CSSW & FODCS trained surveyors
Professional Timber Survey
Timber problems are almost always simpler than they look, once someone qualified has actually opened them up. Our timber survey identifies whether you have dry rot, wet rot or woodworm, finds the moisture source behind it, and gives you a written report before anyone talks about treatment. The survey fee is deducted from the cost of work if you go ahead.
OVER 30 YEARS
Diagnosing and surveying timber decay and woodworm in homes and commercial property.
CSSW & FODCS SURVEYORS
Qualified surveyors, not salespeople, diagnose every job.
10-YEAR GUARANTEE
Written guarantee on any timber treatment we carry out.
SURVEY FEE DEDUCTED
The survey fee comes off the cost of work if you proceed.
What Is a Timber Survey?
A timber survey is a professional inspection of the structural and decorative timber in a property, carried out to identify fungal decay or wood-boring insect activity and establish whether it needs treatment. It covers the three problems that damage timber in UK buildings: dry rot, wet rot and woodworm, and, because all three are driven by moisture, a proper timber survey also traces the damp behind them, not just the timber itself.
You might book one because a mortgage lender or buyer's survey has flagged a concern. After all, you have noticed soft skirtings or small holes in floorboards, or simply because you want peace of mind before or after buying a property. Whatever the reason, the survey is non-invasive wherever access allows, and ends with a written report you can act on, share with a solicitor, or simply file away if nothing needs doing.
What Does a Timber Survey Involve?
Every timber survey follows the same structured inspection, whatever turns out to be causing the problem.
External inspection - We check the outside of the property first: brickwork, pointing, roof coverings, guttering and ground levels, for anything letting moisture into the structure.
Internal inspection - Structural and decorative timber is checked throughout the property, including floors, joists, roof voids, skirtings, sills and frames, using moisture meters to measure dampness in the wood itself.
Species and activity identification - Where decay or infestation is found, we confirm what it actually is and whether it is active, historic, or something that needs no treatment at all.
Moisture tracing - We identify what is wetting the timber, whether that's a leak, a failed damp proof course, or poor ventilation. Where the source isn't visible, a thermal imaging survey narrows it down without unnecessary opening up.
Written report - You receive a clear report with photographs, the diagnosis, and a defined scope of works only where treatment is genuinely needed.
The most important part is the diagnosis -Small round holes, soft timber and musty smells can each point to more than one cause, and treating the wrong one wastes money. A survey establishes the true cause before any treatment is recommended.
The Three Timber Problems We Survey For
Timber issues aren't one problem. A timber survey needs to correctly separate the three, because the right next step is completely different for each.
Dry Rot Survey
Checking for the fungus Serpula lacrymans: cuboidal cracking, rusty red spore dust, and strands that can spread through masonry away from the original damp. The most urgent of the three to catch early.
Wet Rot Survey
Checking for soft, dark, spongy timber, usually caused by a leak or building defect. Wet rot stays confined to the wet timber itself, so it's typically more contained than dry rot.
Woodworm Survey
Checking for exit holes, frass and beetle activity from wood-boring insects such as the Common Furniture Beetle. Many infestations found on survey are historic and need no treatment at all.
For a below-ground water issue rather than timber decay, the right survey is a waterproofing survey rather than a timber survey.
Signs You Need a Timber Survey
Timber decay is usually well advanced before it's obvious, because most of it happens out of sight. Book a survey if you've noticed:
- Bouncy or springy floors, especially near external walls or bathrooms
- Skirtings, sills or frames that feel soft or give way under light pressure
- A persistent musty, earthy smell in a cellar, under stairs, or in a room with no visible damp
- Small round holes in floorboards or joists, with fine powdery dust beneath them
- White fungal strands, cotton-wool-like growth, or a mushroom-like smell
- A known leak, blocked gutter or damp problem nearby that hasn't been checked
What Our Timber Survey Includes
We carry out a full inspection and back it up with a report you can actually use.
Non-Invasive Inspection
Floors, roof voids and structural timber checked wherever access allows, without unnecessary disruption.
Moisture Meter Readings
Calibrated readings across affected and surrounding timber, not just a visual check.
Species & Activity Confirmed
Clear identification of what's present and whether it's active, historic, or nothing to worry about.
Moisture Source Traced
We find what's feeding the decay, whether that's rising damp, penetrating damp, or condensation in a poorly ventilated void.
Written Report With Photographs
A clear record you can keep, share with a solicitor, or use to negotiate on a property purchase.
Defined Scope of Works
Where treatment is genuinely needed, we set out exactly what it involves and what it costs, with no pressure to proceed.
How Our Timber Survey Works
We follow the same structured process whether it turns out to be dry rot, wet rot, woodworm, or nothing at all.
1. Book Your Survey: Call us or request a callback, and we'll arrange a convenient time. Tell us what you've noticed and we'll let you know if it sounds like something else entirely.
2. On-Site Inspection: A CSSW and FODCS-trained surveyor inspects the affected timber and surrounding areas, takes moisture readings, and identifies the decay or beetle species present.
3. Written Report: You receive a clear report with photographs, the diagnosis, and a defined scope of works, with the survey fee deducted from the cost of works if you proceed.
Not sure if it's worth booking? Try our 60-second Damp Checker first, or send us a photo and we'll tell you honestly whether a survey is warranted.
How Much Does a Timber Survey Cost?
Cost depends on the size of the property, how much timber needs checking, and how much access is involved (for example, opening up subfloor or roof voids). The figures below are typical UK guide prices.
We always confirm the fee before booking, and it's fully deducted from the cost of any treatment you go ahead with, so if you proceed, the diagnosis effectively costs you nothing.
Any Treatment Is Backed by a 10-Year Guarantee
The survey itself is a diagnosis, not a sales pitch, but where treatment is genuinely needed, our completed timber work is backed by a written 10-year guarantee, transferable on sale and accepted by solicitors and lenders.
See our full company guarantees for details.
Why Choose Advanced Damp for Your Timber Survey
What Our Customers Say
"Lionel was brilliant. Expert, efficient and extremely helpful in answering our various queries." - Hugo, Trustpilot review
"Great communication throughout the process and Lionel, who came to do the survey, was prompt, extremely polite, informative... the report was sent a couple of days later as promised." - A Mathew, Trustpilot review
Accredited & Trusted
Timber Survey FAQs
What is a timber survey?
A timber survey is a professional inspection of a property's structural and decorative timber to check for dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. A surveyor inspects the timber, takes moisture readings, identifies what's present, and produces a written report setting out the findings and, where relevant, a treatment plan.
How much does a timber survey cost?
Most timber surveys in the UK cost between roughly £150 and £300, depending on the size of the property and how much access is needed. A combined damp and timber survey typically costs a little more. Our fee is deducted from the cost of any treatment you proceed with.
How long does a timber survey take?
A typical residential timber survey takes around one to two hours on site, depending on the size of the property and how much timber needs checking. Larger properties or those needing more extensive access take longer.
Who pays for a timber survey?
It depends on the situation. A buyer often commissions one before purchase, particularly if a homebuyer survey has flagged a concern, while a homeowner might book one after noticing signs of decay or infestation. Whoever books it typically pays, and with us that fee comes off any treatment you proceed with.
Does a timber survey always mean I need treatment?
No. A significant number of surveys find historic woodworm damage or minor decay that needs no treatment at all. Establishing whether something is active or historic is one of the main jobs of the survey, and if the honest answer is "nothing to do," we'll tell you that.
What's the difference between a timber survey and a damp survey?
A timber survey focuses specifically on dry rot, wet rot and woodworm in structural and decorative wood. A damp survey covers the full range of damp issues, rising, penetrating, condensation and timber together. Because timber decay is almost always caused by damp, we usually recommend a combined damp and timber survey for the fullest picture.
Will a standard homebuyer survey pick up timber problems?
A Level 2 homebuyer survey will usually flag visible signs of timber decay or woodworm, but it won't give you a full diagnosis or moisture trace. If one has raised a concern, a dedicated timber survey confirms exactly what's present, whether it's active, and what, if anything, needs doing.
Is a timber survey guaranteed?
The survey itself is a diagnostic inspection. Where treatment is required and carried out by us, the completed work is backed by a written 10-year guarantee, transferable on sale and accepted by solicitors and lenders.
Related Services
Timber surveys across London, Birmingham, Oxford, Reading, Milton Keynesand the surrounding areas.
Get Your Timber Diagnosed Properly
Book a timber survey and a qualified surveyor will identify exactly what you're dealing with, and what, if anything, needs doing about it. The survey fee is deducted from the cost of work if you proceed.