Your guide to the need2know.org.nz calculator

Your guide to the need2know.org.nz calculator This guide helps you identify and record the information you use to complete the need2know.org.nz calculator. Write your responses to the questions about your home in the spaces provided. You can then use this information to complete the calculator at www.need2know.org.nz, or to keep a record of the information you entered. This tool calculates an estimate of the cost of rebuilding your home. It uses information supplied by Cordell Information Pty Ltd, New Zealand and Australia s leading provider of building cost information. The calculator is not recommended for homes in excess of 700 square metres, or high value homes where the likely cost of rebuilding would exceed $2 million. Your home s details What is your home s postcode? What is the approximate age of your home? These descriptions cover most of the types of houses built in New Zealand in the last 150 years. If you don t know the age of your home, use the following descriptions and pictures to identify the one that s closest to yours. 1970 present (standard design and build) A home that was built anytime from 1970 to now and based on a standard design selected from a range of plans offered by a construction or property development company. Designs can be modern or reflect an earlier era. These houses often reflect the popular style of housing being built at the time of their construction. 1970 present (architect-designed, one-off build) An architect-designed home is a unique, one-off design, created by an architect with a specific site in mind. These homes are also known as custom-built homes. An architect-designed home will have unique design elements. 1

1940 1969 Privately-built houses built during this time used an increasing variety of construction materials. Open plan rooms began to appear, as did split level homes, and modernist influences gave rise to flat roofed housing style featuring a higher proportion of glazing. The majority of homes built in the 1940s to 1960s had timber floorboards, usually built on a concrete perimeter wall. There were also a large number of houses built by the government during the 1940s and 1960s. These were called state houses. State houses are small and simple, with minimal decoration and steeply pitched plain roofs. Porches are recessed inside the building, eaves are typically shallow and ceilings low. Most state houses were built of timber weatherboard or brick veneer with a metal or tile roof. Stucco and asbestos cement were also used for cladding. 1920 1939 (bungalow/character) Houses from this era have a solid, heavy appearance. The bungalow usually has one or more porches or verandahs, often under the main roof of the house and partially enclosed with solid balustrades. Wide eaves, bay windows, decorative barge boards, leadlight windows, wood panelling and ventilation grilles in the gable end of the roof are common features. Bungalows typically feature timber frames clad in timber weatherboards, with timber floorboards and a low to medium-pitched metal roof, but brick veneer examples can be found, along with tiled roofs. Other cladding types used include stucco, shingles and asbestos cement sheets. Often more than one cladding type was used to give decorative emphasis. Interior ceiling heights were around 2.8m (9 10ft) and panelled ceilings with beams or battens were common. Plasterboard linings became the norm, while skirting and architraves were plain. During this era a number of art deco houses were also built. Art deco houses often used curved walls, with minimal decoration and a hidden, flat roof. While internationally many art deco houses were constructed using concrete and steel, in New Zealand the same smooth modern look was achieved with timber covered with stucco. 1880 1919 (villa) Villas are typically constructed of timber, with timber weatherboards outside and timber floorboards inside, covered with a steep metal roof. Some double brick villas also exist with terracotta tile roofs. Villas usually have a verandah or porch with decorative woodwork details, high ceilings, a fireplace, sash windows and often have a bay window fronting onto the street. Most villas were originally lined in timber but that was often replaced with plasterboard. Some have pressed metal or moulded plaster ceilings and ornate skirtings and architraves. Most were built with a central corridor with rooms off to either side, though many have had extensive alterations since the time of construction. 2

1840 1879 (early housing) Early houses in New Zealand are typically made from timber frames, with timber weatherboards and floorboards, and a very steep metal roof. A few brick and stone examples also exist. Houses are predominantly single storey with a verandah across the front of the house and fireplace. The floor plan was usually simple and plain, with an average size of around 80m 2. Due to their age these houses often have extensive alterations and lean-to extensions. To what standard is your home designed and built? Use these definitions and pictures to work out the construction standard of your home. Your home may not fit exactly into the definitions, but choose the one that is closest to your home. Ordinary Standard design for the time it was built Laminated kitchen bench tops and cupboard doors Basic appliances and tapware Framed shower screens or over-bath shower only Basic aluminium windows Flush-faced doors without skirtings Simple steel door handles, locks etc Simple architraves and skirtings on interior walls Plain ceilings and cornices Simple ceramic tiling Simple electrical facilities Quality Architectural design or custom builder design Granite or laminated timber kitchen bench tops Vinyl or polyurethane kitchen cupboard doors European appliances and tapware Semi framed or frameless shower screens Timber or quality aluminium windows Some double glazing Feature doors European door furniture Larger architraves and skirtings Decorative ceilings and cornices Some porcelain tiling (floor to ceiling) Underfloor heating in bathroom areas 3

Prestige Architectural design Special design features such as curved walls or specialty staircase Granite kitchen bench tops Polyurethane or solid timber kitchen cupboard doors European appliances and tapware Frameless shower screens Timber or improved aluminium windows Double glazing Custom-made doors European door furniture Larger architraves and skirtings Decorative ceilings and cornices Underfloor heating Stone tiling (floor to ceiling) Extensive electrical facilities Is your home built on flat or sloping land? Use the diagrams to work out the slope of your land or choose the one that s closest to your property. If your property is partly flat and partly sloping, select the option that best describes the land on which your house is sited. Flat/gentle slope (typically less than 10 degrees) Moderate slope (typically 10 degrees or more, but less than 25 degrees) Severe slope (typically 25 degrees or more) 4

Your home s construction How many levels are there in your home? (Count split-levels as multiple levels) If your home has stairs or split levels, each level is considered separate. For example if your home is not two storeys but is split across two levels, with one part of the home lower or higher than the other (rather than built on top of each other), you should still enter it as two levels. 1 2 3+ Is your home elevated? Elevated homes are those raised above ground level on stilts/poles, columns, piers, posts or stumps (usually by about 1.2 metres or more). The space under an elevated home is usually empty, however sometimes this area is filled in to create an extra living area. If this is the case then that area is considered an extra level. Yes No What portion (as a %) of the ground floor is covered by the upstairs roof? If you re not sure how to answer this question here are some examples. 50% 100% 50% of the ground floor is covered by the upstairs roof 100% of the ground floor is covered by the upstairs roof % of the ground floor of my home is covered by the upstairs roof. Do you know the total area of your home in square metres (m 2 )? If you are answering Yes, please ensure your answer is relatively accurate as this figure is important to the calculation. And don t include garages (internal or freestanding), carports, decks, verandahs or balconies, as these are calculated separately. If you choose to answer No, the calculator will ask you additional questions about room size in the Rooms section to help it estimate your home s area for you. If you don t know the area of your home you can use a tape measure to work it out by measuring the width and length of your home in metres and multiplying the numbers together. The result is the area of your home. If your home is not a regular shape, use the diagrams to help you work out the floor area. No I don t know the area Yes I know the area in square metres (m2). (Don t include garages (internal or freestanding), carports, decks, verandahs or balconies, as these are calculated separately.) Total area in square metres (m 2 ): m 2 a b d c Y a x b = X c x d = Y x minus y = Total Area b X Y c d a x b = X c x d = Y x plus y = Total Area a 5

What is the ground floor of your home made of? If you re not sure what type of floor you have, these descriptions may help you decide. If you have different floor types in your home, choose the one that is used for most of your home. Concrete on ground A concrete floor laid directly on the ground, commonly known as concrete slab. Concrete suspended A raised concrete floor with a space between it and the ground. Timber/steel frame timber floor boards A raised, solid timber floor made of timber floorboards (usually tongue and grooved pine or rimu, or other hardwood), fixed to a series of load-supporting horizontal timber or steel beams. Timber/steel frame particle board or plywood flooring A raised floor made of either sheets of reconstituted timber, sometimes known as particle or chip board, or sheets of plywood. These are fixed to a series of load-supporting horizontal timber or steel beams and often covered in carpet, vinyl or timber veneer flooring. What are the exterior walls of your home made of? Choose the type of material used for all or most of your home. If your home features two or more types of cladding, select the cladding that is used the most. If you re not sure how your walls are constructed, these descriptions may help you decide. Concrete block A wall made of concrete blocks laid in cement mortar. Double brick Also known as cavity brick, this type of wall is made of bricks laid in cement or lime mortar laid in two separate rows with a space between, so that both the exterior and interior walls of the house are formed of brick. Solid brickwork A wall made of bricks laid in cement or lime mortar, usually to a depth of just one row of bricks laid against an exterior wall lining. If two rows of bricks have been laid, there is no space in between them. 6

Fibre cement/sheet cladding A wall made of a structural timber or steel frame, lined internally with plasterboard or fibre cement sheeting and lined externally with fibre cement sheeting or another form of sheet cladding. Brick veneer A wall made with a structural timber or steel frame that s lined internally with plasterboard or fibre cement sheeting and lined externally with bricks. Mud brick A wall built with air-dried bricks made from a mixture of clay, mud, sand, and water and binding material such as rice husks or straw. Rockcote/Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) A rockcote wall is a composite, BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand) appraised exterior plastered facade system. It is made from EPS insulation boards that are mechanically fixed into place, with modified acrylic renders and a weather protected base. Stonework A wall made out of solid stones or stone blocks laid in cement or lime mortar. Timber, weatherboard, plank cladding or board & batten A wall made of a structural timber or steel frame, lined internally with plasterboard or fibre cement sheeting and clad externally with weatherboards, planks or timber boards and battens. Artificial weatherboard or plank cladding Often known as Hardiplank, this wall covering simulates the effect of timber weatherboard but is supplied in pre-formed sheeting. Stucco A wall made of a structural timber or steel frame, lined internally with plasterboard or fibre cement sheeting and clad externally with solid render applied over board. 7

What type of roof does your home have? Choose the roof type used for most of your home. If you re not sure what type of roof you have, the descriptions and pictures may help you decide. Metal, tin or colour steel A roof covered with metal sheeting such as galvanised iron, zinc aluminium, metal shingles, metal tiles or colour steel. Colour steel is produced in a variety of colours. It is used on traditional style roofs as well as modern curved roofs. Fibre cement covering A roof covered with either asbestos cement sheeting or fibre cement sheeting. Concrete tiles A roof covered with a series of concrete roof tiles. Terracotta or clay tiles A roof covered with a series of terracotta (fired clay) roof tiles. Slate A roof covered with a series of slate roof shingles. Because these are hand-cut they are usually irregular in shape. Shingles A roof covering consisting of individual or overlapping elements. Typically these are flat, rectangular shapes laid in rows from the bottom edge of the roof up, with each successive higher row overlapping the joints in the row below. 8

The number and type of rooms in your home How many bathrooms /ensuites are in your home? Separate bathroom A bathroom is a room used to maintain personal hygiene, usually containing a toilet, vanity or wall basin, shower and bath. If the room contains only a toilet and wall basin, it should be entered as a separate toilet in the next question. Ensuite An ensuite is a bathroom accessed via a bedroom. If you have an ensuite it should be counted as a separate bathroom. Combined bathroom and laundry Rooms combining a bathroom and laundry should be treated as two separate rooms, dividing the area appropriately. The next step will allow you to include your laundry. To work out the size of a room without a tape measure, pace out the width and length of it one big step or pace is equivalent to about a metre. Number of bathrooms and ensuites in your home Bathroom 1 Small (3 x 2 metres) Medium (3 x 3 metres) Large (4 x 3 metres) Bathroom 2 Small (3 x 2 metres) Medium (3 x 3 metres) Large (4 x 3 metres) Bathroom 3 Small (3 x 2 metres) Medium (3 x 3 metres) Large (4 x 3 metres) Bathroom 4 Small (3 x 2 metres) Medium (3 x 3 metres) Large (4 x 3 metres) How many separate toilets are in your home? If you have a room containing only a toilet, vanity or wall basin, but no bath or shower, it s considered a separate toilet. Note the calculator accepts up to four separate toilets. Number of separate toilets in your home How many kitchens are in your home? Kitchen A kitchen is a room used to prepare, cook and clean up after meals, usually containing a sink, taps, stove (or cooktop and wall oven), dishwasher and cupboards. Combined kitchen and laundry Rooms combining a kitchen and a laundry should be treated as two separate rooms, dividing the area appropriately. To work out the size of a room without a tape measure, pace out the width and length of it one big step or pace is equivalent to about a metre. Number of kitchens in your home Kitchen 1 Small (3 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 3 metres) Large (6 x 4 metres) Kitchen 2 Small (3 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 3 metres) Large (6 x 4 metres) 9

How many laundries are in your home? Laundry A laundry is a room used to wash, dry and iron clothes. It usually contains a sink, taps and cupboards. Combined kitchen and laundry Rooms combining a kitchen and a laundry should be treated as two separate rooms, dividing the area appropriately. Combined garage and laundry If your laundry facilities are built into your garage you should treat your laundry as a small separate room. To work out the size of a room without a tape measure, pace out the width and length of it one big step or pace is equivalent to about a metre. Number of laundries in your home Laundry 1 Small (3 x 2 metres) Medium (3 x 3 metres) Large (4 x 3 metres) Laundry 2 Small (3 x 2 metres) Medium (3 x 3 metres) Large (4 x 3 metres) How many bedrooms are in your home? Count only the rooms that people sleep in. Later questions will allow you to select other rooms, such as a study or rumpus room. To work out the size of a room without a tape measure, pace out the width and length of it one big step or pace is equivalent to about a metre. Number of bedrooms in your home Bedroom 1 Small (3 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 3 metres) Large (6 x 4 metres) Bedroom 2 Small (3 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 3 metres) Large (6 x 4 metres) Bedroom 3 Small (3 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 3 metres) Large (6 x 4 metres) Bedroom 4 Small (3 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 3 metres) Large (6 x 4 metres) Bedroom 5 Small (3 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 3 metres) Large (6 x 4 metres) Bedroom 6 Small (3 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 3 metres) Large (6 x 4 metres) 10

Does your home have any of the rooms listed below? Use this step as a checklist to make sure you have included all the rooms in your home. The information from this question helps the calculator estimate the size of your home. If you have more than one of the rooms listed for example if you have two sunrooms use the Other room option to capture information for the additional rooms. Entry/foyer An enlarged hallway or lobby that provides entrance into the house via an exterior door. Don t include your home s hallway in this question as the calculator will allow for a standard width hallway in its estimate. Small (3 x 2 metres) Medium (4 x 3 metres) Large (5 x 4 metres) None Living room/lounge A formal room or area used to entertain visitors, often containing audio-visual equipment, books and furniture such as a lounge suite or easy chairs. Small (4 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 4 metres) Large (7 x 5 metres) None Dining room A formal room or area containing a dining table and chairs, used to serve meals and entertain visitors. Small (4 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 4 metres) Large (7 x 5 metres) None Family room A casual room or area used for relaxation and recreation purposes, often containing audio-visual and computer equipment and furniture. Small (4 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 4 metres) Large (7 x 5 metres) None Rumpus room/games room A casual room or area used for relaxation, recreation or TV viewing, usually containing audio-visual and computer equipment and furniture. Small (4 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 4 metres) Large (7 x 5 metres) None Study A room used for reading, writing, studying or business purposes, usually containing office furniture and equipment. Small (3 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 3 metres) Large (6 x 4 metres) None Sunroom A room that contains a high proportion of windows/glass and is used for relaxation purposes. Small (3 x 3 metres) Medium (5 x 3 metres) Large (6 x 4 metres) None Billiard room A room used for playing billiards, pool or snooker, usually equipped with a billiards or snooker table and associated equipment. Small (5 x 4 metres) Medium (6 x 5 metres) Large (8 x 6 metres) None Other rooms Any room not covered by the room types above, including multi-purpose rooms, or any room that exceeds the measurements indicated. For example, if you have a combined living area/lounge/kitchen that is 8 metres wide by 10 metres long, use Other rooms and enter 8 as the width and 10 as the length. Other room 1 Other room 2 Width (metres) Length (metres) Width (metres) Length (metres) 11

Your home s structures Does your home have any of the structures listed below? These descriptions and pictures may help you decide if your home has these structures. How many balconies does your home have? A balcony is an outdoor living area, enclosed with a balustrade, that you access from a door on the upper level of your home. It may be covered or uncovered. Balcony 1 Balcony 2 Width (metres) Length (metres) Width (metres) Length (metres) Balcony 3 Width (metres) Length (metres) How many decks does your home have? A deck is a partially covered or uncovered area adjoining the exterior wall/s of your house that provides outdoor living area. It is usually constructed of timber. Deck 1 Deck 2 Width (metres) Length (metres) Width (metres) Length (metres) Deck 3 Width (metres) Length (metres) 12

How many garages does your home have? A fully enclosed, roofed shelter for the storage of cars or other vehicles. It can be attached to or underneath your house, or freestanding. Garage 1 Single Double Triple Garage 2 Single Double Triple How many carports does your home have? A roofed shelter for cars or other vehicles with one or more sides open. It can be attached or freestanding. Carport 1 Single Double Triple Carport 1 Single Double Triple How many driveways does your home have? An access way for vehicles from the road onto your property. Only include driveways constructed from permanent materials such as concrete, asphalt or paving. Driveways consisting of gravel, shingle or pebbles are not covered in home policies and so should not be included in your calculation. Driveway 1 Driveway 2 Width (metres) Length (metres) Width (metres) Length (metres) How many single storey verandahs does your home have? A single level porch or balcony along the outside of a home, covered by the main roof and often enclosed by a solid balustrade. Single storey verandah 1 Single storey verandah 2 Width (metres) Length (metres) Width (metres) Length (metres) 13

How many two-storey verandahs does your home have? A two-level porch or balcony along the outside of a home, covered by the main roof and often enclosed by a solid balustrade. Two storey verandah 1 Two storey verandah 2 Width (metres) Length (metres) Width (metres) Length (metres) How many sleepouts/outbuildings does your home have? An outbuilding is a building that is separate from but associated with the main home and used for domestic purposes only. A sleepout is a building that is also separate from the main home but that is used as an extension of it, most commonly as a bedroom. Sleepout/outbuilding 1 Sleepout/outbuilding 2 Width (metres) Length (metres) Width (metres) Length (metres) Sleepout/outbuilding 3 Width (metres) Length (metres) Your home s features Note: The following home features are not covered by your home insurance policy. They require separate cover and so are not included in the workings of this calculator: jetties, wharves, landings, piers, bridges, culverts, fords, dams, cable cars and private utility plant including wind or water mills and diesel generators. Does your home have any of these indoor features? Central heating A central heating system distributes heat throughout a home. If you have more than one type of central heating choose the type that is the main source of heating in your home. There are 5 different types: Ducted warm air electric A system that distributes warm air, heated by electricity, throughout a home via vents in the floor, wall or ceiling. Ducted warm air gas A system that distributes warm air, heated by gas, throughout a home via vents in the floor, wall or ceiling. Radiator electric A system that distributes warm water, heated by electricity, into radiators throughout the home. Radiator gas A system that distributes warm water, heated by gas, into radiators throughout the home. Warm water wood A system that distributes warm water, heated by a wood burner, into radiators throughout the home. Standalone heating A self-contained unit built into the house that heats an enclosed area or room. There are three main types. Heat pump Gas fire Wood burner 14

Other features Solar electricity generating system A system that generates electricity from the sun. These are usually made up of a number of solar panels that change sunlight into electricity. Excess power can be exported to the grid. Solar hot water heater An assembly of components that uses energy from the sun to heat and supply hot water to your home. Elevator A mechanism for moving people between the different levels in your home. Also called a lift. Does your home have any of these out door features listed below? Shed small to medium (up to around 3 x 3 metres) An enclosed outbuilding used for the storage of tools, bicycles and equipment. Shed medium to large (3 x 4 metres or larger) An enclosed outbuilding used for the storage of tools, equipment, boats, or as a workshop. Shade sail A soft covering that provides sun protection above an outdoor living area or part of the garden. This does not include roll-down soft shades. Rainwater tank A 5,000 litre water tank including plumbing and electrical connections. You may need to allow more in your Sum Insured if your rainwater tank is greater than 5,000 litres or not above ground. You can adjust the Sum Insured when speaking with your insurer. Permanent spa pool A permanently fixed, small, heated pool featuring air or water jets and utilised primarily for relaxation. It is built into the ground or landscaping and can not be moved. Concrete (in ground) Fibreglass None Permanent swimming pool A pool built into the ground or landscaping that cannot be moved. It is used for swimming and water-based recreation. Concrete (in ground) Fibreglass (in ground) Vinyl (above ground) None Standard (9 x 4 metres) Large (12 x 4 metres) Extra large (15 x 4 metres) Fencing Remember to include any fencing around a pool at your home in your selection. Minimal Choose this if you have perimeter fencing surrounding a small-sized block of land of approximately 500 m 2 or less. Average Choose this if you have perimeter fencing surrounding a medium-sized block of land of approximately 500 m 2 to 750 m 2. Extensive Choose this if you have perimeter fencing surrounding a large size block of land of approximately 750 m 2 to 1000 m 2 or a small to medium-sized block of land and a long right-of-way. This is the maximum amount allowed for in this calculator. You may need to allow more in your Sum Insured if your fencing is greater than this amount. You can adjust the Sum Insured when speaking with your insurer. None 15

Paving Remember to include any paving around a pool at your home in your selection. Minimal Choose this if you have paving of approximately 25 m 2 or less (eg covering an area 5 metres wide by 5 metres long). Average Choose this if you have paving of approximately 25 m 2 to 50 m 2 (eg covering an area 5 metres wide by 10 metres long). Extensive Choose this if you have paving of approximately 50 m 2 to 100 m 2. (eg covering an area 10 metres wide by 10 metres long). This is the maximum amount allowed for in this calculator. You may need to allow more in your Sum Insured if your paving is greater than this amount. You can adjust the Sum Insured when speaking with your insurer. None Retaining walls A retaining wall is a structure designed to hold soil in place between two different levels. Minimal Choose this if you have retaining walls of approximately 5 m 2 (eg 10 metres of wall 0.5 metres high). Average Choose this if you have retaining walls of approximately 10 m 2 (eg 20 metres of wall 0.5 metres high or 10 metres of wall 1 metre high). Extensive Choose this if you have retaining walls of approximately 20 m 2 (eg 40 metres of wall 0.5 metres high or 20 metres of wall 1 metre high). This is the maximum size allowed for in this calculator. You may need to allow more in your Sum Insured if your retaining walls are greater than this amount. You can adjust the Sum Insured when speaking with your insurer. Tennis courts Bitumen Concrete Synthetic grass on concrete Do you have tennis court lighting? Yes No 16

Terms of use for the calculator If you use the Need2know calculator at www.need2know.org.nz to estimate what it might cost to rebuild your home, the figure you will see is only an estimate. It is based on all the information you entered into the calculator and typical building cost information provided by Cordell Information Pty Limited (A.B.N. 95 159 137 274) ( Cordell ) to IAG New Zealand Limited ( IAG NZ ), for a fee. IAG NZ is not a building expert. It is only providing a tool to help you determine the likely cost of rebuilding your home. IAG NZ takes no responsibility for the estimated costs of rebuilding provided by Cordell. IAG NZ is not liable for the accuracy of, or for reliance upon or use of, the estimate from this website, except as required by law and under the Consumer Guarantees Act. Cordell is required to update the typical building cost information used by this calculator every quarter. However the information may be out-of-date due to market fluctuations and other circumstances. The calculator is not recommended for homes in excess of 700 square metres, or high value homes where the likely cost of rebuilding would exceed $2 million. The calculator uses estimates of the cost of different items needed for rebuilding. However, there is huge scope for variations in costs due to factors such as the quality and complexity of an item, the location and market conditions, and the delivery and lead-time. Although the calculator asks questions to take some of those variables into account, the estimated cost of different items may not be suitable for your particular home. This calculator does not include an allowance for some of the costs that may be associated with replacing a building, including but not limited to, contents removal costs, landscaping costs, temporary rental costs and the costs of rectifying any damage caused during demolition and reconstruction. Please check with an architect, builder, quantity surveyor, valuer or other suitably qualified professional for an accurate estimate. IAG1397/1 03/13 IAG need2know calculator 17