Rode & Associates Pairs Risk Surveys With Valuations for Storm Season

Across much of South Africa, the summer months bring afternoon storms, downpours and, in certain areas, a real threat of flooding and fire. That makes it a good moment for property owners to ask whether they truly understand the risks their buildings face and whether their insurance reflects them, because a property’s value counts for little if those risks are unknown or underinsured. With the season now under way, Sandton-based valuation, advisory and consulting firm Rode & Associates is highlighting its risk survey analysis service and how it ties that work to independent, certified valuations for both market and insurance purposes.

Many owners treat a valuation and a risk survey as unrelated jobs, frequently handled by different providers at different points in time. Rode & Associates brings the two together in one place, which means the figure on an insurance schedule and the assessment of the risks to the asset come from the same understanding of the property.

Inside the risk survey

The firm’s risk survey analysis spans compliance audits, the implementation of health and safety measures, skills development and capacity building, staff and management preparedness, and development advisory on safety systems and fire protection. Three core services sit within this offering.

First, there is a pre and post risk survey: a complete inspection of the risk to be insured, as insurance underwriters require. Second, a risk assessment examines how fire could spread, how exposed a property is to flooding and how prepared it is for incidents. Third, risk mitigation services provide action plans, risk management guidelines, emergency response procedures and occupational health and safety guidance.

Going into the stormy summer period, an assessment focused on flooding exposure and fire spread shows an owner exactly where a property is weak, while the mitigation plan lays out the steps that can address those weaknesses.

The case for linking value and risk

Any insurance policy relies on two figures being correct: what the insured asset is worth and how likely it is to suffer a loss. Set the replacement value too low and a claim may not cover the damage. Misread the risk and the cover may be wrongly priced, or conditions may be overlooked. Independent Property valuations for insurance purposes determine the cost of replacing a building and its contents, and the risk survey demonstrates to the underwriter, as well as the owner, how well that asset is protected.

Rode & Associates carries out market and insurance valuations on every kind of asset: retail, commercial, industrial and residential property; plant, machinery, equipment and technical assets; fine art and antiques, contents included; and other general and specialised assets. According to the firm, it has refined its approach since the Covid-19 pandemic so that its valuations are more cost efficient, more accurate and turned around more quickly.

One firm for every requirement

The company was set up to handle all of its clients’ valuation needs and related requirements, across fixed and movable assets alike. Its mission, as stated, is to deliver independent and certified valuations backed by complementary advisory and consulting services, helping clients make the decisions needed to reach their business goals and secure their financial well-being.

Alongside valuations and risk surveys, Rode & Associates provides asset registers using barcoding and RFID, GRAP 103 compliance for heritage assets, valuations of businesses and intangible assets, consultancy on buying and selling key assets, mining consultancy, and specialist services for the hospitality and eco-tourism sector. Clients who prefer ongoing management of their assets over a single valuation can also make use of its Life Cycle Management Programme and Maintenance Management Programme.

Rode & Associates holds certification as a Level 2 BEE company and counts private, listed and government organisations among its clients.

Sound information when conditions shift

Decisions about insurance cover, financial reporting and investment all depend on dependable information. Within the South African property market, replacement costs, rentals and asset values keep shifting, so a valuation that has fallen out of date can leave an owner vulnerable. Looking at values and risks side by side, ahead of any loss instead of in its aftermath, puts owners in a stronger position when negotiating cover or planning capital expenditure.

In its valuation work, Rode & Associates combines property data with on-site inspection, so its figures reflect market evidence as well as the actual physical state of the asset. The risk survey adds another dimension by recording the measures protecting a property and the shortcomings that still need to be dealt with.

About the Rode Reports

Many people also know the Rode name through its published research on the property sector. Anyone searching for the Rode Report, the Rode Retail Report, the Rode SA Property Trends Report or the Time Series data sets should note that these property reports now fall under Rode Publications & Media, which is signposted on the Rode & Associates website. Rode & Associates concentrates on valuation, advisory and consulting work.

Getting ahead of peak season

November and December are sensible months for owners of commercial and industrial buildings, residential portfolios, hospitality properties and public assets to book a risk survey and a refreshed insurance valuation. That way, inspections are finished before the holiday shutdown, and any mitigation measures that come up can be scheduled for the new year.

A single site visit can serve more than one purpose. Owners thinking about selling an asset, refinancing a property or bringing a financial asset register up to date in the new year can use the same inspection to collect the information those decisions require. The firm’s buying and selling consultancy, for instance, relies on in-house valuations, condition reports and independent guidance on where to buy or sell an asset, whether via agents, brokers or auction houses, and keeps every step confidential.

To find out more about Rode & Associates’ valuation, risk survey and advisory services, and to download the company brochure, owners and organisations can visit https://rode.co.za/.

About Rode & Associates

Based in Sandton, Rode & Associates delivers independent, certified valuations for market and insurance purposes, supported by advisory and consulting services. Its work spans property, plant and machinery, fine art and antiques, businesses and intangible assets, and its services include risk survey analysis, barcoded and RFID asset registers, GRAP 103 compliance for heritage assets and asset life cycle management. The firm is a certified Level 2 BEE company working with private, listed and government organisations.

Media Contact
Rode & Associates
Email: info@rode.co.za
Phone: +27 86 122 4488
Website: https://rode.co.za/

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