Banging my head against a wall on this one

[Froghat]

Am trying to book in a full survey with a specialist heritage surveyor for a prospective purchase period property. I need to have a reinstatement valuation included as part of the survey because I need to provide that to the insurance company for the buildings insurance. None of the surveyors are willing to provide the valuation as part of the survey. They just say "we don't do that". One even said "you need to get that from the insurer". So I'm being driven around in circles here! How am I supposed to get a valuation? Please help!

Separate them out. Get your survey done for the purchase.

Then find someone else to do the insurance valuation.

Or alternatively, buy something less complicated 😆

An insurer wouldn't provide this, you need to tell them what you want insuring for.

Are you being clear it's not for the purpose of a mortgage/purchase valuation and just reinstatement? I know a lot of chartered surveyors won't get involved in valuations. Can you have a look on RICS for a surveyor in your area that would just provide a rebuild cost?

I know the insurer won’t provide it - that’s why it’s so infuriating that the surveyor has said that. I have used the phrase “reinstatement valuation” and explained that it’s for getting insurance so I assume they know it’s not about what the property is worth. Gah it’s driving me mad.

Unfortunately if my experience is anything to go by I think a lot of surveyors have moved away from providing rebuild costs as between their liability if they're wrong and the ever evolving cost of materials it's probably quite difficult. Does it have to be something official or could you ask a build for a ballpark and then increase that for insurance purposes?

Thanks for the suggestion. Much appreciated.

Have you tried different insurers or a broker? Some insurers offer unlimited rebuild costs.

No but thanks - will look into that!!

Had the same issue on a period property 10 years ago.

The solution was a policy with unlimited Buildings cover.

At the time John Lewis covered it. Am not sure if they still offer that Policy but worth checking.