HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST TO REBUILD YOUR PROPERTY?
As it stands, fewer than one in ten commercial properties are insured for the right amount.
If you’ve ever insured a commercial property, you’ll know that arranging buildings insurance is based not just on your property’s ‘market value’ – the amount it would sell for today – but also its ‘rebuild costs’. This refers to the amount of money it would cost to rebuild or reinstate your property from scratch if it was destroyed by an insured peril.
Your insurer will only pay out the amount you have insured the building for – so if you wrongly estimate the sums insured, and your property needs extensive rebuild work, you will not receive the pay-out you expect.
If you manage a commercial property, it’s important to get the calculations right. Here are some ways to make sure your rebuild value sums is correct:
Consider all the variables
It’s not just the size of your building that dictates its rebuild cost. Though this will impact the amount of materials used, you also need to consider what they are – is it constructed from any specific or unusual materials? Also consider the building’s style, quality and location. Don’t forget to include the cost of labour, which will depend on the size of the project and how long it would take to rebuild from scratch.
Building regulations
Changes in UK building regulations and stricter environmental laws may well mean your buildings would cost more to rebuild today than when you first insured them. Other geographical factors also make a difference – rebuilding costs will differ in the north from in the south, for example.
Special requirements
Listed buildings, landmark buildings and those otherwise ‘outside the norm’ would need the attention of specialist construction workers and therefore need to be assessed on-site by experienced valuers.
Get expert advice
No matter the type of building you manage or what it’s used for, an assessment by a professional surveyor is the most accurate way to arrive at a sums insured. This gives you the peace of mind that your insurance would provide the total rebuild cost if it was ever necessary. You should also revalue your buildings at regular intervals.
Thorntons will be able to put you in touch with a Chartered Surveyor and will give further advice on arranging accurate Buildings Insurance. Talk to our team today to find out more.