The Importance of Pre-Purchase Damp & Timber Surveys

Today’s episode of The Damp Show is all about why having a full damp and timber survey done before purchasing a property is a good idea. Using a recent survey he completed in Barnsley; he demonstrates how easy it is for lay people to miss the signs that a property has a serious damp and mould issue.

Sam also explains how to become a qualified damp and timber surveyor. He looks at the changes that have been made to the training provided by organisations like the PCA and CITB.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Some damp issues are obvious. You can see and smell it, but often you are only seeing half the story.
• When a house goes on the market it is often freshly painted and has new carpets which can make everything look OK to a layperson and even some general surveyors. A qualified damp surveyor will see beyond this.
• The average person won´t notice floor deflections which are a sign of long-term damp issues.
• You have to look beyond any repair work. The property Sam surveyed had a new roof, yet there was still extensive black mould in the attic.
• Buyers are rarely given enough access to discover damp and mould in places like the gable ends. A surveyor will have access and should check every nook and cranny.
• Most general surveyors will not be anywhere near as thorough as a proper damp and mould surveyor. It is not uncommon for them to totally miss damp issues or only partially identify structural issues relating to damp.
• If problems are found, you can find out how much the work will cost and negotiate a lower price.
• Having a full damp and timber survey done is not cheap, but it can easily save you thousands, so is often a good investment.
• There is some funding available for employers who want to send their apprentices for training.

BEST MOMENTS 

“If I could condemn it, I would have.”

“It were like climbing North face of Eiger, the steepest stairs I´ve ever seen.”

“A competent qualified surveyor will be able to see if there's going to be an issue in the next 6 to 36 months.”

 

Do you want to find out why your property is damp, so you can start the process of solving the issue the right way? – Go to Why Do I Have Damp in My Property Damp Sam Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/84911630448/ and upload your photos.

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.citb.co.uk/standards-and-delivering-training/training-standards/short-training-standards-search/insulation-and-building-treatments/surveying-timber-and-dampness-in-buildings/ABOUT THE HOST
Simon Cooper AKA Damp Sam is a time-served plasterer since 1983 and has a HNC in building management. He is the director of 3 Ltd companies and a PCA-qualified Damp and structural waterproofing surveyor. He also owns a portfolio of properties that he renovated over the years. 

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