FREE PIANO REVIEW · NORBERG PIANOS INCORPORATED
An appraisal can help you financially either way—whether you sell your piano or donate it. But it isn’t worth paying for one on every piano. Start with a free review, and we’ll help you decide.
Is an appraisal worth it? Get my free reviewNo payment. No obligation. We normally reply within 24 hours.
“If we don’t think a paid appraisal would be a good use of your money, we’ll tell you.”
Meet Slava & Todd ↗A LITTLE GUIDANCE BEFORE YOU SPEND
Watch our 52-second introduction, then tell us about your piano. We’ll help you decide whether paying for an appraisal makes sense.
AI-illustrated introduction featuring a likeness of Todd; not footage of a client or an appraisal visit. Outcomes depend on your piano and circumstances.
Get my free piano review →An appraisal can help you financially either way—whether you sell your piano or donate it. When you sell, documented value can help you ask for more money, and give buyers a reason to take your price seriously.
And if it doesn't sell, a qualifying donation may still help you financially. If you itemize, tax savings can sometimes reach thousands. Your tax adviser can tell you what applies, including qualified appraisal requirements.
But not every piano is worth paying to appraise. Some older uprights simply aren't. Send Norberg a few photos for a free review. If an appraisal isn't a good use of your money, we'll tell you. No payment. No obligation. We normally reply within twenty-four hours.
TWO REASONS TO KNOW THE VALUE
01 / SELLING YOUR PIANO
You don’t want to let your piano go for too little. A written appraisal can give buyers confidence in your advertisement and help you negotiate for more money, with research behind your asking price.
Your goal: get the value your piano can support in a sale.
Ask about a sale appraisal02 / DONATING YOUR PIANO
If you can’t find a buyer, a qualifying donation could help someone else enjoy your piano and potentially save you thousands in taxes. Your tax adviser can confirm whether you qualify and what you might save.
Your goal: explore potential tax savings when selling hasn’t worked out.
Appraisals for donationsWe confirm the report required before accepting an assignment. A standard online appraisal is not automatically a qualified tax appraisal. No selling price or tax saving is guaranteed.
ONE PIANO. A CONSIDERED APPRAISAL.
The online appraisal brings together the information you provide, relevant market research and a written explanation of value.
We confirm suitability, the intended use and delivery timing before work begins. A tax-qualified or other formal report, any inspection and additional work require a separately confirmed scope and fee.
ONLINE PIANO APPRAISAL
Upright, studio, console & spinet
$295USD
Baby grands & larger grands
$495USD
Per piano · Fixed online appraisal fees
Start with a free reviewSend an inquiry to confirm the scope. No payment is taken on this website. Any applicable taxes are confirmed before you proceed.
The fee is independent of the piano’s appraised value.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND NORBERG
Slava Sles is President and Appraiser at Norberg Pianos Incorporated. Todd Scott is a Registered Piano Technician, Piano Designer, Piano Engineer and Appraiser.
Tell us about your piano and why you need an appraisal. We’ll explain the information required, review whether an online appraisal fits your needs, and guide you through the next steps.
This website serves Norberg Pianos Incorporated’s United States business.
Visit NorbergPianos.comWHAT AN APPRAISAL REALLY IS
An appraisal is a reasoned opinion of what a particular piano is worth, for a stated purpose and as of a specified date. The written report explains the evidence and reasoning behind that conclusion.
We look at the instrument itself and the market in which comparable pianos are bought and sold. Its maker, age, condition, restoration and distinctive features all help tell the story.
We review its identity, photographs, measurements, service history and any rebuilding or player-system work. We identify gaps in the evidence and whether an inspection is needed.
We consider relevant comparisons across the United States, including documented sales where available, dealer offerings and current listings. Supply, demand and market trends are assessed as of the valuation date.
Asking prices are distinguished from completed sales. We account for differences in condition, age, rebuilding, location and sale terms, including dealer preparation or warranties where relevant.
Your report identifies the piano, purpose, valuation date, research and reasoning. It states the value conclusion, assumptions and limits of the remote assessment.
We look beyond a single local listing so that relevant national evidence and distinctive qualities are not overlooked. The conclusion reflects the evidence for your piano and the agreed purpose—not a predetermined high or low number.
WHEN A SALE ISN’T THE RIGHT NEXT STEP
If finding a buyer has been difficult—even with an appraisal—a donation may be worth considering. A qualified charitable organization that accepts your piano could give it a useful next chapter.
If you itemize, an eligible piano donation may support a federal charitable deduction. A suitable appraisal documents value; your tax adviser determines the allowable deduction and any tax saving.
Discuss a piano donationConfirm it is eligible to receive deductible gifts—not simply tax-exempt—and that it accepts the piano. Discuss its intended use and who arranges moving.
A claimed deduction over $5,000 generally requires a qualified appraisal by a qualified appraiser and Form 8283. Our standard online report is not automatically a qualified tax appraisal; we confirm eligibility, scope and fee before accepting that assignment.
Your basis, ownership period, the charity’s use, tax-year limits and required records can affect the result. A deduction reduces taxable income; it is not a dollar-for-dollar tax refund.
U.S. guidance: Charitable contributions · Appraisal requirements
Buying, insuring, settling an estate or simply curious? Tell us what you need. We confirm the appropriate report before work begins.
YOUR FREE PIANO REVIEW
Whether you’re making room, saying goodbye to a much-loved instrument, or need the money, tell us what matters to you. We’ll help you decide whether paying for an appraisal makes sense. We normally reply within 24 hours after receiving your request.
norbergpianos@gmail.comPrefer email? Send your questions and piano photographs directly.
Clear phone photographs in good light are ideal. Include a wider view and a close-up of important details.
Leave covers, fixed panels and the action in place. Do not move the piano, lift heavy parts, touch strings or tuning pins, or reach into the mechanism. Photograph only what you can safely access.
Keep the photographs and supporting history together with any eventual appraisal report.
For a grand piano, with the lid closed, measure in a straight line from the front edge of the keyboard cabinet to the farthest back edge of the tail. Do not follow the curved side or measure diagonally. Include inches or centimeters.
For an upright, share its overall height if you know it. If a measurement or internal view is difficult to obtain safely, leave it for follow-up.
Your free review No obligation
$0 to start · No card or payment needed
Review of your piano’s identification, photographs and history; research into relevant market comparisons; and a written report explaining the value conclusion and its limitations. The purpose matters, so we agree what the report will address before starting. See the fees and inclusions.
Start with our free review. If we don’t think a paid appraisal would be a good use of your money, we’ll tell you. If the likely value is modest, the fee and any moving or repair costs may make a paid report less useful. An inquiry itself does not order an appraisal.
No. Send what you have. We’ll review it and ask for any missing details or angles needed. The photo guide helps avoid repeated requests; it is not a requirement to dismantle or diagnose your piano.
Tell us it is unknown, hidden or painted over. Photographs, measurements and other markings may help identify the instrument. Do not remove panels or parts to locate it.
The system’s identity, whether it works and its service or rebuilding history are important. Include photos of accessible labels and controls. A short video can help, but only share one if it is safe and practical.
Online appraisals are $295 USD for vertical pianos (upright, studio, console or spinet), and $495 USD for grand pianos, including baby grands. Each fee covers the agreed remote review, market research and written report. We confirm suitability, delivery timing and any applicable taxes before work begins. Tax-qualified or other formal reports, inspections and additional work require a separately confirmed scope and fee. Digital or unusual instruments are quoted after review. The fee does not depend on the appraised value.
Yes, when it is genuinely comparable and relevant to the market for your piano and the appraisal’s purpose. A higher-priced instrument may provide useful evidence, but we assess its condition, rebuilding, sale terms, location and date. An advertised asking price is not proof of a completed sale. We explain which comparisons support the conclusion and the adjustments they require.
No. Fair market value concerns a transaction between informed, willing parties under the applicable definition. Replacement value concerns the cost of replacing the instrument under the agreed assignment or policy requirements. Those figures can differ. We establish the appropriate basis of value before researching the piano.
No. An eligible piano donation may support a deduction when you itemize, subject to applicable limits and documentation. The deduction and actual tax saving depend on your circumstances. Ask your tax adviser before donating; an appraisal alone does not establish eligibility. See what to check before a donation.
Tell us the intended recipient, required valuation date and deadline. These assignments have specific requirements. We confirm the named appraiser’s suitability and qualifications, inspection needs and the recipient’s requirements before accepting the assignment. A standard online appraisal is not automatically suitable for a charitable deduction, estate filing or insurance submission. No tax benefit or institutional acceptance is promised.
Complete the free-review form, check your details, then select Send my free review. Our delivery service sends your details and chosen photos to norbergpianos@gmail.com. For larger photo sets, include an album link. You can also email us directly.