Mr Blogs – “I don’t understand why I have to pay for a survey when X & Y companies offers free damp surveys.”
It is important to note that the intention here is not to shame individuals who expect free damp surveys. Instead, the aim is to provide information and rationale behind companies like ourselves who charge for damp and timber surveys.
One of the primary reasons, and perhaps the most significant, is qualifications. Many companies that offer free surveys lack the necessary national and accredited qualifications in their respective fields. The CSRT qualification is the only nationally recognised damp and timber decay/infestation qualification whereby once achieved you can be assured that you are dealing with a qualified surveyor. This qualification is obtained through the Property Care Association (PCA) whereby an individual must go through vigorous assessments in all aspects of dampness is buildings, timber decay and beetle infestation.
Be safe, be sure, ensure that you are using a CSRT surveyor who is a member of the Property Care Association (PCA)
If you have been offered free surveys, chances are that the surveyor lacks the aforementioned qualifications, and often lacks substantial experience in the damp and timber industry.
Qualifications should be a significant factor in selecting the right company/surveyor to inspect your property. In the long run, hiring a company without qualified surveyors could lead to significant costs, especially if the problem is misdiagnosed.
Additionally, one must consider how companies cover their costs when offering free surveys. Equipping a surveyor with all the necessary equipment to accurately diagnose dampness issues costs thousands of pounds. It raises questions about how these companies recover the losses incurred by conducting so-called free surveys, especially for those that also pay their surveyors on a commission basis.
The answer is simple: when damp proofing companies offer free surveys, the costs are ultimately incorporated into the rates they charge, or they aggressively try to sell you unnecessary products or services. Even if you receive a competitive quote from them, can you be confident that they have accurately diagnosed the issue, provided a comprehensive specification suitable for your needs, and possess the capability to effectively resolve your dampness problem?
On the other hand, a paid and a truly independent damp survey by Damp Pro, will provide impartial diagnosis and likely save the upheaval and money on unnecessary chemical damp proofing treatments.
When seeking a damp proofing company to address your buildings damp problem, consider the following:
- Enquire about their qualifications (CSRT) and if they lack such qualifications, ask them why.
- Keep in mind that a company must conduct a diagnosis before providing a quotation for the work. Would you expect a doctor to prescribe medication before diagnosing the problem?
- They are not working for free as an information or advice service, particularly during a site visit.
- They have operational costs that need to be recovered.
- They are a business and must generate revenue beyond their expenditures; otherwise, they won’t remain in business for long.
As a completely Independent damp survey company, our primary objective is to offer our clients unbiased and comprehensive advice without any vested interests in securing damp proofing contracts. Our focus is solely on providing accurate diagnostics through our charged damp surveys, as we do not engage in damp proofing treatments. Our financial gains are solely derived from the provision of these surveys, ensuring that our clients receive transparent and reliable information.
Don’t take unnecessary risks, consult the independent experts.
Damp Pro – Your Truly Independent Qualified CSRT Surveyor
