Why should I value my property, plant and machinery?

• In today's economic environment, values are likely to fluctuate substantially. Historic costs and book value often become meaningless after a few years.
• Knowledge of asset values supports good corporate governance, assists directors and shareholder in decision taking.

How frequently should I value my assets?

• After the first valuation, we recommend three yearly updates. We are always available to help with trend, indices and general advice between cycles.

Will the valuation process take up my staff time and resources?

• We recognise the time limitations available to administrative, financial and technical staff. We prepare programmes that enable efficient and expeditious inter-relationship between the valuer and client. Generally, are clients are surprised at how quickly and smoothly the process proceeds.

How much will a valuation cost?

• There is a misconception that valuation fees form a sizable percentage of the resultant values of the property. In most cases, fees are discussed and agreed up front and are in line or less than those charged by other professionals.
• Our prices reflect the time the exercise will take, the complexity and type of valuation required.
• We believe that you need to know up-front what the exact cost will be and that there will be no hidden extras. Accordingly, free quotations are given as a matter of course. All we may ask you to do is provide a few details about your requirements to help us quote.

How quickly can you complete a valuation?

• The valuation process comprises three stages: site inspection, research and valuation report preparation. Inevitably, doing the job properly can take a little time. Our quotation will set out when we can complete the valuation. We do our best to accommodate your needs but will tell you up-front if we cannot. Be careful when using a valuer who says he will give you an answer in a day or two. That answer may not be worth the paper it is written on.

Do you operate throughout South Africa?

• We are based in Johannesburg but yes we do! We regularly have valuers on site all over the country. Because of this, we are often able to carry out a valuation in, say, Nelspruit or Cape Town without you incurring any of our travel costs.
• But South Africa is not our only area of activity. In the last couple of years, we have completed significant single and portfolio valuations in Swaziland, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania and Namibia. Incidentally, our professional indemnity insurance covers all those areas.

What protection and recourse do I have if I believe your valuation is wrong?

This is a very important issue. All our valuers are registered with the S.A. Council for Property Valuers Profession and are members of the SA Institute of Valuers. In addition, we are all qualified professional members of the highly regarded international valuation body, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

However, if you believe that we have not acted professionally or undertaken the exercise for you with the appropriate degree of care and skill and we are unable to put your mind at rest after you have discussed the issue with us, you are entitled to lodge a complaint with the following bodies:

South African Council for Property Valuers Profession www.sacpvp.co.za

South African Institute of Valuers www.saiv.org.za

The above are the South African organisations but you may also wish to lodge a complaint with the RICS which can be done by going to www.rics.org/complaints

If you believe that you have been financially compromised you are entitled to contact us and advise that you wish to lodge a claim against our professional indemnity insurance; or, alternatively, you may approach our insurers directly. We will provide you with the insurer's contact details.

Many of our competitors do not carry professional indemnity insurance. Your options for financial compensation are then virtually non-existent. Always request full details and copies of a valuer's insurance when he quotes you to undertake a job or before you instruct him. Insist on insurance proof. Do not let the valuer put you off. If he does not have it, do not use him. He clearly does not have your best interests at heart.