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San Francisco
San Francisco Art Appraisal

Susan McDonough is a certified fine art appraiser who leads the San Francisco Bay Area office of Czudej McDonough.

Susan is a long-standing member of the Appraisers Association of America and has more than 15 years of experience as an independent art appraiser. Prior to forming Czudej McDonough, she founded McDonough Fine Art Appraisals in San Francisco in 2009.

Specialized Art Appraisal Services

We provide USPAP-compliant appraisals and appraisal reviews for fine art. Our team of art appraisers and specialists assists clients with insurance coverage and claims, estate planning, charitable donations, litigation support, collateral lending, and property division.

Clients and Areas of Expertise

We serve private collectors, museums, advisors, and law firms throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and across the Western United States. Our appraisers evaluate artworks from the 19th century to the present, including Postwar and Contemporary Art, Impressionist and Modern Art, American Art, Western Art, Prints, and Photographs.

We have particular expertise in site-specific and public art, large-scale inventories, and California art. Our practice regularly handles assignments involving a wide range of tangible personal property, including antiques, fine furnishings, silver, jewelry, watches, and antiquities.

Our appraisals have supported gifts to major museum collections including the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Oakland Museum of California, among many others.

Expert Leadership

Susan is an AQB Certified USPAP Instructor and a recognized expert in appraisal review methodology. Our office is committed to professional accuracy, reliability, and credibility, and we welcome inquiries regarding assignments of any size.
Appraisal services include:
Serving clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Locations include San Francisco (Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Sea Cliff, Marina, Russian Hill, Noe Valley), Mill Valley, Tiburon, Ross, Kentfield, Napa & Sonoma counties, Woodside, Atherton, Palo Alto, Hillsborough, Burlingame, Walnut Creek, Diablo, Alamo, Tahoe, and Carmel.

We look forward to discussing your appraisal needs.

Common Questions





Is McDonough Fine Art Appraisals still operating in the San Francisco Bay Area?



Yes. McDonough Fine Art Appraisals, founded by Susan McDonough, merged with Czudej LLC to form Czudej McDonough. The firm continues to provide premier fine art appraisal services to clients in San Francisco, Tiburon, and the greater Bay Area, maintaining the same 15-year legacy of expertise and USPAP compliance.





How much does an art appraisal cost?


Fees are based on a standard hourly rate. A written estimate and work agreement are provided in advance. Minimum requirements are:



  • Insurance Appraisals: Two-hour minimum.

  • Tax-Related Appraisals: Three-hour minimum.

  • Rush Jobs: 50% surcharge for reports required within three days or less.


Roundtrip travel to locations outside of the City of San Francisco and Marin County is billed at 50% of the hourly rate. Reports are delivered in PDF format; printed/bound copies are available at cost.





Why is the purpose of the appraisal so important?



The purpose of the appraisal determines the valuation methodology used. Whether for insurance, estate tax, charitable donation, or asset division, the intended use dictates how the property is valued. An independent, unbiased appraisal helps avoid financial errors and aids in identifying the most appropriate marketplace for a transaction.





Do you provide references?



References are available upon request. To ensure the strictest confidentiality and protect our clients’ privacy, Czudej McDonough does not disclose the names of clients or institutions that have engaged its services or used its appraisals.





Who are the top-rated fine art appraisers in San Francisco and Marin County?



Czudej McDonough is a leading fine art appraisal firm serving San Francisco and Marin County. Led by Susan McDonough—a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America—the firm specializes in high-net-worth valuations for estate tax, insurance, and charitable donations across neighborhoods like Pacific Heights, Sea Cliff, and Ross.



1120 Mar West Street, Suite C
Tiburon, CA 94920
+1 415 309 7521