FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General questions
Are the reports legally valid?
Yes, as a certified expert in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024, I prepare reports that can also be used in court or for insurance purposes.
Can international expert reports also be prepared?
Yes, every expert report can be prepared nationally and internationally, taking into account country-specific standards.
Who needs an expert opinion?
Expert opinions are required by private individuals, companies, insurance companies, and courts in order to obtain objective assessments in various situations or to clarify technical issues. The type of expert opinion depends on the situation in question, e.g., whether it is a valuation for private sale or a court-approved full expert opinion.
What are the advantages of expert opinions?
Expert opinions from ISO 17024-certified experts offer clients legal certainty, trust, and greater acceptance, as the certification is an internationally recognized quality feature that certifies competence, objectivity, and technical soundness. This results in comprehensible, reliable, and traceable expert opinions that are also recognized by courts and authorities.
Machinery and plant valuation
What is a machinery and plant valuation?
A machine and plant valuation is the neutral determination of the value of machines, production facilities, or special-purpose machines. It serves as a basis for decisions regarding purchase, sale, insurance, or investment planning.
What types of valuations are there?
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Current value valuation: Value of a machine or operational facility taking into account replacement value, age, condition and wear, residual value and expected remaining service life.
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Market value valuation: Valuation of the price that can be achieved or obtained on the open market for a machine or operational facility.
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Residual value assessment: Value of a machine or operational facility in the event of scrapping or total loss.
How does a machine valuation work?
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Recording of machine/system-related data.
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Technical inspection/assessment during an on-site appointment, including taking photos and, if necessary, videos.
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Valuation taking into account age, condition, market value, and, if applicable, spare parts availability.
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Preparation of a neutral and comprehensible expert report.
What documents are required?
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Manufacturer and type designations.
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Year of construction or manufacture.
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Information on maintenance and repairs.
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Photos or operating documentation, if applicable.
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Purchase invoices, if applicable.
Damage assessment
What is a damage assessment?
A damage assessment is a neutral analysis of technical defects, accidents, or machine damage in order to determine repair costs and causes of damage. It forms the basis for insurance companies, courts, or internal decisions.
What types of damage assessments are there?
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Technical cause analysis: Determination of the cause of damage.
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Cost assessment: Determination of repair or replacement costs.
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Liability and responsibility assessment: Examination of damage in the context of insurance or legal issues.
How does a damage assessment work?
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On-site inspection and documentation of the damage.
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Analysis of the cause of the damage and the affected components.
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Assessment of the costs for repair, replacement, or downtime
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Classification as partial or total loss.
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Preparation of a neutral, comprehensible expert report.
What documents are required?
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Maintenance and repair history.
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Technical data and documentation for the affected machines or systems.
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Accident reports or insurance documents, if applicable.
Preservation of evidence report
What is a preservation of evidence report?
A preservation of evidence report serves to document the condition of machines, systems, or components in a neutral and comprehensible manner—before changes, repairs, or disputes arise. It creates an objective basis for subsequent proceedings.
When is a preservation of evidence report useful?
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In the event of damage, to record the causes and extent.
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Before repairs or modifications, to document the original condition.
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As evidence in legal disputes
For security in contract or insurance cases. -
As verification of the warranted or contractually agreed properties.
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For documenting the existing degree of completion of machines and systems.
How does a preservation report work?
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On-site inspection of the machine or system.
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Detailed recording of the current condition (photos, measurements, documentation).
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Analysis and description of possible damage or abnormalities
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Preparation of a neutral, comprehensible report.
What documents are required?
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Technical data of the machine/system.
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Photos or damage reports, if available.
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Contract documents defining the requirements and characteristics, if applicable.
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Information about use, maintenance, and repairs.
Insurance reports
What is an insurance report?
An insurance report is a neutral assessment of machinery, equipment, or damage in connection with insurance claims. It serves as the basis for fair and transparent claims settlement.
Who needs an insurance appraisal?
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Insurance companies, to assess damage objectively.
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Companies, to secure claims.
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Private individuals who need clarity about damage or the value of their machinery.
When is an insurance appraisal necessary?
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After damage (e.g., due to accident, fire, power surge, or defect).
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To clarify liability and compensation issues.
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For contracts and policies as a basis for the sum insured.
What types of insurance reports are there?
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Reports according to AMB, ABMG, VSG, or liability.
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Assessments to determine replacement values and current values.
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Damage analyses with cost estimates for repair or replacement.
How does an insurance appraisal work?
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On-site inspection and documentation.
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Analysis of the cause and extent of the damage.
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Determination of costs (repair, replacement, downtime).
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Preparation of a neutral, legally enforceable appraisal.
What documents are required?
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Insurance policy and contract terms and conditions.
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Damage documentation (photos, reports, notifications).
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Maintenance and repair records for the affected machine/system.
Didn't find what you were looking for, or do you have further questions or a specific request?
Contact me and let's find solutions together.
GUTACHTEN SCHRÖDER
B.Eng. (Uni), Dipl.-Ing. (FH), MBA (FH)
Christian Schröder
YOUR EXPERT - WITH MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY.
