Lorna Harrington

A dissertation which investigates reinstatement cost methodology for historic buildings

5th December 201724th January 2022 Lorna Harrington

The development of a methodology to present reinstatement costs for historic and/or listed buildings, with particular reference to family dwellings.

Read this dissertation by Lorna Harrington submitted for a RICS Postgraduate Diploma in Conservation of the Historic Environment.

Reinstatement cost methodology for historic buildings

The development of a methodology to present reinstatement costs for historic and/or listed buildings, with particular reference to family dwellings.

A review of the current insurance market for domestic residences will be looked at specifically in relation to historic and listed buildings.

The number of dwellings that are currently listed and those that are considered historic, but not specifically listed, will be reviewed.

Case studies of listed buildings damaged by fire will be analysed with reference to the insurance arrangements and the adequacy, or otherwise, of the pre-loss buildings sums insured.

A detailed study of the BCIS Guide to House Rebuilding Costs will be carried out in reference to its suitability to be used for valuations of historic dwellings.

In light of the current lack of an ‘off the shelf’ rebuilding cost guide specifically intended for historic and listed buildings, the possible different methodologies available for a nationally available database of reinstatement rates stated in £ per m2 will then be analysed and discussed.

It is explained why the introduction of a database for historic and listed buildings is a fundamental need in the protection of the historic environment.

In conclusion, recommendations for the favoured methodology will be presented and the different options for funding such a project will be discussed.

Download the PDF Document

Luxury apartments converted from a 19th Century library

4th December 20174th April 2020 Lorna Harrington

Luxury apartments converted from a 19th Century library.

Q: Why did you chose this building?

A: It has been converted from a 19th Century library. It was interesting to see how an institutional space can be turned into luxury apartments.

Q: What would be the key concerns about rebuilding here?

A: Your main problem would be access. You can see that one flat is having works done and they have had to close the pavement, part of the road and fix a site office at first floor level. We always take into account the specifics of each site when putting together each assessment.

Q: What sort of value would this be to rebuild?

A: The interiors here are about the most expensive money can buy. The price per metre for an average three to four bedroom modern home would be say £1500 per Sq m. Here one would need to spend at least £10,000 per Sq m to replicate the client’s chosen interior design scheme.

Surveyor, Lorna Harrington.

Lorna Harrington Director of Barrett Corp and Harrington — Lorna Harrington BA(Hons) MA PG Dip Cons Hist Env (RICS)

Q: What do you do when you are not working?
A: I’m involved in my local theatre group and we put on amateur plays and musicals. I also do Nordic Walking which makes everyone laugh as it looks like cross country skiing without any snow!

Q: Why did you choose buildings insurance?
A: I initially studied History of Art and Architecture. I was looking for a job where I could use some of my knowledge and learn about business. I was working at Bonham’s and heard someone talking about art insurance…

A guide to insurance valuations for flats

30th November 20175th April 2020 Lorna Harrington

Lorna Harrington looks at 3 different types of flat buildings and considers the factors that influence the insurance valuation.

BCH has built a strong reputation in assessing all kinds of flats. We are trusted to act for over 100 property management companies every month.

Call BCH today 01455 293 510 or visit our ‘Flatrate‘ to get an instant quotation for an insurance valuation.

Lorna Harrington presents a Webinar which delves into buildings insurance valuations

29th November 20175th April 2020 Lorna Harrington

A webcast by Lorna Harrington reveals 12 common ways to spot ‘the likely suspects’ of where underinsurance is sure to be found.

Seminar Title: 12 ways to spot under-insurance.

Seminar Presenter: Lorna Harrington, Director, Barrett Corp & Harrington.

Scheduled Time: 12th February 2014 at 3PM.Duration: 45 minutes.

By way of case studies of buildings, Lorna will take you on a whistle-stop tour of 12 common ways to spot ‘the likely suspects’ of where underinsurance is sure to be found.

It is the insured’s responsibility to set the buildings sum insured. But how do they know if the buildings insurance valuation is correct?

Experience suggests that brokers are asked to advise and their clients seek help from inappropriate web based information. Neither is best practice and the former is a sure route to litigation if the sum insured is not accurate. Even if the insured has built the property themselves, the figure is unlikely to be the correct basis to set the insurance policy.

The aim of the session is to help insurance professionals highlight cases where a buildings insurance valuations should be an integral part of the risk management strategy. It will broaden the audience’s knowledge so that the conversation about underinsurance does not take place in front of a burnt out building.

About Lorna Harrington.

Lorna is a Director at Barrett Corp & Harrington Ltd., a RICS regulated surveyor that specialises in insurance valuations for buildings and contents.

Prior to setting up BCH in 2006, Lorna had worked at Cunningham Lindsay as a Risk Solutions Manager, AIG Private CLient Group as the Residential Services Manager and at Chubb Insurance as an Appraisal Manager for Chubb Masterpiece.

Lorna started her career as a Lloyds broker, Brian Hogg (Aon), placing fine art and historic houses businesses in the London Market.

Play the webcast below…

Grace Hill

15th July 201717th April 2023 Lorna Harrington

Flatrate Executive

Grace joined the BCH Head Office team as an administrator in 2014 and is based in Market Bosworth. Working now as a Case Manager she deals with customer quotes, enquiries and queries daily.

Freddy Forrest

12th July 201718th April 2023 Lorna Harrington

Buildings Insurance Appraiser

BSc Hons

Buildings Insurance Appraiser

Freddy Forrest joined BCH in 2009 and is based in Brighton. Freddy covers a widespread area – from Dover to Southampton and Clacton to Swindon to carry out building insurance surveys and appraisals for BCH.

Having previously worked as a farmer before retraining as a surveyor, Freddy brings a detailed knowledge of the construction of buildings and the built environment.

The building he would most like to assess if given the opportunity: Cologne Cathedral, because it’s my favourite building and because it would be very challenging appraisal.