How to Choose a Damp and Timber Specialist

Many homeowners are concerned about damp and issues relating to timber such as woodworm, wet rot, and dry rot, and seek advice from professional and reputable specialists.

Many independent builders, contractors and plasterers may provide damp proofing services, but often do not offer long term guarantees. In order to fully understand the extent of the problem and provide long term solutions, it is recommended that you use a specialist damp and timber company. Misdiagnosis can lead to further issues, and unnecessary costs in the long run.

Damp and timber specialists will carry out a survey to fully understand the extent of the problem and provide expert treatments from qualified technicians, often backed with a long term guarantee, up to 20 years for some services. 

We have put together a guide on what to look for when choosing a damp and timber specialist.

It's important to use a company that is associated with industry organisations or trade bodies and are endorsed by independent schemes. This gives you the confidence that the company in question has been vetted externally, and will provide good quality services while maintaining high standards.

Peter Cox were the first national property preservation company to receive Which? Trusted Trader accreditation, are an accredited Constructionline member, CHAS accredited and are members of Alcumus (Safecontractor).

It's vitally important that your chosen surveyor is competent and experienced in identifying and assessing damp and timber issues.

This is why they should be either CSRT (Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatments) or CSTDB (Certificated Surveyor of Timber and Dampness in Buildings) qualified.

Holding these qualifications means that the surveyor has an in-depth understanding of the construction of buildings and materials used, and what can cause damp internally.

This includes being able to recognise moisture ingress in the form of penetrating damp, capillary moisture caused by rising damp, hygroscopic moisture, and atmospheric moisture and their associated issues.

They are experts in identifying different types of woodworm infestations, fungal decay and other issues relating to timber.

For below ground waterproofing, you should always use a CSSW (Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing) qualified surveyor, who is experienced in diagnosing and designing solutions for water ingress in below-ground structures, such as basements and cellars.

One of the biggest problems homeowners face is the misdiagnosis of damp, and the actions of disreputable companies selling unnecessary treatments.

This is why you want to trust the damp specialist you choose will provide honest advice, supported by clear evidence found on site.

A surveyor from Peter Cox will make clear their findings in the survey report which will be provided to you within 72 hours of the survey.

They will lay out all their findings, along with recommendations. If remedial damp proofing is required, this will be detailed, along with all the steps involved.

Why is it important to use a damp specialist? Unlike a builder or local handyman, a damp and timber survey is a professional service carried out by a qualified professional. This means they will investigate the full property, whether it's a domestic terrace or a commercial complex.

They will not quote for damp work before fully understanding the extent of the problem, and any associated issues such as timber decay or elements of replastering.

Here is what a damp specialist will do during a damp and timber survey:

1. Investigate outside: They will first investigate the outside of the property to understand if external moisture is entering the fabric of the building. From ground level they will inspect the condition of the roof, chimney, guttering, drains and if any damp proof courses are evident. They will also check the condition of airbricks, if they are obstructed and if there are any high ground levels that may be causing problems internally.
2. Checks inside the property: The surveyor will investigate the inside of the property, and depending on access this will include sub floor voids and the loft. They will check for signs of damp, assess the condition of timber, adequate through ventilation and will use specialist equipment to support their findings.
3. Survey report: Once complete, the surveyor will provide you with a copy of the survey report within 72 hours. This will be made up of a detailed, easy to understand outline of their findings, backed with photographic evidence, notes on site and any diagnostic readings using a range of specialist equipment.
4. Details of recommendations and repairs: The report will also outline the recommendations to return your property to its original condition. This could include minor repairs to guttering or drainage, but if damp problems are found this may include specifications for remedial damp proofing or timber repairs. This section will also include details of any long term guarantee, if applicable.

A damp specialist will charge a survey fee as they are providing a professional service by fully investigating a property and identifying the root cause of the moisture issues. This can take time to carry out, which is why it requires a survey fee, unlike simply quoting for damp proofing without first inspecting the property thoroughly.

They will provide unbiased and honest advice in line with industry standards, so if no damp proofing is required this will be made clear to you. The report provided can be used during the home buying process and can be used to renegotiate if a damp or timber problem is found.

When damp proofing or timber repairs are required, we back the high quality of our work with long term guarantees. If applicable, these will be detailed in the survey report, and are up to 20 years for some of our services, including damp proofing, fungal decay control and woodworm sprays.

While many companies will offer guarantees, it's important to use a company with a long track record and trading history - you want to trust that the company you have chosen will still be around to honour any long term guarantees.

Peter Cox have been in the property preservation industry since 1951, and have provided long term guarantees for tens of thousands of homeowners and commercial clients across the country.

Good quality reviews from customers provide the peace of mind that comes with using a reputable damp specialist. Don’t just take our word for it, our customers have rated us ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 2,500 independent reviews.

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  How much does damp proofing typically cost?

  The cost of damp proofing will vary depending on several factors, including the root cause of the problem, the extent of damage, whether or not timber needs to be replaced and if replastering is required. As every property is different it is impossible to provide accurate costs without first inspecting the property.

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  Do you offer free surveys or inspections?

  No, for domestic clients we will typically charge a survey fee due to the professional nature of our services in undertaking a damp and timber survey.

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  Are there hidden fees I should be aware of?

  We charge a fee for a damp and timber survey to be carried out, and if you require remedial damp proofing the costs involved will be detailed in the survey report. Whether you choose to use us for remedial work is totally up to you. There are no other costs involved.

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  Can damp proofing increase my property value?

  Yes, damp proofing that is backed by long term guarantees will give prospective purchasers the confidence the property is protected and will not suffer from issues in the future. Damp is the most common cause of timber decay in buildings, so fixing a problem can prevent unnecessary costs in the future while protecting the value of the property.

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  Are your damp proofing methods safe for pets?

  People and pets are excluded from the treatment area whilst treatments are undertaken and until surfaces are dry, in accordance with label conditions.

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  Are your services compliant with local building regulations?

  Yes, all our treatments comply with building regulations, and for heritage and listed buildings our surveyors and technicians are sensitive to the specific requirements of these properties and adhere to conservation guidelines.

  For listed buildings, listed building consent will be required in writing before we can undertake work.

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  Can I live in my home during the damp proofing process?

  Yes, while there may be some disruption during the works being carried out, generally speaking you can still remain in the property without too much disruption. Efforts will be taken to remove dust and debris from the property, including the use of dust sheets, floor coverings and Hilti extraction units which help remove airborne dust from the atmosphere.

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  Will damp proofing work on all types of properties, including listed buildings?

  Yes, damp proofing can be applied to most properties, but a surveyor will first inspect the property in order to determine the best course of action.

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  Do plasterers carry out damp proofing?

  Yes, many builders and plasterers carry out damp proofing, however its best to use a specialist damp proofing company who have professional surveyors who can identify the source of damp, assess the condition of timber and provide long term recommendations often backed by guarantees.