Terms of service

Effective October 2026. These terms apply to quotes, orders and services from Reinam Appraisal, the appraisal practice of Heriberto Santiago, Florida Certified Residential Appraiser RD4135. Each order is also governed by its engagement letter, which controls if the two differ.

Quotes and payment

• Online quotes are held for 7 days. Some properties need a manual quote, which we confirm by email.
• Payment is due before any work starts. We accept card and bank transfer (ACH); work starts when payment clears. Law firms may pay by check; nothing is scheduled until the check is received.
• If the fee requires court or probate approval, no work or scheduling starts until the court approves the fee and payment is received. The quoted fee is held for the period stated in your engagement letter.
• Your quote is a base fee for a typical property. If a review of the property data shows the assignment is more complex than described (for example, features that weren't disclosed, a larger lot or few comparable sales), we may propose a fee adjustment before the inspection, with the reason. The inspection doesn't take place until you approve and pay the adjustment or cancel for a full refund. The fee never changes after the inspection and never depends on the value.
• Rush delivery applies when the due date you choose is earlier than 2 business days after the first available inspection day. You choose your inspection times after payment, from the times that can meet your due date.

Cancellations, refunds and trip fee

• Cancel any time before the appraiser goes to the property for a full refund.
• If the appraiser goes to the property at the scheduled time and cannot get access (no-show or no access), a trip fee applies. The inspection is rescheduled after the trip fee is paid, or the order is cancelled with the trip fee kept and the rest refunded.
• If the appraiser arrives and the property is materially different from what was described, the fee may change (you approve it first) or the order may be cancelled with the trip fee kept and the rest refunded.
• If you cancel after the inspection has been completed, an inspection fee is kept and the rest is refunded.
• The amounts are shown in your engagement letter.

Expert witness and additional services

Expert testimony, depositions, trial preparation and consulting are separate services billed by the hour. Testimony work requires a retainer (the amount is in your engagement letter), paid in advance and billed against; you will be asked to top it up when the balance falls below one hour. Unused retainer is refunded when the case closes.

Investor and fix-and-flip consultations are billed by the hour, paid when you book. A consultation is advice to help you decide; a written appraisal report is a separate order.

Independence and use of the report

The appraiser is independent and impartial. Fees are never contingent on the value, on the outcome of any case or transaction, or on reaching any predetermined result. Reports are prepared for the intended use and intended users named in the engagement letter only. Reports are not for use by federally regulated lenders for mortgage loans. See our appraiser independence page.

Use of AI tools

We use AI tools for logistics (scheduling, status messages, answering general questions on our website and phone line) and for drafting. The appraiser performs and reviews the analysis, selects the comparable sales and signs every report. AI tools never determine or discuss the value of your property. Our AI assistants will route questions about value, adjustments, comparable sales or methodology to the appraiser. Calls to our AI phone line may be recorded.

Text messages

By checking the text-message box on a form, you agree to receive texts from Reinam Appraisal about your order or question at the number you provided. Message frequency varies; message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

Delivery and support

Reports are delivered as PDF files in your client portal. Support after delivery is described in your engagement letter.

Limitation

An appraisal is an opinion of value as of a specific date for a specific intended use. It is not a guarantee of value, a home inspection, a survey or legal advice.