Founders comparing 409A providers on price — a buying decision, not a definition question.
How Much Does a 409A Valuation Actually Cost?
Prices range widely between providers — here's what's actually driving that difference so you can compare fairly.
See pricing alongside formation and cap table tools, not as a separate line item.
409A providers quote wildly different prices — anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand — and the difference usually isn't random. It tracks a few specific factors.
What Actually Drives the Price
Company stage and complexity matter most: a pre-revenue seed-stage company with a simple cap table costs far less than a Series B company with multiple share classes, SAFEs, and convertible notes. Turnaround time also affects price — rush valuations (a few days) typically cost more than standard ones (one to two weeks).
Cheaper Alternatives, and Their Real Tradeoffs
Some providers offer discounted or bundled 409A valuations as part of a broader cap table or formation platform. These can be legitimate and defensible — but always confirm the valuation is performed by a qualified independent appraiser, since a valuation that doesn't meet the IRS's independence standard doesn't protect you from Section 409A penalties regardless of price.
Quick Reference: What Changes the Price
| Factor | Lower Cost | Higher Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Company stage | Pre-seed / seed | Series B+ |
| Cap table complexity | Simple, common stock only | Multiple classes, SAFEs, notes |
| Turnaround time | Standard (1–2 weeks) | Rush (days) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a reasonable price range for a 409A valuation?
Early-stage companies typically pay a few hundred to around two thousand dollars for a standard-turnaround valuation. Later-stage companies with complex cap tables or rush timelines should expect to pay more.
- Get quotes from at least two providers before committing
- Ask what's included — some bundle the next year's update, some don't
- Rush turnaround is usually the single biggest price multiplier
Are cheaper or bundled 409A valuations actually safe to use?
They can be, as long as the valuation is performed by a qualified independent appraiser and meets IRS safe-harbor standards. The price alone doesn't determine legal protection — the appraiser's independence and methodology do.
- Ask directly whether the provider meets IRS safe-harbor requirements
- A bundled valuation from your cap table platform can be legitimate
- Never choose based on price alone without confirming independence
The Lovie Advantage
Comparing 409A providers in isolation misses the bigger picture: the valuation only matters in context of your actual cap table and grant history. Internal Link: Lovie Cap Table Management connects your 409A directly to your formation and equity data, so you're pricing a valuation that's already anchored to your real numbers, not a generic quote.
Racing a funding round deadline instead of shopping on price? See Internal Link: How Long a 409A Valuation Actually Takes. For a general benchmark on business service costs, SEC EDGAR's full-text filing search can surface how peer companies have disclosed similar valuation costs.
Compare 409A Options in Lovie
See pricing alongside formation and cap table tools, not as a separate line item. Start Free with Lovie