Equipment Appraisal Blog | Understanding Machinery Appraisals

When appraisers are tasked with valuing equipment in industries which are continuously evolving due to events such as technology improvement, law and regulation revisions, or new government initiatives, how do they adapt to the likelihood there will be limited market data and comparable resale information available to consider.

Some of these ever-growing markets include biotech, cannabis, solar energy, and electric-powered vehicles. There are businesses popping up all the time in support of these industries that need capital to withstand the early stages of growth and become successful. The assets of these companies will be limited to the property and equipment being acquired to operate, with many types of machinery having little to no resale history to research and estimate value for.

The fact is that appraisers come across these types of challenges quite often, even with long-established businesses that operate customized equipment with similar limitations in the secondary marketplace. So how do they adjust their approach knowing that comparable sales data will be virtually non-existent for these types of machinery?

Fortunately, an experienced, accredited appraiser understands there are two primary methodologies that are established and supportable, especially when used in tandem, to complete a reliable and defendable equipment valuation. Once it is determined that comparable equipment resale data will not be a factor to consider, the appraiser will look to contact the manufacturers and vendors involved with the specific build, as well as similar types of equipment in the market.

The focus of the discussions should revolve around opinions of replacement cost new, useful life, and reasonable levels of market depreciation expected over this period. They can also gather general research on the equipment and overall marketplace available from relevant third-party websites with experience in the industry, to better understand the ability to resell the equipment in the future.

Another important component will be obtaining and reviewing the actual investment for the equipment, including the purchase price and costs associated with the installation. This can be found in documents such as purchase orders, quotes, invoices, and capital asset accounting records.

Once the research is completed in these areas, the appraiser can reasonably estimate value for these more unique and specialized assets, that have little to no resale history associated with them. The ability to still consider market sources under this type of approach will balance the investment cost information provided by the business, resulting in a reliable appraisal.

These emerging and expanding markets will eventually have a history that an appraiser can rely on going forward, however, the ability to adapt and utilize the resources available in these early stages, is critical to meet the current challenges appraisers face today.

Image source: Aqua Mechanical on Flickr license

I have heard and used this phrase many times over the years when people are discussing the topic of quality vs. price in both everyday life and business. It is a commonplace belief that the more you pay for something, the better the product or service will be. While there are always exceptions to this axiom, where services are concerned, the fact is that higher quality costs more since it requires experience, integrity, and expertise.

I have personally learned this to be true from my experiences working with sub-contractors, landscapers, tree care companies, accountants, attorneys, even my personal and pet groomers. From a consumer product perspective, it is more of a challenge to compare price vs. quality, given the broader competitive marketplace. There are many reliable, less expensive options out there, however, you should still consider paying a bit more to get the best quality for your hard-earned cash.

The bottom line is twofold:

Make the decision ahead of time that you want the best there is to offer and; research potential candidates to fully flesh out who can deliver as promised.

As machinery & equipment appraisers with decades of experience and the best accreditation the industry provides, we know the cost to engage with us will not be the least expensive option when you are in need of valuation services. We lose out on some opportunities every day because our cost structure will never compete on price with less experienced appraisers who lack the credentials and ability to provide a quality service and product which, ultimately, will be deemed unreliable to both you and any third parties involved in the transaction.

In all markets and industries, both personal and business, these high-to-low-end service options are available to everyone.

In the valuation industry, the “get what you pay for” difference revolves around working with a machinery & equipment appraisal firm that is extremely responsive from beginning to end, and becomes a partner who best understands your goals in the overarching problem being solved. From the scope of work discussion to engagement, to report delivery and consulting, these products and services are of unparalleled quality when compared with any other option out there.

Once you have determined this type of relationship is the one you want to be involved with, please reach out and let us know what we can do for you.

Image source: Daniel Juřena license

Stories such as The Terminator and Matrix movie franchises depict the dystopian future where artificial intelligence literally takes over the world. This future possibility may be a bit overblown, however, it does make you think about our current reliance on technology for so many products and services we utilize every day.

The current chip shortage issues we face are significantly impacting the automotive, gaming, and server farm industries, to name a few, and while this is primarily due to human error, it brings to mind the fact that, without this technology, we are affected economically and fundamentally, with our inability to live our lives as usual, without immediate access to these modern conveniences.

In the valuation world, when I go into the field on an appraisal assignment and walk the factory floor with plant supervisors working with all kinds of machinery every day, I hear stories pertaining to this topic. Some relate to the loss in revenue given their inability to deliver the same volume of parts they’ve manufactured, which will be included in products that require semiconductor chips. Their customers have delayed production due to this crisis and the trickledown effect reaches these fabricating shops as well.

Other comments I hear are that older machinery built without CNC computerized controls are still operable today after decades of use, while their newer equipment, with all the “bells and whistles” constantly breaks down due to the technology-driven components. While this argument has merit on certain levels, the truth is that CNC machines are much more precise, and producing the quality parts they manufacture today would not be possible without them. Regardless, this old-school mentality with veteran machinists is common, and there is something to be said for a 1950’s Bridgeport mill that still works like a charm and has held its value far longer than any computer ever will.

Getting back to current reality, though, technology has been and continues to be the driving force of the future, and while the semiconductor supply chain crisis may be a relatively short-term blip, it certainly has caught the attention of the entire population given its universal effects.

So before you say “I’ll be back” for the 100th time in your life, remember to try and direct that thought to the semiconductor industry manufacturers, who need all the help they can to bring back some kind of normalcy to our worldwide marketplace.

Small business startup companies are popping up all the time, especially in newer industries such as cannabis and green energy, with consistently growing markets in biotech, construction, transportation, and IT. When you are involved in a new business startup, one of the priorities will likely be gaining access to working capital that will allow the business to get off the ground while investing in marketing and product development costs. Prospective investors may not rely solely on growth potential and an aggressive 5-year revenue forecast, therefore, collateralizing your recently acquired machinery and equipment will be your strongest option.

It is important for your startup to have the best, state of the art equipment on hand to begin operations, and whether you’ve already acquired these assets with your own investment funds, or you need the capital to purchase these critical components to your business, it is important to have detailed documentation available, so investors know what they have as tangible security.

Another important step will be to engage with an experienced, accredited machinery & equipment appraiser, who can independently support the value of your assets, on both a current basis and over that 5-year initial business plan you’ve put together. The appraiser will research the industry and develop opinions of value and useful life at various levels of the market while providing sources who are familiar with the manufacturing and resale of these types of machines.

This unbiased report will bolster confidence in any parties interested in taking the ride with you during the initial phases of your startup, including private investors, financial institutions, and your traditional banking relationships. While everyone knows your integrity and prior success in business, they will look to checks and balances with their decision-making, which an independent appraisal and industry review will satisfy.

In summary, ensure you work with an appraiser who has the expertise to provide a reliable, supportable report and takes the time to understand the full perspective of your goals, as you venture forth with your startup business.

There will come a time when your business or individual practice will need to appraise your used equipment. You may have a desire to sell and replace with newer machinery, refinance an existing inventory, seek new investors, settle an estate or transfer the assets of the business into a new entity. Depending on the type of equipment you own and operate, the amount of data available to review in the marketplace will range from overwhelming to non-existent

The most difficult step in the process of estimating used equipment value is making sense of the information you uncover, or lack thereof. For commonly resold assets such as construction equipment, trucks, and forklifts, you can find many similar comparisons in the market, however, the range in pricing can vary greatly. On the other hand, if you own a specialized piece of machinery that is customized to your specific operational needs, the resale market will not be the best place to search for information.

Equipment appraisers face these challenges every day, which is an excellent reason to consider engaging with an experienced, accredited valuation expert to assist in this effort. Over time, a seasoned appraiser will have developed sound strategies to reasonably determine value regardless of the type of assets you own. In the meantime, here are a few tips that can help you along the way:

Consider Multiple Sources

It’s not uncommon to see used equipment with the same year, make and model selling for vastly different prices in the marketplace at the same time. This could be due to any number of variables such as condition, hours/mileage, location, and recent refurbishments being completed. Oftentimes it's simply because dealers are testing the waters to see if they can obtain an inflated price given no immediate concern to sell. With all these factors at play, it is difficult to make sense of the varying data.

It’s important to investigate as many distinct sources as you believe reasonable and see if you can determine patterns that will allow you to better value your equipment.

Look at Multiple Perspectives

Given the inconsistent data found in the marketplace, alternate perspectives can bring the valuation process into better focus. Research what you paid for the equipment when you originally purchased it and consider the history of your usage and time since it was acquired. Determine what you believe to be a reasonable useful life for that equipment along with typical levels of depreciation that make sense in the context of your experiences as an owner-operator.

Finally, consider contacting your local equipment vendor to discuss what similar new equipment is selling for and gather their opinions on the current market.

Recognize the Specific Premise of Value You Need to Measure

Appraisers can provide estimates of value at different market levels, and your situation may fall into one or another, as you determine the need to sell. If you are in a hurry to turn your assets into cash, or just don’t have a lot of time to market your equipment, consider an Orderly or Forced Liquidation. If you are selling the assets as part of a larger transaction and the purchaser will be taking over some or all of your operation, then Fair Market Value is realistic, with consideration for applicable installation costs and related expenses to bring the equipment into operation.

In summary, it is always a good idea to consider bringing in an experienced appraiser to help you through this analysis who can develop an independent, unbiased process that will be supported by one or all of these methodologies.