How to Choose a Property Valuer in Auckland

Not all valuers are the same. Your choice of valuer can affect the accuracy of the result, whether your bank accepts it, and how useful the report is for your purposes. Here's what to look for.

1. Check they're registered

In New Zealand, only registered valuers can legally provide property valuations for most purposes. Registration means the valuer has completed an approved degree, served a period of supervised practice, and passed the Valuers Registration Board examination. They must hold a current Annual Practising Certificate.

You can verify a valuer's registration on the Valuers Registration Board website. If someone offers you a "valuation" but isn't registered, it's not a valuation in the legal sense — it's an opinion, and banks won't accept it.

2. Look for independence

Independence matters. A valuer should have no financial interest in the outcome of the valuation. Be cautious of valuations offered by real estate agents, mortgage brokers, or property developers — they may have a stake in the number going a particular direction.

An independent valuation firm that doesn't sell property, arrange finance, or develop land has no reason to inflate or deflate your value. That's the whole point.

3. Confirm bank panel membership

If you need the valuation for bank lending, check that the valuer is on your bank's approved panel. Most banks maintain a panel of pre-approved valuers and will only accept reports from those firms. The major New Zealand banks — ANZ, BNZ, Westpac, ASB, and Kiwibank — each have their own panels.

Some smaller valuation firms may not be on all bank panels, which could mean your report isn't accepted and you need to pay for another one. Check this before commissioning the work.

4. Prioritise local knowledge

Auckland is not one market — it's dozens of micro-markets with different drivers, buyer profiles, and price dynamics. A valuer who works regularly in your suburb will know the comparable sales, understand the local factors, and produce a more accurate result than someone unfamiliar with the area.

Ask the firm whether the assigned valuer has experience with your property type and location. A good firm will match you with the right person.

5. Ask about qualifications and experience

Beyond basic registration, look for professional memberships and higher qualifications:

• ANZIV — Associate of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers (standard membership)
• FNZIV — Fellow of the NZIV (awarded for distinguished service and expertise)
• MRICS / FRICS — Member or Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (international recognition)
• MPINZ — Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand

For specialist work like litigation, development feasibility, or going concern valuations, experience level matters significantly. Ask about the specific valuer's track record with your type of work.

6. Get a fixed-fee quote

Reputable firms provide a fixed-fee quote before starting work. The fee should be agreed upfront with no surprises. Be wary of firms that quote unusually low fees — the valuation may be rushed or superficial. Equally, the most expensive option isn't necessarily the best.

For standard residential valuations in Auckland, expect to pay between $600 and $1,200 plus GST. Commercial and specialist valuations vary widely based on complexity.

What to avoid

• Desktop or drive-by valuations — unless specifically required for a low-risk purpose, a proper valuation requires a physical inspection
• Valuers who promise a specific value — a valuer who tells you what the number will be before inspecting the property isn't doing their job
• Firms with no local office — they may not know your market well enough
• Unregistered practitioners — their reports won't be accepted by banks, courts, or the IRD