FAQ.
Everything you need to know about property valuation, how it works and what it costs.
Whenever a value has to be justified before someone: the tax authorities (inheritance, gift, IFI), a judge or a co-heir (divorce, division, dispute), a bank (financing, mortgage security), or the other party in a negotiation (acquisition, disposal, lease renewal or eviction). An asking price or an agency opinion is not enough in these situations: you need a reasoned value, signed by its author.
You describe the property and the context; we reply with a quote within 48 hours. The valuer then always travels to the property: a visit, a review of your documents (title deeds, leases, surveys, planning), and the collection of local market comparables. They then apply the methods suited to your situation: comparison, income capitalisation, discounted cash flow, residual method or replacement cost (they are detailed here), and deliver a reasoned report, which they sign.
On criteria that can be verified: registration on a Court of Appeal list of experts (public lists), membership of professional bodies (CNEJI, CNCEJ, RICS), professional indemnity insurance, and independence: a valuer who also sells properties has an interest in the value they announce. Finally, check that they really know your local market: value is a matter of on-the-ground knowledge. What approved-valuer status covers.
Our fees are based on time spent, never as a percentage of the value, which removes any interest in inflating it. The amount therefore depends on the actual work: nature and size of the property, legal complexity (joint ownership, leases, split ownership), available documentation, deadlines. An apartment does not require the same work as a hotel complex or a portfolio. The quote, precise and without obligation, reaches you within 48 hours.
An online estimate applies averages to an address; an agency's opinion of value is free because it prepares a sale mandate; neither commits its author. A valuation is paid, signed work: a visit to the property, verifiable comparables, explicit methods, reasoned conclusions. That is what allows it to be produced before a notary, a bank, the tax authorities or a court.
The quote: within 48 hours. The duration of the assignment itself depends on the property and the context: it is stated in the quote and kept to. For time-critical situations (replying to a tax reassessment, an estate declaration, a hearing), mention the date at first contact: we will organise the assignment accordingly.
For reasons you can verify: an independent firm since 1972, where valuation is our only profession, with no brokerage activity; valuers registered with the Courts of Appeal, members of the CNEJI and the CNCEJ, affiliated to the RICS; ranked "Unmissable" in the Décideurs 2025 ranking of court-appointed experts specialising in commerce (sources here); five offices (Chambéry, Annecy, Lyon, Paris, Aix-en-Provence) and a clientele of insurance companies, property companies, private banks, notaries, lawyers, businesses and private individuals.