Can I Do My Own Insurance Reinstatement Estimate After a House Fire?

Technically, nothing stops you from putting together your own reinstatement estimate after a house fire — but in practice, NZ insurers almost always require a formal assessment from a qualified professional before they'll settle a significant claim. Understanding what's involved will help you protect your position and avoid costly mistakes during what is already a stressful time.

What Is a Reinstatement Estimate?

A reinstatement estimate (sometimes called a reinstatement cost assessment or RCA) is a detailed calculation of what it would cost to rebuild or repair your home to its pre-loss condition, using current labour and material rates. This is different from the market value of your property — it's about the actual cost of construction.

After a house fire, your insurer needs this figure to:

• Confirm whether your home is underinsured (your sum insured is less than the actual rebuild cost)
• Determine the scope of repair or rebuild works
• Assess and settle your claim fairly

What Does a DIY Estimate Involve?

If you want to understand the process or cross-check figures, a reinstatement estimate typically covers:

To do this yourself, you'd need to measure your home accurately, understand current NZ construction rates, know the NZ Building Code requirements that apply to reinstatement work, and account for regional cost variations (building in Auckland or Queenstown costs more than in provincial areas).

Why Insurers Usually Require a Professional QS

Most NZ home insurance policies — particularly those with a specified sum insured — require a professional assessment when a claim exceeds a certain threshold. Even on policies with full replacement cover, the insurer's loss adjuster will typically appoint their own quantity surveyor or estimator.

Here's the problem with DIY estimates:

• Underestimating means your insurer may offer a lower settlement than you're entitled to
• Overestimating can delay your claim or trigger disputes
• You may miss hidden damage — fire damage to structural timber, electrical wiring, and roof framing is often far more extensive than it appears
• Smoke and water damage from firefighting is frequently underestimated by homeowners
• A DIY estimate carries no professional indemnity insurance, so it won't carry weight in a dispute

BRANZ research consistently shows that NZ homes are significantly underinsured, meaning the rebuild cost is higher than the sum insured. A qualified QS can identify this gap before it becomes your problem.

What a Quantity Surveyor Does Differently

A registered quantity surveyor (QS) will:

• Conduct a thorough site inspection, including areas not visible to the untrained eye
• Apply current NZ construction cost rates based on real market data
• Account for code compliance requirements — reinstatement work must meet the current NZ Building Code, which may mean upgrades beyond the original spec
• Prepare a report that is defensible in negotiations with your insurer or, if needed, in disputes
• Identify whether a building consent is required (most reinstatement work after significant fire damage will need one — always confirm with your local council)

You can find qualified quantity surveyors through tradedirectory.co.nz.

Restricted Work — Don't Overlook This

A reinstatement estimate must account for legally restricted work in NZ:

• Electrical work: Any repair or replacement of wiring, switchboards, or fixed electrical installations must be carried out by a registered electrician and certified. Check the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) for what's restricted.
• Plumbing and gasfitting: Repairs to water supply, drainage, and gas lines must be done by a licensed tradesperson registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB).
• Structural work: Significant structural repairs may require involvement from a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP).

⚠️ Safety note: Never re-enter a fire-damaged home until it has been declared safe by the fire service or a structural engineer. Fire can compromise structural integrity in ways that aren't obvious.

Can You Do Anything Yourself?

Yes — there are useful steps you can take:

• Document everything: Photograph all damage thoroughly before anything is touched or cleaned
• List contents: Prepare your own schedule of damaged or destroyed contents separately from the building claim
• Get your own independent QS: You are entitled to appoint your own quantity surveyor rather than relying solely on the insurer's assessor — this is strongly recommended for large claims
• Review your policy: Check whether your policy is sum-insured or full replacement, and what obligations you have to notify your insurer promptly
• Check for asbestos: Older NZ homes (pre-1990s) may contain asbestos in textured ceilings, vinyl flooring, or cladding. Fire can disturb this material — contact WorkSafe NZ for guidance before any demolition or clean-up work begins

When to Call a Professional

You should engage a qualified quantity surveyor if:

• The fire damage is anything more than very minor and localised
• Your insurer has appointed their own loss adjuster or QS
• You suspect your home may be underinsured
• There is any dispute about the scope or value of the claim
• Structural, electrical, plumbing, or gas systems are affected

For significant claims, having your own independent QS is one of the best investments you can make. Find experienced local quantity surveyors and other building professionals on tradedirectory.co.nz.

Sources & Further Reading

• MBIE Building Performance — NZ Building Code
• BRANZ — Building Research
• WorkSafe NZ — Asbestos
• Licensed Building Practitioners
• Electrical Workers Registration Board
• Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board