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Pricing Guide

How much does a rug appraisal cost?

A certified rug appraisal from The RUG Index costs $125 to $195 depending on the report type. This guide explains what each level includes and when you need a more comprehensive report.

RUG Index Pricing

Two report types

Standard — Most common
$125
Physical inspection · Five-pillar assessment · Four certified value outputs (resale, insurance, retail, auction) · PDF report in 3–5 business days · Formatted to meet carrier documentation requirements
Best for: Insurance coverage verification, pre-sale estimates, estate inventories
Comprehensive — For high-value rugs
$125
Everything in Standard · Comparable sales analysis from the RUG Index sold-price database · Detailed provenance assessment · Priority 1–2 day delivery · Suitable for insurance disputes and high-value coverage
Best for: Rugs valued over $5,000, insurance disputes, pre-auction documentation
Estate / Legal
$195
Everything in Comprehensive · formatted for legal use · Formatted for IRS Form 8283 · Same-day emergency appointments available in Chicago
Best for: Estate settlement, divorce proceedings, charitable donation, IRS compliance
By type

Oriental Rug Appraisal Cost

An oriental rug appraisal costs the same as any hand-knotted rug appraisal at The RUG Index: $35 for an instant valuation, $125 for a RICA Certified Appraisal, and $195 for a Legal/Estate report. Origin does not change the fee — a Persian Tabriz, a Turkish Hereke, and a Caucasian Kazak are all assessed with the same five-pillar method and the same flat pricing.

By contrast, traditional specialists often charge $195–$400 for an oriental or Persian rug appraisal because their pricing scales with the appraiser’s time. Our standardized methodology keeps the cost flat no matter how rare or valuable the rug is. See oriental rug appraisal for what the report includes.

FAQ

Questions about rug appraisal pricing

A certified appraisal is a professional service that produces a legally defensible document. The appraiser physically examines the rug, measures it, assesses condition, researches comparable sales, and produces a signed report that meets The RUG Index Standard. If you just want a general sense of value without legal weight, use our online valuation tool — instant results, no account required.
Yes. The Certified ($125) RICA Certified Appraisal is formatted to meet documentation requirements commonly requested by U.S. insurance carriers; acceptance is subject to individual carrier requirements. It is signed by a RICA-certified appraiser. For insurance scheduling, estate, or legal use, the Certified ($125) or Legal/Estate ($195) report is recommended.
Per rug. Each rug receives its own report. If you have multiple rugs to appraise at the same location, contact us — we offer reduced rates for collections of 5 or more pieces.
Traditional rug appraisers typically charge $195–$400 per rug for a similar report. The RUG Index is able to offer lower prices because our standardized methodology reduces the time required per appraisal, and because our appraisers use the RUG Index formula rather than purely subjective assessment.
Industry Comparison

How our pricing compares

Traditional rug appraisers typically charge $195–$400 per rug and may have a minimum visit fee on top. The RUG Index is able to offer lower prices because our standardized five-pillar methodology reduces the research time per appraisal and produces a consistent, reproducible result. The report quality is the same — RICA-certified, signed, with four certified value outputs — at roughly half the market rate.

Report type
Industry average
The RUG Index
Standard insurance appraisal
$195–$200
$125
Comprehensive with comparables
$200–$350
$125
Estate / legal / IRS-qualified
$300–$500
$195

Industry averages are estimates based on market rates as of 2025. Individual appraisers vary widely.