Find top rated antique and jewelry appraisers in your area

You can estimate a bathroom addition’s value between 10% to 20% of a home’s value. But this also accounts for extra square footage since homes with more bathrooms tend to have more space. When considering adding one, you should know that a bathroom generally adds only $5,000 to an appraisal price initially, with adjustments made for other factors like local home values.

Garages increase a property’s value by about 80% of the build price. The national average cost to build a garage is $23,900.

However, on an appraisal, a garage contributes to the whole rather than as a part. For example, if you have a garage, your appraiser then tries to compare it to nearby homes with garages, which often have a higher value.

A bedroom can add anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 or more to an appraisal. It depends heavily on the size of the bedroom, the overall home’s value, the location, and what amenities it might include (like a walk-in closet).

A drive-by appraisal usually costs $100 to $150. For a drive-by appraisal, the appraiser only visually assesses the home's exterior, in addition to reviewing the real estate records on the home and comparing it to nearby homes.

An FHA appraisal costs between $400 and $700. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are usually less strict, so the appraisals are often more affordable. VA appraisal fees range from $425 to $900 for a single-family home. Compared to FHA loans, VA loans can be more involved.

A home appraiser will look at the real estate paperwork related to the home, but they will also do an exterior and interior assessment. Reviews include the square footage of the home and/or acreage of the lot, the age and condition of the home, construction materials used, the general state of the economy and local market, and the design and style of the home, along with any special features it may have. While an appraiser won’t be as thorough as a home inspector, they will likely notice very obvious problems and defects.