1.2.8. Scope of Work. A full understanding of the critical assignment elements discussed above is essential to a proper scope of work that will enable appraisers to solve the appraisal problem they have been hired to solve. It is ultimately the appraisers’ responsibility to discuss these critical elements with the client at the time they are engaged to perform the assignment to ensure the resulting appraisal is credible, reliable, and accurate. The scope of work should reflect the complexity of the property and the market. The intended use and intended users are also critical factors that will impact scope of work decisions. 

It is recognized that federal agencies may use (or are directed by statute or other authority to use) these Standards outside the realm of acquisitions/exchanges (for sales or conveyances of federal land, leases, and fee determinations). In these situations, the scope of work may be modified. For example, some of the special rules and methods, including the larger parcel analysis and the before and after methodology, may not apply in these appraisal assignments. Additional hypothetical conditions related to highest and best use and ownership may be required as well. The protection of the public trust remains paramount and must be the foundation that appraisers and client agencies operate from when making these determinations.