Author Topic: Hive Value (Read 15485 times)

Dunkel · « **on:** February 17, 2014, 06:22:36 pm »

After getting three of my hives back from be stolen, I was asked to place a value on them. These were three double deeps in good condition with telescoping covers. All were strong with bees when taken, not exactly the case when they were recovered. I had to put a value on them then, but I'm curious as to what everyone else would value them as.

Riverrat · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2014, 06:25:22 pm »

Depending on the time of year. A hive like you described in spring would bring $250 to $300 around here. Going into winter you would be lucky to get $100 out of the same hive

Dunkel · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2014, 06:37:46 pm »

True, I guess I should have phrased it as, Imagine your filling out an arrest warrant and have to put a value on hives recovered.

BoilerJim · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2014, 06:45:14 pm »

I would value mine at $200 for each of the hive boxes, frames, inner cover, telescoping cover, bottom board and another $100 for the colony of bees. $300 total.

iddee · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2014, 07:03:07 pm »

I would go to a supplier's website and price the wood, frames, and foundation. Then add the price of 2 packages. Then estimate the amount of honey in each one at 1.25 per pound. "about the price of bulk honey" Add those up and add 50.00 for assembly. I'm thinking 400 to 500 dollars. They want replacement value, not market value.

G3farms · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2014, 07:06:09 pm »

Iddee beat me to it. That is what I would do, then if the paper pushers wanted you to back up your figures you could just hand them a catalog.

Slowmodem · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2014, 07:33:31 pm »

I would say a 2-deep hive full of bees = $500

Dunkel · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2014, 08:47:38 pm »

Well I had thought about the value when first asked when filled the police report a few months before. One had a extra super and another had a deep body and a paint can I had used for feeding. I stated then 1000. But when it came time to charge him I estimated 250 for each. I figured they were worth what I had paid for similar setup a few springs back. What the hives were worth to me were a whole lot more, especially when considering 60 deep frames of pulled comb and a pulled super. Let alone the established bees and assembled equipment. Just curious in what everyone else would of said.

Marbees · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2014, 09:16:45 pm »

Quote from: iddee on February 17, 2014, 07:03:07 pm

They want replacement value, not market value.

So, $500 minimum, $1,25/lb not enough for honey...

iddee · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2014, 09:26:47 pm »

OK. 2.00 per pound

http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/fvmhoney.pdf

Perry · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2014, 09:30:47 pm »

I think up here if you get nailed by a bear (and have electric fence up) the gov. will reimburse at $500.
Besides the lost wooden ware, the bees, and the honey, don't forget to throw in the lost potential income of pollination fees.

ablanton · « **Reply #11 on:** February 17, 2014, 09:42:48 pm »

I'd value one of my hives with bees at $300. And as far as honey goes, if they are asking ME to put a value on it, then I'm valuing my honey at what I sell it for -- $8 per pound. And I sold out, so it must be fair value . . .

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #12 on:** February 17, 2014, 11:07:38 pm »

and what about treatment and management of those bees? Loss of Honey, and or loss of ability to split into more $250.00 hives that year? I don't think you would have to struggle very much to PROVE $650.00 to $700.00 value.. so if they balked at the 500.00 price you could easily show them you were being NICE at $500.00

tecumseh · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2014, 06:46:53 am »

my own horse back estimate of a three deep hive would be more like iddee's number.

I would add one additional consideration.... about the best number I can obtain for the fully assembled price of 1 frame is about $3. of course this only represents the frame with foundation, the labor to put it together but NOT the comb. it takes one season and a lot of effort by the bees to turn that $3 expenditure into a working asset. This kind of transformation should not be overlooked in the total value of the hive.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2014, 07:45:09 am »

I would error on the high side. Who is going to question the value of your hives? There's no Kelly Blue Book for beekeeping. The only problem I can see is if the thief stole another beekeepers hives too. That other beekeeper may value their hives much lower and that's when they may question your appraisal.
Is there any chance that the prosecutor may look at the dollar value to determine the severity of the crime?

lazy shooter · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2014, 08:34:49 am »

I think Iddee is correct. Use catalog prices, as that is what it will cost you to replace them. It's not the market value, it's the replacement cost.

caesarsfish · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2014, 09:13:10 am »

I had two hives stolen last summer and I put the value at $600. Here in Alabama that is a felony and the Sheriff treated the case like cattle rustling and I had my brand on all my hives which I put on with a branding iron. The hives appeared back on my property the next day with no damage. The police ran the report on local radio and the local newspaper.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2014, 09:54:07 am »

replacement cost
How do you determine that Shooter? Does treating those bees, Feeding them to get their foundation built up, and managing them to keep them from swarming not fit into the Replacement cost? if it took me two years to get a hive where it is.. READY for the honey flow, and they vanish.. I have also lost the honey they would have made.
Ordering a new hive and a package of bees cant "replace" the expense and time put into the stolen hive..
I have never had a hive stolen, but it IS a possibility I need to look at, so this thread has made me truly wonder what Exactly, replacement cost is?

Perry · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2014, 10:23:43 am »

So both Dunkel and Caesarsfish have had hives stolen and actually got them back? Wow!
There's a couple of stories there I bet. I don't know how I would deal with it, but getting them back would be a long shot here, too many places for them to disappear to.

Dunkel · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2014, 04:30:24 pm »

It was a long shot for sure, another keep had a couple stolen later on. He was the one who got the word on where his was. When he got his mine was there also. Never expected to see them again.