Find out the average cost of a damp survey and prevent costly repairs in your home. Our guide covers everything you need about damp surveys and their associated costs. Talk to our damp. specialist today.
The mention of “damp” often causes discomfort for numerous homeowners. Even though it is a prevalent issue in the UK, dealing with it is never a pleasant experience. It looks destructive and poses serious health risks if exposed to damp for long time periods.
You should get a professional damp survey done if you discover any signs of damp in your home or a home you’re buying. Damp problems can range from minor damage, such as a few penetrating damp patches of water stains or mould, to significant damage, such as structural decay and crumbling plaster.
So let’s get into the details surrounding Damp Survey Costs…(How much does a Damp Survey Cost)
What is a Damp Survey?
A qualified damp specialist conducts a damp survey to discover any damp areas on your property. They will include a comprehensive inspection of the property and utilise specialised equipment to assess the severity of the issues.
Various forms of damp may be captured in the survey. Each one necessitates a somewhat different treatment approach. A damp survey will determine whether you have damp, what type of damp you have, and how to treat it.
You should ensure the surveyor is a Certificated Surveyor of Timber & Damp in Buildings or CSTDB qualified professional. You can then be confident they will inspect the property for symptoms of damp and assess the extent of damage caused, and estimate the cost of any remediation work that may be required.
A general property survey will look at the overall state of the structure, whereas damp surveys will look at the type of damp present and the damage it has caused to the property.
What does a Damp Survey Involve?
A damp survey aims to map the moisture patterns within the walls and other building elements. The resulting survey will show how moisture moves through the damp walls, floors or other areas to clearly identify which areas need treating and which areas need protecting from future potential damp issues.
The damp survey report developed will enable the client to understand the damp issues in technical detail, along with the severity of the issue and how it should best be treated.
The damp surveyor will use a damp meter to inspect the house and search for telling visual clues. They’ll look for areas of wet plaster, wood rot, rising damp issues, around windows for condensation, and other areas of potential damp problems.
Finally, they’ll prepare a report that includes recommendations for treatment.
Get A FREE Quote Now
Get a no obligation FREE quote now. Our team is here to help. Take the first step towards a guaranteed solution by filling out our form below.
How Long Does a Damp Survey Take?
Typically, a damp survey can take anything from 2-3 hours to complete.
The time of a damp survey, on the other hand, is determined by several factors, including the type of damp that is prevalent, the size of your home, and the severity of the issues discovered, including broken roof tiles, faulty guttering, wet skirting boards or other signs of water damage.
Nonetheless, the survey will always cover the entire property to investigate potential hidden signs of damp, not merely focusing on the known areas of concern.
How Much Does a Damp Survey Cost?
The size of your home will determine the cost of a damp survey. The more rooms and the larger the home, the longer the damp survey will take to survey and the higher the cost.
Equally, consideration has to be taken for specifics relating to the business carrying out the damp survey – for example; distance travelled and any other fixed costs they may have to build into their fee. Some indicative costs are below…
A damp survey for a two-bedroom property will start at around £200, but it may be increased to £300-400 if you have a four-bedroom house. And depending on the conditions, a damp survey for a larger 4-bed detached house may cost around £500-600.
Apart from the size of your house, other factors influence the cost of the damp survey. Certain parts of the UK are more expensive than others, and where you live will have a significant impact. For instance, London and the South East of England will be more expensive.
A damp and timber survey is also available, which some mortgage lenders may require you to complete. The damp and timber survey cost will set you back roughly £200 to £300.
Based on the figures mentioned, you could be forgiven for supposing damp surveyors get paid so much for one or two hours’ labour. Fortunately, this is not the case. The damp surveyor will spend several hours producing a damp survey report once they get the information from the survey itself.
The Bottom Line on Damp Survey Costs
You should now know the damp survey costs and the process involved. The key thing to identify is that an accurate diagnosis of the type and severity of damp your property is experiencing is key to ensuring correct damp treatment can be undertaken.
Contact a damp-proofing company for a free quote to gain an accurate price on the cost of a damp survey for your property. A damp proof course should be installed if there are damp issues, as this will ensure the problem is fixed and your house is no longer vulnerable to moisture intrusion.
The expense of repairing serious damp issues can run into thousands of pounds depending on the type of work needed, so the earlier you act, the better off you’ll be.
Navigating Damp Survey Costs: Frequently Asked Questions Answered
Is a damp survey worth it?
Yes, a damp survey is worth it, especially if you suspect your property has a damp problem or are purchasing a new one.
A damp survey can help identify the source of any damp problems in your property and the extent of the damage. The surveyor will usually examine the walls, floors, and ceilings for signs of damp, such as discolouration, staining, and peeling wallpaper or paint.
Can I do a damp survey myself?
You can identify some signs of damp, but doing a complete damp survey yourself is not recommended as it requires specialized knowledge and equipment.
Damp can have many causes, and a professional surveyor will have the necessary training and experience to diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate solutions accurately. They also use specialist tools such as moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to detect damp that is not visible to the naked eye.
How much does a damp survey costs in London
The cost of a damp survey in London varies depending on the type and size of the property. Here are the estimated prices for different types of properties:
Damp Survey, 5-bed detached house: £400 for 2-3 hours
Damp Survey, 3-bed terraced house: £250 for 1-2 hours
Damp Survey, 4-bed semidetached house: £300 for 1-2 hours
Damp Survey, 2-bed flat: £200 for 1 hourIt’s important to note that these are estimated costs, and the actual cost may vary depending on factors such as the location of the property and the specific services included in the survey. Getting a quote from a professional damp surveyor is always a good idea before proceeding with the survey.
What are the factors that determine the Damp Survey cost?
The cost of a damp survey depends on different factors, including:
Type of property: The property’s size, layout, and construction can all affect the cost of a damp survey.
The severity of the damp problem: If the property has severe damp issues that require extensive repairs, the cost of the survey and subsequent work will be higher.
Location: The cost of a damp survey can vary depending on the property’s location.
Type of survey: There are different types of damp surveys, ranging from a basic visual inspection to a more detailed survey that uses specialised equipment.
Experience of the surveyor: More experienced surveyors may charge more for their services and provide a more thorough and accurate assessment.
Additional services: Some surveyors may offer other services, such as mould testing or thermal imaging, which can increase the overall survey cost.
Related Reading:
