Is Your Building’s Reinstatement Valuation Accurate?

Is Your Declared Value Right?

Your buildings insurance depends on a key figure: the Declared Value — the cost to rebuild your property in full on the first day of your policy.

Too low, and your cover may fall short when it matters most. Too high, and you may be overpaying. We’ll help you strike the right balance.
Speak with an expert
Fast, Accurate Valuations — From £172.50

We offer two types of reinstatement valuation:

  • Desktop Valuation from £172.50 – Ideal for straightforward commercial properties

  • On-Site Valuation from £450 – Recommended for larger or more complex sites

Both include the key costs insurers expect: demolition, site clearance, rebuild costs, external works, and professional fees. VAT can be factored in where required.

We’ll help you choose the right approach — and ensure your insurance reflects the true cost of reinstatement.

Why It Matters
If your Declared Value is too low, your insurer may apply “average” — reducing any claim settlement in proportion to the underinsurance.

In short: your business may be left to cover the gap.
Who’s Eligible?
  • Your building hasn’t been professionally valued in the past 3 years
  • You’ve recently extended, refurbished, or reconfigured the layout
  • You’re unsure how the current figure was calculated
How Does Underinsurance Affect a Claim?
When a property is underinsured, insurers may apply something called the ‘Average Clause’ at the point of claim. That means they’ll reduce your settlement in proportion to how underinsured you are — even if the loss is only partial.

Example:

Let’s say your building has a true rebuild cost of £1,000,000, but your policy’s Declared Value is £700,000. That’s 30% underinsured.
If you suffer a fire causing £200,000 worth of damage, the insurer may only pay £140,000 — leaving a shortfall of £60,000 that you’ll need to cover.
It’s a hidden risk that only becomes visible when it’s too late. But it’s easily avoided with a current valuation.
From just £172.50, we can help you get the right figure — and the peace of mind that comes with it.

Request a Valuation

Choose between a fast, desk-based review (from £172.50) or an in-person site visit (from £450). Not sure which you need? We’ll advise.

Review Your Declared Value

We’ll provide a professional report showing the current rebuild cost — including demolition, clearance, external works, and fees.

Updated Cover with Confidence

We’ll help you make sure your policy reflects the true cost of reinstatement — so you’re protected when it matters most.
Request Your Valuation
  • Call us on 0208 353 8913 
  • harry.streeter@brownhillgroup.co.uk

Common Queries

Your Declared Value is the estimated cost to rebuild your property at the start of the policy. The Sum Insured is this figure plus an uplift to account for inflation and market conditions during the policy term. Insurers use the Declared Value as the basis for calculating your premium.

Because insurance covers the cost to rebuild, not the price someone would pay to buy the property. Market value depends on location, demand, and use — none of which reflect demolition, construction, and professional fees required after a total loss.

We recommend a professional review at least every three years, or sooner if you’ve carried out works or costs have significantly changed. Construction prices have risen sharply in recent years, so even recent policies may already be out of date.

Insurers may apply the ‘average clause’, reducing your payout proportionally. For example, if you’re 30% underinsured, they may only pay 70% of any claim — even if it’s a partial loss. That could leave you thousands out of pocket.

For many buildings, a desk-based valuation is accurate and cost-effective. However, complex sites or mixed-use properties may benefit from a site visit for greater precision. We’ll help you choose the best option.

Yes, many insurers accept both remote and site-based professional valuations. While not all are RICS-compliant, they still demonstrate that a reasonable, independent assessment has been made — which can help in avoiding disputes or the application of average.

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