What Does a Business Valuation Cost? A 2026 Price Guide
From a free calculator to a litigation-ready report — what to pay for, and what you can skip.
What does a business valuation cost?
A certified business appraisal typically costs $3,000 to $15,000+, depending on business complexity, the purpose of the valuation, and the credential level required. Simple calculator estimates and broker opinions of value are free but carry no legal standing. If the valuation is for an SBA loan, estate or gift tax, divorce, or a shareholder dispute, an independent certified appraisal is generally required — a free estimate will not be accepted.
- Cost scales with purpose and standard of value, not just business size — a litigation-ready report costs far more than an internal planning estimate.
- Three credentials matter: ABV, ASA, and CVA — each backed by a different professional body, all recognised in courts and by the IRS.
- A free calculator estimate is genuinely useful for exploring options and setting expectations — it's not a substitute for a certified report in a legal or financing context.
- SBA partial ownership transfers, estate/gift tax filings, and divorce proceedings all have specific, non-negotiable valuation requirements.
- Ask for the engagement letter and standard of value up front — "fair market value" and "fair value" are legally distinct and produce different numbers.
Cost by engagement type
| Engagement type | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Broker opinion of value | Free – $500 | An estimate from a business broker, usually informal, often geared toward listing the business rather than a defensible report |
| Calculation engagement | $1,500 – $5,000 | A limited-scope valuation using agreed-upon procedures — faster and cheaper, but with reduced assurance |
| Conclusion of value (certified report) | $5,000 – $15,000+ | A full, defensible report suitable for litigation, tax filing, or SBA financing, prepared by a credentialed appraiser |
| Litigation-support valuation | $15,000 – $50,000+ | A conclusion of value plus expert testimony support, for divorce or shareholder disputes |
A $500 opinion of value and a $12,000 certified appraisal are not the same product priced differently — they are different products. The cheap version cannot stand up in an IRS audit, a divorce proceeding, or a lender's underwriting file. Match the engagement to what you actually need the valuation to do.
Which credentials actually matter
Three credentials cover most of the US business valuation profession, each administered by a different body:
| Credential | Issuing body | Typical background |
|---|---|---|
| ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation) | AICPA | CPAs with additional valuation training and exam |
| ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser) | American Society of Appraisers | Dedicated valuation professionals across multiple asset classes |
| CVA (Certified Valuation Analyst) | National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) | Valuation specialists, often with a finance or accounting background |
Whichever credential your appraiser holds, ask directly: how many valuations have they completed in your industry, and can they name the standard of value the engagement will use? "Fair market value" (the willing-buyer, willing-seller standard from Rev. Rul. 59-60) and "fair value" (a different legal standard used in some shareholder disputes and state statutes) are not interchangeable terms, and using the wrong one produces a number a court or the IRS will not accept.
When a free calculator is genuinely enough
None of this means a free calculator is worthless — it means matching the tool to the stakes.
| Situation | A free calculator is enough | You need a certified appraisal |
|---|---|---|
| Deciding whether to explore a sale | ✓ | |
| Setting an internal target before a partner conversation | ✓ | |
| Sanity-checking a broker's opinion of value | ✓ | |
| Understanding how a change in earnings moves your number | ✓ | |
| SBA-financed partial ownership transfer | ✓ required | |
| Estate or gift tax filing | ✓ required | |
| Divorce proceeding | ✓ required | |
| Shareholder dispute or litigation | ✓ required | |
| Buy-sell agreement trigger | ✓ usually required |
Get a free estimate first — it'll tell you whether pursuing a certified appraisal is even worth the cost for your situation.
Get a free estimateCost ranges reflect typical US small business appraisal market rates as of 2026 and will vary by region, appraiser, and engagement scope. This guide describes the market generally rather than recommending any specific firm; We Are Calculator has no referral or affiliate relationship with any appraisal provider.
- 1Revenue Ruling 59-60 — Valuation of closely held stock — Internal Revenue Service
- 2Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) credential — American Institute of CPAs
A research-first finance team. No lead selling, no lender rankings, no affiliate-pulled recommendations. Every guide pairs primary sources (IRS, CFPB, Federal Reserve, CRA) with the free calculators you can run yourself.
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