.

A home inspector, however, looks much more closely at the home and its systems—including electrical, plumbing, and appliances—to find problems. A home inspector’s job is to find any potential issues that the buyer should know about before moving forward with the purchase. If a home inspection reveals bad news—like a leaky roof, asbestos or mold, or an air conditioner on its last limb—the buyer can walk away from the deal or lower their offer.

While a home appraiser is independent and serves both the buyer and seller equally, a home inspector is supposed to keep the buyer’s best interests in mind. A home inspection costs between $295 and $425, on average.

Note: Most inspectors are generalized. Certain homes may require further specialized inspectors, like a structural engineer or a roof inspector. A roof inspection costs $150 to $300, while an electrical inspection costs between $110 and $175. If you’re looking to get a warranty, your home warranty inspection cost will be somewhere between $300 and $600.

Does Getting an Appraisal Increase Home Value?

An appraisal doesn’t increase your home value but rather confirms it. A recently appraised home will be easier to price, ensuring sellers get a good deal without listing it for too high. For buyers, a recent appraisal confirms that the house is worth the asking price, making them more comfortable placing an offer. Appraisals are also often required to secure financing, making them essential.

Budgeting for a Home Appraisal

Home appraisals are essential, but you may be able to save some money on them anyway. To help you budget for a home appraisal, ensure all important information about the home (e.g., floor plans, survey documents) is gathered and organized to save your appraiser time.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real 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.