Battlefords (Headquarters): 1-306-937-5073  |  461 – 16th St. West (Box 3098), Battleford, SK S0M 0E0  |  Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST (call ahead for appointments)
Meadow Lake: 1-844-240-5073   |   Kindersley: 1-844-463-5073

Commonly Asked Questions & Firm Policies (Click to expand) ▾
1. MORTGAGE FINANCING, BANKS, CREDIT UNIONS & BROKER POLICIES
  • Can I order my own appraisal for a Major Bank mortgage (RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC)? No. Major Schedule I Banks, CMHC, and Sagen require residential mortgage appraisals to be ordered directly through their internal bank systems or Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs). Privately ordered appraisals are not accepted by major banks for mortgage underwriting. Please instruct your bank lender or branch specialist to place the order through their internal system.
  • Do you provide fee quotes for appraisals that must be ordered through a bank or AMC portal? No. Because AMC and direct-lender assignments are governed by institutional portal workflows, we do NOT provide fee estimates or quotes for requests that require AMC or bank-portal ordering.
  • How do I order a Saskatchewan Credit Union residential mortgage appraisal? Saskatchewan Credit Union lenders and members have a dedicated fast-track portal right below (Credit Union Residential Appraisal Request →) which includes our standard Credit Union residential fee schedule ($450 + GST base fee plus applicable travel/scope adjustments).
  • What are your requirements for Mortgage Brokers? For broker-submitted residential mortgage requests, a specific Prime / A-Lender must be identified at the time of request. We restrict assignments to 1st mortgage positions only (maximum 80% LTV). We do NOT accept “TBD” lenders, Alt-A / B-Lenders, private lenders, Mortgage Investment Corporations (MICs), or 2nd/3rd mortgages. We reserve the right to decline any request based on the intended lender or internal risk parameters.
  • Do you provide “comp searches” or pre-confirmations of value? No. Under CUSPAP professional ethics standards, providing a predetermined value range or preliminary “comp search” prior to completing a formal appraisal assignment is strictly prohibited.
  • Can an existing appraisal be re-addressed, transferred, or given a Reliance Letter for another lender? No. Reports are prepared for the exclusive use of the named client and specific institutional lender identified at the time of engagement. Fortier Mattila Appraisals Inc. does NOT issue reliance letters, transmittal letters, or letters of authorization for third-party use, nor do we re-address or transfer reports to alternative lenders, mortgage brokers, or private lenders if the initial financing transaction does not proceed. Any further use requires a new assignment subject to acceptance at our sole discretion.
2. CLIENT OWNERSHIP, CONFIDENTIALITY, DIVORCE, ESTATE & TAX VALUATIONS
  • If I pay for the appraisal, do I own the report and have the right to a copy? Not necessarily. Per CUSPAP 2026, the individual or organization that orders and engages the professional service is the Authorized Client and sole legal owner of the report, regardless of who paid the appraisal fee. When a lender or Credit Union is the Authorized Client or Intended User for financing, the report belongs to the lender—you must request a copy directly from your lender.
  • Can you share the appraisal with my spouse, other family members, realtor, or lawyer? Appraisals are strictly confidential under CUSPAP and federal privacy legislation (PIPEDA). We are prohibited from discussing valuation results or releasing copies of a report to any third party—including spouses in a separation/divorce, other beneficiaries in an estate, realtors, or accountants—without express written consent from the Authorized Client.
  • Can both parties in a divorce, separation, or estate jointly order an appraisal? Yes, provided both parties (or their legal counsel) are named jointly as the Authorized Clients at the time of engagement before work begins. Otherwise, if one party engages us independently, only that ordering party receives the report.
  • Can you complete a second appraisal on the same property for the other party in a dispute? Per CUSPAP Successive Representation standards, an appraiser cannot accept a second assignment on the same property for a different client while a recent report remains outstanding or active for its initial intended use.
  • Can you value a property back in time (Retrospective Valuation) for Capital Gains Tax, Estate Probate, or Matrimonial Division? Yes. We regularly complete retrospective valuations as of a specific past effective date (such as a date of death, date of marriage/separation, V-Day, or date of change in use for CRA capital gains tax) as well as current fair market value reports.
3. SERVICE AREA COVERAGE, PROPERTY TYPES & EXCLUSIONS
  • What geographic area do you cover? From our offices in the Battlefords (Headquarters), Meadow Lake, and Kindersley, we service Northwest and West Central Saskatchewan (generally north of Leader and west of Borden). You can use the interactive search bar directly below to check any Town, Village, Resort/Lake Subdivision, or RM #.
  • Which cities and areas do you NOT service? We do NOT complete appraisals in the Cities of Saskatoon, Warman, Martensville, Prince Albert, or Lloydminster, or their immediate surrounding RMs (RM of Corman Park #344, RM of Buckland #491, RM of Prince Albert #461, or RM of Wilton #472).
  • What types of properties do you appraise? Our AACI (Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute) and CRA (Canadian Residential Appraiser) designated appraisers value:
    • Agricultural: Cultivated grain/oilseed farmland, pasture/forage quarters, farmsteads, rural acreages, and agricultural buildings/bin yards.
    • Commercial & Multi-Family: Industrial shops/warehouses, retail buildings, office buildings, multi-family apartment buildings (5+ units), commercial/industrial development land, and market rent studies.
    • Residential: Single-family dwellings, duplexes/two-to-four unit dwellings, condos, lakefront/recreational cottages, acreages, vacant residential lots, and new/proposed construction or renovations.
  • What property types and assets are EXCLUDED from your services? We appraise real property (land and permanent buildings) only. We do NOT appraise:
    • Going-concern business operations, business goodwill, shares, or intangible business assets;
    • Chattels, farm machinery/equipment, commercial equipment, personal property, or livestock;
    • Hotels, motels, hospitality/lodging operations, fuel/gas stations, convenience stores, car washes, or operating restaurants/bars.
  • What is included in a standard Residential Acreage appraisal? Standard residential acreage reports include the principal dwelling, one garage, and up to 15 acres of land. Unless specifically requested and quoted prior to inspection, additional outbuildings, shops, barns, grain storage, and land in excess of 15 acres are excluded from standard residential scope.
4. QUOTES, FEES, TURNAROUND TIMES, INSPECTIONS & DOCUMENTS
  • How much does an appraisal cost? Because every property and assignment scope is different, fees are quoted based on the property type, size/number of parcels, location/mileage, complexity, and intended use. Submitting the form below is free and carries no obligation—we always confirm the exact fee and timeline before proceeding.
  • When do additional fees apply beyond a basic appraisal quote? Basic fees cover a standard appraisal report only. Additional charges apply for: properties with structural issues, habitability concerns, or environmental/moisture/mould contamination; dual “As Is” and “As Proposed” valuations for renovations or new construction; acreages over 15 acres or with multiple outbuildings/shops/grain storage; Market Rent schedules; retrospective valuations; or any post-report review rebuttals, consulting, and court/litigation testimony (billed at our standard hourly rate).
  • How long does an appraisal take? Standard residential appraisals are typically completed within 3 to 7 business days following the property inspection and payment clearance. Agricultural, multi-parcel, and commercial assignments typically require 2 to 4+ weeks depending on complexity and property data availability.
  • What documents should I provide or attach with my request? Providing documents upfront helps us quote and complete your report faster:
    • Residential / Acreages: Civic address, legal land description, MLS listing or signed purchase contract, blueprints/plans and builder quote (for new construction/renovations), list of major upgrades, and property tax notice.
    • Agricultural: Quarter section legal land descriptions (Meridian, Range, Township, Section) or RM #, SAMA property assessment sheets, ISC Land Titles, details on homes/outbuildings/grain storage, and any land leases.
    • Commercial / Multi-Family: Civic/legal address, building size/plans, current rent roll, commercial leases, 3 years of income & operating expense statements, property tax notice, and any environmental/engineering reports.
  • What happens during the inspection, and is it a Home Inspection? No—an appraisal is NOT a home inspection, structural engineering assessment, or geotechnical/environmental evaluation. It is a non-invasive visual observation (typically 20–45 minutes for a home) to measure buildings, verify layout and condition, and take required exterior and interior photographs (which are used strictly for valuation and audit compliance under PIPEDA and CUSPAP). Appraisers assume functional municipal/private services and adequate soil bearing capacity, and items covered by snow in winter (such as roofing and landscaping) are assumed to be in average condition unless otherwise observed or disclosed. Known structural issues must be disclosed at the time of request.
5. PAYMENT TERMS & CANCELLATION POLICY
  • When is payment due? Unless payment is guaranteed directly by an approved institutional client, Credit Union, or law/accounting firm, payment in full is due on or before the day of inspection before reporting commences.
  • What payment methods do you accept?
    • Interac e-Transfer (Preferred): Fast, no surcharge (e-Transfer instructions are provided directly on your invoice).
    • Credit Card (Visa / Mastercard): Subject to a 2.4% processing surcharge (partial recovery of merchant processing costs).
    • Cheques: Require a 10-business-day clearing period; appraisal reporting will not commence until funds have cleared.
    • Debit Cards: Physical debit cards are not accepted.
  • What is your cancellation policy? A 25% fee applies if an assignment is cancelled prior to the property inspection (to cover file setup, title searches, and preliminary market research). A 100% fee applies if an assignment is cancelled after the property inspection has occurred.



Request: Credit Union Mortgage Appraisal — SK Lenders & Members (Click for form) →

Request: Quote, Appraisal Services, or Questions (Fill out form below)

For Agricultural, Commercial, Multi-Family, Residential (Resale, Estate, Divorce, Tax, Financing, Insurance), or General Questions: Please fill out the form below and our appraisal team will review your request and contact you as soon as we can.

  • Strict Confidentiality: Your inquiry and property information remain completely confidential.
  • No Obligation: There is no cost to request a quote. We do not proceed with an appraisal inspection or charge any fees until authorized by you.
  • Accurate Scope: To provide an accurate fee and timeline, our valuation team reviews the specific property location (civic address or quarter section legal descriptions), building/land details, and intended use of your project.
  • Mortgage Financing Note: For Saskatchewan Credit Union residential mortgages, please use our dedicated Credit Union Request Portal → (Note: Major Banks order appraisals directly through the lender; for other mortgage financing, a specific Prime / A-Lender and 1st mortgage position must be identified).
  • Service Area Coverage Note: We specialize in valuations across Northwest and West Central Saskatchewan (generally north of Leader and west of Borden). We do NOT complete appraisals in Saskatoon, Warman, Martensville, Prince Albert, or Lloydminster.

Confirm We Service Your Property Location (Type a Town, Village, Lake Subdivision, or RM #, or click the bar to select alphabetically):

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Review Full Terms of Engagement (Click to expand) ▾
A. CLIENT, LENDER & MORTGAGE BROKER POLICIES (CUSPAP 2026)
  • Authorized Client Control: Per CUSPAP 2026, the individual or organization that orders the professional service is the Authorized Client and sole owner of the report, regardless of who paid the fee.
  • Confidentiality & Distribution: Appraisals are confidential. The appraiser is strictly prohibited from providing copies to third parties—including other family members in a divorce or estate, or mortgage applicants when ordered by a lender/broker—without express written consent from the Authorized Client.
  • Direct Lender Ordering & Quotes: Privately ordered appraisals (for Resale, Estate, or Divorce) are NOT valid for financing with RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC, CMHC, or Sagen, which must be ordered directly by the lender. We do NOT provide fee estimates or quotes for requests that require ordering directly through a lender's internal ordering system.
  • Approved Mortgage Lenders & 1st Mortgages Only: For mortgage financing requests, a specific Prime / A-Lender must be identified at the time of engagement. We restrict assignments to 1st mortgage positions only (maximum 80% LTV). We do NOT accept "TBD" lenders, Alt-A / B-Lenders, private lenders, Mortgage Investment Corporations (MICs), or 2nd/3rd mortgages. We reserve the right to decline any request based on the intended lender or internal risk parameters.
  • No Comp Searches or Pre-Confirmations: We do NOT provide preliminary "comp searches" or pre-confirmations of value prior to completing a formal appraisal assignment.
  • Successive Representation: Per CUSPAP, an appraiser cannot accept a second assignment on the same property for a different client while a previous recent report remains outstanding for its initial intended use.
B. INTENDED USER LIMITATION (NO TRANSFER / NO RELIANCE)
  • No Third-Party Reliance: This report is prepared for the exclusive use of the named client and specific institutional Prime/A-Lender identified at the time of engagement. Reliance by any other party is strictly prohibited.
  • No Reliance Letters: Fortier Mattila Appraisals Inc. does not issue reliance letters, transmittal letters, or letters of authorization for third-party use.
  • No Transfers or Re-Addressing: Reports may NOT be re-addressed, transferred, or adapted for use by alternative lenders, mortgage brokers, private lenders, or subsequent financing decisions if the initial financing fails.
  • Assignment Finality: If the original financing transaction does not proceed, any further use of the report requires a new assignment and is subject to acceptance at our sole discretion.
C. SCOPE & TECHNICAL LIMITATIONS
  • Inspection Scope: The appraisal is a non-invasive visual observation and does not constitute a home inspection, structural engineering assessment, or geotechnical evaluation. It assumes functional municipal services and adequate soil bearing capacity.
  • Structural Disclosure: Known structural issues must be disclosed at the time of request. Where applicable, Extraordinary Assumptions may be used for market-based cost-to-cure analysis.
  • Expertise Disclaimer: Appraisers are not structural engineers, licensed contractors, or environmental specialists. Technical validation requires a third-party expert report.
  • Seasonal Conditions: Site items such as landscaping and roofing covered by snow are assumed to be in average condition unless otherwise observed.
  • Privacy: Interior photos are used strictly for valuation and audit purposes per PIPEDA and CUSPAP.
D. FEE-BASED SERVICE ADDITIONS

Basic fees cover a standard appraisal report only. Additional charges may apply for:

  • Impaired/Complex Valuations: Properties with structural issues, habitability concerns, or contamination (mould, moisture, etc.).
  • Alternative Valuation Formats: "As Is" and "As Proposed" valuations for partially completed, renovated, or proposed construction.
  • Acreage Specifics: Standard residential acreage reports include the home, one garage, and up to 15 acres. Unless otherwise agreed prior to inspection, additional improvements, outbuildings, grain storage, and acreage beyond 15 acres are excluded.
  • Supplementary Analysis & Post-Report Consulting: Market Rent reports, retrospective valuations, structural impairment analysis, or any post-report review responses, rebuttals, and litigation/court support (billed at our standard hourly rate).
E. PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
  • Payment Timing: Due in full on or before the day of inspection. Interac e-Transfer is preferred (instructions provided on invoice).
  • Cheque Policy: Cheques require a 10-business-day clearing period; reporting will not commence until funds have cleared.
  • Credit Card Surcharge: A 2.4% surcharge applies to credit card payments (partial recovery of processing costs). Physical debit cards are not accepted.
  • Cancellation: 25% fee if cancelled prior to inspection; 100% fee if cancelled after inspection has occurred.

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