I am all for getting your new quilt appraised.
I've had many quilts appraised over the past 15 years. You might find yourself quite surprised that your ( new) quilt holds a lot more value than what you are giving it credit for.
My first appraisal was on a stack and whack quilt, I liked it but it wasn't ( what I considered spectacular). the appraisal was much higher than I ever expected. Appraisals are good to have for insurance instances, if anything happens to the quilt also they are nice to send copies of if you gift or sell the quilt. I had a wool hand appliqué quilt appraised, had approximately $500 into making the quilt and probably 100+ hours. The quilt appraised for $3,750. I sold it for $2,800 and sent a copy of the appraisal with it.
I had my kids wedding gift quilts appraised so they could include the appraisal with their insurance inventory.
Having a quilt appraised is a good experience. I've only gone to American Quilter Society Certified Appraisers, so far it has always cost $50 they took pictures, did measurements, asked many questions, and made notes about the quilt ( including many things judges look at like even bindings, straight lines/ seams and balanced, complimentary quilting) then I received my certified appraisal in the mail about 3 weeks later.
As for show judging, that too is a good experience, the critique can be very helpful and you might just win a ribbon which is always fun