Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: July 13, 2026

Welcome to Tom Garland Appraisal Services. These Terms and Conditions govern your access to and use of our website, located at https://tomgarlandappraisal.com/ (the “Site”), as well as any inquiries, consultations, quotes, or services ordered through the Site or directly with our firm.

By accessing or using our Site, or by requesting our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must immediately discontinue use of our Site and services.

1. Scope of Services

Tom Garland Appraisal Services provides professional real estate valuation and appraisal services throughout Southern California (including Los Angeles and Orange County). Our specific services are limited to:

• Commercial Appraisals: Valuation of income-producing, retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use properties.
• Residential Appraisals: Valuation of single-family homes, oceanfront properties, and multi-family residential estates for purchase, refinance, division, or dispute resolution.
• Probate & Estate Appraisals: Independent date-of-death and trust-related appraisals for estate planning and administration.
• Litigation Support & Expert Witness Services: Professional case preparation, analysis, and court testimony for legal proceedings.
• Land Appraisals: Valuations for vacant land, development parcels, and special-use properties.
• Diminution of Value Reports: Specialized impact analysis regarding easement disputes, zoning changes, title policy errors, or right-of-way issues.
• Relocation Appraisals: Professional valuation for corporate or individual relocation events.

Service Disclaimers:

• No Legal or Financial Advice: The information, reports, and valuations provided by us represent professional opinions based on market analysis and industry standards. They do not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice.
• Contractor Perspective vs. Home Inspection: While Tom Garland brings building contractor experience to the appraisal process to evaluate property conditions, our appraisal services are not home inspections. We do not provide structural engineering, plumbing, electrical, or termite inspections. Clients are encouraged to hire licensed specialty inspectors for those needs.

2. Professional Standards and Regulations

All appraisal services performed by Tom Garland Appraisal Services are conducted in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and applicable state and federal regulations governing real estate appraisers in the State of California.

3. Client Responsibilities and Property Access

To complete our appraisal services accurately and on schedule, the Client agrees to:

• Provide accurate, complete, and truthful information regarding the subject property (including known defects, easements, legal disputes, lease agreements, or recent renovations).
• Coordinate and ensure timely, safe, and unobstructed access to the interior and exterior of the subject property for scheduled inspections.
• Pay all agreed-upon fees in accordance with the payment terms outlined in our service agreement.

We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule an appraisal appointment if a property is deemed unsafe, inaccessible, or if the client fails to provide necessary disclosures.

4. Appraisal Reports & Intellectual Property

• Ownership of Reports: The final appraisal report is the intellectual property of Tom Garland Appraisal Services.
• Authorized Use: Appraisal reports are prepared for the specific client and intended user(s) named in the report, for the sole intended use specified (e.g., estate planning, litigation support, or mortgage lending).
• Restrictions on Distribution: No part of any appraisal report, valuation, or analysis may be published, distributed, or modified by third parties without the prior written consent of Tom Garland Appraisal Services, except as required by law or judicial proceedings.

5. Quotes, Payments, and Cancellations

• Inquiries & Quotes: Submitting a request through our online contact form or via email does not establish a contract. A quote provided via the Site is an estimate and is not binding until a formal written engagement letter or appraisal agreement is signed by both parties.
• Payment Terms: Payment terms will be specified in the individual engagement letter. For private valuations (estate, probate, divorce, litigation, etc.), payment is typically required prior to or at the time of the property inspection, unless otherwise agreed.
• Cancellation Policy: If an assignment is canceled after we have accepted it but before the physical property inspection is completed, the client may be responsible for a cancellation fee to cover preliminary research and administrative costs. If canceled after the property inspection has occurred, the client is responsible for the full agreed-upon fee.

6. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by California law:

• Tom Garland Appraisal Services, its appraisers, and its representatives shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of the use of our services or the reliance upon any valuation report.
• Our total liability for any claim, loss, cost, or damage arising out of, or in any way related to, our appraisal services or this agreement shall be limited to the total fee actually paid by the client to us for the specific appraisal service in question.

7. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and your relationship with Tom Garland Appraisal Services shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal action, suit, or proceeding arising out of or relating to our services or website must be instituted in the state or federal courts located in Orange County, California.

8. Amendments to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of our Site or services after such updates constitutes acceptance of the new Terms.

9. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact us directly:

• Business Name: Tom Garland Appraisal Services
• Phone: 562-431-8511
• Email: tomgarlandappraisals@yahoo.com
• Mailing Address: Seal Beach, California