Rebuild Cost Surveys - How do they help underinsurance?
Up to 70% of homes in the UK are estimated to be underinsured
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'This staggering figure highlights the widespread nature of underinsurance and underscores the importance of accurate rebuild cost estimates. Even a 10-20% shortfall in coverage can result in tens of thousands of pounds that owners might have to fund themselves...'
Rebuild Cost Surveys
A rebuild cost survey calculates the total cost to fully reconstruct your property in the event of a total loss. This includes factors such as size, the type and quality of construction, demolition fees, professional fees, and any permanent structures.
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In basic terms, imagine if you were to pick your house up and tip it upside down, everything that remains is included in the rebuild cost estimate.
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If your property is suitable for a desktop survey, there's no need for a site visit, making the process quicker, more affordable, and convenient.
Rebuild Cost Surveys
Protecting Property Owners
The rebuild cost is used to establish your buildings insurance cover. If your buildings insurance is based on the wrong rebuild cost, you could be underinsured — meaning your insurer may not pay out the full amount in a claim.
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Using advanced satellite imagery and desktop measurement software, we carry out accurate rebuild cost surveys which are unique to your property. ​
An accurate rebuild cost is crucial when combatting both underinsurance and overinsurance.
Backed by comprehensive cost data from real construction projects, our mission is to protect property owners across the UK.
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As an RICS Regulated Firm, all our rebuild cost surveys meet the highest professional and ethical standards set by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Jacqueline, Dorset
"My survey was handled professionally and the report was easy to understand. Happy overall."
Ross, London
"The estimate process was straightforward to navigate. Good communication as well, I always understood what was going on."
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Why is a rebuild cost survey important?A rebuild cost survey provides an accurate estimate of what it would cost to completely rebuild your property from scratch (your rebuild cost) — including materials, labour, demolition, and professional fees. This helps protect you in two key ways: Avoiding overinsurance, where you might be paying more than necessary for your policy. Avoiding underinsurance, which can be far more serious — potentially leaving you with a significant financial shortfall if you ever need to make a claim.
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How could underinsurance affect me?If your property is underinsured, your insurance payout may not cover the full cost of rebuilding your property in the event of a partial or total loss. In a worst case scenario, this could mean you're left to cover the financial shortfall.
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How much would it cost to rebuild my home?A rebuild cost survey calculates the total cost to rebuild your house in the event of total loss. This figure is also known as the declared value, and helps homeowners make informed decisions regarding their insurance coverage.
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Who will my survey be carried out by?Every one of our rebuild cost surveys are carried out by an RICS-accredited surveyor. That means you can be confident your property is being assessed by a qualified expert who works to the highest industry standards. We don’t outsource or cut corners — your report will be handled by a professional with the knowledge and credentials to deliver an accurate and reliable rebuild cost report.
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How do you calculate the rebuild cost of your house?The most cost effective method without compromising on accuracy, is a desktop survey - an area we specialise in. We look at a variety of factors and measurements which affect the property's rebuild cost, which come from a mix of open source and cost data libraries. We use this to calculate the rebuild cost without the need for a site visit.
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What's the rebuild cost of the property?The rebuild cost is the total cost required to rebuild your home from scratch, in the event of total loss. This is different from the market value of your property. The rebuild cost takes into account a variety of factors such as construction methods to access difficulties.
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What Grade of Listed Buildings do you cover?We primarily provide rebuild cost surveys for Grade II, Grade B and Grade C Listed Buildings. We do take on higher grade properties but this is done on a case by case basis, so please get in touch with us to discuss this.
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How does the rebuild cost survey work?Our team gathers detailed information about your property and utilises industry-recognised methods, in matrix systems with our own methods, to provide an accurate estimate of the total rebuild cost.
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How long will it take to get my report?For standard properties, the survey process takes 2 to 5 business days (dependent on if you have a priority survey or standard survey) from start to finish, depending on the size and complexity of the property. We offer a priority service that completes the process within 2 business days for those in a hurry. For Listed Buildings, it takes up to 7 business days. This is due to the more complex calculations required and the level of detail we provide on our reports.
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What is a desktop survey?A desktop survey is a type of rebuild cost estimate conducted remotely, using satellite imagery and online tools, without the need for a physical site visit. It is a quicker and more cost-effective option for property owners, offering convenience while maintaining reliable results.
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What information do I need to provide for my rebuild cost survey?Examples of information we may ask you to provide include the property address, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, details of any outbuildings within the premises, any special architectural features and in some cases a few external photographs of the property. We'll take care of the rest.
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Can I get a rebuild cost survey if I have a property outside the UK?We currently focus exclusively on UK properties. However, feel free to reach out via our contact page with specific requests regarding future services.
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I've received my report, what do I do next?Once you’ve received your report, the next step is to provide the report to your insurance broker or selected home insurance provider.
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Can I share the rebuild cost report with my insurance provider?In short, yes, absolutely. In some cases, an insurance provider may require you to have obtained a professional survey before taking out an insurance policy with them.
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How does the rebuild cost report affect my home insurance premiums?While our rebuild cost surveys provide an accurate estimate of your property’s rebuild cost, the home insurance premium is determined by your insurance provider.
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My property's declared value is over £5 million, can I still use this service?We can certainly look into providing a rebuild cost survey for your property, but we recommend booking a surveyor consultation instead of going through the standard/non listed process, due to increased complexities on these types of property.
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My home insurance policy is due to renew soon, when should I get an updated rebuild cost survey?As a guideline, we recommend getting a survey within 4 - 6 weeks of your renewal date at the latest. If you are currently closer than this to your renewal date, we do offer a priority service with a 2 day turnaround time.
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What information will I need to provide for the survey?We'll ask for basic information about your property, such as: number of bathrooms, bedrooms, toilets, details of any outbuildings if applicable. For more complex/unique properties we may ask for further information about architectural features. If you have any useful documents such as floor plans, architectural drawings or photos, you'll have an opportunity to upload these as well.
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How much would it cost to rebuild my house?A rebuild cost survey calculates the total cost to rebuild your house in the event of total loss. This rebuild cost is known as the declared value and helps homeowners make informed decisions regarding their insurance coverage.
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Who will my survey be carried out by?Every single rebuild cost survey is carried out by an RICS-accredited surveyor. That means you can be confident your property is being assessed by a qualified expert who works to the highest industry standards. We don’t outsource or cut corners — your report will be handled by a professional with the knowledge and credentials to deliver an accurate, compliant, and reliable rebuild cost report.
Why choose us?
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As an RICS Regulated Firm, every single survey is carried out by an RICS accredited surveyor.
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We have years of industry experience across a broad range of residential and commercial properties.
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We are covered by appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance.
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