Cost of a Business Appraisal: What Owners Should Expect in 2026

Whether you’re a business owner preparing to sell, raise capital, or transfer ownership, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: What’s the cost of a business appraisal? Today, owners are navigating a market place that’s competitive where accuracy and credibility in business valuations matter more than ever before. On top of this, many owners become confused by business valuation pricing and what to expect from the different valuations.

Valuations aren’t just a number. Informational reports can provide crucial information for owners looking to sell, buy, or exit their business while a certified report serves as documentation that lenders, buyers, and even courts will recognize. Here at BizWorth, we’ve prepared valuation reports for businesses ranging from consulting firms to architecture practices to tech companies and everything in between. Over the years we’ve seen one common concern from business owners, the cost of an appraisal. That’s why in this article, we’ll be breaking down business valuation pricing, approaches used to calculate the valuation, and typical use cases.

Valuation Approaches

Before we jump into the types of reports and their costs, let’s first break down the valuation methods our team of certified appraisers uses to calculate a business valuation.

• Income Approach: Values a business based on the present value of the cash flow or earnings.
• Asset Approach: Compares the fair market value of the business’s assets and subtracts its liabilities.
• Market Approach: Compares your business to similar businesses that have recently sold in your market.

Our appraisers will use a combination of valuation approaches to figure out the fair market value of your business. In each report below, we’ll detail which approaches are used.

Informational Reports

Informational reports are less time-intensive to produce and more affordable for companies. They provide valuable insight to establish a market price for buying or selling a business. These reports are best suited for individuals who do not require a certified valuation and are more comfortable with an abbreviated report.

Essentials Business Valuation Report

Best for: Small businesses with less than $750,000 in revenue preparing early-stage planning or a potential sale.

• Length: 18+ pages.
• Methods Used: Market and asset approaches.
• Use Case: Ideal for buying or selling a business.
• Typical Cost: ~$1,499+

This report is an affordable starting point for many business owners looking to get an estimate of their business’s value, but do not need a certified document for legal or lending purposes. Many businesses will use this report for exploring selling opportunities or benchmarking their business growth.

Standard Business Valuation Report

Best for: Businesses with revenues up to $50 million seeking a deeper insight into their business, preparing for financing, or selling the business.

• Length: 35+ pages.
• Methods Used: Market, asset, and income approaches. This also includes EBITDA multiples, capitalization of cash flow, multi-stage growth, and financials/industry benchmarking ratios.
• Use Case: Annual business appraisal or buying/selling a business.
• Typical Cost: ~$3,999+

This report can bridge the gap between affordability and depth. Common use cases include using it for annual financial planning and buying/selling negotiation.

Certified Reports

The certified valuation reports are prepared by our team of certified appraisers who adhere to the high standards set by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA). This is the most recognized and accredited organization in the valuation industry.

Certified Summary Valuation Report

Best for: Complex businesses facing IRS requirements, litigation, shareholder dispute, or SBA loans.

• Length: 65+ pages.
• Methods Used: All three major valuation approaches, with robust explanations and risk assessment.
• Use Case: More complex business acquisitions and divestitures, IRS submissions, partner disputes, and bank loan reports.
• Typical Cost: ~$6,999-18,699

When a defensible number is required by courts, tax authorities, or lenders, this is the go-to report. In our past valuations hereat BizWorth, we’ve seen this type of report help owners resolve ownership transfers, partner exits, and estate planning cases.

PreQualified Report

The following report is intended for owners looking to secure prequalified financing for their business from our network of participating lenders.

Part A – PreQualified Business Appraisal Report

Best for: Owners looking to set an appropriate price for their business with the goal of attracting buyers and providing lenders with crucial financial data for conditional loan approval.

• Use Case: Establishes a financeable asking price before listing the business.
• Value: Removes buyer objections early by showing lender-backed approvals.
• Typical Cost: ~$3,999-5,999

In multiple valuations at BizWorth, sellers who used PreQualified reports attracted more serious buyers and avoided any price negotiations that derail deals.

Specialized Appraisals

Machinery & Equipment Appraisals

Best for: Owners looking for asset-backed loans, insurance, and legal disputes. Also, for knowing the worth of the business’s onsite assets which can give a more accurate valuation when using the asset approach for valuing a business.

• Desktop Option: Rely on documents provided by the business. Cost-effective but may have limitations due to lack of physical inspection.
• On Site Option: Thorough data collection, and expert analysis for highly accurate machinery and equipment appraisals.

Choosing the Right Report for Your Business

Owners should view the cost of a business appraisal as an investment. Choosing the correct report ensures that you receive the right level of analysis, defensibility, and credibility.

• Use the Essentials or Standard reports for planning and early sale preparation.
• Choose Certified Summary for compliance and litigation needs.
• Consider PreQualifed to speed up your business sale by showing financial potential.

Here at BizWorth, our reports are created by certified appraisers who help owners like you select the right type of report from the start. The goal is to save you both time and money. Are you ready to find out which report is right for you? Explore BizWorth’s business valuation reports today.

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