Damp Survey. What is It and is worth getting one?
A damp survey will imply a detailed inspection of a property in regard of potential damp damage and to identify the source of it. Usually, this specialist survey will follow a property survey, like a HomeBuyer Report or a Building Survey.
Damp is a common issue which is present in most homes, however if is in excess and left untreated can bring a series of effects on property structure and appearance along of damaging our health.
According to ONS, in the 2 years to March 2019, an average of 3% of households (are approximate 23 million households) in England had damp in at least one room within their property.
A damp survey is usually carried out by a specialist who will know exactly what to look for in term of where damp is present and what damage it may or has already caused. Is good to mention that unlike a HBR or Building Survey, a damp survey would not inspect the overall condition of various parts of building. Is a specialized service and usually is required after a valuation or a survey, when a potential damp issue would have been highlighted.
Once the booking process is done, the specialist will visit your property to assess the damp levels and if are any potential damages. A content of moisture will be note systematically through the building and with the focus to any highlighted areas during the initial call.
If the property is not vacant, most likely the surveyor will ask couple of questions about the damp concerns or if any developments have been seen in the moisture over time.
On average, a specialist would charge between £200 to £350 for a 3 bedroom detached house, though as with most surveys, the cost will vary depending on location and property size.
Definitely, yes, especially if was required previously within a Valuation or HomeBuyer Report. Is important to get a specialist opinion on any damp issue to avoid a massive headache down the line, when the problem because much more complex and more expensive to fix.
Also, by the end of your damp survey, you will receive a report with the findings and other considerations that the surveyor has made from their additional desk research.
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As we mentioned before, is always important to have a survey carried out on your future home to avoid any hidden bills. As in any other survey, as a buyer, you would have a little input required in the damp survey being taken.
However, would be beneficial to maintain a good level of communication between surveyor and estate agent/owner to facilitate both parties with their requirements in terms of access to the property.
In most cases, a specialist damp survey will be requested as a further investigation after a valuation or a HBR.
So, when a building surveyor inspects a property they will check for dampness using an electrical conductance moisture meter. These moisture meters are used to measure the percentage of water in whatever the probes is inserted, such as walls, floors, wood beams, etc.
The duration of a damp survey will vary based on the size of the property, its structure, the type of damp and the severity of the damage. On average, a damp survey will take between 3 to 5 hours to complete.
Written by Danil P.
12th Jan 2021 (Last updated on 24th Apr 2023)
4 minute read
