Developed by leading industry experts with over 30-years’ experience in agricultural and residential property valuations and appraisals, the Residential and Agricultural Cost Guides are widely recognized and respected costing valuation tools that have been adopted by many industries across Canada. Developed by Canadians and using Canadian data, the Douglas Cost Guides are utilized in many different applications:

Real Estate & Property Rental Sector

The real estate & property rental sector can utilize both the residential and agricultural cost guides to assist with estimating accurate and simplified real estate valuations. These valuations take into account several factors including reconstruction cost and depreciated value, providing the appropriate data required for inclusion within property appraisals and valuations. 

The Douglas Cost Guides are trusted by real estate professionals such as: 

The Douglas Cost Guides can also be utilized to assist property owners with plans for a new build, whether it be a new home, new agricultural building, or adding out-buildings such as a large garage, workshop, or granny flat to an existing property. Utilizing the cost guides can help shape plans for a new build, formulate a budget, and adjust to ensure the scope of work for new construction is not only attainable but manageable.

Banks & Financial Institutions

Banks and financial institutions typically utilize the Douglas Cost Guides to assist with estimating the amount of financing required for new builds or to assist with estimating the amount of collateral a property could potentially yield. The residential guide can also be used to assist with determining if extending a mortgage /financing for further development of the property is in their best interest. The Douglas Cost Guides are used for estate planning and can help with equal disbursement of assets among heirs.

  • Agrologists
  • Agricultural Relationship Managers
  • Loss-Prevention Inspectors

Insurance Companies and Professionals 

The Douglas Cost Guides are known as the gold standard in the insurance industry. Insurance brokers can rely on the residential and agricultural guides to provide accurate, comprehensive, and reliable replacement cost valuations before quoting an insurance policy. This will ensure their clients and their client’s properties are adequately protected. 

Government Sector

The Douglas Cost Guides is used to assist property assessment corporations in their valuations of improvements for assessment purposes.

The Douglas Cost Guides are also utilized by Revenue Canada to assist in their valuations of dwellings, agricultural use structures, and other outbuildings during audits and reviews.

Construction Industry

Construction companies and builders can rely on the cost guides to help formulate a budget for new builds, repairs, or additions by calculating the reconstruction cost from plans or blueprints. This can help in providing accurate estimates for clients and can be used to assist in estimating a sale price when the home is ready for market. 

Construction professionals that use The Douglas Cost Guides include:

  • Construction Cost Estimators
  • Sales Agents

Legal Sector

For those working within the legal sector the Douglas Cost Guides provide unique benefits. The easytouse valuation tools allow legal professionals to accurately estimate the Replacement Cost New and the Actual Cash Value of agricultural structures or residential occupancies for the purposes of dispute settlement. Both valuation tools are used to assist with the settlement of legal action for the parties involved. 

The Douglas Cost Guides are trusted by legal personnel such as:

  • Lawyers and Legal Professionals
  • Litigation Specialists

Trusted Valuation Tool for Professional Sectors

The Douglas Cost Guides have been carefully researched, developed, and are continuously updated to accurately reflect current market trends, conditions, and data. This ensures that quality, accurate costing is provided for users across Canada, in various industries. If you would like to leverage the benefits of the Douglas Cost Guides, contact us today to get started.