Specialist survey

Compare damp & timber specialists for the home you’re buying

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A damp and timber investigation is a specialist job, not a general RICS condition survey. It is carried out either by a CSRT-qualified damp and timber surveyor accredited by the Property Care Association (PCA), or by a RICS-regulated surveyor working to recognised standards. Accreditation means the diagnosis follows established industry methods and the surveyor is accountable to a professional body, so you get an impartial view of cause and cure rather than a sales pitch for treatment.

London · SW18

RICS regulated

★★★★★ 4.9 · 120 reviews

Service: Damp & timber survey
Earliest visit: Tue 9 Jun
Fixed quote: £150 inc. VAT

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Damp & Timber Survey

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A damp and timber survey is a specialist investigation into damp, rot and wood-boring insects, diagnosing the cause rather than just treating the symptom. It is the usual next step when a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey flags a damp or timber concern and recommends further investigation. On Home.co.uk you compare local specialists side by side on fixed price, earliest availability and reviews, then book online.

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Your appointment is arranged

Your chosen provider liaises with the agent or vendor, attends, then sends your report.

Is this the right one?

Who a Damp & timber survey is for.

Buyers whose RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey flagged damp, rot or woodworm and recommended further specialist investigation
Anyone buying an older or period property where rising damp, condensation and timber decay are more common
Buyers who can see or smell damp, peeling plaster, tide marks or a musty odour and want the cause diagnosed
Owners planning to remortgage, renovate or extend who need a clear picture of damp and timber condition first
Anyone handed a treatment quote by a contractor who wants an independent second opinion before committing to remedial work

What you get

What a damp & timber survey reveals

Rising damp

Ground moisture drawn up through walls where a damp-proof course is missing, bridged or has failed, often leaving a tide mark and salt staining low on internal walls.

Penetrating damp

Water entering through the building fabric — defective pointing, render, flashings, gutters or roofs — causing localised damp patches that worsen in wet weather.

Condensation & black mould

Moisture from everyday living settling on cold surfaces — the most common form of damp, distinguished from rising and penetrating damp and usually fixed with ventilation, not damp-proofing.

Wet rot

Fungal decay in persistently damp timber — skirtings, joists, window and door frames — that softens and darkens the wood and stops once the moisture source is resolved.

Dry rot

A more serious, spreading fungal decay (Serpula lacrymans) that can travel through masonry and sound timber, calling for prompt and thorough remediation.

Woodworm & wood-boring beetle

Active or historic infestation in structural and joinery timbers, assessed for whether it is live and whether treatment is genuinely needed at all.

Moisture readings

Readings taken across affected walls and timbers to map the extent of moisture and help separate a surface symptom from a structural cause.

Cause, not just symptom

A clear diagnosis of why the problem exists — the report pins down the underlying source rather than simply noting that damp is present.

Remediation advice

Recommended repairs and treatments, their likely scale and what to budget for, so you can renegotiate or plan works with evidence behind you.

How much it costs

Damp & timber survey cost in 2026.

On Home.co.uk a damp & timber survey is a fixed £549 inc VAT — the quote you see is the price you pay, with no “from £X” teasers and no add-ons at checkout.

£150–£600

UK average around £300-£400

Price depends mainly on the size and age of the property, the extent of the damp or timber concern, and location. Some contractors offer a ‘free’ survey, but these are usually tied to selling you remedial treatment — an independent, paid investigation keeps the diagnosis impartial.

How long it takes

Appointment and turnaround.

On-site / inspection

~1-2 hours on site

Report / certificate

~2-5 working days

Allow around 1 week from booking to report; larger or more complex properties can take a little longer.

Why compare here

Comparing that actually means comparing.

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Real fixed prices

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Live availability

See who can attend soonest and confirm online there and then — no waiting for a callback.

Genuine reviews

Real customer reviews help you weigh experience and service — the cheapest quote isn't always right.

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Regulated & accountable

Every provider is PCA / RICS.

When you compare on Home.co.uk you're comparing like-for-like, accredited providers — not the cheapest unqualified option.

Common questions

Damp & timber survey, answered.

What is a damp and timber survey?

It is a specialist investigation focused on damp, rot and wood-boring insects in a property. The surveyor inspects walls, floors and timbers, takes moisture readings, and diagnoses the cause — rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, wet or dry rot, or woodworm. The report explains why the problem exists and what remedial work, if any, is genuinely needed.

How is this different from a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?

A RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey covers the whole property and flags damp or timber concerns as part of a broad condition assessment. A damp and timber survey is a deeper, focused investigation into those specific issues. Buyers often book one after a Level 2 or Level 3 report recommends further specialist investigation into a particular damp or timber problem.

How much does a damp and timber survey cost?

In the UK an independent damp and timber survey typically costs around £150 to £600, depending on the size and age of the property and the extent of the concern. On Home.co.uk it is a fixed £549 inc VAT — the figure you see is the figure you pay, with no ‘from’ teasers and no extra charges appearing at checkout.

Aren’t damp surveys free?

Some damp-proofing contractors offer a ‘free’ survey, but these are usually carried out by firms that sell remedial treatment, so there is a built-in incentive to recommend work. An independent, paid survey by an accredited specialist gives you an impartial diagnosis of the cause and an honest view of whether treatment is needed at all.

Who carries out the survey, and are they qualified?

A damp and timber survey is carried out by a specialist surveyor — typically one holding the CSRT qualification and accredited by the Property Care Association (PCA), or a RICS-regulated surveyor working to recognised standards. Accreditation means the diagnosis follows established industry methods and the surveyor is accountable to a professional body.

What’s the difference between rising, penetrating and condensation damp?

Rising damp is ground moisture drawn up through walls where the damp-proof course is missing or has failed, usually leaving a tide mark low down. Penetrating damp is water entering through the building fabric, such as defective pointing or guttering. Condensation is moisture from everyday living settling on cold surfaces — the most common cause, and one fixed by ventilation rather than damp-proofing.

What is the difference between wet rot and dry rot?

Wet rot is fungal decay in timber that has stayed persistently damp, and it generally stays confined to the wet area — resolve the moisture and the decay stops. Dry rot is a more serious, spreading fungus that can travel through masonry and sound timber, and it needs prompt, thorough remediation. The survey identifies which you have and how far it has spread.

Do I need treatment if woodworm is found?

Not always. Many homes show old, historic woodworm holes from an infestation that died out long ago and needs no action. The survey assesses whether the infestation is active and whether the affected timber is structurally significant, so you only pay for treatment if it is genuinely warranted rather than treating dormant damage.

Can the findings help me renegotiate the price?

Often, yes. If the survey identifies damp or timber problems and the likely cost of putting them right, many buyers use the report to renegotiate the purchase price or to ask the seller to carry out repairs before completion. An independent, evidence-based diagnosis gives you firm grounds for that conversation.

Is a damp survey the same as a mortgage valuation?

No. A mortgage valuation is carried out for the lender to confirm the property is worth roughly what they are lending, and it is not an assessment of condition. A damp and timber survey is a focused, independent investigation of damp, rot and woodworm for your benefit as the buyer — a separate, more detailed service that a valuation does not replace.

How long does the survey take and when do I get the report?

The on-site inspection usually takes around one to two hours, depending on the size of the property and the extent of the concern. The written report is typically delivered within about two to five working days. From booking to report, allow roughly a week, though larger or more complex properties can take a little longer.

Is the survey a guarantee that the property is damp-free?

No. It is an expert investigation of the accessible areas at the time of inspection, focused on diagnosing visible and detectable damp and timber issues. It is not insurance or a warranty, and some areas — for example beneath fitted floors or behind permanent fixtures — may be outside scope unless access is arranged separately.

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