An appraiser identifies and provides a value for various types of property. Appraisers fall under several categories of appraisal types such as personal property, real property, machinery and technical specialties, appraisal review and management, gems and jewelry and business valuation.

Appraisals are done for many reasons ranging from estate planning to buying a home to determining value for insurance or tax purposes. The most important factor to be concerned with is choosing the correct appraiser to do the work.