We are primarily a family business working for clients all across the UK far and wide. We carry out truly independent damp and timber surveys on residential, historical, commercial and industrial buildings.
As we are not contractors or have any links with contractors/manufacturers all our surveys are truly independent and are carried out impartially with no vested interest.
It has been our family business for over 30 years and our principle Property Care Association registered independent surveyor Mr D. Thomas CSRT (second generation) carries out surveys all across the UK. He has built up a national reputation for his expert knowledge, experience and focused customer satisfaction approval. He travels far and wide to provide independent damp and timber surveys to clients who want honest and professional surveys. As a Property Care Association Member you can be assured that we are fully qualified and know our business inside out.
Independent Building Preservation Surveyor - Partner
Emma Thomas
Operations Manager - Partner
In the heart of Damp Pro, a reputable independent damp and timber survey company, stands Emma Thomas, an indispensable figure in the company’s success story. As the dedicated office manager, Emma’s role goes beyond mere administrative tasks; she is the driving force behind the seamless execution of day-to-day operations, from handling initial client inquiries to orchestrating survey appointments and ensuring timely delivery of comprehensive reports. A true embodiment of commitment and efficiency, Emma’s integral role is only enhanced by her unique personal connection to the business as the wife of the principal surveyor and a partner in the family business.
Emma’s journey in managing Damp Pro’s operations begins with her expert handling of client enquiries. With a welcoming demeanour and a thorough understanding of the company’s services, she plays a pivotal role in establishing the first point of contact. Her ability to listen attentively to clients’ concerns and provide informed responses helps set the tone for exceptional customer service.
One of Emma’s standout skills lies in her exceptional organisation and scheduling acumen. Coordinating survey appointments across a variety of locations and managing the intricate web of time constraints can be a daunting task, yet she navigates this challenge with finesse. Her ability to optimise schedules not only ensures efficient use of resources but also contributes to the company’s reputation for punctuality and reliability.
In the realm of damp and timber surveys, the timely delivery of comprehensive reports is of paramount importance. Emma’s role extends beyond the initial interaction; she oversees the coordination between surveyor, client, and the technical team responsible for compiling and finalising the reports. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures that reports are not only accurate but also delivered promptly, demonstrating the company’s commitment to professionalism and client satisfaction.
In the intricate tapestry of Damp Pro’s operations, Emma Thomas is undeniably the thread that binds it all together, ensuring that the business not only thrives but continues to set industry standards.
Damp & Timber Surveys
Why Choose a Qualified Damp and Timber Surveyor?
The correct identification of wood destroying organisms and the causes of dampness are essential for correct diagnosis and specification of a safe and cost-effective remedy. Surveyors must have a detailed knowledge of the insects and fungi that attack wood, the types of wood used in buildings and their characteristics, building structures, the characteristics of wood preservatives and damp-proofing materials and equipment and their safe and effective use together with the legal obligations of the surveyor and his company to name just a few of the requirements. The PCA has developed a professional qualification for surveyors which assesses these areas and which is achieved only after rigorous testing of a candidates knowledge, skill and practical ability. Two separate qualifications (Certificated Timber Infestation Surveyor – CTIS and Certificated Remedial Damp Surveyor – CRDS) have now been amalgamated with an assessment of law, health and safety aspects into a single qualification – the Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatment – CSRT. Member companies of PCA employ qualified surveyors to ensure that property owners get a reliable survey which correctly identifies the problem and states whether any treatment is required. If your property needs Timber Treatment or Damp-proofing… Be Safe, Be Sure, Be Certain.
How to check if a damp proofing and timber treatment contractor company is qualified?
Look out for the PCA logo on their website/ paperwork and cross reference their name/unique membership number with the Property Care Association Website. Or simply ask to see credentials of the company. Any PCA member, damp proofing and timber treatment company would be proud to present credentials as it is an honour to be part of the elite in the industry and very hard to achieve due to strict policies.
How to choose a qualified damp and timber specialist company?
Choose a Property Care Association (PCA) Member and ensure the surveyor carrying out your damp and or timber survey holds the CSRT qualification. Please remember that there is only one national damp proofing, woodworm treatment and Dry Rot Eradication Governing Body and that is the Property Care Association (PCA). Formerly known as the British Wood Preserving and Damp Proofing Association (BWPDA).
Why choose a damp and timber survey over a homebuyers report?
Initially, it would be the cost, a damp and timber survey can be carried out at a fraction of the price of a homebuyer’s survey. Most properties in the UK are constructed of brick/stonework and timber therefore a damp and timber survey will look at the property as a whole subject to instructions and inform you on any damp and timber issues that may be present. Normally a damp and timber survey is one of the last things to be carried out during the purchase of a house after paying for full structural and/or homebuyers’ surveys. These two surveys can be very costly and may only partially inform you of the cost/implications of what may be wrong with a building. It has become a common issue when people are in the middle of purchasing a property to have these costly surveys carried out followed by a specialist damp and timber survey to then find out that there is more than meets the eye. Dry Rot outbreaks, dampness and woodworm infestation for example, which can be costly to rectify. Often, once a potential buyer has found out about the damp and timber issue they may decide to pull out of a sale or in the worst case scenario not be able to obtain a mortgage on the property subject to the damp and timber report. This can be a costly situation for a property purchaser which could have been brought to their attention by just having a damp and timber survey carried out at the start of the purchase process, instead of paying for costly structural reports and homebuyers’ survey.
Top Survey Tip… If you are buying an older house, consider a damp and timber survey first. It could save you ££££’s on unnecessary surveys and at the end of the day prevent heart ache if a property falls through after weeks and months of planning the big move.
How Can Our Specialist Damp and Timber Report Surveys Help You?
- If you are a Homeowner with a damp and/or timber decay/infestation problem, our expert knowledge will diagnose the source of the problem and recommend treatments.
- If you are a Homeownerselling your property, our CSRT qualified damp and timber surveyors will issue you with a report and quotation for any necessary works.
- If you are a Landlord in need of a correct diagnosis of damp ingress or timber decay/infestation problems in your property, we will provide you with expert knowledge on all forms of damp proofing and/or timber treatments to rectify the problem.
- If you are in the process of buying a property, and have been instructed by a building surveyor to have a specialist damp and timber report survey carried out, we will arrange access to the property and liaise with vendors and estate agents to carry out the damp and timber survey.
- If you are a Letting/Estate Agent seeking specialist advice on any form of dampness or timber decay/infestation in a property, we will provide you with the correct diagnosis, along with any possible recommendations.
- If you are a Builder in need of specialist knowledge or treatment only, we can provide you with an onsite diagnosis and a quotation for the necessary treatment(s).
- If you are Re-mortgaging your property (equity release scheme) and have been instructed by a lender to have a damp and timber report survey carried out, we will provide you with the damp and/or timber report and carry out the treatments necessary which will be backed by a 20 year guarantee so that the lender will release the equity.
Do we offer free damp and timber surveys?
No is the simple answer. Our specialist damp and timber surveyors are providing a service and do have salaries which need to be paid for their expert advice and knowledge. Paying for a damp and timber survey will provide you with accurate, honest advice which could save you hundreds even thousands of pounds on unnecessary damp proofing and/or timber treatments. Something to be aware of in the damp proofing and timber treatment industry is that, many companies send out commission based surveyors to carry out specialist damp and timber surveys. These damp and timber surveys are carried out with “end of month survey targets and commission bonuses in mind.” So you can image what the surveyor is thinking before he even enters your property to carry out a damp and timber survey for free! Over the years we have had an increase in clients that have had damp and timber companies in free of charge to told they need a new chemical damp proof course. In over 90% of cases this has been unnecessary due to a phyical damp proof course being bridged. What is free in the world nowadays… unfortunately nothing! So please be aware of the free survey!