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When should a property alteration prompt a rebuild cost assessment? Property alterations can improve a building, but they can also change its rebuild cost. Where works materially affect a building’s size, layout, specification or services, the sum insured may need to be reviewed. “It is a common misconception that smaller renovation projects will not affect the rebuild cost of a property,” said Sharon Masters AIIRSM MARLA, Technical Lead and Surveyor at RebuildCostASSESSMENT.

A new regional breakdown of RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com’s latest data has revealed just how unevenly inaccurate building insurance is spread across the UK, with Wales , the North West and Northern Ireland emerging as some of the areas most exposed to underinsurance . Based on the latest RCA analysis, 70% of properties in the UK are underinsured overall , while 23% are overinsured . That leaves only a small minority covered for the right amount, reinforcing the scale of the ch

The UK’s soft insurance market is giving brokers a rare opportunity to address chronic underinsurance, as new industry insight shows the problem is increasingly leading to reduced or declined claims. Research from Aviva’s 2026 Broker Barometer indicates that underinsurance is no longer a hidden issue but one now regularly affecting claims outcomes. Brokers report growing concern that clients are discovering gaps in cover only after a loss, prompting renewed focus on ensuring

Getting the building sum insured right is one of the most important parts of arranging appropriate cover. It is also an area that can easily cause confusion if the basis of the figure has not been clearly explained. At a time when the FCA remains focused on fair value and client outcomes, brokers have an important role to play in helping clients understand what the sum insured is really there for. A building sum insured is not the property’s market value and it is not a fig

Commercial properties across the UK face a growing risk of underinsurance in 2026 as rebuild costs and compliance requirements continue to change. Rising rebuild costs, regulatory change and more complex rebuilding requirements can leave even well-managed portfolios underinsured if sums insured are not kept up to date. “Commercial reinstatement is inherently more complicated than domestic rebuilding,” said Gautham Rajendar, Technical Lead for Commercial Properties at...

Materials inflation has eased. Labour costs remain elevated and that is where reinstatement values can shift most quickly. Recent government data shows materials price growth easing, with the “All Work” materials index rose 3,3% in the year to December 2025. However, construction earnings data and insurer commentary continue to highlight labour shortages and sustained pay growth. Where skilled trades are constrained, repair and reinstatement costs can remain under pressure.

If you’ve ever seen “desktop” and “site” rebuild cost assessments and thought, “Right… but what’s the actual difference — and does it matter?” you’re not alone. It’s one of the questions we’re most often asked by people coming to us for the first time. And the honest answer is: both options can be the right one – it just depends on the building, the level of complexity, and what you need the valuation to stand up to. What do “desktop” and “site” actually mean? A desktop rebu

In high-net-worth (HNW) property insurance, underinsurance has long been a concern. And rightly so – with 70% of UK properties insured for less than they should be. However, overinsurance is increasingly drawing attention. Many premium homes are insured for more than their true rebuild cost . This means HNW property owners are paying more than they need to for their insurance, while brokers face potential challenges in evidencing fair value under the FCA’s Consumer Duty. “A

Many UK property owners assume that higher sums insured lead to better protection. New analysis shows this is not the case. While awareness of underinsurance has grown, insurance accuracy remains low across all major sums insured bands. As sums insured rise, behaviour changes – but accuracy does not. Underinsurance often gives way to overinsurance, while correct cover remains rare. This research builds on our annual property insurance infographic, which found that just 7% of

Construction costs across the UK remain high as we enter winter 2026. While inflation has slowed in the broader economy, rebuild costs continue to rise – driven by elevated labour rates, material inputs, and regulatory pressures. For property owners and insurance professionals, this means one thing: regular, data-driven review of sums insured is more critical than ever. Rebuild costs still rising “While the headline rate might look moderate, the detail tells a different story

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 27 October, marks the biggest overhaul of England’s private rental sector in a generation. While much of the attention has centred on tenant protections and the end of “no-fault” evictions, the law could also reshape the financial landscape for landlords and insurers, particularly when it comes to rebuild costs. Higher property standards, higher rebuild values A major shift lies in the extension of the Decent Homes

Inaccurate building insurance continues to pose significant risks across the UK, with the latest property insurance infographic from...

The government has confirmed that a Building Safety Levy will come into effect on 1 October 2026 . It’s part of the ongoing reforms...

RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com has released a new guide revealing how construction labour shortages are driving up rebuild costs and leaving a...

Property owners across the UK are investing in greener, more efficient buildings, but many could be unintentionally leaving themselves underinsured. As energy bills rise and regulations tighten, more homes and commercial properties are being upgraded with better insulation, cleaner heating systems, and sustainable materials. These changes are essential but they’re also driving up rebuild costs. When those costs go up but insurance cover stays the same, the risk of underinsura

Tougher building safety rules mean higher rebuild costs for high-rise buildings. But are clients and brokers confusing rebuild valuations...

The cost to rebuild your property isn't just about bricks and mortar, it's shaped by a number of key factors that many homeowners...

The impact of 'Liberation Day' on the world's stock markets has been immediate and significant, but how will Trump's tariffs affect...

With inflation driving a significant widening of the underinsurance gap, in this article we highlight the urgent need for brokers and...

UK insurance brokers are prioritising building valuations and cyber risk management as key services to add value for clients in 2025,...

The issue of underinsurance has created a dynamic landscape of both opportunity and challenge in the field of buildings insurance...

How do you cut 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions without sacrificing efficiency? Spoiler alert: it doesn’t involve giving up your morning...

Once upon a time, Goldilocks wandered into the home of three unsuspecting bears… but this time, she wasn’t tasting porridge – she was...

Thinking about renovating your home? Whether it’s a sleek new kitchen, an expansive loft conversion, or even just a luxurious marble...

Already, it’s beginning to feel like the word ‘uncertainty’ is making a comeback this year, if it ever really went away. The combination...

A rise in property insurance premiums in the third quarter of this year has been linked to more widespread adoption of rebuild cost...

Wondering if your property's location affects your rebuild cost? It does—and quite significantly Why location impacts rebuild costs ...

The percentage of UK buildings that are underinsured has fallen to its lowest level for at least 6 years, but remains ‘unacceptably...

And that’s a wrap! The RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com Office Games have officially come to an end, with the closing ceremony taking place and...

Enhanced Commercial Desktop assessments are now available from RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com. This is our latest innovation in rebuild cost...

Brokers tell us that every now and then they face ‘difficult conversations’ with clients about all kinds of things, including...

Construction inflation has softened over the past year and building costs are forecast to rise by around 3% in 2024. However, the risk of...

Insurance brokers have highlighted regulatory compliance as their number one concern this year, in a poll carried out by...

Did you know that we run exclusive giveaways for our Platinum & Gold tier brokers? To qualify, brokers must place 10 or more (for...

We’ve often spoken about the Average Clause, but homeowners are now being warned of a potential issue that could leave them with no cover...

Rebuild Cost Assessment Ltd has appointed Iain Crichton as its new Operations Manager. Iain has broad experience of leading teams within...

The gap between property rebuilding costs and the amount buildings are insured for is continuing to widen, with many essential social...

Most insurance brokers are keen to avoid the ‘hard sell’ when it comes to breaking the ice with clients, according to a fun piece of...

RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com and the University of Exeter have formed an exciting partnership to take our valuations service to the next...

More than half of UK insurance brokers say they are in favour of new Consumer Duty rules, with most believing underinsurance should be...

The cost of building materials increased by 25% on average in the UK last year and continue to rise, which begs the question… how long...

A greater proportion of properties are now underinsured and the gap between property rebuild costs and the amount buildings are currently...

Ah those tricky questions clients ask. Like… Client: ‘So how much should I insure my building for’? Broker: ‘Well, actually I can’t...

Casting an eye back through time can often tell us a lot about where we are today. RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com’s James Scott Brown...

Could underinsuring your property cost you more than you expect? I n this edition of 2-Minute Tuesday, Amy addresses a critical...

A sustained rise in construction costs this year is increasing the likelihood of significant underinsurance of buildings in the UK. ...

New data from RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com has revealed that properties with a sum insured of less than £500,000 are generally covered for...

Five lucky brokers have each won a ‘very posh’ Fortnum & Mason’s picnic hamper after taking part in our latest Platinum and Gold broker...

A football club from the sixth tier of English football is suing an insurance broker for almost half a million pounds in damages due to...

A digitally disruptive approach to the buildings insurance valuation survey market has led to RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com being recognised...