This Blanket Engagement Agreement establishes the terms and framework governing all appraisal and valuation assignments between Great Estates, Inc. and the undersigned client firm. Once executed, this agreement applies to all subsequent assignments without the need for a separate engagement letter for each order. Assignment-specific details (property, effective date, scope, intended use) are confirmed on the order intake form submitted with each assignment.
Appraiser / Firm: Russell Harrist, Colorado Certified Residential Appraiser (License No. ), Certified Probate Expert (CPE), operating as Great Estates, Inc., 10233 S Parker Rd, Suite 300, Parker, CO 80134.
Client Firm: The firm identified in the signature block below. All attorneys, trustees, and authorized personnel of the client firm who submit orders through the Great Estates attorney or trustee portal are covered under this agreement.
This agreement governs all appraisal and valuation assignments ordered by the client firm from Great Estates, Inc., including:
Assignment-specific details including the subject property, effective date of value, assignment scope, intended use, intended users, and authorized copy recipients are confirmed on the order intake form submitted at the time of each assignment. The order intake form, together with this agreement, constitutes the complete engagement terms for each assignment.
All appraisal assignments are prepared in conformance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) as promulgated by The Appraisal Foundation, and in compliance with applicable Colorado appraiser licensing laws and regulations. Broker Price Opinion assignments are prepared in the role of a Colorado Licensed Real Estate Broker and are not USPAP-compliant appraisals; this distinction will be clearly stated in each BPO report.
Russell Harrist and Great Estates, Inc. operate as independent contractors. The client firm does not supervise, direct, or control the appraisal process or the value conclusion. The appraiser’s compensation is not contingent on a predetermined value, a value within a specified range, or the outcome of any proceeding related to the assignment. No person at the client firm has attempted or will attempt to influence the appraiser’s value conclusion.
The intended use and intended users for each assignment are specified on the order intake form. Typical intended uses for professional account assignments include probate administration, estate settlement, estate planning, federal estate tax reporting, and trust administration. The client firm and its principals are intended users. Additional intended users (such as the IRS, probate court, or beneficiaries) are specified per assignment.
Reports may not be used for any purpose other than the intended use stated on the order intake form. Redistribution of reports to parties other than those identified as intended users or authorized copy recipients requires prior written consent from Great Estates, Inc.
Standard fees apply to qualifying residential properties within the five-county Denver metropolitan service area (Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, and Jefferson counties) as published on GreatEstates.US. Complex, large, high-value, rural, or out-of-area assignments are quoted individually.
Billing terms are established at account setup and are either net-15 or net-30 from invoice date, as agreed. Invoices are issued upon report delivery. Payments are processed through the client portal.
IRS Qualified Appraisals and any other assignments requiring scope beyond the standard published services are always quoted individually before work begins. No work will commence on a non-standard assignment without a confirmed quote and written or email acceptance.
Completed reports are delivered as electronic PDFs within 48 to 72 hours of the completed inspection, unless rush delivery (24 hours) has been selected at the time of order. Reports are delivered to the email address specified on the order intake form. Hard copy delivery by mail is available upon request.
Great Estates, Inc. maintains the confidentiality of all assignment information and client data in accordance with USPAP Standards and applicable law. Information about assignments will not be disclosed to third parties except as required by law, regulation, or with the written consent of the client.
Great Estates, Inc. and Russell Harrist’s liability to the client firm in connection with any appraisal assignment is limited to the fee paid for that assignment. Great Estates, Inc. is not liable for any consequential, indirect, incidental, or special damages arising from the use of any appraisal report prepared under this agreement.
This agreement is effective from the date of execution and remains in effect until terminated by either party with 30 days written notice. Termination does not affect any assignment already in progress at the time of termination. Either party may terminate this agreement immediately for cause.
This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Colorado. Any disputes arising under this agreement shall be resolved in Douglas County, Colorado.
To execute this agreement by email: Reply to Russell’s introductory email with the text “I agree to the terms of the Blanket Engagement Agreement dated [date].” Russell will reply confirming receipt and your account will be activated. Your reply email constitutes your acceptance of these terms and serves as the executed agreement on behalf of your firm.
Alternatively, print this document, sign in the space below, and return a scanned copy to russell@GreatEstates.US. Both methods are equally valid.
Authorized Signature
Printed Name and Title
Firm Name
Date
Russell Harrist, Colorado Certified Residential Appraiser
Date