On‑Site Survey
On‑site reinstatement cost assessment.
Our RICS‑regulated surveyors carry out site visits across every London borough, from Mayfair and Belgravia to Greenwich and Richmond, and travel further afield to Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and beyond, so your rebuild figure is measured in person rather than estimated from a desk.
What it is
A surveyor on site, measuring every detail.
An on‑site reinstatement cost assessment is the gold standard. A RICS‑regulated surveyor attends your London property in person, measures every element, and assesses the specification and construction first‑hand. Nothing is estimated from records alone.
This level of detail matters most where a building is out of the ordinary, a listed townhouse, a period conversion, a mixed‑use block, or an industrial unit with significant plant. The result is a comprehensive, evidenced rebuild figure that stands up to insurer and legal scrutiny in case, protecting you in the circumstances of a denied claim.
The surveyor at your door is a RICS‑regulated chartered professional, drawing on a practice with more than half a century of collective experience devoted entirely to reinstatement cost assessment. On the capital’s harder buildings, it is that concentrated, specialist judgement, not general practice, that turns a careful inspection into a figure you can defend.
How it works
From site visit to signed report.
Step 1
We arrange access
We book a convenient appointment and coordinate access with owners, tenants or managing agents.
Step 2
We measure on site
A RICS surveyor attends, measures every element in person and records the construction and specification.
Step 3
We evidence everything
Detailed site notes and photographic evidence capture specialist materials, M&E and curtilage structures.
Step 4
We deliver the report
A comprehensive, BCIS‑indexed rebuild figure that will withstand insurer or legal scrutiny.
Who needs it
Built for London’s harder buildings.
Listed & period buildings
Heritage detailing and traditional materials that generic indices cannot value accurately.
Non‑standard construction
Timber frame, steel frame, concrete and other builds that need expert on‑site judgement.
Complex commercial & industrial
Large floor plates, plant rooms, M&E installations and mixed‑use premises across London.
High‑value assets
Prime central London property where an accurate, evidenced figure protects a significant sum.
Why it matters
Detail is where the value hides.
London holds some of the most complex building stock in the country, Georgian and Victorian terraces, mansion blocks, converted warehouses and prime commercial premises. On these buildings, generic calculators and desktop indices routinely miss six‑figure sums in specialist materials, heritage detailing and services.
Underinsurance on a high‑value asset is a serious exposure, and it is the norm, not the exception. An estimated 76% of UK buildings are underinsured, and among those that are, cover averages just 63% of the true rebuild cost (Insurance Age). Under a policy’s condition of average, that shortfall reduces every claim proportionally: a building insured for 63% of its rebuild cost can have even a modest claim cut by more than a third. An on‑site survey removes the guesswork and gives owners, freeholders and managing agents a figure they can defend with total confidence. And if a claim is ever challenged or denied, that independent, evidenced figure is what protects you: it stands as the professional basis for settling in full, so you receive the right amount to rebuild your property rather than a proportionally reduced payout.
What’s included
A complete, evidenced survey.
Hover or tap each item for a plain‑English explanation.
- checkFull physical site inspectionA RICS surveyor visits and examines the building in person, inside and out, so nothing is assumed from records alone.
- checkMeasured survey of every elementEach part of the building is physically measured on site, giving a far more precise figure than a desktop estimate.
- checkSpecification and construction assessmentWe record exactly how the building is put together and finished, the materials, methods and quality of construction.
- checkDetailed site notes and photographsA full written and photographic record that evidences and supports every figure in the report.
- checkSpecialist materials and M&EStone, timber and heritage detail, plus mechanical and electrical services such as lifts, heating and ventilation.
- checkCurtilage structures and boundariesOutbuildings, walls, railings and other structures that sit within the property’s boundary and also need rebuilding.
London & beyond
Surveyors across the capital, and beyond.
We attend properties throughout Greater London, with particular experience in the listed and high‑value stock of the central and inner boroughs.
We are not limited to the capital. Our surveyors also carry out on‑site assessments across the major cities and towns within easy reach of London, including Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Cambridge and Oxford, wherever a building’s complexity or value calls for a full physical survey.
- City of London
- Westminster
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Camden
- Islington
- Mayfair
- Belgravia
- Chelsea
- Hampstead
- Richmond
- Greenwich
- Southwark
- Hackney
- Wandsworth
- Barnet
- Bromley
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Manchester
- Liverpool
- Leeds
- Nottingham
- Leicester
- Sheffield
- Cambridge
- Oxford
- Reading
- Brighton
- Southampton
- Cardiff
- Coventry
- Milton Keynes
Frequently Asked Questions.
Common questions about on-site reinstatement cost assessments for London property.
What is an on‑site reinstatement cost assessment?
An on‑site reinstatement cost assessment is a full physical survey carried out by a RICS‑regulated surveyor who attends your property, measures every element in person, and assesses specification and construction. It is the most accurate way to establish a rebuild cost, and is essential for listed, complex or high‑value buildings.
When do I need an on‑site survey rather than a desktop assessment?
An on‑site survey is recommended for listed buildings, non‑standard or period construction, complex commercial and industrial premises, and high‑value assets where a desktop assessment cannot capture the full detail. If your London property has specialist materials, curtilage structures, M&E installations or a large floor plate, an on‑site survey is the right choice.
How long does an on‑site assessment take in London?
The inspection itself typically takes a few hours depending on the size and complexity of the building. The full written report, including site notes and photographic evidence, is usually delivered shortly after the visit. We arrange appointments across London to suit access and management schedules.
Will the report stand up to insurer or legal scrutiny?
Yes. An on‑site RICS assessment provides a comprehensive, evidenced rebuild figure with full site notes and photographs. It is BCIS‑indexed, broker‑ready, and prepared to withstand insurer challenge or legal scrutiny.
Do you survey listed and period buildings in London?
Yes. Our surveyors are experienced in listed building requirements, specialist materials, period detailing, curtilage structures and complex M&E, which are common across central and inner London.