How Much Does a Land Appraisal Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,000 - $4,000
A land appraisal costs an average of $1,300, with most U.S. homeowners paying between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the land’s size, location, and intended use.
Knowing the value of a piece of land is an important part of buying or selling property. A land appraisal uses comparable surrounding property values, environmental features, intended land use, amenities, utilities, and improvements to determine the value of the land so you can make an informed decision about your property transaction. Learn how much a land appraisal costs and which factors affect how much you’ll pay to get land appraised.
- Average
- $1,300
- Low end
- $450
- high end
- $8,500
Land Appraisal Cost Factors
Just as home appraisers determine the value of a house, land appraisers determine the value of land. Your property’s value depends on various factors, and so is the price you’ll pay to have it appraised.
Property Size
The size of the land being appraised will affect how much you pay for the appraisal. A residential plot of an acre or less averages around $1,000, while larger properties can cost up to $4,000 or more. The bigger the property, the more time an appraisal takes, so expect to pay more for larger lots.
| Property Size | Average Appraisal Cost |
|---|---|
| Under an acre | Up to $1,000 |
| 1 to 5 acres | $1,000–$2,500 |
| 5 or more acres | $2,500–$4,000 |
Zoning
The type of zoning the land is being appraised for will also affect the appraisal cost. Residential appraisals are the least expensive, but if you’re getting land appraised for commercial or agricultural purposes, the appraisal will require additional resources, so you’ll pay more.
Location
Where the land is located can factor into how much you’ll pay for an appraisal as well as its market value. Land in areas with a high cost of living or in remote, hard-to-reach areas will cost more to appraise.
| Location | Average Cost (1 Acre) |
|---|---|
| New York | $1,100 |
| Denver | $1,200 |
| Los Angeles | $1,100 |
| Seattle | $1,300 |
| Cleveland | $875 |
| Dallas | $950 |
Environmental Factors
If the property includes natural features like ponds, streams, or other natural resources, the appraisal may need to be more in-depth and may cost more. In addition, an environmental study may be necessary in areas that are potentially contaminated or environmentally compromised, which will add to the appraisal cost.
When Should You Appraise Land?
Have a land appraisal performed before buying or selling any land. Lenders often require buyers to pay for an appraisal to secure financing, and land transactions may involve multiple appraisals to ensure all involved parties agree upon the value or to allow for negotiation. You can also have land appraised as part of estate planning or other legal matters.
Cost of Common Land Appraisal Add-Ons
Land appraisals are the first step before purchasing and developing land, so there’s a wide variety of services that go along with them. Some common land appraisal add-ons include:
Land survey: Land surveys range between $800 and $5,500 on average.
Forestry mulching: Clearing land by forestry mulching costs an average of $400 to $1,500 an acre.
House appraisal: If there’s a house on the property, getting a home appraisal averages around $350.
DIY Land Appraisal vs. Hiring a Pro
Land appraisal is a job you’ll want to leave to the pros. Appraisers are certified and licensed professionals who use multiple methods to determine your property’s value. Using a licensed local appraiser means you’ll get an accurate and fair assessment of a property that you can use to make informed decisions about buying, selling, or developing land.
How to Save Money on a Land Appraisal
While a land appraisal shouldn’t be a DIY project, you can still save money when hiring an appraiser. Get quotes from several appraisers to ensure you’re getting the best price without sacrificing appraisal quality. You can also ask your real estate agent if they recommend a specific appraiser—some pros will offer a referral discount.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
A land survey defines and records the physical boundaries and features of a property, while a land appraisal determines its value. A survey can be one of several useful records for an appraiser to consult, but a survey alone won’t determine the property’s value—it just tells you the property’s size, limits, and physical features.
Land doesn’t depreciate in the same way that a house, vehicle, or other property does, but it can lose value based on various factors. Environmental changes, nearby development, zoning changes, and economic downturns can all cause land to lose value over time. Value is a comparative figure, so as other related factors change, so can land’s value.