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Pre-Purchase Damp & Timber Reports

Do I Need A Damp And Timber Survey When Buying A House?

A specialist damp and timber survey is often recommended following a HomeBuyer Report or Building Survey when purchasing a property. In many cases, mortgage lenders will require further investigation before a property purchase can go ahead – especially if signs of rising damp, penetrating damp, wood rot, or woodworm have been identified.

A generalist survey can highlight concerns, but a specialist damp & timber surveyor can accurately diagnose the cause and proposed solution for any issues. Early investigation is essential to help you complete your purchase and help you avoid unexpected repair costs.

At Biocraft South West, our specialist surveyors can provide expert damp and timber surveyors for homebuyers across Bristol, Bath, Swindon, and the wider South West – ensuring property buying decisions are always made with informed confidence.

Speak to our friendly, professional team today.

Don’t wait until you’ve moved in to discover damp or timber decay. Book a specialist pre-purchase survey and buy with confidence.

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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 damp and
timber surveys & 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.