Homebuyer Survey

Homebuyer Survey – Professional Damp Inspection for Potential Property Buyers in London

London has the most expensive land prices in the UK and buying a home in the capital is nothing short of a huge investment; prior to making an offer on a property you like, it is absolutely essential that you have the building professionally evaluated for damp, mould and timber rot.

Why is Damp a Serious Threat to London Homes?

London sits on the banks of the River Thames, which is a low-lying basin with a thick layer of clay a few meters below the surface. This means very poor drainage and rising damp is a serious threat to all structures, while the wet climate means that damp can penetrate the roof and external walls. Damp damage is easily concealed with a couple of coats of paint and if you are not vigilant, you might purchase a property, only to discover a few months later that the building has serious damp issues. Booking a homebuyer damp survey from an established damp survey company ensures that you are not put in a position where you have to pay thousands in repairs. In the event damp is discovered, you are in a position to negotiate with the seller and hopefully, you will come to a satisfactory agreement.

Common Damp Issues

London homes are at risk of the following:

• Rising Damp – Wet ground means that moisture can creep up external walls and if the damp-proof course is damaged in any way, that will result in damp rising up the external walls, causing a lot of damage to masonry, render, mortar and timber.
• Penetrating Damp – A leaking roof or compromised external walls allow moisture to enter a building and years of driving rain can take its toll on a house.
• Condensation – Always an issue in the winter months, droplets of water lead to damage and without some form of treatment, the problem will continue.
• Timber Rot – Both wet and dry rot are a threat to London homes and each needs to be treated differently. A water-based fungicide sprayed liberally on all timber sections is the best way to eradicate timber fungus.
• Woodworm – There are two species of beetle that attack timber by burrowing into timber and laying their eggs, which hatch and the larvae start to eat wood pulp. Unless action is taken, the cycle continues. 

All of the above can be concealed, which is why you cannot take any chances when buying London real estate

Three Levels of Homebuyer Damp Survey

We like to offer our customers options, so we have 3 levels of homebuyer damp survey, which are as follows:

• Level 1 Damp Survey – A thorough inspection of exterior and interior walls, floors, and ceilings to identify tell-tale signs of rising or penetrating damp. The survey includes damp detection and inspection of all walls and floors, as well as leak inspection of drains and water pipes to locate possible sources of moisture. Designed for buyers and sellers, it determines the presence of damp, mould, and timber rot. £199 + VAT.
• Level 2 Damp Survey – Everything included in Level 1 plus a closer examination of structural components such as joists, rafters, window frames and door frames. The surveyor also carries out a detailed dry/wet rot and woodworm inspection to identify any timber decay. If issues are found, we can recommend a trusted London damp-proofing contractor to carry out the required work. £299 + VAT.
• Level 3 Damp Survey – Our most comprehensive survey. Level 3 includes everything from Levels 1 and 2 plus an advanced set of diagnostic tests. This survey uses thermal imaging and air humidity testing to identify hidden moisture issues, along with an HD borescope camera for checking loft spaces, cavities and other hard-to-reach areas. We also carry out a full brickwork pointing inspection, DPC inspection, and a ventilation flow test on extractor fans to assess airflow and mould risk. For external parts of the property, we include 4K drone imagery to inspect the roof, chimney stack and guttering safely and in high detail. All Level 3 surveys are non-invasive and cause no damage to the property. £399 + VAT.
• Plaster Analysis – An additional service we offer is up to 10 samples of interior plaster, which we test for moisture content to give you a definitive assessment. This is the best way to accurately measure moisture content within walls; results come through quickly and are part of a detailed report that would include images and maybe video. £299 + VAT.
• Mould Lab Swab Testing – We offer professional qPCR mould swab testing, which analyses DNA from a surface swab to detect and quantify specific types of mould present within the property (up to 100 square metres). This laboratory-grade test provides highly accurate results and is ideal for confirming the presence and severity of mould growth. £299 + VAT.

If you are currently looking for your dream London home, make sure that you arrange for a homebuyer damp survey prior to making any offers, which ensures that the property is, in fact, free from damp, mould and timber rot. The customer receives a detailed report in their inbox the day after the survey. 

Our PCA-certified damp surveyors are always happy to advise the customer, especially concerning damp-proofing treatment. While we do not undertake damp-proofing work, we do have a close working relationship with an established damp-proofing company that covers all London Boroughs.

We take great pride in helping potential London property buyers by providing homeowner damp surveys in all parts of the city.