In short – No! We value our experienced surveyors Dean and Lee’s time and can give you the best advice. We charge a small fee to cover some of the costs as many times, some straightforward maintenance advice will remedy the issue without any work by us required.

We have a range of survey fees from £95 to £295 to carry out a timber and damp inspection. Many clients have said that a thorough, honest investigation into their damp and timber problem put their minds entirely at rest and saved them money.

The video below explains why we charge for surveys:

This is subject to the area to be surveyed. We would say the minimum time, if it is in an isolated area in a small house, could be 40 minutes. However, if the property is substantially larger and requires both a timber and damp inspection, this could mean 2 hours plus.

The surveyor will do both external and internal inspections of the property and accessible areas. Obstructions, furniture, boxes, panelling, and floorboards will not be moved. It is for the property owner to move these obstructions to allow the inspection.

If remedial works have been carried out, then – YES. However, check your written report to ascertain the length and type of guarantee and any exclusions or maintenance requirements.

As damp proof specialists, we offer guarantees of up to 10 years.

We KNOW there are 20 and 30-year guarantees; however, our insurance company limits us to offer realistic guarantees.

REMEMBER, a guarantee is WORTHLESS if the company has closed down!

We offer the ability to purchase a QANW insurance policy for a one-time fee to run alongside our guarantee. See our dedicated page on GUARANTEES(opens in new tab) to find out more.

Our snapshot surveys start from £95 + VAT, with comprehensive surveys up to £295 + VAT depending on the size and complexity of the property.

We'll always explain what level of survey you actually need rather than upselling you to the most expensive option.

Read more about the surveys we offer here.(opens in new tab)

Yes. Listed and older buildings need a different approach to damp than modern ones, and not every company is set up to handle them properly. Our damp proof specialists are experienced and highly knowledgeable about listed buildings. 

We regularly survey and treat listed and historic properties across Kent.

Read more about how we work on traditional buildings.(opens in new tab)

Yes, and this happens more often than you'd think.

Dean will give you a straight, honest second opinion, even if that means telling you the original quote was for more work than you actually need.

This happens regularly,  read our review to see how many clients have advised us that getting a second opinion was the best thing they did.  

If we feel no works are necessary, we will tell you. Many times we provide maintenance advice that can remedy the issue. Read our handwritten reviews here.(opens in new tab)

Rising damp and penetrating damp look similar but have completely different causes, and different fixes.

Rising damp(opens in new tab) usually shows as a tide mark low down on internal walls, often with crumbling plaster or a musty smell, and it's caused by ground moisture rising through the wall.

Penetrating damp(opens in new tab) can appear anywhere on a wall or ceiling and is caused by water getting in from outside, often through a defect like a cracked render, a leaking gutter or a failed damp proof course.

The honest truth is that most homeowners can't tell the difference just by looking, and neither can some contractors. That's exactly what a proper survey is for, from damp proof specialists.

Yes. Dean holds the CSSW qualification(opens in new tab), Certified Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing, which is the highest recognised credential specifically for below ground and structural waterproofing in the UK.

It's a separate qualification to general damp surveying, and it means Dean is trained to properly assess groundwater conditions, structural risk and the right system design, not just recommend a generic solution.