A:Our Pittsburgh real estate attorneys handle all real estate assessment appeals on a contingent fee basis. if an appraisal is necessary, the firm hires the appraiser at the firm's expense. All cases are handled on a contingent fee basis of one-third of the property savings over two years if the assessment is reduced. In the unlikely event the assessment is not reduced, then no fee is charged. The only cost to the taxpayer is the filing fee to the Court of Common Pleas.