Reinstatement Cost Assessments
Clear, professional advice to help commercial property owners insure their buildings accurately and avoid unnecessary risk.
A Reinstatement Cost Assessment (RCA) provides an independent, evidence-based assessment of the cost of rebuilding a commercial property and its contents in the event of total loss. It forms the basis for setting appropriate levels of building insurance, ensuring cover reflects the true cost of reinstatement.
We provide Reinstatement Cost Assessments for commercial property owners, delivering clear advice that helps protect against underinsurance or unnecessary premium costs.
We provide Reinstatement Cost Assessments for commercial property owners
When and Why a Reinstatement Cost Assessment Is Needed
For commercial property owners, ensuring buildings are insured to the correct reinstatement value is essential to managing risk.
A Reinstatement Cost Assessment calculates the cost of rebuilding the property as new, including demolition, professional fees and statutory costs. This figure often differs significantly from market value or purchase price.
RICS guidance recommends that Reinstatement Cost Assessments are reviewed regularly, typically every three years, or sooner where buildings have been altered, extended or refurbished. Without an up-to-date assessment, owners may be exposed to underinsurance, leading to reduced insurance payouts in the event of a claim.
Equally, over-insuring a property can result in unnecessarily high premiums without any additional benefit. A properly prepared assessment provides clarity and supports informed discussions with insurers and advisers.
How We Support Property Owners
Our role is to provide clear, defensible reinstatement values that reflect the specific characteristics of each building.
Our assessments typically include:
An on-site inspection of the property carried out in accordance with RICS guidance
A detailed building schedule and, where required, a schedule of contents
Reinstatement values supported by recognised cost data and industry benchmarks
Allowances for demolition, professional fees and statutory charges
Our advice is presented clearly and proportionately, allowing owners and their advisers to set insurance cover with confidence.
Why GJS Dillon?
Clients choose our building surveying team because we combine technical accuracy with a practical understanding of how insurance decisions affect commercial property ownership.
WHAT THAT MEANS IN PRACTICE IS:
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RICS-COMPLIANT ADVICE
PREPARED IN LINE WITH CURRENT PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE -
EXPERIENCED SURVEYORS DELIVERING ASSESSMENTS ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TYPES
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CLEAR, DEFENSIBLE REPORTING
SUPPORTING DISCUSSIONS WITH INSURERS AND ADVISERS -
PROPORTIONATE APPROACH
FOCUSED ON ACCURACY, NOT OVERSTATEMENT
Our Reinstatement Cost Assessments are delivered by experienced surveyors led by Rob Cant, Director - Building Surveying & Project Consultancy, with advice provided in accordance with RICS requirements.
Wider building surveying support
In addition to Reinstatement Cost Assessments, our building surveying team can support clients with related matters, including:
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Schedules of Condition
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Commercial Building surveys
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Dilapidations Advice
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Project and refurbishment advice
This joined-up approach helps ensure decisions remain consistent and well-informed across the property lifecycle.
Your Next Step
If you would like to review your current insurance position or require a Reinstatement Cost Assessment for a commercial property, we’re here to help.
Contact our building surveying team to discuss your requirements and receive clear, professionally grounded advice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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A Reinstatement Cost Assessment estimates the cost of rebuilding a property from scratch following total loss, including demolition, professional fees and statutory costs. It is used to set appropriate building insurance cover.
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RICS guidance recommends reviewing reinstatement costs regularly, typically every three years, or sooner if the building has been altered, extended or refurbished.
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No. Reinstatement value reflects the cost of rebuilding the property, not its sale price or investment value. The two figures can differ significantly.
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If a property is underinsured, insurers may reduce claim payouts proportionately, leaving owners exposed to significant shortfalls following a loss.
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In some cases, yes. Where a property is over-insured, an accurate assessment can help align cover with actual reinstatement costs and avoid unnecessary premiums.
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Many insurers expect Reinstatement Cost Assessments to be prepared in accordance with RICS guidance. Using a qualified surveyor helps ensure assessments are accepted and defensible.
What’s The Best First Step?
If you’re unsure whether your current insurance cover is appropriate, the best place to start is a review of your existing reinstatement value. We can advise on whether a new assessment is required and guide you from there.
Supporting Real-World Commercial Property Decisions
We work with a wide range of clients across different sectors, providing practical, commercially focused advice that supports confident property decisions.
