Technical valuation of new and used equipment, accepted by banks, accountants, and insurers
When do you need a machinery appraisal?
A machinery appraisal is required in every scenario where a financial, accounting, or legal entity needs a defensible technical value of the asset. Bank credit guarantee: BN, BCR, BAC, Scotiabank, Davivienda, and other banks require a CFIA appraisal for pledges or liens on machinery. Sale-purchase of used equipment: avoid overpaying or underselling. IFRS 16 accounting revaluation: companies updating fixed assets in audited financial statements. Industrial insurance: insurable value determination, post-loss appraisal. Leasing and financial lease: initial valuation and residual value. Import: fiscal value before Customs for tax calculation. Capital contribution to corporations: when the contribution is machinery. Corporate liquidation: forced liquidation value. Judicial proceedings: appraisal with evidentiary validity.
Types of machinery and equipment we value
Broad coverage of every industrial and productive asset category operating in Costa Rica. Agricultural machinery: tractors (John Deere, Kubota, Massey Ferguson), harvesters, seeders, irrigation systems, equipment for coffee, sugarcane, and pineapple. Construction machinery: backhoes, front loaders, tracked excavators, compactors, motor graders, asphalt plants, crushing plants, cranes. Industrial equipment: production lines, lathes, milling machines, presses, packaging equipment, electrical generators, boilers, compressors. Commercial equipment: refrigeration chambers, professional restaurant equipment, mechanical workshop equipment, medical and dental equipment, laboratory equipment. Special vehicles and heavy transport: trucks, trailers, tank trucks, cargo vehicles. Hotel equipment: industrial kitchens, laundry, specialized furniture.
What the report includes
Each machinery appraisal contains the three technical values that banks, auditors, and insurers may require. Market value: probable transaction price between informed buyer and seller in the secondary market. Replacement value: cost to acquire equivalent new equipment today, basis for replacement insurance. Forced liquidation value: price in rapid sale (auction, corporate liquidation). Additionally: individual technical sheet per equipment with brand, model, serial number, year, hours of use, maintenance status. Detailed photographs: overall, ID plate, critical components. Conservation state: applied depreciation scale. Remaining useful life: estimate of remaining productive years. Maintenance history when available. Calculation memorandum with depreciation and obsolescence.
Our methodology
Machinery valuation applies international standards (IVS) and CFIA rules adapted to the Costa Rican asset market. Cost method with depreciation: starting from replacement cost, we apply physical depreciation (wear from use), functional depreciation (technological obsolescence), and economic depreciation (market conditions). Regional market comparison method: recent sale price references in the Central American and Caribbean market, which is the real reference for machinery in CR. Reference to official importers (AutoStar, Matra, Comercial de Potencia, etc.) for specific brand equipment. Detailed physical inspection: hours of use (counter), state of critical components (engine, transmission, hydraulics, electronics), documented maintenance, visual wear. For highly specialized machinery, we coordinate technical information directly with the manufacturer or distributor when necessary.
Banking validity, accounting, and nationwide coverage
Our reports are accepted by the entire network of financial institutions and accounting authorities in the country. State banks: Banco Nacional, Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular. Private banks: BAC Credomatic, Scotiabank, Davivienda, BCT, Promerica, Lafise, Cathay. Mutuals and cooperatives: Coopenae, Coopeservidores, Mutual Alajuela. Auditors and accountants: valid for financial statements under IFRS 16, IFRS 36 (impairment), and IFRS 5 (assets held for sale). Insurers: INS, ASSA, MAPFRE, and others. Nationwide coverage from Pérez Zeledón and Curridabat, with special expertise in agricultural machinery in Guanacaste (sugarcane, rice), southern zone (palm, coffee, pineapple) and Limón (banana, pineapple). For industrial equipment in free zones or industrial parks in San José, Alajuela, and Cartago.
What's included?
Report accepted by BN, BCR, BAC, Scotiabank, Davivienda, and all CR banks
Valid for accounting revaluation under IFRS 16, IFRS 36, and IFRS 5
Experience in agricultural, construction, industrial, commercial, and hotel
Three values per report: market, replacement, forced liquidation
Individual technical sheet per equipment with detailed photographs
References from official importers (AutoStar, Matra, Comercial de Potencia)
Nationwide coverage with agricultural expertise in southern zone and Guanacaste
Delivery in 5-10 business days for small batches, 10-20 for fleets
Frequently asked questions
How much does a machinery appraisal cost in Costa Rica?
It depends on the number of units, type (agricultural, construction, industrial), complexity, and location. It can be quoted per individual equipment or as a batch with volume discount (e.g., fleet of 10 tractors). See reference ranges. Contact us with the equipment list (brand, model, year, location) for an exact quote.
Do you appraise used equipment?
Yes. Most machinery appraisals in Costa Rica are of used equipment. We evaluate physical condition, hours of use per counter, maintenance history, and remaining useful life to determine current value. The more documentation (maintenance invoices, logbooks) the equipment has, the more accurate the appraisal.
Does it work for bank guarantee?
Yes. The main banks in Costa Rica (BN, BCR, BAC Credomatic, Scotiabank, Davivienda, Promerica, Lafise) accept our CFIA reports as credit guarantee via pledge, lien, or mortgage. Each bank may have specific format requirements — we adapt by entity.
How long does the report take?
5-10 business days for a single piece of machinery or small batch (≤5 units). For large fleets (10-50 units) or equipment spread across multiple facilities, 10-20 business days. For urgent cases with bank or accounting-close deadlines, we prioritize delivery in 48-72 hours with surcharge.
Do you handle recently imported equipment or specialized brands?
Yes. We have access to references from official importers in Costa Rica (AutoStar for agricultural, Matra, Comercial de Potencia, Caterpillar) and international depreciation tables. For highly specialized equipment (chemical, pharmaceutical, electromechanical), we coordinate technical information directly with the manufacturer or distributor.
Do you serve outside the GAM or in rural areas?
Yes, and it's one of our focus areas. Nationwide coverage from Pérez Zeledón and Curridabat. We work extensively with agricultural machinery in Guanacaste (sugarcane, rice), southern zone (palm, coffee, pineapple in Pérez Zeledón and Buenos Aires), northern zone (livestock, coffee), and Limón (banana, pineapple). For industrial equipment, free zones and industrial parks in San José, Alajuela, and Cartago. Fees adjust for travel when applicable.
Need a machinery or equipment appraisal?
Request a no-obligation quote. We respond within 24 hours.
