The work behind the invoice
A fee on a site claim does not pay for a single report. It covers a sequence of tasks that run alongside the project: reviewing the contract works or builder's risk policy and the building contract insurance clauses, attending the site soon after the event, recording damage before it is cleared, and setting up cost codes so that reinstatement costs are captured as they are spent.
The expert then prepares the priced claim, gathers valuations, invoices and site records, meets the insurer's loss adjuster, negotiates disputed items such as defects exclusions or debris removal limits, and follows the file through to final settlement. On larger losses this can include coordinating engineers, quantity surveyors and forensic accountants.
Indicative percentage bands by size of loss
Most policyholder representatives who work on a success basis charge a percentage that falls as the claim grows. The table below is an indicative order of magnitude observed in English-speaking markets, not an official scale, and is expressed in pounds sterling with rough equivalents for other currencies. Actual quotes vary with complexity, location, urgency and competition.
For comparison, France publishes a professional reference scale for policyholder experts that starts at 9 percent for the smallest claims and falls to between 1 and 1.75 percent above two million euros; the English-speaking market is less standardised and generally sits somewhat higher at the low end.
| Agreed settlement (GBP; similar bands apply in USD, CAD, AUD or EUR) | Indicative fee | Illustrative fee at top of band |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £25,000 | 8% to 15%, often with a minimum fee | about £2,000 to £3,750 |
| £25,001 to £100,000 | 7% to 12% | about £7,000 to £12,000 |
| £100,001 to £500,000 | 5% to 8% | about £25,000 to £40,000 |
| £500,001 to £2,000,000 | 3% to 5% | about £60,000 to £100,000 |
| Over £2,000,000 | 1.5% to 3%, or hourly with a cap | negotiated case by case |
Indicative amounts, to be checked with each expert.
Charging models you will be offered
The headline rate means little until you know what it applies to. Three models dominate on site claims, and many letters of engagement combine them.
- Percentage of the settlement: the fee is a share of the total amount the insurer pays, including any interim payments. This is the most common model for loss assessors and US public adjusters.
- Percentage of the uplift: the fee applies only to the amount obtained above the insurer's first offer. It aligns the adviser with added value but requires a clear, written baseline.
- Hourly or daily rates: construction claims consultants and quantity surveyors often bill time, with senior rates commonly ranging from roughly £100 to £250 per hour in the UK, or the local equivalent, depending on seniority and region.
- Fixed fees: sometimes used for defined tasks such as preparing a claim submission without handling the negotiation.
Minimum fees, VAT and expenses
Check whether the engagement sets a minimum fee, which is common because a site visit and claim preparation require a baseline of work regardless of size. Ask whether figures include VAT in the UK and Ireland, GST in Australia and Canada, or applicable sales taxes in the US. Travel, specialist sub-consultants, laboratory testing and drone surveys may be charged on top, so ask for a list and a cap.
Legal caps on public adjuster fees in the United States
Several US states regulate public adjuster compensation. Florida and Texas, for example, impose maximum percentages, with lower caps applying to claims arising from a declared emergency in Florida. Rules differ by state and change over time, so confirm the current limit with the state insurance department before signing. Canada, the UK, Ireland and Australia do not generally publish a statutory percentage cap for this work.
Can the policy pay for your expert?
There is rarely a direct equivalent of the French policyholder-expert fee guarantee in English-speaking contract works policies, but two extensions are worth checking. The first is professional fees cover, which pays architects, engineers and surveyors needed to design and supervise reinstatement; it normally excludes the cost of preparing or negotiating the claim. The second is a claims preparation costs extension, found in some commercial and project policies, which reimburses reasonable costs of producing the information the insurer requests, usually within a sub-limit.
Read the wording carefully: some extensions require the insurer's prior consent, exclude fees calculated as a percentage, or only cover accountants. Any shortfall between the reimbursed amount and your adviser's invoice remains your cost, and project deductibles may also absorb part of the recovery.
How the fee scales with small, medium and large losses
On a small loss, such as £20,000 of storm damage to scaffolding sheeting and blockwork, a percentage near the top of the range may be applied, giving a fee of perhaps £2,000 to £3,000. In many such cases, dealing directly with the adjuster is a reasonable alternative.
On a medium loss, for example a £250,000 escape of water that damages installed services and finishes on two floors, a rate around 5 to 8 percent would suggest a fee between roughly £12,500 and £20,000, often justified if the expert overturns a defects exclusion or secures debris removal and re-sequencing costs.
On a large loss, such as a £3 million fire in a timber frame block, the percentage commonly drops to the 2 to 4 percent range or a blended band structure. The fee in absolute terms is still substantial, which is why hourly billing with a cap, or a hybrid model, is often negotiated at this scale.
Comparing advisers and reading the engagement letter
Request at least two proposals and compare them on the same assumptions. A low percentage applied to the whole settlement can cost more than a higher percentage applied only to the uplift.
- Ask for examples of site losses of similar size and type the adviser has handled.
- Check licensing where required, professional indemnity insurance and any links with contractors who might later quote for repairs.
- Confirm when fees become payable, whether on each interim payment or at final settlement.
- Clarify the exit terms: what you owe if you terminate, or if the insurer declines the claim entirely.
- Be cautious of anyone who promises a specific settlement figure before reviewing the policy and site records.
Organisations offering this service
- Expert Witness Institute - Medical expert witness services: Page of the UK expert witness institute dedicated to medical expert witness services, aimed at clinicians acting as experts in legal cases.
- La Médiation de l'Assurance: Mediation service for the French insurance sector, publishing a mediator charter and an annual activity report on its handling of disputes.
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) - Find a surveyor: International professional body for chartered surveyors, offering an online search tool to locate member surveyors and regulated firms.
- RICS - Find a member: Online directory of the institution's members, with regional versions covering Oceania, India, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.
External links provided for information only; check the terms directly with each organisation.
Frequently asked questions
Is a percentage fee always more expensive than hourly billing?
Not necessarily. On smaller claims a percentage can be cheaper than the hours a consultant would need. On very large losses, hourly billing with a cap often costs less, but it shifts the risk of a poor outcome to you.
Do I pay anything if the claim is declined?
Under a pure success-fee arrangement, usually not, although some letters allow recovery of expenses. Hourly arrangements are payable whatever the outcome.
Will the insurer reimburse my loss assessor?
Generally not, unless the policy includes a claims preparation costs extension or similar wording. Professional fees cover usually applies to reinstatement design, not claim negotiation.
Can I negotiate the percentage?
Yes. Rates are commercial, and a well-documented claim, a large loss or a competitive tender often justifies a lower rate or a tiered structure.
A clear engagement letter, a fee basis matched to the size of the loss and a check of the policy's claims preparation cover keep the cost of expert help proportionate. expertdassure.com suggests comparing at least two proposals before signing.