The Full Cost of a Business Valuation in 2026: Breakdown by Provider Type and Use Case
Business valuation cost in 2026 runs from $149 for an online report to $8,999 for a certified litigation report, per published price lists: whoever relies on the number (SBA lender, IRS, court) sets the tier.
By Christoph Totter, Founder of CT Acquisitions · Last reviewed: October 2026
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Key takeaways
- Published single-report prices in October 2026 run from $149 (Experian Business Valuation Report) to $8,999 (BizWorth Certified Valuation with Litigation Support).
- Under SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 (effective October 1, 2026), a 7(a) purchase above $350,000 needs a valuation by an ASA, CBA, ABV, CVA or BCA holder, ordered by the lender.
- At a purchase price of $3 million or more, the SBA lender must also obtain a Quality of Earnings report; BizWorth lists a certified one at $22,899 to $32,899.
- The IRS requires a qualified appraisal for donated property over $5,000 (Form 8283 instructions, Rev. 12/2025), and a 409A safe-harbor appraisal must be no more than 12 months old.
- In BizWorth’s published list, certification costs $3,000: its Standard report is $3,999 and its Certified Summary report is $6,999.
How much does a business valuation cost in 2026?
Business valuation cost in October 2026 ranges from $149 for an automated Experian report to $8,999 for a BizWorth certified report with litigation support, and up to $40,000 or more for an initial ESOP valuation at BGH Valuation Services. Every row below comes from a provider’s own price page, with the access date, so you can check it before you sign an engagement letter.
| Provider and product | Published price | What you get | Source, accessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experian Business Valuation Report | $149 | Automated report, over 25 pages, fair market and liquidation value estimates | Experian price page, Oct 2026 |
| Equidam Expert (startups) | EUR 742.35 excl. VAT | Model-based startup valuation with a written report | Equidam pricing, Oct 2026 |
| Eqvista 409A bundle | $990 to $2,590 per year | 409A valuation plus cap table, priced by funding stage | Eqvista pricing, Oct 2026 |
| BizWorth Essentials | $1,499+ | 18+ page informational report, revenue under $750,000 | BizWorth price page, Oct 2026 |
| BGH Valuation calculation report | $1,500 | Limited-scope calculation of value | BGH Valuation fee page, Oct 2026 |
| BGH Valuation SBA 7(a) report | $2,000 to $3,000 | Lender-ordered valuation for an SBA loan | BGH Valuation fee page, Oct 2026 |
| BizWorth SBA Compliant report | $2,500 to $7,500 | Certified, restricted-use report by a NACVA appraiser | BizWorth price page, Oct 2026 |
| OGS Capital small business valuation | $3,000 | Fixed fee; mid-size companies $4,000 to $10,000 | OGS Capital fee page, Oct 2026 |
| BizWorth Standard | $3,999+ | 35+ pages, adds EBITDA multiples and cash flow capitalization | BizWorth price page, Oct 2026 |
| BizWorth Certified Summary | $6,999 | 65+ page certified report for IRS, partner disputes, bank loans | BizWorth price page, Oct 2026 |
| BGH Valuation estate and gift | $7,500 to $10,000 | Conclusion of value for gift or estate filings | BGH Valuation fee page, Oct 2026 |
| BizWorth Certified with Litigation Support | $8,999 | Certified report plus deposition prep and testimony as needed | BizWorth price page, Oct 2026 |
| BGH Valuation initial ESOP | $15,000 to $40,000+ | First ESOP valuation; annual updates $7,500 to $20,000 | BGH Valuation fee page, Oct 2026 |
| BizWorth Certified Quality of Earnings | $22,899 to $32,899 | Earnings verification for acquisition due diligence | BizWorth price page, Oct 2026 |
CT Acquisitions is an M&A advisory firm for founder-owned businesses (sell side, buy side, exit planning, 500+ buyer network) and does not sell certified appraisals. No fee to you on buy-side introductions; sell-side mandates are paid on success at closing.
What does each type of business valuation report include?
The AICPA’s Statement on Standards for Valuation Services (VS Section 100) splits paid work into a valuation engagement, which ends in a conclusion of value, and a calculation engagement, which ends in a calculated value from procedures agreed with the client. Price follows that split: BGH Valuation lists a calculation report at $1,500 and M&A conclusions of value from $5,000.
The income, market and asset approaches used inside each tier are compared in our guide to business valuation methods, with the arithmetic in how to calculate a business valuation.
When does a lender or the IRS make you pay for a credentialed valuation?
Six rules make an independent report mandatory or the safe route: SBA 7(a) purchases above $350,000, SBA purchases of $3 million or more, donated property above $5,000, gifts on a gift tax return, 409A option pricing and ESOP stock. Each rule names who may sign, and that signature requirement moves you from a $149 report to a $2,000 to $10,000 engagement.
| Situation | Rule | Who must sign | Published price for that report |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) change of ownership above $350,000, or any close buyer and seller | SBA SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 15 | Qualified Source holding ASA, CBA, ABV, CVA or BCA, hired by the lender | $2,000 to $3,000 (BGH Valuation); $2,500 to $7,500 (BizWorth) |
| SBA 7(a) purchase price $3 million or more | SBA SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 15 | Quality of Earnings provider, on top of the valuation | $22,899 to $32,899 (BizWorth) |
| Donated business interest over $5,000 | IRS Form 8283 instructions, Section B | Qualified appraiser | $6,999 (BizWorth Certified Summary) |
| Gift of private company shares on a gift tax return | Treas. Reg. 301.6501(c)-1(f)(3) | Qualified appraiser who is not the donor, donee, family or an employee | $7,500 to $10,000 (BGH Valuation) |
| Stock option strike price | Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(B)(2)(i) | Independent appraiser; report dated no more than 12 months before the grant | $990 to $2,590 per year (Eqvista); $5,000 to $10,000 (BGH Valuation) |
| ESOP holding non-traded employer stock | IRC 401(a)(28)(C) | Independent appraiser | $15,000 to $40,000+ initial (BGH Valuation) |
Under SOP 50 10 8.1 the lender may not use a valuation prepared for the buyer or the seller, and may pass the report cost to the borrower, where it counts toward the equity injection. Financing details are in our SBA 7(a) acquisition guide and the earnings review in our Quality of Earnings guide.
What moves the price of a business valuation, and by how much?
Certification, litigation support, business size and deal size move the price most, and each has a published dollar effect. Moving from BizWorth’s Standard report to its Certified Summary adds $3,000; adding litigation support adds another $2,000; a certified appraisal for a $15 million to $50 million company costs $7,500 to $11,500 more than one for a company under $2 million in sales.
| Driver | From | To | Dollar effect | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depth of analysis | Essentials, $1,499 | Standard, $3,999 | +$2,500 | BizWorth price page |
| Certification | Standard, $3,999 | Certified Summary, $6,999 | +$3,000 | BizWorth price page |
| Litigation support | Certified Summary, $6,999 | Litigation Support, $8,999 | +$2,000, then hourly testimony | BizWorth; BGH Valuation |
| Complex or multiple interests (estate and gift) | $7,500 to $10,000 | $10,000 to $20,000+ | +$2,500 to +$10,000 | BGH Valuation |
| First valuation vs annual update (ESOP) | Update, $7,500 to $20,000 | Initial, $15,000 to $40,000+ | +$7,500 to +$20,000 | BGH Valuation |
| Funding stage (409A) | Pre-revenue, $990 per year | Series A, $2,590 per year | +$1,600 | Eqvista pricing |
| Rush delivery (409A) | Standard queue | Expedited | +$490 and up | Eqvista pricing |
| Deal size crosses $3 million on an SBA loan | Valuation only | Valuation plus Quality of Earnings | +$22,899 to +$32,899 | SBA SOP 50 10 8.1; BizWorth |
How much does business size change the fee?
BizWorth’s published size table, which bands companies by annual sales, shows the fee for a certified appraisal rising from $5,000 to $8,500 for a company under $2 million in sales to $12,500 to $20,000 for one with $15 million to $50 million. The same table puts a Quality of Earnings report at $10,000 to $25,000 across the three bands, below the $22,899 to $32,899 on BizWorth’s current price page.
| Report | Small (sales under $2M) | Lower middle market ($2M to $15M) | Middle market ($15M to $50M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited scope (broker opinion of value) | Under $1,500 | Under $1,500 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Certified appraisal | $5,000 to $8,500 | $7,500 to $12,500 | $12,500 to $20,000 |
| Quality of Earnings report | $10,000 to $15,000 | $15,000 to $20,000 | $20,000 to $25,000 |
Source: BizWorth, Understanding the Cost of a Business Appraisal, accessed October 2026.
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On an SBA-financed purchase, the purchase price thresholds in SOP 50 10 8.1 decide which outside reports the lender must order. The illustrative example below prices three deals with the published fees above: a $300,000 purchase may need no outside report, a $1.2 million purchase needs one lender-ordered valuation, and a $3.5 million purchase adds a Quality of Earnings report.
| Line (illustrative deals) | Deal A: $300,000 | Deal B: $1.2 million | Deal C: $3.5 million |
|---|---|---|---|
| Above $350,000 SBA threshold? | No: lender may value it internally | Yes | Yes |
| Qualified Source valuation (low to high) | Not required | $2,000 to $7,500 | $2,000 to $7,500 |
| At or above $3 million QoE threshold? | No | No | Yes |
| Quality of Earnings report | Not required | Not required | $22,899 to $32,899 |
| Seller’s own pre-sale read (optional) | $149 automated report | $149 to $3,999 | $149 to $3,999 |
| Total third-party valuation spend | $149 or less | $2,000 to $11,499 | $24,899 to $44,398 |
The arithmetic for Deal C: $2,000 + $22,899 = $24,899 at the low end with no seller report, and $7,500 + $32,899 + $3,999 = $44,398 at the high end. Deal B’s high end is $7,500 + $3,999 = $11,499. If the appraised value comes in below the price, SOP 50 10 8.1 requires the buyer to cover the gap with equity, so a price set above the likely appraisal either comes down or needs more buyer cash. Pricing before you go to market is covered in selling your business.
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Which business valuation should you pay for?
Buy the cheapest report that the person relying on it will accept. If a lender, the IRS or a court will read the report, the rule behind that reader sets the minimum; if only you and a buyer will, a market check or a calculation engagement is enough. The decision table gives the threshold for each case and the published price to budget.
| If your situation is | Then buy | Budget (published) |
|---|---|---|
| If you are planning a sale and no lender or court is involved yet | Market check or automated report | $149 (Experian) or a 15-minute advisor call |
| If partners need an agreed number for a buy-sell formula | Calculation engagement | $1,500 (BGH Valuation) |
| If a buyer is using an SBA 7(a) loan above $350,000 | Nothing yourself: the lender orders it | $2,000 to $7,500, often passed to the buyer |
| If the SBA purchase price is $3 million or more | Lender-ordered valuation plus Quality of Earnings | $22,899 to $32,899 for the QoE (BizWorth) |
| If you are gifting or donating shares worth over $5,000 | Conclusion of value from a qualified appraiser | $6,999 to $10,000 |
| If you are granting stock options | 409A appraisal, renewed within 12 months | $990 to $2,590 per year (Eqvista) |
| If the value will be argued in divorce or shareholder litigation | Certified report with litigation support | $8,999 plus hourly testimony |
How do you check a business valuation provider’s credentials?
Ask which of the five SBA-listed credentials the signer holds (ASA, CBA, ABV, CVA or BCA), then check the requirement behind it. The AICPA’s ABV needs 1,500 hours of valuation experience for a CPA, and the American Society of Appraisers’ ASA needs 5 years of full-time appraisal work. A signer without one of the five does not meet the SBA Qualified Source rule.
| Credential | Issuing body | Published requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser) | American Society of Appraisers | 5 years full-time appraisal experience (AM: 2 years); BV201 to BV204 or challenge exam; one comprehensive report reviewed; $315 application fee | ASA credential pages |
| ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation) | AICPA | 1,500 hours valuation experience for CPAs, 4,500 for finance professionals, within 5 years; 75 hours valuation CPD; ABV exam | AICPA ABV page |
| CVA, CBA, BCA | NACVA; Institute of Business Appraisers; International Society of Business Appraisers | Listed as Qualified Source credentials | SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 |
Before signing, confirm the credential, a fixed fee for a defined scope, and whether testimony is billed hourly. The full checklist is in choosing a business valuation professional, and what certification adds is in certified business valuation.
Which business valuation cost figures in other guides are out of date?
Four widely read business valuation cost figures no longer match the primary source. The SBA trigger is now a $350,000 purchase price under SOP 50 10 8.1, the range in the top-ranked result comes from a page dated 2023, and one provider’s own blog and price page disagree on Quality of Earnings fees by as much as $12,899.
| What the guide says | What the primary source says (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| SBA requires a valuation when financed goodwill exceeds $250,000 (Withum FAQ, 2019) | SOP 50 10 8.1: the lender may value the business itself at a purchase price of $350,000 or less, unless buyer and seller are close |
| A valuation costs $6,000 to more than $20,000 (Mariner Wealth Advisors, page dated February 1, 2023) | Published 2026 prices start at $149 (Experian) and $1,500 (BGH Valuation calculation report) |
| Quality of Earnings costs $10,000 to $25,000 (BizWorth blog size table) | BizWorth’s own price page lists a certified QoE at $22,899 to $32,899 |
| BizWorth SBA report is built to SOP 50 10 6 | SOP 50 10 8.1 replaced 50 10 8 on October 1, 2026; ask any appraiser to confirm the current version |
Are business valuation fees tax deductible?
Sometimes: the purpose of the valuation decides the tax treatment, not its price. A valuation for financing or a buy-sell agreement is generally deductible under IRC Section 162, a deal valuation is capitalized under Treasury Regulation Section 1.263(a)-5, and estate return appraisal fees are generally deductible under IRC Section 2053. Confirm your own facts with your CPA before you file.
| Purpose | Usual treatment | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Financing, buy-sell agreement, insurance, internal planning | Deductible business expense | IRC Section 162 |
| Buying or selling a business | Capitalized: added to the buyer’s basis; reduces the seller’s amount realized | Treas. Reg. 1.263(a)-5 |
| Estate tax return | Deductible administration expense | IRC Section 2053 |
| Divorce or personal gift planning | Personal expense; miscellaneous itemized deductions suspended since 2018 | IRC Section 67(g) |
How we compiled this
We compiled this page in October 2026 from 21 documents: seven provider price or fee pages (Experian, Equidam, Eqvista, BizWorth’s price page and blog, BGH Valuation, OGS Capital), SBA SOP 50 10 8.1, IRS Form 8283 instructions, seven Treasury regulations and Code sections on Cornell LII, the AICPA and American Society of Appraisers credential pages, AICPA VS Section 100, and two published guides (Mariner Wealth Advisors, Withum) checked against them. We did not survey appraisers or use client data, and we excluded forum price anecdotes.
Sources
- Experian, Business Valuation Report, accessed October 26, 2026
- BizWorth, Business Valuation Reports price page, accessed October 26, 2026
- BizWorth, Understanding the Cost of a Business Appraisal, accessed October 26, 2026
- BGH Valuation Services, indicative pricing by engagement type, accessed October 26, 2026
- OGS Capital, business valuation fees, accessed October 26, 2026
- Eqvista, pricing and Equidam, pricing, accessed October 26, 2026
- SBA SOP 50 10 8.1 with Technical Policy Updates, Appendix 15, effective October 1, 2026, accessed October 26, 2026
- IRS, Instructions for Form 8283 (Rev. 12/2025), accessed October 26, 2026
- Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1, Treas. Reg. 301.6501(c)-1, IRC 401, Cornell LII, accessed October 26, 2026
- AICPA, ABV credential; American Society of Appraisers, AM and ASA, accessed October 26, 2026
- AICPA, Statement on Standards for Valuation Services (VS Section 100), accessed October 26, 2026
- IRC Sections 162, 2053 and 67; Treas. Reg. 1.263(a)-5, Cornell LII, accessed October 26, 2026
- Checked against: Mariner Wealth Advisors (dated February 1, 2023) and Withum SBA valuation FAQ (dated July 24, 2019), accessed October 26, 2026
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About the Author
Christoph Totter is the founder of CT Acquisitions, an M&A advisory firm working both sides of the table, headquartered in Sheridan, Wyoming. We work directly with 500+ buyers, search funders, family offices, lower middle-market PE, and strategic consolidators, including direct mandates with the largest consolidators that other intermediaries cannot access. No fee to you on buy-side introductions; sell-side mandates are paid on success at closing. Connect on LinkedIn · Get in touch
Business valuation cost: frequently asked questions
How much should I pay for a business valuation?
Pay for the lowest tier the reader of the report will accept. Published October 2026 prices are $149 for an Experian automated report, $1,500 for a BGH Valuation calculation report, $2,000 to $7,500 for an SBA lender valuation, and $6,999 for a BizWorth certified report used for IRS filings or partner disputes. Litigation work starts at $8,999 plus hourly testimony.
How much does a CPA charge for a business valuation?
The CPA firms in our source set do not publish a separate rate card, so budget against the published tiers: $1,500 for a BGH Valuation calculation report and $5,000 to $12,000 for a conclusion of value before complexity. For SBA work the CPA must hold the AICPA ABV or another listed credential; the ABV requires 1,500 hours of valuation experience within 5 years.
Do business appraisers charge by the hour or a flat fee?
Most published prices are flat fees per report: BizWorth lists $3,999 for its Standard report and $6,999 for its Certified Summary, and OGS Capital lists $3,000 for a small business. Hourly billing appears in litigation, where BGH Valuation bills expert testimony and rebuttal by the hour on top of the report. Get the fee, scope and deliverable in a signed engagement letter first.
Who pays for a business valuation when a business is sold?
On an SBA 7(a) purchase above $350,000, the lender orders the valuation and, under SOP 50 10 8.1, may pass the cost to the borrower, so the buyer usually pays and the spend counts toward the equity injection. The lender cannot use a valuation prepared for the seller. A seller pays for any pre-market report it orders, from $149 for an automated report upward.
How much does a 409A valuation cost?
Eqvista publishes 409A bundles from $990 per year for a pre-revenue company to $2,590 per year at Series A, with expedited delivery from $490. BGH Valuation lists 409A work at $5,000 to $10,000. Under Treas. Reg. 1.409A-1, an independent appraisal is presumed reasonable only if dated no more than 12 months before the option grant, so budget for a yearly refresh.
Is a business valuation tax deductible?
The purpose decides. A valuation ordered for financing, a buy-sell agreement or internal planning is generally a deductible business expense under IRC Section 162. A valuation tied to buying or selling a business is usually capitalized under Treasury Regulation Section 1.263(a)-5. Appraisal fees for an estate tax return are generally deductible under IRC Section 2053, while a valuation for a divorce is a personal expense. Confirm with your CPA.
Related research
- Free Business Valuation Tool, your business is worth in 90 seconds
- The Business Broker Alternative Guide (national pillar)
- Business Brokers by State, with a confidential alternative
- The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business in 2026
- What’s My Business Worth? Founder’s Valuation Guide
- Who Buys These Companies? Buyer Types Explained
- How to Sell to Private Equity, A Founder’s Walkthrough
- Owner’s Pre-Exit Checklist, 90 Days Before You List
- CT Commentary, Founder & M&A Insights
