Business Valuation Engagement Fees & Pricing

Transparent pricing from Corporate Valuations Inc. — 40+ years of professional valuation experience

How Much Does a Business Valuation Cost?

Business valuation fees depend on the purpose of the engagement, the complexity of the business, and the level of analysis required. At Corporate Valuations Inc., we provide transparent fee estimates after an initial consultation so you know exactly what to expect. Below are our current engagement fee ranges.

Engagement Fee Schedule

Gift & Estate Tax Valuations

Holding Companies: Starting at $4,000

Operating Companies: $7,500 – $14,000

Small service companies fall toward the lower end of this range, while manufacturing businesses or companies with multiple locations fall toward the higher end. Discounted pricing is available when appraising multiple companies in the same industry.

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ESOP Valuations

Employee Stock Ownership Plans: Starting at $10,000

ESOP valuations require compliance with Department of Labor guidelines and ERISA regulations. Fees reflect the additional regulatory requirements and documentation standards involved in ESOP transactions and annual updates.

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Divorce & Shareholder Disputes

Holding Companies: Starting at $5,500

Operating Companies: Starting at $10,000

Fees for divorce and shareholder disputes can be significantly higher if deposition preparation or expert witness testimony is required.

Expert Witness Hourly Rates: Blake Runckel, ASA, CFA — $450/hour | Cary Carruthers — $350/hour

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Financial Reporting Valuations

ASC 805 / ASC 820 Compliance: Starting at $20,000

Financial reporting valuations for business combinations, goodwill impairment testing, and fair value measurements require compliance with FASB standards and coordination with external auditors, which increases the scope and documentation requirements.

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409A Valuations

IRC Section 409A Stock Option Valuations: Starting at $7,500

409A valuations establish the fair market value of common stock for stock option grants and deferred compensation arrangements. These valuations provide a safe harbor from IRS penalties when performed by a qualified independent appraiser.

What Affects Valuation Pricing

Several factors influence the final engagement fee beyond the base ranges listed above. The size and complexity of the business is the primary driver — companies with multiple entities, complex ownership structures, or significant intangible assets require more extensive analysis. The availability and quality of financial records also affects the scope of work; well-organized records reduce the time required for data gathering and verification.

The type of report also matters. A comprehensive written valuation report suitable for IRS or court submission involves more documentation than a calculation of value or limited-scope engagement. Rush engagements requiring accelerated timelines may carry premium pricing.

What Is Included in the Fee

Our engagement fees cover the complete valuation process: initial consultation and scoping, collection and analysis of financial documents, industry and economic research, application of appropriate valuation methodologies, preparation of a formal valuation report, and one round of revisions or clarifications. The deliverable is a comprehensive, defensible valuation report that meets professional standards (USPAP, ASA) and can withstand scrutiny from the IRS, courts, lenders, and other stakeholders.

Expert witness testimony, deposition preparation, and supplemental analyses beyond the original scope are billed separately at the hourly rates listed above.

Getting a Fee Estimate

To receive a detailed fee estimate, contact us with a brief description of your valuation needs, the purpose of the valuation, and the approximate size of the business. We will schedule a brief consultation call to understand the scope and provide a detailed proposal. There is no charge for the initial consultation.