Danielle Martini, Business Development Manager - South Island

Recently, I spent time out on site with our building assessors and found it really interesting to see the level of detail that goes into their work and how thorough the documentation process is.

While on site, I also took the opportunity to speak with clients about why they were obtaining valuations, particularly for residential dwellings. This led to conversations around insurance sums insured, what the properties were currently insured for, and what the owners believed their homes should be insured for.

Having worked in the insurance industry for a number of years, I initially agreed with one client who felt their insurer had significantly inflated the sum insured. However, the valuation ultimately supported the insurer’s figure. For context, the property was insured for $5 million, the client believed it should be closer to $3.5 million, and the valuation confirmed the $5 million figure was appropriate.

At the same property, I was also fortunate enough to be shown the client’s collection of specialist, unique vehicles. Surprisingly, it became clear that these assets were not adequately insured, largely due to a lack of guidance on where to begin. This experience reinforced for me just how important brokers are in helping clients navigate complex areas where many may not fully understand their risk or exposure.

I’ve also spent time with Jackie, whose role I have taken over, and Tash, our North Island BDM, which has allowed me to get out and meet many of the brokers we work closely with. It’s been valuable learning about the issues brokers are facing in the industry, such as the upcoming FSL changes, and receiving feedback on how we can continue to improve our systems and ways of working together.

Overall, it’s been a great first three months at Construction Cost Consultants. I’ve learned a lot about what matters most to our clients and brokers, and gained valuable insight into how the construction industry is tracking as a whole, particularly in relation to rising costs, risk management, and the growing importance of accurate, well-supported valuations.