RICA-Certified Rug Appraisal in Chicago
Free verbal consultation or a RICA-certified written report — registered on The RUG Index and accepted by insurance carriers, courts, and estate attorneys. RICA is issued by The RUG Index, an independent registry founded by Babak Ahmadi.
Text (847) 440-1349 — estimate the same business day.
By Ghorban Ahmadi, Master Conservator
What is RICA — and why does it matter?
RICA — Registered Insurance and Claims Appraiser — is the credential issued by The RUG Index, the first standardized grading and valuation platform for hand-knotted rugs. Bobby Ahmadi is one of a small number of RICA-certified appraisers nationwide.
For a written appraisal to carry weight with an insurance carrier, an estate attorney, or a probate court, it has to be issued by an appraiser whose methodology is documented and whose credential is verifiable. RICA is the gold standard for hand-knotted rug appraisals — the appraiser is trained on the five-pillar RUG Index methodology, every report is registered on the platform, and the certificate can be verified independently by any party. For probate and inheritance cases specifically, see our guide to rug appraisal for estates.
Learn about RICA certification- Trained on the five-pillar RUG Index methodology
- Every report registered on therugindex.com
- Accepted by all major insurance carriers
- Court-admissible for estate and probate
Choose the right appraisal for your situation
Free verbal consult
No chargeA first look — useful when you want a ballpark figure before deciding whether to commission a written report.
- 15-minute photo review
- Ballpark value range
- In-person at the studio or by phone
- Informal — not a legal document
RICA-certified written report
From $150 per rugThe certified, signed appraisal that carriers, courts, and estate attorneys accept as documented evidence of value.
- Full condition assessment
- Provenance and origin notes
- Current market comparables
- High-resolution photography
- Signed appraisal certificate
- Verifiable on The RUG Index
- Accepted by insurance carriers, courts, and estate attorneys
Four situations that require a written appraisal
Insurance documentation
Replacement-value figures for homeowner or renter policies. Required documentation in the event of theft, fire, water damage, or total loss.
Estate and inheritance
Fair market value for probate, equitable division among heirs, and charitable donation filings. Multiple rugs priced in a single visit.
Pre-sale and auction
Authenticated valuation before you list privately or consign at auction. Removes guesswork from pricing and strengthens provenance.
Damage claims
Documented pre-loss and post-loss value for active insurance claims. Issued on a rush schedule when carriers have set a deadline.
RICA-certified appraisals,
documented and defensible.
Serving Chicago and the North Shore
Ahmadi Rug provides rug appraisal for homeowners and interior designers across Chicago and the North Shore. We offer insured pickup and delivery from Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Lake Forest, Highland Park, Northbrook, Glenview, and Skokie — as well as western suburbs including Hinsdale, Oak Park, and Naperville, and the Fox Valley via our St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia drop-off. Insured pickup and delivery is free within 5 miles of our Skokie workshop and $75 round trip beyond.
Written appraisal reports are typically delivered within 1–2 business days of inspection. Rush service is available for active insurance claims and probate deadlines.
To schedule a pickup from anywhere in our service area, call (847) 440-1349 or submit an estimate request online.
Common questions
What is a RICA-certified appraisal?
RICA — Registered Insurance and Claims Appraiser — is the credential issued by The RUG Index to appraisers who pass training and examination on its valuation methodology. A RICA-certified report is a written appraisal signed by a RICA appraiser and registered on The RUG Index for permanent, verifiable record.
Will my insurance company accept it?
Yes. RICA-certified written reports are accepted by all major home-insurance carriers and meet documentation standards required for property loss claims, estate filings, and probate proceedings.
How long does a written report take?
Standard turnaround is typically 1–2 business days from the in-person inspection. Rush service is available for active insurance claims and probate deadlines.
Do I need to bring the rug in?
No. Insured pickup and delivery is free within 5 miles of our Skokie workshop and $75 round trip beyond. In-home inspection is also available when the rug cannot be moved.
Do you provide carpet appraisals?
Yes. While we specialize in hand-knotted Oriental, Persian, and antique rugs, our RICA-certified carpet appraisal service covers all fine and decorative rugs regardless of construction type. Professional appraisal reports cover every type of rug — area rugs, hand-knotted, hand-tufted, and machine-made — for insurance, estate planning, and pre-sale purposes.
Your certificate lives on The RUG Index
Every RICA-certified appraisal Bobby issues generates a permanent, verifiable record on The RUG Index — a certification platform for fine and antique rugs. Your certificate can be verified by insurers, attorneys, and future buyers at any time.
Learn more at therugindex.com- Signed PDF appraisal certificate
- Permanent record on The RUG Index
- Shareable verification URL
- Lifetime access for re-issue or update
From our journal
- 01
How Rug Appraisal Works: The Five-Factor Standard Explained
The five factors a qualified appraiser examines — origin, age, materials, condition, and market — and what a RICA-certified report contains.
Read article - 02
How Much Does Rug Appraisal Cost in Chicago?
Insurance, estate, and pre-sale appraisals run $150–$500 per rug. What changes the price and what each report contains.
Read article - 03
What Is My Rug Worth? A 10-Minute Self-Assessment Before You Call an Appraiser
A self-serve walkthrough to get a ballpark value yourself — the flip test, a rough knot count, and an honest condition check — before deciding whether an appraisal is worth it.
Read article - 04
Rug Insurance Appraisal: What Your Policy Actually Requires
Most homeowner policies under-cover handmade rugs by half. The scheduled-personal-property rider and how to back it.
Read article - 05
Rug Appraisal for Estates: What Probate and Inheritance Require
What probate and inheritance proceedings actually require — RICA-backed reports court-admissible in Cook County and beyond.
Read article - 06
How to Identify a Vintage or Antique Rug
A practical reference — knot count, knot type, foundation fiber, dye indicators, and field pattern as read from the back.
Read article
Inherited a rug? Read our complete guide. And if your rug has been machine-cleaned before, learn why carpet cleaners damage handwoven rugs.
Working with an estate attorney? See how we support estate and probate work.
Tell us about your rug
Guides & Reference
The Secret Language of Kerman Fringes: What Those Mysterious Marks Really Mean
The weaver's counting marks in a Kerman rug's fringe — why workshop looms needed them, why they survive in the fringe, and what they tell a knowledgeable buyer.
Read guidePersian Knot vs Turkish Knot
The asymmetric Senneh and symmetric Ghiordes knots — how each is tied, what each enables, how to identify which your rug uses, and the jufti shortcut to watch for.
Read guideRug Motif Meanings: The Symbols Woven into Your Rug
Boteh, herati, gul, tree of life, medallion, dragon — what the major motifs mean, how they shift by region, and how they identify a rug’s origin.
Read guideHow to Date an Antique Rug
Dating clues in the dyes, the wear, the design, and the back of the rug — and how to spot a new rug artificially aged to look antique.
Read guide