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Specialist survey

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

Instant quotes from local damp and timber surveyors. Compare fixed prices, earliest availability and reviews — then book securely through Home.co.uk.

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Completely private unless you choose to book.

PCA & RICS-accredited specialists Secure online booking No obligation

Every survey

by a PCA- or RICS-accredited specialist

£0

hidden fees — fixed price inc. VAT

UK-wide

local specialist coverage

12 mins

from postcode to booked

What your specialist is looking for

It's rarely what you can see. Find the cause first.

A damp and timber survey is a trained pair of eyes on the walls, floors and timbers behind the paint. This is what specialists diagnose every week.

Moisture readings — found during a Damp & timber survey

Moisture readings

Meter readings taken across walls and timbers to map how far the damp really reaches, and to tell a surface symptom from a structural cause.

Wet & dry rot — found during a Damp & timber survey

Wet & dry rot

Softened, decayed timber in skirtings, joists and frames, checked for which rot it is and how far the decay has travelled.

Condensation & black mould — found during a Damp & timber survey

Condensation & black mould

The most common damp of all — everyday moisture settling on cold surfaces and failed seals, usually a ventilation fix rather than damp-proofing.

Penetrating damp — found during a Damp & timber survey

Penetrating damp

Tide-marks and staining that trace water finding its way in through the fabric above.

Hidden leaks — found during a Damp & timber survey

Hidden leaks

Corroded joints and slow drips quietly feeding damp from behind the plaster.

Failed pointing — found during a Damp & timber survey

Failed pointing

Crumbling mortar joints that let the weather soak straight into the wall.

Also checked: Rising damp & DPC failure Woodworm & wood-boring beetle The underlying cause Remediation & likely costs

A damp and timber survey inspects the accessible walls, floors and timbers on the day. It's a diagnosis, not a guarantee — areas under fitted floors or behind permanent fixtures can be checked separately.

What to expect

Your booking, on one live view.

Check availability, chat privately, book securely and track your specialist surveyor. No phone calls, no chasing.

home.

23 Acacia Road, SW18

Damp & Timber Survey

Sarah is 12 mins away Live tracking

Sarah M.

★ 4.9 · 120 jobs

Accredited

  1. Booked & paid

    £150 fixed, inc. VAT · Stripe

  2. On the way Live

    Arriving around 09:40

  3. On site

    ~1-2 hours on site

  4. Report delivered

    Expected Fri 12 Jun

Illustrative view — quotes, timings and availability vary by property and area.

Check availability

See each provider's earliest visit and pick a slot that fits your timeline.

Chat privately

Ask anything before you commit. Your details stay private until you book.

Book securely

Pay the fixed, VAT-inclusive quote online with Stripe. Written confirmation lands straight away.

Track the job

Follow it from booked, to attended, to report delivered.

The only damp report worth reading is the one from someone who isn't selling you the treatment.

Independent of the contractor. Independent of the seller. A diagnosis of the cause, not a quote for the cure.

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

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.

Rivals make you fill in a form and wait for a panel to email estimates and call you back. Home.co.uk shows you bookable quotes you can confirm in minutes.

Real fixed prices

Every quote is the price you actually pay, VAT included.

Live availability

See who can attend soonest and confirm there and then.

Genuine reviews

Real reviews help you weigh experience, not just price.

Or let Homemove arrange it

Prefer a hands-off route? Homemove's managed service appoints a vetted local provider for you, with a dedicated account manager.

Regulated & accountable

Every provider is PCA / RICS.

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.

RICS — Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

When you compare on Home.co.uk you're comparing like-for-like, accredited providers — never 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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Diagnose the damp before you buy the problem.

A damp and timber survey pins down the cause and what it costs to put right — evidence to renegotiate with, or the peace of mind that the tide mark was nothing. Independent, fixed price, booked online tonight.

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Last reviewed · Providers compared are PCA / RICS · General information, not professional advice.

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