Should I get an appraisal before selling my antiques at auction?

Not always. A good auction company will give you a pre-sale estimate as part of its consignment process, usually at no charge, because it wants to know whether the item fits its sales. For many households that estimate is enough to decide how to proceed.

A paid independent appraisal can make sense if you have a few items you suspect are significant, if family members disagree on value, or if you want an outside opinion before signing a consignment agreement. It gives you a benchmark when comparing offers.

Remember that an appraisal is an opinion of value, not a guarantee of what the item will sell for. Auction results depend on condition, timing, and who shows up to bid on the day of the sale.