With the new URAR and UAD 3.6 rolling out this year, you may be wondering what effect this will have on your fees. While there’s still a lot of uncertainty and speculation around this question, we’re sharing the opinions of professional real estate appraisers who answered our survey, “How do you anticipate the new URAR/UAD 3.6 changes will impact your appraisal fees?”
Over 40% of respondents said they expect their appraisal fees to increase. Still, many respondents (28%) said they anticipate that fees will remain static, and 31% said they are not sure yet. Read their comments below to learn why or why not some appraisers believe their fees will increase with the new URAR and UAD 3.6.
Survey Results: How Do You Anticipate the New URAR/UAD 3.6 Changes Will Impact Your Appraisal Fees?
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“I Expect Fees to Increase” (41%)
“At this time it is difficult to know how much fees will be affected by the new UAD 3.6. However, what we do know is that time at the appraisal observation is expected to increase due to new requirements; liability increases and fees for software are also expected to increase. Appraisal fees in many areas have not increased in line with inflation, rising costs and increasing requirements. There are ZERO indications that fees should go down or be reduced with the roll out of UAD 3.6.”
“Yes—and the increase is driven by time, complexity, liability, and industry-wide modernization, not appraiser preference. UAD 3.6 is not a cosmetic update. It represents a fundamental shift in how appraisal data is collected, validated, structured, and reviewed. As seen in other industries, higher standards for data accuracy, compliance, and risk management naturally result in higher production costs…. The increased fee reflects the expanded scope of work and liability associated with producing a fully compliant UAD 3.6 appraisal.”
“Software charging per finished report, plus other subscriptions for marketing, etc. I’m assuming mobile apps will be an extra special charge. Looking forward to all of it!”
“We have changed tech for forms, sketching and logistics this year. We expect a busy 2026. We have completed the URAR course and are ready for 3.6 using MS Surface and iPad Pro for lidar.”
“Based on all the data, I’m planning on a 200–300% increase over my average fee for typical full appraisals. This may change as software develops and becomes fully functional, if it works as promised.”
“I hope that some of my colleagues will not be afraid to raise fees even though it will take longer to complete appraisals.”
“I have had ample time to practice the new 3.6 through my software and the inspection time will be increasing substantially…. Inspections are going to take some time especially if the dwelling is more than 1,000sf, which most in my market area are well above that. The report cannot be submitted until all sections are 100% complete, so there will be more time contacting agents, homeowners, town facilities, etc. Hoping the learning curve will be quicker than it appears at this point in time.”
“I base my fees on an hourly rate. The new UAD 3.6 will take me longer to complete based on the class I’ve taken and what I’ve read about the new reporting format, even after the learning curve, and so I plan to charge more. I’m letting agents and mortgage brokers I work with [know] to expect fees to increase.”
“While still unclear, estimates from those who have researched it and my own indicate it will take at least 2 hours more to complete a report. That would be an approximate 25-40% increase in time and more liability. Fees should increase accordingly…”
“I’m expecting the new URAR/UAD 3.6 will take a long time to grasp, and I think it will have many more expectations on the appraiser…. It will also take lenders and AMCs time to get familiar with.”
“I think the report and inspection will be more detailed. We will see once we start using it.”
“I have been appraising for 40 years! I do not want to learn new forms. As of this year my work will not include federal funded loans. It is time to slow down!”
“I Expect Fees to Stay About the Same” (28%)
“As of right now, I am not anticipating any reduction in my fees. I don’t see anything that would indicate any fee increase at this time. I may have to reassess this after this goes full swing.”
“I anticipate fees will stay the same until we get acclimated with the new procedure/form. Hopefully, after a short period of time, the market will adjust appropriately and increase fees.”
“I think it will be more labor intensive in the field but easier once you get back to the office.”
“I expect fees to stay the same. There may be less form filling; however, the analysis will remain the same. It’s not about the form or the analytics tools we use; it’s the analysis itself.”
“The future is uncertain for all of us, that being said we anticipate the fees to remain the same.”
“I’m Not Sure Yet” (31%)
“I expect initially fees will increase; however, as I get accustomed to the new form, I believe fees will decrease since the form will be easier to use and more complete.”
“I believe there will be a learning curve and turn times may be longer in the beginning.”
“I am hoping for more efficient workflow to meet the lenders quick turn times. Maybe the fees stay the same.”
“I have not completed one of these reports. I hear they will take longer to complete. If so, the fee will be higher maybe?”
“I’m excited for the upcoming changes.”
“I’m curious about how this will all play out in the bigger picture.”
“Excited for change.”
“The new URAR/UAD 3.6 may impact decision making for appraisers nearing retirement to close shop and retire earlier.”
“The new form will be the end of my performing residential appraisals for lenders. I will appraise only commercial and agricultural properties.”
“I believe that many appraisers and lenders will be unprepared when the changes go into full effect. It will slow turn times for a period until everyone is adjusted. In the short term I think there will be a push to raise fees as we are taking more time per report. Once it is in place and we have made it through the initial transition, it will hopefully make the reports easier to understand for intended users.”
“What a great question! The honest answer, ‘I don’t know.’ I have spoken to dozens of appraisers, and the overwhelming response has been a resounding YES. As a Certified Residential Appraiser, I look at myself as a professional just like a lawyer or doctor. Similar to those professions, I have established what I feel to be a reasonable hourly rate for my services, and my fees are reflective of that. There should be no doubt in any appraiser’s mind that the new format is going to result in an increase in time required to develop an appraisal. The question is, what is that increase going to be? More importantly, what is it going to be after 10-20 assignments? Until I have reached a steady state, how can I honestly know what the average time to complete an assignment is going to be, and by association, what the appropriate fee should be? I have been very candid with my clients about this, and after steady state is reached if I determine an adjustment is needed, then it will be made. Until then, any changes would be purely speculative. Will this impact inbound revenue short term? Absolutely! However, being as prepared as possible IN ADVANCE of 3.6 assignments will mitigate this impact to some extent and minimize the learning curve. The rule of ‘P’s’ applies here; Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance! My two cents.”
The Bottom Line
While many appraisers anticipate that UAD 3.6 and the new URAR will initially require more time, tighter workflows, and new technology investments, the longer-term outlook is more balanced and, in many ways, promising.
Transitions of this scale often come with short-term growing pains, but clearer data standards, more structured reporting, and modernized tools are designed to create greater consistency and efficiency once the learning curve levels out. As several respondents pointed out, it will take real-world experience to understand where timelines and workloads ultimately settle.
At the same time, the new form offers appraisers a stronger platform to demonstrate the depth of their analysis, judgment, and market expertise. With more detailed data fields and clearer expectations, the appraisal is positioned less as a simple form-filling exercise and more as the professional valuation process it truly is.
As the scope of work expands and the role of the appraiser becomes even more central to risk management and data quality, the value delivered through each assignment becomes easier to see, measure, and justify.
Be a leader in your field and prepare for the coming changes with McKissock’s URAR Mastery Certification Program.
