How much does an expert report from an SIV expert ( Assessors Association ) cost?

The pricing structure: What you pay for

What is an expert opinion from an SIV expert ?

Before we talk about francs and cents, you need to understand what you're buying. An appraisal by an SIV expert isn't just a two-page confirmation of the market price. It's a comprehensive report, often 20 to 40 pages long.

An expert report from an SIV expert includes:

• Detailed analysis of the building structure (condition, defects).
• Examination of the legal situation (land register, easements, zoning plan).
• Calculation according to recognized methods (real value, income value, DCF).
• Derivation of the market value.

So you're not just paying for the final amount, but for the evidence. An expert opinion from an SIV specialist is so thorough that it will withstand legal disputes.

What factors influence the costs?

There is no fixed price list like in a restaurant. The cost of an expert report from an SIV expert is almost always based on an hourly rate. The final price therefore depends on the time the expert needs.

The following factors drive up the price of an expert report from an SIV expert :

• Property type: A standard single-family home can be valued more quickly than a listed timber-framed house or a commercial property with complex lease agreements.
• Documentation: If you provide the expert with perfect plans, land registry extracts, and volume calculations , the effort required for the SIV expert's appraisal will decrease . If he has to obtain everything himself from the authorities, you'll be paying for his time.
• Rights and encumbrances: A right of residence for the grandmother or a right of way for the neighbor significantly complicates the calculation. The expert report from the SIV (Swiss Association of Property Owners) must precisely quantify the loss in value caused by these encumbrances.
• Building law: Is there still potential on the property (development reserve)? A feasibility study as part of the SIV expert's report costs extra.

How does the process of creating an expert report work?

The process is standardized, which ensures the quality of the SIV expert report .

• Offer: You describe the object, the expert estimates the effort.
• Inspection: This is the most important difference compared to online tools. For an SIV expert assessment, a professional comes to the site. They inspect the damp basement or the leaky roof. This usually takes 1-2 hours.
• Research & Calculation: The expert retreats to the office, analyzes data, and performs calculations. This is the largest time block for the SIV expert report .
• Report: Creation and dispatch of the dossier.

Specific cost examples and price ranges

Let's get down to brass tacks : What do you need to budget for?

The hourly rates for an expert opinion from an SIV expert in Switzerland are usually between 180 and 250 Swiss francs (plus VAT and expenses).

Example 1: The condominium (standard)

• Relatively simple, as it is often condominium ownership and has clear value quotas.
• Time required: approximately 6 to 9 hours.
• Cost of an expert opinion from an SIV expert: approximately 1,200 to 1,800 Swiss francs .

Example 2: The detached house

• Here, the land and buildings must be assessed separately. The condition of the structure is crucial.
• Time required: approximately 10 to 15 hours.
• Cost of an expert opinion from an SIV expert: approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Swiss francs .

Example 3: The apartment building (investment property)

• Here, rent indices, return calculations, and the backlog of renovations are important.
• Time required: 15 to 25 hours.
• Cost of an expert opinion from an SIV expert: from 3,500 francs upwards.

Important: An appraisal by an SIV expert is never tied to the property's value. An expert who demands a commission (e.g., "0.5% of the value") is acting unethically. The hourly rate guarantees independence.

When is the expense worthwhile?

You don't always need the "Rolls-Royce" of reviews.

• Sale: Often, a broker's valuation or a brief expert report from an SIV expert is sufficient.
• Curiosity: An expert opinion from an SIV specialist is too expensive for this.
• cases of conflict (inheritance/divorce/taxes), an expert opinion from an SIV specialist is indispensable. When hundreds of thousands of francs are at stake, an investment of 2,500 francs in legal certainty is money well spent. An expert opinion from an SIV specialist is accepted by courts and banks as the gold standard.

The digital precursor: heyloft.ch

Before commissioning an expensive expert report from an SIV specialist , an initial check is often worthwhile. Do you really need the full level of detail, or do you just want to know where you stand first?

heyloft.ch offers an innovative solution. The digital assistant "Loft" works in a data-driven and independent manner.

• Plausibility check: Loft can help you check whether the bank's or real estate agent's estimate is realistic.
• Data basis: Loft uses similar market data as an SIV expert appraisal for the comparative value methodology, but delivers the result immediately and at a fraction of the cost (or even free for basic analyses).
• Decision-making aid: Use Loft as a preliminary step. If the data from Loft and your expectations differ significantly, this indicates that a detailed appraisal by an SIV expert might be necessary to identify the specific features of your property (which an algorithm may have overlooked). Loft does not replace an SIV expert appraisal in court, but it is the perfect, cost-effective starting point.

Beware of "free offers"

Be wary if someone offers you a free "expert appraisal." These are usually real estate agents looking to sell your property. A genuine SIV-Expert appraisal is an engineering service and never free. If you want independence, you have to pay for it. The SIV-Expert appraisal is a service, not a sales tool.

Conclusion

The cost of an appraisal by an SIV expert may seem high at first glance. 2,500 Swiss francs for a folder of papers? But you're not paying for the paper; you're paying for the appraiser's liability, training, and impartiality. In situations where disputes are likely or legal certainty is required (divorce, inheritance, tax authorities), an appraisal by an SIV expert is indispensable and worth every penny. It protects your assets from costly misvaluations.

For a simple market overview or to kick-start the sales process, a full expert report from an SIV expert is often overkill. Modern technologies offer efficient alternatives in these cases.

If you are looking for an initial, well-founded and independent assessment before deciding on a comprehensive appraisal, Loft can help you to classify your property based on data and provide clarity.

Glossary

• SIV Expert Report: A written, detailed valuation of the market value by a member of the Swiss Association of Real Estate Appraisers, recognized for high quality standards.
• SIV (Swiss Association of Real Estate Appraisers): The leading professional association for real estate valuation in Switzerland, which guarantees the qualifications of its experts.
• Market value: The objectively achievable market price of a property, which is the focus of every SIV expert appraisal .
• Hourly rate: The usual billing method for an expert opinion from an SIV expert (usually 180–250 CHF/hr), as opposed to a commission.
• Real value method: A valuation method (substance value) that is often used in an expert report by an SIV expert to determine the technical value.