North Dakota Equipment Appraisal
North Dakota equipment appraisal is the USPAP-compliant determination of Fair Market Value, Orderly Liquidation Value, or Forced Liquidation Value for oilfield service, agriculture, and construction machinery.
Bankruptcy and restructuring files spike when basin activity drops, and the equipment hitting the market in those windows carries deferred maintenance from the boom cycle plus cold-weather wear that national buyers discount heavily without component-level documentation.
North Dakota equipment appraisal is the USPAP-compliant determination of Fair Market Value, Orderly Liquidation Value, or Forced Liquidation Value for oilfield service, agriculture, and construction machinery.
Bankruptcy and restructuring files spike when basin activity drops, and the equipment hitting the market in those windows carries deferred maintenance from the boom cycle plus cold-weather wear that national buyers discount heavily without component-level documentation.
From HeavyEquipmentAppraisal.com
USPAP-compliant equipment appraisals
Choose the Right Appraisal Scope in North Dakota
Your scope should match the assignment: intended use/users, effective date, value premise, and inspection requirements. Choose Desktop when documentation is strong. Choose On-Site when condition is high-stakes, disputed, or hard to capture in photos.
Desktop (Remote)
On-Site
North Dakota Service Areas
Select your metro or region to view localized market value drivers and the most efficient certified appraisal path for your specific machinery.
Our USPAP North Dakota Equipment Appraisal Process
Tell us where the asset is and what it is. We route you to the right appraisal method and deliver a report built for your intended use.
Step 1 – Confirm the Asset & Location
We start with the basics: equipment type, make/model, serial/VIN, hours, and where the machine is located (yard, jobsite, or dealer lot). Location affects logistics and scheduling: value is driven by the machine and its condition, not the address.
Step 2 – CONFIRM SCOPE & EVIDENCE
We confirm the defensible scope based on your documentation quality and condition risk. If evidence is thin or stakes are high, we’ll tell you what needs verification.
Step 3 – Align to Intended Use
We align the report to the intended user and review standard: lender/underwriter, attorney/court, insurer/adjuster, tax/probate, or internal decisioning.
We won’t guess beyond the evidence available; if documentation is thin, we’ll tell you what would strengthen the assignment.
Step 4 – Deliverables & Next Actions
You receive a written appraisal report with the asset identifiers, condition notes (based on desktop evidence or inspection), valuation rationale, and supporting market data. If your lender / adjuster / attorney has special requirements, we confirm them up front.
Cost, Timing & Scheduling
Cost and turnaround depend on asset count, documentation quality, inspection requirements (if any), travel, and intended use.
If you’re on a deadline (closing, claim, court date), say so, we’ll tell you what’s feasible.
What We Need to Quote & Start
To provide an accurate fee and confirm defensible scope and reporting detail, please provide the following asset markers.
Asset Identifiers
- Primary Unit Type (Excavator, Crane, Fleet)
- Manufacturer + Model + Year
- Serial/PIN/VIN (Required for certified ID)
- Hour/Odometer reading (Verified via meter photo)
Condition & Tier
- Included attachments (Buckets, Grapples, Specialized tools)
- Undercarriage / Tire condition (% remaining life)
- Emissions Tier (Tier 4 Final / CARB status)
- Known mechanical faults or recent major overhauls
Situs & Access
- Asset Location (City/State or GPS coordinates)
- Facility Type (Active jobsite, port, terminal, or storage yard)
- Site Access (Escort requirements, security clearance, or operating hours)
Evidence & Records
- The “Standard Set”: 4-corner walk-around, ID plate, meter, and cab
- Detailed photos of wear-items (Tracks, tires, linkage)
- Documentation: Build sheets, maintenance logs, or prior reports
Intended Use
- Financial: SBA 7(a), ABL, or Refinance
- Legal: Partnership dissolution, estate settlement, or litigation
- Compliance: IRS Form 8283 (Donation) or tax planning
Deadline & Contact
- Hard “Decision Deadline” (Closing date, court date, or filing limit)
- Intended Users (Lender, Attorney, Adjuster, or CPA)
Recent Equipment Appraisal Activity In North Dakota
An anonymized log of documented valuation assignments across the state, showing asset classes, compliance triggers, and the valuation approach selected.
| Assignment Period | Service Region | Subject Asset Class | Compliance Trigger | Valuation Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February, 2026 | Williston Basin Bakken corridor: Mountrail County | Workover Rig Pair with BOP Stack, 5 Inch Drill Pipe, and Mud System | M&A Due Diligence | Desktop |
| January, 2026 | Red River Valley municipal utilities corridor: Grand Forks County | Hydro-Excavation Truck with 12 Yard Debris Body and 27 Inch Hg Vacuum System | Federal Litigation Support | Desktop |
| January, 2026 | Red River Valley ag processing corridor: Cass County | High-Capacity Grain Handling System: Belt Conveyor Network, Bucket Elevators, Dryer Modules | IRS 8283 Compliance | Desktop |
| January, 2026 | Lignite mining and generation belt: Oliver County | Electric Rope Shovel Support Set: Service Crane, Lube Skid, and Power Distribution Gear | Partnership Dissolution | On-Site |
| December, 2025 | I-94 freight and warehousing spine: Stutsman County | Reach Stacker and Forklift Fleet: 45K Capacity, Telehandler Pair, Yard Tractor Units | Partnership Dissolution | Desktop |
| December, 2025 | Bismarck infrastructure corridor: Burleigh and Morton Counties | Motor Grader and Asphalt Paver Package: GPS Machine Control, 8 Foot Screed, Material Transfer Vehicle | M&A Due Diligence | Desktop |
| December, 2025 | Williston Basin Bakken corridor: Dunn County | Vacuum Insulated Cryogenic Storage Tank Battery with Transfer Pumps and Vaporizers | Partnership Dissolution | Desktop |
| November, 2025 | Williston Basin Bakken corridor: Stark County | Gas Compression Package: 1,500 HP Recip Units with Separators and Cooler Skids | SBA 7(a) Underwriting | Desktop |
| November, 2025 | Devils Lake regional infrastructure zone: Ramsey County | Hydraulic Crawler Excavator Spread: 50 Ton Class with Thumb, Compactor, and Shear | IRS 8283 Compliance | On-Site |
| October, 2025 | Minot logistics and airfield support zone: Ward County | High-Spec Vocational Truck Fleet: Tandem Dumps with Plows, 18 Foot Boxes, and Wet Kits | SBA 7(a) Underwriting | Desktop |
| October, 2025 | Lignite mining and generation belt: Mercer County | 50 Ton Articulated Hauler Pair and Track Dozer D10 Class with Rip and Push Package | M&A Due Diligence | On-Site |
| September, 2025 | Williston Basin Bakken corridor: Williams and McKenzie Counties | 2,500 HP Electric Frac Pump Fleet with Blender, Hydration Unit, and Data Van | SBA 7(a) Underwriting | Desktop |
Note: Assignment logs are anonymized. Locations and dates are generalized to reflect regional activity without exposing client identities.
North Dakota Equipment Market Value Drivers
Our valuation methodology accounts for the regional economic and environmental variables that dictate heavy equipment liquidity and resale value in North Dakota.
Bakken production throughput
Production volume shifts liquidity by changing utilization for pressure pumping and support fleets in the Williston Basin. October 2024 output was 1,177,992 barrels per day, driving demand for Tier 4 Final frac pumps and sand handling systems. Telematics exports and rebuild logs are reconciled with hour meter audits to anchor useful life.
Bakken well count and per well yield
Service pricing tightens when the active well base holds steady but per well yield drifts, changing call-out frequency and parts burn. In February 2024, 16,462 Bakken wells averaged 74 barrels per well per day, concentrating value in wireline units and coil tubing packages. ECM snapshots and component swap histories corroborate duty cycle assumptions.
Red River Valley crop mix
Acreage mix shifts resale liquidity by changing seasonal hours on harvesting and grain handling fleets across the Red River Valley. North Dakota planted 5.60 million spring wheat acres in 2024 and expected 6.90 million soybean acres, favoring combines, grain carts, and grain trucks. Yield maps and CAN bus logs are audited to reconcile load profiles.
I-94 freight and bridge program
Transportation funding concentrates utilization into short paving seasons, which accelerates wear and turnover on roadbuilding fleets. Federal apportionment is estimated at $404 million for FY2026 and $428 million for FY2029, influencing prices for pavers, graders with GPS control, and aggregate spreads. Bid tabs and machine control files are reviewed to corroborate production rates.
Lignite and industrial residue pathways
Lignite and industrial residue projects add material handling work near mine mouth facilities, which changes utilization on support equipment. North Dakota lignite samples with 300 ppm or greater rare earth concentrations can be up to 50% heavy rare earths, affecting conveyors and dozers. Lubrication analyses and haul cycle telematics are used to audit wear patterns.
FAQ
If you’re skimming, start here.
These FAQs cover appraisal cost, scope (desktop vs on-site), what we need from you, typical turnaround time, and the value drivers that change results for this equipment type.
Or, call us at (844) VAL-UATE!
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How do I find certified machinery and equipment appraisers in North Dakota?
Find certified machinery and equipment appraisers in North Dakota by using ASA’s “Find an Appraiser” directory and filtering for “Machinery & Technical Specialties (MTS)” plus “North Dakota.” Verify credentials by confirming ASA/AM/SM/FRICS designations and checking USPAP compliance. Also search the Appraisal Institute directory and check lender or insurer approved-vendor lists.
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How do I get an equipment appraisal in North Dakota?
Get an equipment appraisal in North Dakota by hiring a USPAP-compliant machinery and equipment appraiser, sharing the appraisal purpose (loan, sale, tax, insurance), and providing an asset list with serial numbers, photos, hours, and maintenance records. Schedule an on-site inspection in ND, then receive a written report with value type and effective date.
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How much does a professional equipment appraisal cost in North Dakota?
A professional equipment appraisal in North Dakota typically costs $1,500–$5,000 for a standard on-site machinery and equipment assignment. Small, single-asset jobs often run $500–$1,500, while large fleets or complex plants run $5,000–$25,000+. Price depends on asset count, travel, report type, and turnaround time.
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How do you handle a desktop equipment appraisal versus an on-site inspection in North Dakota?
Handle a desktop equipment appraisal in North Dakota by valuing assets from documents, photos, and serial-number data without a site visit, then stating the higher uncertainty and limiting conditions in the report. Handle an on-site inspection by physically verifying existence, condition, hours, and utilization, then issuing a stronger USPAP-compliant opinion with lower risk.
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How long does a professional equipment appraisal take to complete in North Dakota?
A professional equipment appraisal in North Dakota typically takes 5–15 business days from kickoff to final report. A single-asset desktop appraisal often finishes in 1–5 business days. An on-site appraisal for 20–100 assets usually takes 1 day to inspect plus 5–10 business days to research, analyze, and write the report.
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What documents do I need to provide for a North Dakota machinery appraisal?
Provide a North Dakota machinery appraisal by sending an asset list (make, model, year, serial/VIN), ownership proof (invoice, bill of sale, title), and supporting records (hours/miles, maintenance, repairs). Include photos, location details, and any liens. Add the valuation purpose (loan, tax, sale, insurance), value premise, and the appraisal effective date.
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How do you determine fair market value versus orderly liquidation value for heavy equipment in North Dakota?
Determine fair market value (FMV) for heavy equipment in North Dakota by estimating the price in a normal, competitive sale with adequate marketing time and no distress. Determine orderly liquidation value (OLV) by estimating the price from a compelled sale with limited marketing time but still an organized process. Use comparable sales, condition, and market exposure assumptions.









