Is My Damp Proofing Quote Too Expensive?
A damp proofing quote is too expensive if it specifies work that is not needed, uses the wrong treatment for the problem, or fails to include reinstatement of skirting boards, electrics and plumbing that will need to be removed. It may also be too low if those extras are missing from the specification entirely. The most important thing is not the price itself but what the quote actually includes and whether the moisture source has been correctly identified before any work is specified.
Here is what 20 years in the industry has taught us about how to read a damp proofing quote and what to look out for before you sign anything.
The Cheapest Quote Is Not Always the Best Quote
Before you accept a damp-proofing quote, there are some important things to check.
When we receive a specification from another company to compare against, we sometimes find works that are not actually required, or worse, the wrong treatment has been specified entirely. We have seen companies quote to treat a whole room when the damp issue is confined to one isolated spot. That is not a bargain. That is unnecessary work on your property at your expense.
On the flip side, a very high quote also warrants scrutiny. At South East Timber & Damp, we are on the premium side of pricing because we use the best materials and employ qualified, experienced surveyors. But even we would tell you that if a quote seems disproportionately high for the scope of work described, ask questions.
Both extremes should give you pause for thought.
South East Timber & Damp Limited | Damp Survey
What a Proper Quote Should Include
This is where many homeowners get caught out. Two quotes can look very different in price but actually be specifying completely different things. Before you compare figures, make sure you are comparing like for like.
What Should a Damp-Proofing Quote Include?
Removal and reinstatement. Does the quote include taking off and replacing skirting boards, cornicing, shelving, electrical sockets and any plumbing? Some companies include removal and reinstatement as standard. Others will remove everything and leave you to organise a plumber, electrician and carpenter to come back and finish the job. That can add hundreds, sometimes thousands, to the overall cost once you factor in the additional trades.
Rubble and waste removal. Is the removal of debris included or will it be left for you to deal with?
A clear explanation of the moisture source. Any reputable company should be able to tell you clearly where the moisture is coming from and why before they specify any treatment. If a quote arrives without that explanation, be cautious.
A guarantee. How long is it? What does it cover? Is it insurance-backed? An insurance-backed guarantee protects you if the company goes out of business or, as we have seen more than once, changes its name and refuses to honour previous work.
The Problem With Getting It Wrong
We regularly survey properties where a previous company has carried out damp proofing work that has either failed or was the wrong solution entirely. The damp has returned, the work has not held, and the homeowner is left in a difficult position.
In some cases the company has gone out of business. In others they have simply disappeared. We have even seen companies change their trading name and refuse to come back to honour a guarantee. Without an insurance backed guarantee, the homeowner has very little recourse and ends up paying for the same problem to be fixed twice.
As a rule of thumb: you end up paying twice when you choose the wrong company first time. It is one of the most expensive mistakes we see homeowners make.
Questions to Ask Before You Accept Any Quote
These are the questions we would ask if we were in your position:
- Is the surveyor CSRT or CSTDB qualified? These are the recognised qualifications for damp and timber surveyors. If the person who carried out your survey holds neither, that is a concern.
- Is the company a member of the Property Care Association? The PCA is the relevant trade body for this industry. Membership requires companies to meet professional standards and gives you an independent route for complaints if needed.
- Is a guarantee offered, and is it insurance backed? Ask for the duration, the terms, and whether it is protected if the company ceases trading.
- When is payment due? A deposit to secure a date in the diary is reasonable and to be expected. The balance should be payable on completion when you are satisfied with the work. Be wary of any company asking for a large payment upfront.
- Can they explain clearly where the moisture is coming from? This is non-negotiable. The source of moisture must be identified before any treatment is specified. If they cannot explain it to you in plain English, ask them to try again.
What We Use and Why It Matters
Not all damp proofing products are equal. At South East Timber & Damp we use premium products from Safeguard Europe and J&N Newton Waterproofing, two of the most respected names in the industry. We also attend regular update training on new products and systems to make sure we are always specifying the most effective solution for each situation.
A cheaper company may use lower-grade materials that cost less but perform less well over time. That is a false economy when you are investing in protecting your property.
We Will Always Tell You to Wait If the Time Is Not Right
One thing we will never do is push you into work you are not ready for. If the damp issue is behind kitchen units, for example, we will often advise homeowners to live with it until they are planning a kitchen renovation anyway. There is no point pulling out a perfectly good kitchen to treat an isolated damp spot. The building will not fall down in the meantime, and we would rather give you honest advice than manufacture urgency.
If your budget does not stretch to the full scope of work right now, we will tell you which areas to prioritise, what you can do to prevent the problem getting worse, and we will come back and re-inspect when you are ready to proceed. That is the kind of relationship we want to have with our clients.
Before You Sign Anything
Here is our straightforward advice before committing to any damp-proofing company:
- Get a second opinion. If you have any doubts about a quote or a diagnosis, commission an independent survey from a PCA member company and compare. A trustworthy company will not be threatened by that.
- Check their online reputation. Look at Google reviews, Checkatrade and any other platforms they are listed on. Look for patterns in what people say, not just the star rating.
- Make sure the payment terms are fair. A deposit to confirm your booking is reasonable. Full payment on completion and satisfaction is standard. Anything else warrants a conversation.
At South East Timber & Damp we have been operating across Kent, South East London and East Sussex since 2005. Our surveyors are CSRT qualified, we are members of the Property Care Association, and all our work is backed by the GPI insurance backed guarantee scheme. We are also Which? Trusted Traders, TrustMark registered and listed on Checkatrade.
If you would like an honest, independent survey and a clear explanation of what your property actually needs, we would be happy to help.
Call us: 01732 884535 Web: www.timberanddamp.co.uk Book a Survey Online: https://timberanddamp.co.uk/request-a-survey/
Surveys from £114. No scaremongering. No unnecessary work. Just honest advice from qualified specialists.