If a disaster were to strike and your building was destroyed, you may wonder how much it would cost to rebuild.
Significant and devastating events like fires can leave a building’s structural integrity non-existent, whereby the building will need to be reconstructed. But how much would it cost to rebuild?
This crucial question lies at the heart of determining accurate reinstatement costs for buildings. Property owners and managers must understand exactly what reinstatement cost means and how to arrive at the correct rebuild value. As far as insurance is concerned, providers will require information concerning reconstruction and reinstatement costs.
At Tim Greenwood & Associates, we know that reinstatement costs come with grey areas for those affected by significant events. In this guide, we’ll clarify any confusion around reinstatement costs, including:
- The difference between rebuild costs and market value
- What goes into calculating accurate reinstatement figures
- Why proper valuations matter for insurance claims
- How our RICS Chartered Surveyors derive precise rebuild costs
Read on for an in-depth look at the true reinstatement cost meaning and ways to determine accurate reinstatement costs for your properties.
Reinstatement Cost of Property Meaning
When insuring a building, it’s essential not to confuse reinstatement cost with market value. Though related, these two valuations differ in crucial ways.
Market value is the estimated selling price for a property in its current state. It reflects factors like location, demand, condition, and comparable sales in the area. Market value helps set listing prices and facilitates property transactions. In the same way that market value does not prove a factor when conducting Level 2 or Level 3 Building Surveys, it is not pertinent to reinstatement costs.
Reinstatement cost, on the other hand, represents the materials, labour, and expenses needed to completely rebuild or reconstruct a property from the ground up if it were destroyed. This value accounts for a worst-case scenario like a fire, flooding, or another disaster that damages a building beyond repair. It gives insurers an idea of how much will be needed to cover substantial losses and damage.
Accurately estimating this amount is critical for obtaining adequate insurance to cover potential reconstruction costs in the event of a total loss.
How Reinstatement Costs Are Calculated
When calculating reinstatement costs, qualified surveyors like those at Tim Greenwood & Associates use a systematic process to arrive at accurate valuations. This involves:
- Detailing all specifications of the existing building’s size, layout, materials, and foundations
- Researching current material and labour costs in the local market, accounting for inflation
- Factoring in related professional fees for architects, engineers, project managers etc. as appropriate to reconstruction work
- Considering unique site conditions like access limitations or party wall agreements
- Including contingencies for demolition, debris removal, temporary stabilisation etc.
- Applying relevant building codes, regulations, and planning consent requirements
- Estimating any value-added tax, statutory fees, and local authority costs
The end result is a comprehensive rebuilding cost plan for the property. Our Chartered Surveyors in Surrey will also provide guidance on appropriate levels of coverage and assessments.
Why Precise Reinstatement Valuations Matter
In the event of an insurance claim for severe or total loss, reinstatement costs directly impact the potential payout you’re entitled to. Without an accurate valuation, you could come up short for rebuilding.
For example, if the reinstatement cost for your property is £500,000, but you insured it for only £400,000 based on an unqualified estimate, your claim payout would be capped at the lower insured amount. Securing sufficient coverage requires knowing the true cost to replicate every aspect of your building in a worst-case scenario.
Beyond potential claim issues, inaccurate reinstatement valuations can also lead to:
- Paying higher premiums than needed for overstated values
- Underinsuring properties and retaining preventable risk
Our specialist reinstatement cost assessments avoid these issues by determining precise rebuild costs. We also re-evaluate properties regularly to account for market shifts and keep coverage current.
Understand Your Property’s True Reinstatement Cost
With over four decades of experience, Tim Greenwood & Associates brings extensive expertise to reinstatement cost assessment services for all property types and sizes across the South East. Whether providing rebuild valuations for initial insurance procurement or updating coverage for existing buildings, our Chartered Building Surveyors and property experts apply rigorous methodology to arrive at accurate figures.
We also offer a range of related services, including building surveys, technical due diligence, schedule of condition reviews, and more. Our full-service consultancy provides in-depth insight into your property’s form and function. With our help, you can safeguard your building with a precise rebuild valuation and a fully informed insurance strategy.
Contact us today to discuss your needs – we’re here to provide clarity and support every step of the way.
