How Much Does It Cost To Appraise A House In Birmingham?

A typical VA appraisal for a single‑family house in Birmingham, Alabama costs about $600, based on the current VA fee schedule for the state of Alabama.

VA appraisal cost in Birmingham

Because Birmingham is not listed as a special lower‑fee county (like Cullman, Dale, Houston, Jackson, Lauderdale, or Marion), it falls under the standard Alabama pricing on the VA’s St. Petersburg Regional Loan Center fee schedule. For Alabama, the schedule shows:

• Single‑family home: $600
• Condominium: $600
• Manufactured home: $650
• 2–4 unit multi‑family: $700

Timeliness for completing the appraisal in Alabama is listed as 8 business days.

Why Birmingham uses the “Alabama” line

The VA schedule breaks out certain Alabama counties with their own line and reduced fees: Cullman, Dale, Houston, Jackson, Lauderdale, and Marion. Birmingham is in Jefferson County, which does not appear in that special‑county list, so the base “Alabama” line applies to Birmingham appraisals.

What this fee usually includes

The VA‑set appraisal fee covers:

• A licensed VA fee appraiser’s inspection of the property and comparable sales research
• A written valuation report on the appropriate Fannie Mae form (1004 for most single‑family homes)
• Delivery of the completed appraisal within the required business‑day timeframe (8 days for Alabama)

This fee is for the valuation only; it is separate from things like home inspections, pest inspections, or lender underwriting charges, which are billed separately by other providers.

How property type affects your cost

Choosing the right property type is important because it determines which line of the schedule applies:

• Typical Birmingham house you live in as your main residence: Usually treated as a single‑family 1‑unit property, so plan on about $600 for the VA appraisal.
• Condo in or around Birmingham: Uses the condominium form, but the Alabama fee is the same $600 for that category.
• Manufactured home on a permanent foundation: Uses the manufactured‑home form and costs about $650.
• Small duplex, triplex, or fourplex in Birmingham: Falls under the 2–4 unit multi‑family category at about $700.

Practical tips for homeowners and buyers

• Budget at least $600–$700 for a VA appraisal in Birmingham, depending on whether the property is a single‑family, condo, manufactured home, or small multi‑family.
• Ask your lender which property form your home will use so you can match it to the correct fee line.
• Plan your closing timeline around the 8‑business‑day appraisal window in Alabama, leaving extra time for any follow‑up requests from the appraiser or lender.