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Pre-Purchase Damp & Timber Reports

Why Do I Need A Specialist?

There are a number of reasons why you might need a specialist to undertake a damp and timber survey. Often a specialist damp and timber survey will be recommended within your homebuyers’ survey (and is therefore, a requirement of the mortgage lender) when purchasing a new property or re-mortgaging. You will need a specialist surveyor to investigate and properly diagnose any issues there may be in the property, as there can be a range of different problems with various methods of treatment.

It is essential that you investigate any potential signs of dampness or timber decay as soon as possible. If caught early, the treatment can be relatively fast and inexpensive. If not addressed, small problems can soon escalate and require more extensive treatment works.

Whilst your building surveyor will be able to recognise the signs of dampness or decay, it will then be essential to employ a specialist damp and timber surveyor, who will investigate the full extent and nature of the issue, as well as offer an appropriate solution.

Experts in timber preservation, our CSRT certified team specialise in the treatment of timber and fungal attacks such as dry rot and wet rot.

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How to choose the right damp and timber surveyor

There are two prerequisites when choosing a damp and timber surveyor:

  1. Ensure that you choose a company that is a member of the PCA (Property Care Association). The PCA is the only national governing body in the damp and timber industry that trains and monitors their members to ensure that all surveyors are fully qualified, and most lenders will require the employment of a PCA member. All members of the PCA are subject to regular inspections and audits in order to retain their membership.
  2. Ensure that your surveyor holds the CSRT (Certified Surveyor of Remedial Treatments) and CSSW qualifications. These are the only nationally recognised professional qualifications in the UK in this sector. The CSRT qualification will assure you that the surveyor is fully qualified and knowledgeable in the diagnosis of damp ingress and timber decay. CSSW is the professional qualification for individuals involved in diagnosing problems with water entering structures below ground level. To achieve these qualifications, candidates are required to pass CSRT and CSSW exams in addition to both legal and health & safety exams.

All Biocraft South West Surveyors are CSRT and CSSW (Certificated Surveyor in Structural Waterproofing) qualified, and have a wealth of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of dampness and timber decay.

Types of survey and costs

At Biocraft South West, we tailor your pre-purchase damp and timber survey according to your specific needs. Some homebuyers’ reports may suggest specific areas of dampness or decay, or you may require a whole house inspection. In some cases, a more invasive survey may be required: this may necessitate a sub-floor inspection. All invasive inspections must be carried out with the full written agreement of the owner of the property.

In addition to the survey, you will then be provided with a full written report of the surveyor’s findings and recommendations, along with a detailed and extensive quotation for the recommended works.

The cost of your survey can differ depending on the level of inspection required. A pre-purchase survey starts at £195 + VAT (£234). Additional costs may be applicable for larger properties, additional buildings and invasive surveys, for example, the lifting of floorboards for sub-floor inspection.

You can find more detail about how our damp and timber surveys are carried out, as well as how the specialist equipment is used, on our damp and timber surveys page.