NTÍ has agreements with four engineering firms to do damage assessment, where requirements are made for education in the field of construction and civil engineering, e.g. civil engineering, construction technology and building science. NTÍ also sets conditions for experience in assessment work and writing assessment reports, and each damage assessment is carried out by two assessors. Following the natural disaster in Grindavík, NTÍ made a special requirement that at least one of the assessors in each case had expertise in bearing capacity.

Conducting a damage inspection

During the damage inspection, the assessors examine the damage that the owner or his representative points out to the assessors. In general, it is assumed that the first damage inspection takes about 45 minutes, but if there is a reason for a further inspection of the property in the opinion of the appraisers, more damage inspections are called as needed. In most cases, there is a visual inspection of damage, together with the height of the property being measured to check if there is a slope or if there is a slope on the property.
After inspecting the damage, the assessors write an assessment that describes the damage that was examined and prepares a cost estimate for repairs. Article 11 of the NTÍ regulation deals with the determination of compensation and states how the damage should be assessed.

If there is partial damage to property, i.e. if it is not a total loss, the cost of repairing the damaged item must be estimated so that it is the same, or as close as it was before the damage event. Minor damage that does not reduce the usability or value of the property is not considered compensable damage. Examples of such damage include subtle cracks in siding that require only minor paint repairs and are generally common in properties across the country, regardless of natural disasters.

Following damage inspection

When the assessors have completed their preparation, it is presented. In a cover letter sent to the owners together with the assessment, NTÍ provides a deadline to submit comments on the assessment. Such comments, like other comments to the organization, should preferably be sent by e-mail. It both increases efficiency and improves their registration.

Due to the situation in Grindavík, NTÍ emphasizes that if damage to house property has increased since the property was inspected by appraisers or there is damage to the property due to the event, which is not discussed in the assessment, it can be reported to NTÍ. In such cases, the agency will ask the appraisers to review the submitted comments and, as the case may be, re-examine the property and update the appraisal.