Recent trends have shown that construction costs throughout the United States and Canada have escalated at an accelerated rate, particularly in specific metropolitan regions. This is due to a combination of factors, including price increases for building materials and rising labour costs due to a rebound in construction activity since the recession of 2009. Areas such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Toronto are emblematic of the rise in construction cost, as market values have rebounded.
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As a result of these cost increases, many commercial and residential properties are at risk of being under-insured. This is especially so for Condominiums that are situated in many of these city centres. It is therefore prudent to assess if the source and accuracy of your Condominium’s Insurable Value are reliable.
Common Pitfalls
It is not uncommon for Directors and Property Managers of Condominiums to be so heavily involved in other issues that they often forget the importance of having an accurate determination of the Replacement Cost of the standard unit and common elements of their Condominium. As a result, the Insurable Value they report may have come from a variety of less-than-reliable sources including:
1) Use of Developer’s Construction Costs
In many cases, the Insurable Value may have been based on the Developer’s construction cost. This amount may not include “soft costs” such as Architect Fees, Development Fees and General Contractor Fees. These are significant costs that should be included in the Insurable Value of the Condominium. In addition, a Developer who is building multiple condominiums can also achieve efficiencies in regards to material and labour costs. The reduction in these costs may result in a lower construction cost for the Condominium, which may not be achieved in the event of a loss and reconstruction of a single building. In most instances, the Developer’s construction cost can be approximately 20 to 40% less than the Replacement Cost of the Condominium.
2) Extended Indexing of Insurable Value
Once an Insurable Value exists, many Insurers/Insurance Brokers may use the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) to update the Insurable Value of the condominium for an extended period of time. The annual CPI has been reported in the 1-2% range in recent years. In contrast, construction costs in some locales has been have been averaging double this amount. In addition, if the original construction cost that is being indexed is incorrect it can compound the error substantially over the years. Lastly, even with a correct original construction cost and accurate Inflation Index Factors, an Insurable Value should not be indexed up for more that three consecutive years.
3) Estimates from Unqualified Parties
In an attempt to save costs, some firms who lack architectural costing experience may develop a Replacement Cost estimate on a cost per square foot basis only. This methodology is not reliable since it may not consider location, construction quality and many of the important specialty features of the Condominium’s construction and services. Many of the construction details of a Condominium can only be verified by a physical inspection and comprehensive review of the architectural and site plans. In addition, the firm that completes the estimate should have specific architectural costing experience versus market value appraisal experience. Market value appraisals consider many other factors that are not relevant to the Insurable Value.
Insurance Appraisals By Qualified Professionals – The Most Accurate Source for Determining Insurable Values
An Insurance Appraisal is a formal estimate or opinion of value on a property as of a specified date. The premise of value developed should be the Replacement Cost New (RCN) of the standard unit and common elements of the Condominium. This value is based on a physical inspection, review of the building plans (architectural and site) and the development of current construction costs. Appraisal Firms use various construction costs from published sources including Marshall & Swift/Boeck, R.S. Means Construction Cost Data and Handscombe’s Yardstick for Costing. A reputable Appraisal Firm will also cross-reference this data with actual construction costs (including soft costs) reported by Contractors and Developers. Finally, construction costs of similar condominiums appraised should be used as a benchmark test to ensure the Insurable Value is correct. It is important that the Insurance Appraisal Firm you engage use as many of the above resources to develop an accurate Insurable Value.
Qualifications of Reputable Appraisal Firms
To select a reputable Appraisal Firm, it is recommended that they meet the following qualifications:
- The Firm carries Errors and Omissions Insurance;
- The Appraiser(s) have an educational background in Architectural Costing or Engineering;
- The Appraiser(s) are experienced at completing Insurance Appraisals for Condominiums;
- The Appraisal Service includes both Above Grade and Below Grade Assets;
- The Appraisal Service is performed in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP); and
- The Appraiser(s) reviews Architectural Plans, Site Plans and Standard Unit-By Law (if applicable).
In conclusion, it is prudent for the Directors and Property Managers to engage a Professional Appraisal Firm to complete an Insurance Appraisal of their Condominium. Furthermore, many of the Declarations and By-Laws of Condominiums specify the frequency that Insurance Appraisals should be completed (e.g. every three years). Lastly, the Condominium Acts of many of the jurisdictions have sections requiring the Condominium be insured for its Replacement Cost. Compliance with these guidelines can be best achieved by having a reputable firm complete an independent Insurance Appraisal.