Question 1

What is a Reinstatement Cost Assessment (RCA)?

Accepted Answer

A Reinstatement Cost Assessment (RCA) is a professional survey carried out by a RICS-qualified surveyor to establish the accurate rebuild cost of a property for buildings insurance purposes. It calculates the Declared Value — the amount it would cost to completely demolish and rebuild the property to its existing specification, including professional fees, demolition, and VAT. This is distinct from the market value, which reflects what a buyer would pay.

Question 2

How much does a Reinstatement Cost Assessment cost?

Accepted Answer

RCA survey fees vary depending on property type, size, location and complexity. A standard residential RCA for a typical detached house typically starts from £350–£500 + VAT. Listed buildings, unusual construction or large commercial properties will attract a higher fee. Contact us with your property details and we'll provide a fixed fee within a few hours.

Question 3

How long does an RCA survey take?

Accepted Answer

The on-site inspection typically takes 1–3 hours depending on property size. The full written report is normally issued within 5–7 working days of the inspection. For urgent cases we can offer an expedited service — please mention this when you enquire.

Question 4

How is the rebuild cost different from market value?

Accepted Answer

Market value is the price a willing buyer would pay for your property in current market conditions — it reflects location, demand, and the land. Rebuild cost (Declared Value) covers only the physical cost of rebuilding the structure from scratch: materials, labour, professional fees, demolition, and VAT. For most UK properties these figures are very different. In some areas, rebuild cost is substantially higher than market value; in others it can be lower. Using market value as your Declared Value is a very common and potentially costly mistake.

Question 5

What is the average clause in buildings insurance?

Accepted Answer

The average clause (also called the condition of average) is a standard provision in most buildings insurance policies. If your property is under-insured — i.e. the Declared Value is lower than the true rebuild cost — the insurer can reduce any claim payout proportionally. For example, if you insure for 75% of the true rebuild cost, a £100,000 claim may only pay out £75,000. This applies even for partial damage claims, not just total losses.

Question 6

What BCIS rates do you use in your RCA reports?

Accepted Answer

We use BCIS (Building Cost Information Service) Q1 2026 rebuild rates, which are the most current rates published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the UK market. These rates are broken down by property type, construction type, and UK region. Using current BCIS rates ensures your Declared Value accounts for recent construction cost inflation — rebuild costs have risen over 30% since 2020.

Question 7

Does my insurer need an RCA?

Accepted Answer

Most standard insurers will accept a self-declared figure, but many premium and specialist insurers — particularly for listed buildings, high-value homes, or leasehold blocks — require a formal professional RCA. Even where not required, having one protects you against the average clause and provides documented evidence if you need to challenge a claim settlement. We recommend all UK homeowners review their Declared Value at least every three years.

Question 8

Can I use the free BCIS calculator instead of a professional RCA?

Accepted Answer

Our free BCIS Rebuild Cost Calculator is a useful starting point for standard residential properties. It uses the same BCIS Q1 2026 rate tables and will give you a reliable ballpark figure. However, for listed buildings, unusual construction, properties over £1M rebuild value, converted buildings, or leasehold blocks, a professional RCA by a RICS-qualified surveyor is strongly recommended — and in some cases required by your insurer or mortgage lender.

Question 9

How often should an RCA be reviewed?

Accepted Answer

RICS guidance recommends reviewing your Declared Value every three years, or sooner if you have carried out significant works, made alterations, or if there has been substantial movement in construction costs. Given the 30%+ rise in UK rebuild costs since 2020, many policies now in force are significantly under-insured. We issue a 12-month advisory note with every report and recommend a full re-survey every three years.

Reinstatement Cost
Assessments UK

What is a Reinstatement
Cost Assessment?

When a Professional RCA Is Essential

Listed buildings

Stone, flint or unusual construction

Rebuild value over £1 million

Converted buildings

Leasehold blocks & freeholds

Policies not reviewed in 3+ years

The RCA Survey Process

Initial enquiry & scoping

On-site inspection

BCIS rate application

Full cost build-up

Formal RCA report

Everything Covered in
Your RCA Report

Sample Cost Build-Up

Request Your
Reinstatement Cost Assessment

Request an RCA Survey

Reinstatement Cost Assessment FAQs

Reinstatement CostAssessments UK

What is a ReinstatementCost Assessment?