Appraisals help protect investments
Staff Writer
Appraisals aren’t just necessary for expensive jewelry or real estate, they provide essential information for determining the value of vehicles, be it a classic automobile or a restoration project.
Photo courtesy of Jim Burrill
THE OWNER OF THIS 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport recently had the vehicle appraised by Jim Burrill, Classic Appraisals. Such documentation helps insurance companies determine replacement value, should the vehicle be involved in an accident or otherwise damaged.
“Appraisals are essential for insuring property, whether it’s an antique vehicle, replicas, ‘old school’ vehicles, roadsters or hot rods. It’s also a good idea to get one if you have a project car that you’ve enhanced, with add-ons like custom wheels, tires, sound systems, engine add-ons or any type of customizing,” said Jim Burrill, Classic Appraisals, of Mapleton.
Burrill said insurance companies rely on appraisals to determine the value of a car, whether for insuring the vehicle or paying on a claim.
“It gives them a base value to go by. Insurance companies need an expert opinion other than someone with a personal interest,” he explained.
Another reason for getting an appraisal is for estate purposes.
“It helps individuals to know what to set a price for with family members, when a person dies,” he said. “Or sometimes I’ve had to go to court to serve as an expert witness during disputed cases, like divorces. An appraisal helps determine the value of property in question.”
Burrill said he’s been in the business for 15 years and has invested a lot of time doing research on the various makes and models of cars and their market value.
“There’s a lot of research involved. I read dozens of articles in countless magazines and newspapers to keep current on what the market’s doing and what various makes and models are valued at. I go back and review the history of a vehicle. The current economy has had an effect on even the classic car market. Not as many people are buying, so prices have fallen a bit. They’re still a good investment, but if you’re looking to sell, you might not get as much now as you would have a few years ago,” said Burrill. “I also follow the auctions and watch the sale prices.”
He said it’s not as easy a job as it might appear to be.
“Some people think just because they mechanic and know a bit about cars, this is an easy business. It’s not. It takes a lot of time to do the research. There are so many makes and models, so many facts and figures to keep track of. This takes a real commitment,” said Burrill, who admitted to having a lifelong love of cars. “This isn’t a 9 to 5 job. You have to stay on top of current trends in the car market.”
Burrill will travel wherever he’s needed to appraise vehicles for his clients.
“I’ve done a number of vehicles in Aroostook County, such as a one-owner 1968 Camaro Rally Sport; a one-owner 1984 Olds 98 Regency with 17,000 miles, Dale Earnhardt edition car; and a 1932 Ford Cabriolet. I’ve done vehicles from Madawaska and Fort Kent to Patten and the Bangor area, although I mostly do the central Aroostook region,” said Burrill.
Burrill said the Camaro was one of his most recent jobs.
“It was bought new by the owner’s mother. She left it to her son and he wanted to know what it was valued at to get it insured,” said Burrill.
He said it doesn’t matter if the car is finished or in the middle of restoration.
“I do finished cars and ones in pieces. In the event of a fire, for example, a person should be insured, to cover their loss, regardless if it’s in one piece or disassembled. The vehicle still has value,” he said.
Burrill suggested owners carry insurance even if the vehicle isn’t “road worthy.”
“You should at least carry replacement cost coverage. You need to have a ‘stated value,’ to cover all the improvements, like tires. That’s where an appraisal comes in,” Burrill said. “And it’s not just antiques, it’s late-model cars as well.”
If parting with a vehicle at auction, Burrill strongly suggested setting a reserve price.
“If you’re in the market to sell, and go the auction route, have a reserve (amount) set. Know the value of your vehicle before you go to auction. Too often I’ve seen someone reluctant to set a reserve, not wanting to scare away bidders, only to have the car go for half of what they wanted for it. Then they’ve lost part of what they’ve invested,” he said.
Burrill takes pride in what he does.
“I stand behind my appraisals. I’ve been at this a long time and plan to continue in the appraisal business for years to come. I love what I do. My service helps people protect their investments,” said Burrill.
For more information or to schedule an appraisal, contact 762-5131.
Storage units free up garage space
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The first snowflakes of the season were spotted in Aroostook County over the weekend, and with the early flakes comes the anxiety associated with trying to get everything under cover before winter dumps the first ‘big one’ in our dooryard, burying the ladder or push mower you’d intended to store — if only you’d had room somewhere, but the garage was full.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
PERFECT FOR OFF-SEASON storage or everyday use, portable garages are growing in popularity, as individuals look for ways to protect property from changing weather conditions, from harsh winter snowstorms to spring showers, summer’s heat and whatever comes our way in the fall. Here, this unit is placed for easy access adjacent to a paved driveway.
A portable garage is a cost-effective solution for such storage problems, freeing up garage space to keep your vehicles snow-free, while protecting a multitude of tools, toys and equipment from everything Mother Nature sends our way year-round.
“They come in various sizes. One of the most popular measures 20 ft. by 20 ft. by 8 ft. Another is the 12 by 24. They come in different widths and heights,” said Leo Freeman, owner, Perception of Aroostook, noting shapes range from quonset-style to barn-like.
Freeman has been selling the units for several years and said the structures are made of durable materials that protect stored items from seasonal changes in the weather.
“They shed the snow we get in northern Maine very nicely. One of the things that gives them longevity is the materials used to construct them have a UV protective coating, so that stops the sunlight from damaging them,” explained Freeman. “They provide year-round storage. They’re steel framed with a durable rip-stop UV-protected cover.”
Freeman said the structures are easy to assemble.
“You just need to be sure they’re anchored properly. There are different types of anchors you can use. They can go right on the ground. Some people put different surfaces in them — gravel, wood base. It all depends what you plan to use them for,” said Freeman. “Some loam or crushed rock makes a nice floor.”
A zippered panel serves as the door.
“Most have double-zippered doors, one on either end, that can be easily rolled up. That’s one of the options and very handy — the roll-up door kit,” he said. “The door kit accessory makes it handy for people to open the unit when they want to and secure it when they’re done.”
Freeman said repair kits are available and that repairs can be easily made, should a unit sustain a tear.
“The most popular colors are gray and green, although other colors are available. I can order a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, based on what the customer wants,” said Freeman.
Though the name has changed, Freeman said he’s been selling the same design for a number of years.
“I sell Shelter Logic brand units now. That’s a new name for what was once Cover It. Shelter Logic replaced that brand of all-weather shelters,” said Freeman.
Adding on to a garage can get expensive. Freeman said this is a cost-effective way to get the added storage you need, without going deep in debt to do so.
“Units start at $599 and go up from there, depending on the size and style you want. I have one set up and available to view at my shop, at the intersection of Route 1 and the Reach Rd., in Presque Isle. I try to stock the popular sizes but can order if I don’t happen to have what you want in stock,” he said.
He said he can also get units suitable for the home gardener.
“I can also get them in greenhouse fabric. And they have lighter-duty buildings in different styles, including roof-shaped — either round or house style,” said Freeman.
From cars to canoes, ATVs to outboard motors, garden hoses to gas grills, these units can store it all.
“This frees you up to use your garage as a garage. It helps you get your cars out of the driveway, making snow removal that much easier,” said Freeman. “You can get them to cover anything, from a car to an airplane. They come in all different sizes, even up to 40 footers. Now’s the time to buy one, to get all those toys and tools put away before winter’s here to stay.”
For more information, visit Freeman during business hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
“Or call me at 764-5506; leave a message and I’ll get back to you,” said Freeman.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
EASY ASSEMBLY makes placing portable storage units like this a breeze, whether behind a home or on the front lawn. With many having easy-open flaps at both front and rear, such structures simplify access, whether you’re putting the lawn mower away for the winter or getting out the snowmobile or ATV for a season of fun. Once anchored in place, the units provide a stable, year-round cover for yard equipment, boats, snowmobiles, ATVs and just about anything you want to protect from the elements.
