Equipment Appraisal Blog | Understanding Machinery Appraisals

Thinking of Selling a Company? Consider a Machinery Valuation

Posted by Equipment Appraisal Services on Tue, Jan 31, 2017 @ 11:18 AM

selling a business machinery valuation.jpg

If you're preparing to sell a company, odds are you have a lot on your plate. It may seem tempting to streamline the process and skip steps to get the business sold. One step not to skip is a business appraisal that includes equipment values for key business assets. Learn how an appraisal protects you and the business you've worked so hard to build, while ensuring a smooth sales process. 

Why Get a Machinery Valuation Before Selling a Company

A prospective buyer of your business wants to make sure they are getting a good deal. They want to know the business has a convenient location, efficient processes, skilled employees, a loyal customer base, and (last but not least) the right tools for the job. With a business appraisal demonstrating the values of equipment and machinery, you can position the company for a quick sale at a fair price. This often means getting a machinery and equipment appraisal in addition to a business valuation.

In a machinery valuation, an equipment appraiser reviews the business assets. The appraiser researches the value of machinery based on age, condition, "useful life" and other factors. 

The information presented in an appraisal may spell the difference between selling your business quickly and struggling to command offers for your company. Rather than avoid getting an equipment appraisal because you don't want to waste time, consider getting the appraisal to save time and effort. If you have to wade through lowball offers because you didn't properly prepare your business to sell, you'll come to regret it. 

If you get an appraisal when the sale is far off, you can make informed decisions based on their equipment value. For example, you can go ahead with routine maintenance for your tractor or invest in new wheels if these repairs are likely to keep the equipment at a high value. If your tractor is only worth $2,000, and you know you'll be selling the business soon anyway, you can instead use the money you would have spent on maintenance for something that will add more value to your company. 

What to Expect in a Machinery Valuation

When you schedule an appraisal, an appraiser will visit your factory or plant and inventory all equipment. The appraiser will then examine all assets, take photographs, and gather data. They might ask to see service records, which indicate how well the machinery was cared for. For example, an appraiser might review a business vehicle service log or photograph the dented frame of a forklift. The appraiser will then review their findings and compare the age and condition of your equipment with comparable pieces in use elsewhere. Taking all the data into account, the appraiser will then issue a machinery valuation for your business equipment. 

The valuation gives you a starting point when selling the business and helps potential buyers understand the true value of your company. By providing third-party proof of value, an appraisal can make the sales process easier on your end. Potential buyers who do not understand the true value of your business will leave, while those who are serious about investing in your business can make a deal.

Equipment appraisers who are familiar the industry you work in are the best choice to conduct the machine appraisal, since they understand the equipment, processes, and tools. Find equipment appraisers with relevant industry experience and schedule an appraisal ahead of time, so you will not be rushed. This way, you can make decisions without feeling pressured. 

Tags: allocation of assets, selling a company, machine valuation

Benefit from Your Equipment Donations: Why a Machine Valuation is Vital

Posted by Equipment Appraisal Services on Tue, Nov 15, 2016 @ 02:00 PM

equipment_donation_appraisal_powered_electric_wheelchair_ALS.jpg

When you're considering making donations to community or charitable organizations, it's really easy to get caught up in the great feeling that you're doing something wonderful in the world. Unfortunately, many business owners or managers don't fully consider the legal and financial ramifications until after they've completed the donation process. Here are a few reasons why you should always get equipment appraisals before making that donation.

Benefit from Your Equipment Donations: Why a Machine Valuation is Vital

Get a better picture of what you're donating.

Sure, you saw something similar go at auction for about $5,000 last month, but was it really a comparable piece of equipment? Maybe the charity you're working with "knows a guy" who can provide an estimate of value for your receipt. Unfortunately, if you don't have a certified machine valuation, you don't have legal proof of the donation's actual value in many cases. When it comes time to split up a company or deal with an audit, you may be accused of intentionally dumping the company's assets instead of having to split them or pay taxes on them.

Provide documentation of donations to the charitable organization.

Many charitable organizations work with donors who will provide additional funding or matching funds once a particular goal has been met. Instead of providing them with a piece of machinery with an assigned minimum value, wouldn't you rather provide them with the actual value so they can take advantage of what those donors or matching foundations have to offer? Having a certified value gives you and the charitable organization more flexibility in what you do with that equipment appraisal.

Have that important piece of paper when the IRS comes knocking.

Every business owner dreads the possibility: the IRS audit. If you've made a donation of valuable equipment but don't have legal proof of its actual value from a certified machinery appraiser, the IRS can accuse you of dumping assets to lower your tax liability. Unfortunately, this is because companies have done this in the past. If an oil company has a banner year and knows they need new equipment, they can donate the old equipment to show a loss of assets before investing in new equipment in the new year.

If you've already donated, it's not too late to get an appraisal!

Have you already donated that equipment? Don't panic! There are legal methodologies that allow a certified machine appraiser to provide you with a backdated value for equipment that has already been donated. This type of appraisal will take into account market and industry conditions at the time the donation was made, allowing you to take advantage of the tax benefits of your donation without the risk of an IRS audit or of undervaluing your equipment. A past donation like a powered electric wheelchair to the ALS is something that can be handled through this process.  Make sure the appraiser is a Qualified Appraiser in the eyes of the IRS and that they regularly sign off on IRS 8283 forms. 

Now that you know what to expect, make an appointment with a certified equipment appraiser before making donations to that wonderful 501c3 that you've been wanting to help along. By knowing your equipment values and having a certified machine appraisal in hand, you're ready to make a change for the better in our world while documenting exactly what has changed hands.

Tags: machine valuation, equipment donations