Our Services
Two Specialties. One Mission.
Whether you need a certified appraisal or a full tax appeal, Caldwell & Sons brings the same local expertise to every case in Southwest Florida.
Property Appraisal
An accurate, independent appraisal is the cornerstone of protecting your property's value.
Our licensed and certified appraisers conduct thorough, defensible market analyses and on-site property evaluations across Lee, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee and Glades Counties. We document your property's true fair market value using the most current comparable sales data, condition assessments, and local market trends. Every appraisal we produce meets USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) standards and is built to hold up under scrutiny in any legal, financial, or real estate transaction.
When You Need an Appraisal
Our Appraisal Process
Property Inspection
We conduct a thorough on-site inspection, documenting condition, features, and any factors affecting value.
Market Analysis
We research recent comparable sales, market trends, and neighborhood data specific to Southwest Florida.
Certified Report
You receive a USPAP-compliant written appraisal report ready for use in appeals, legal proceedings, or financial decisions.
Property Tax Appeals
If your county assessment is higher than your property's true market value, you are overpaying — and we can fix that.
Florida law gives every property owner the right to challenge their assessment through the Value Adjustment Board (VAB). Caldwell & Sons handles the entire appeal process on your behalf — from reviewing your TRIM notice and gathering evidence, to filing the petition, preparing your case, and representing you at the hearing. We know the local assessors, we know the process, and we know how to win.
Signs You May Have a Case
Our Appeals Process
Free Case Review
We review your TRIM notice and current assessment at no cost to determine if you have grounds for a successful appeal.
Filing & Evidence
We handle filing your VAB petition before the deadline, gathering comparable sales data, and preparing your appeal evidence.
Hearing & Resolution
We represent you at the VAB hearing, present your case, and negotiate the maximum possible reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a tax appeal cost?
We work on a contingency basis for tax appeals — you pay nothing upfront. Our fee is a percentage of the tax savings we secure for you. If we don't win, you don't pay.
What is the deadline to file a tax appeal in Florida?
In Florida, you typically have 25 days from the mailing of your TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice to file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board. TRIM notices are usually mailed in August. Don't wait — contact us as soon as you receive yours.
How long does the appeal process take?
Most VAB hearings in Southwest Florida are scheduled within 3-8 months of filing. We handle all deadlines and communications so you don't have to track anything.
Do I need an appraisal to file a tax appeal?
A certified appraisal is not a legal requirement to file a VAB petition. While an appraisal can be used as supporting evidence, our team goes further — we build a complete case, develop all necessary documentation, and represent you through every stage of the appeal process.
Which counties do you serve?
We serve Lee, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee and Glades Counties — the core of Southwest Florida. Contact us if you're in a neighboring county and we'll let you know if we can help.