The appraiser performs a commercial appraisal for his/her Client and the Client is any party for whom the appraiser performs a service. This is usually the person who engages the appraiser to complete the assignment and this may or may not be the person who actually pays for the appraisal. Often the Lender/Broker will order the appraisal from the appraiser but the fee is paid by the homeowner and in this case the Lender/Broker is the Client. Appraisers work on a confidential basis with their clients (known as client-appraiser relationship), in the same fashion as other professionals such as lawyers and accountants.