Who orders this
- Homeowners budgeting for a refinance or sale
- Buyers whose lender has asked for an appraisal
- Mortgage brokers explaining costs to clients
- Lenders and lawyers comparing fees and turnaround times
What affects property appraisal cost
Appraisal fees reflect the time the appraiser spends inspecting, researching and writing. A standard condo or house in an active market is quicker to value than a large custom home, an acreage or a property with few comparable sales. Many standard residential appraisals in Canada are commonly quoted at a few hundred dollars before tax, but the figure varies by property and file.
- Property type, size and complexity
- Location and travel time for the appraiser
- Number of reliable comparable sales nearby
- Purpose of the report, such as mortgage, estate or litigation
- Rush handling, when you need the report sooner
Mortgage and commercial appraisal costs
For a mortgage appraisal, the fee is usually paid by the borrower even though the report is prepared for the lender. Some lenders cover it as an incentive; your broker will know. Commercial appraisal cost is a different scale: income properties, industrial buildings and multi-family assets need lease review, income analysis and more research, so they are quoted per property before any work begins.
Appraisal turnaround time in Canada
Turnaround has two parts: getting the inspection booked, then writing the report. Access to the property, the appraiser’s schedule and seasonal demand drive the first; complexity drives the second. For a typical home, reports commonly arrive within a few business days after the visit. AppraisalDesk sends a text and email at each step, so you are never guessing where the file stands.
Good to know in Ontario
In Ontario, MPAC assesses property for municipal tax. Its assessed value is not an appraisal, and lenders, courts and the CRA rely on an appraisal of market value on a specific date.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a home appraisal cost in Brampton?
There is no single fee because properties differ. A standard house or condo is commonly quoted at a few hundred dollars before tax, with larger, rural or unusual properties costing more. Enter your address on AppraisalDesk to see the actual price for your property, tax included, before you commit.
Who pays for a mortgage appraisal?
In most cases the borrower pays, even though the lender is the client on the report. Some lenders or promotions cover the fee. With AppraisalDesk, a broker can send the borrower a secure payment link so nobody has to take a credit card number over the phone.
Why does a commercial appraisal cost more than a home appraisal?
Commercial work involves analyzing leases, rent rolls, operating costs and market rents, often using several valuation approaches. That takes far more time than comparing a house with nearby sales. AppraisalDesk quotes each commercial property individually so you know the fee and scope before work starts.
How long does an appraisal take in Canada?
For a typical home, plan on an inspection within a few days of ordering, depending on access and availability, and a report commonly a few business days after that. Complex, rural and commercial files take longer. Your tracking page and text updates show progress in real time.
Is there a fee to rush an appraisal?
Rush handling usually carries an extra fee because the appraiser rearranges their schedule. On AppraisalDesk any rush fee is shown in the total before you order, and rush is subject to appraiser availability for your property.
Does the appraisal fee include tax?
Appraisal fees are subject to sales tax that depends on your province. On AppraisalDesk the total you see before ordering already includes the applicable tax, so the amount you approve is the amount you pay.