Modern waterfront homes with balconies overlooking a quiet harbour at sunset.

Fire Insurance Valuations

h&s carry out professional valuation services for all kinds of property in Devon, to provide our clients with informed, precise cost estimates for rebuilding the structure from scratch in the event of a catastrophic fire. Our Fire Insurance Valuations ensure that our clients and their building insurance providers have all the necessary information and figures required to calculate an accurate reinstatement cost, ensuring that the property is appropriately covered in the event of fire damage.

The Importance of Accurate Building Insurance Cover

If you are a property owner or possess a long lease with liability for reparations, it is essential that your building is adequately insured in the event of a fire. It goes without saying that over-insured buildings are costing owners or tenants huge sums in unnecessary premiums, however failing to insure a building to its maximum value can be even more financially devastating, should the worst happen.

Many insurance contracts include a “Condition of Average”, meaning they are only obliged to reimburse you the percentage that your building was covered for. For instance, if your reinstatement cost is valued at £500,000, but you have only insured it up to the value of £400,000 (80% of its worth), your provider may only pay out £320,000 (80% of your cover). This is true of any amount of fire damage, including complete destruction.

You may have had a Fire Insurance Valuation or reinstatement cost assessment carried out in the past. But are you aware that these figures will be out of date within a few years, particularly if you have made changes to your property? Rebuilding costs are typically indexed by insurance firms year-on-year, which can cause them to become distorted over time, in comparison to their true reconstruction values. That is why the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) strongly recommends that a new valuation survey is carried out every few years, with updates made annually with a desktop assessment.

Fire Insurance Valuations from h&s

At h&s Surveyors, we have carried out hundreds of Fire Insurance Valuations for many different clients and properties across South Devon. All our inspections and assessments, including market valuations, are conducted in accordance with RICS guidelines, so you can be assured that our work adheres to a clear code of conduct and consistently meets the highest levels of quality. Read more about our team.

We are unable to provide Fire Insurance Valuations for listed properties and non-traditional forms of construction.

For more details about a Fire Insurance Valuation, or information about any of our other valuations or surveys, please get in touch today.

Use the form on the right-hand side to request a free quote, send us a longer message via our contact page or speak to a member of our team directly by calling 01626 335008.

Read previous client testimonials.

Contact Us

Complete the form below and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Why Choose Us?

25+ Years Experience
Family run business
Regulated by RICS
Excellent reviews
Comprehensive surveys
Competitive quotes

Get a Quote

We are regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to ensure we are delivering the highest standard of service.

What Our Clients Say

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
    kieran newcombe 
 13 October 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Me and my partner have been going through the process of purchasing our first house and was recommended to get a Level 3 survey completed.
From start to finish, H&S have been great. Quick and friendly correspondence, and communication was very good! The survey write up was in great depth and easy to understand. We have been in touch with them a couple times after the survey was completed and they have been incredibly helpful!
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone, especially if you’re a first time buyer and this is all new to you.
Reasonably priced and very happy customers.
Thanks you! 👍
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Janet Bartholomew 
 31 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We used this company nine years ago when we bought our house,and Andrew was excellent ,very thorough and went out of his way to come back when we needed some extra advise,he did a full home buyers  report for us.
Today - nine years on Chris and Jack came round.they did an excellent job and gave good advice.
I can’t praise these guys enough,
Very thorough and professional.with all the latest technology!
We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend h & s
Chartered surveyors.
Thankyou very much!
I
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Katie Griffiths 
 20 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I would highly recommend this company. I am very impressed with the service provided particularly the excellent communication, customer service and willingness to provide guidance and answer questions at all stages.

I am in the process of purchasing a house in Teignmouth. Firstly, h&s were recommended by the Estate Agents. I looked on the website and liked what I saw, clear and concise in explaining all the options. When I rang the office I was also very pleased after speaking with Saffron, she is very helpful, she clearly explained everything and arranged the next steps. Chris soon got in contact with me and really has been excellent from there onwards. Firstly, he explained that as the property was an older building and had been converted he would be able to best assess whether it should require a Level 2 or Level 3 Survey on inspection. Chris said he would keep me informed on the day, which he did, via WhatsApp at my request as I was at sea on a Transatlantic Cruise at the time! He deemed that it just needed the Level 2 which was great.

I got the report in a timely manner both electronically, and a bound hard copy. It is clear and easy to understand. I spoke to Chris after I’d had time to digest it, and he spent over an hour on the phone with me going through it all, explaining the recommendations and answering lots of questions which I had mainly about next steps to take, which was so helpful. What amazing customer service! Chris also reassured me that I can contact him again via a call or email should I need to.

I very rarely write reviews but this service was so exceptional that I just had to. I would not hesitate to use this company again. This has by far been the most seamless part of the process of purchasing my new property! Thank you so much Saffron and Chris 😊
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Luke Brisco 
 21 April 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service provided by the team four our survey needs. The Surveyor was very knowledgable and helpful with providing advice, with the report produced and sent over to us the following working day. Great communication and customer service, would definitely recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    oliver ware 
 31 March 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Friendly and professional company. Detailed and accurate report. Highly recommended and will use again in the future.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Simon McGlynn 
 31 March 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Chris visited carried out two valuation reports for us, offering help and advice that went above and beyond (and probably saved us some money). Would highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Liyam Laraba 
 30 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ian at h&s Surveyors provided an excellent survey.
He provided a comprehensive report with lots of details and answered our specific queries really quickly. I would highly recommend h&s to anyone who needs surveyor services.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Michelle Egan 
 28 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service, very good reports and was most helpful for follow up advice for conveyancing would and have recommended to others to use their services.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Miss E Pierce 
 3 January 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am really thankful and appreciate of the service that the H&S Team have given me every step of the way since the very first phone call back in July.
Their service has been exceptional - from the customer care over the phone to the surveying process itself - the efficiency and professionalism truly is 5 star!
I would highly recommend the team for any survey and valuation report needs!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
    Louise White 
 9 December 2025
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was our fourth house purchase and H&S Surveyors were far and away the best we have used. Our surveyor, Chris, was extremely professional and approachable with excellent attention to detail. He was happy to follow up the report with further clarification over the phone as needed, and even supported with additional enquiries on some matters. After our first property fell through we had a second survey by Chris on our subsequent purchase. He had advised that the first required a Level 3 survey due to its age and condition; for the second, he advised that only a Level 2 was necessary as it was a newer build. We were very happy to trust his judgement and expertise. Office staff were also extremely helpful and communicative. We would thoroughly recommend H&S.