FAQs

We are always looking for keen trainees who want to become qualified tradespeople; work under supervision and part of the tenure would involve classroom learning. There will always be a demand for qualified surveyors and skilled damp proofers; you can expect a challenging and rewarding career.

Yes, London Damp Specialists are fully insured for any damages caused by our teams. Our employees are trained to the highest standards and we are covered for every eventuality. London Damp Specialists is a family-owned business that serves London and the Home Counties and should you require a damp survey on your home, we offer a professional service at a very competitive price. Call today on 020 8528 3864 or fill in the form and we will be in touch shortly.

We work with a leading insurance provider, GPI and for additional cost, you can take out a 10-year guarantee. This is an insurance-backed guarantee that is separate from our 30-year guarantee.

Many customers are working full time and we try to fit in with your schedule, as long as we can access the property, it is not necessary for anyone to be at home when the work is carried out. We are happy to follow your instructions.

If we have the property owner’s permission, we are happy to work in an empty house; indeed, many customers are at work when we are carrying out essential repairs and also surveys.

We offer lab analysis of up to 10 plaster samples as an add-on to the homebuyer survey. We use moisture metres to test for moisture content in walls, which is very accurate and the surveyor would be able to trace the source of the moisture.

Yes, we have the resources to tackle even the worst situations; our teams work efficiently to secure a building in an emergency; don’t hesitate to call us on 020 8528 3864 and we will do our best to contain the situation.

We most certainly can; we can deal with all forms of damp, mould, condensation, wet and dry rot and mildew. We are London’s go-to damp specialists.

As mentioned previously, we are customer focused and that means we will do what it takes to complete the work in a timely manner. It is not uncommon for a team to work until late at night to finish the job; we are happy to work around your schedule.

All our employees have been screened and are CRB/DBS check ready, so you do not have to worry about anything.

We do not require any advance payment when carrying out damp repair work. You pay nothing until the work is dry and the site is cleaned up.

Specific areas of the house have to be empty, furniture must be removed and carpet may have to be removed or at least protected with sheeting. Basement tanking demands the space is empty and it might take a week before the work is complete; this is highly technical project, especially during a new build. You do not have to prepare for a survey; our surveyors will need access to all parts of the property.

Of course, our services include cleaning up and removing any waste that we generate; check out the many positive testimonials from our happy customers that mention how tidy our teams are when they are onsite.

We do not ask for any payment until the work is dry, when you are invited to inspect the area. The cost of the survey is deducted from the cost of the remedial work. There is nothing to pay until completion.

Yes and this is normally issued with 1 working day of survey completion.

Often the skirting boards do not come off intact due to the damp so we usually recommend new skirting. We will leave your property ready for painting and making good, including fitting new skirting boards, but do not offer this service ourselves. We can put you in touch with someone to refit new skirting and to do the painting.

Wood boring insects can cause serious damage to London properties, especially in older buildings, which contain a lot of timber. We offer a range of tried and trusted woodworm and dry rot repairs and our work is guaranteed for 30 years. Early detection is the key with woodworm and it might be that the timber cannot be saved and new timber needs to be fitted.

We do not replace rotten timber, however, we can put you in touch with painters, decorators and carpenters who are competent, fairly priced and reliable. We do, however, remove timber that needs to be replaced.

Yes, the roof is an integral component of any structure and a lot of timber needs to be inspected. Our employees need to access the loft, you are not required to move anything in the loft, access is all we need.

Long periods of dull and wet weather create the perfect conditions for damp and mould to thrive and we haven’t seen the Sun for months. Heavy rainfall is sure to cause damp issues to older properties.

London Damp Specialists are fully insured for every eventuality.

We treat woodworm, wet and dry rot, mould, mildew and condensation, as well as all forms of damp. In the event the team feel a section of wood should be replaced, they would remove it and all waste is disposed of responsibly.

This would depend on you; if you are at home, we would like to start by 9am if possible and our employees are fine with working unusual hours if a job requires it. We like to work to your schedule and can work independently.

In theory, damp can rise to the second floor, but generally 100-200mm before the issue would be noticed. Rising damp originates at ground level, so you should inspect the exterior walls at the ground level, looking for signs of crumbling brickwork or mortar. Mould is usually present or a green moss and check the entire perimeter of the building when looking for rising damp.

It very much depends on the size of the property, the larger the house, the longer the survey will take; of course, we have to be thorough when it comes to moisture inspection, so our surveyors won’t be rushed. An average family home might be completed in 3-4 hours, but it really depends on some variables such as the weather, access and availability.

The cost of damp proofing varies according to a number of factors. These include the type of damp (rising or penetrating), the extent of the problem, the size of your property and many more. Visit our damp proofing costs page for more information.

In the event your property is in dire need of emergency repairs, we will do everything in our power to get a team to your address as soon as is practically possible. We understand that time is of the essence when it comes to water damage and we have the resources to carry out fast repairs.

The short answer is yes. At London Damp Specialists, we offer an independent damp survey that is designed for homeowners, which also includes a written quotation for any remedial work that is required.

Yes, at London Damp Specialists we are happy to beat any quote from a reputable company for damp proofing services.

Providing the surveyor can access all areas of the property, you do not need to be at home. We try our best to work to the customer’s schedule, minimising the inconvenience. Some customers leave a key in a concealed location, others leave the keys with a trusted neighbour.

Black mould is extremely dangerous; prolonged exposure can cause skin irritations and respiratory issues. If you suspect mould of any sort is present in your home, call London Damp Specialists on 020 8528 3864 during office hours.

Damp surveys and remedial work can be carried out year-round and winter is likely to be less convenient for the occupants. Sometimes it is necessary to zone off the property until the work is completed.

Yes. All our employees have been home vetted and are CRB/DBS check ready.

Not usually, a survey can typically be completed within a few days of the request. We have enough certified damp surveyors to ensure that work can be scheduled quickly. Our process is efficient and if a customer has urgent need, we can usually accommodate them.

We are proud to issue a comprehensive 30-year guarantee. If any area that we have repaired requires further work, we are happy to carry out the work at no cost to the customer. This is a reflection of our high standard of workmanship and we have a great reputation within the industry.

All our work is backed by an unconditional 30-year guarantee, which reflects the high standard of workmanship. In the event an area we repaired needs more work, we are happy to carry out the work at no cost to the customer. We do offer an additional independent damp insurance from GPI at very competitive premiums.

All our prices are excluding VAT. For a list of services and prices, visit our homebuyer survey page.

Yes, and we offer a comprehensive basement tanking service, which comes in various forms, depending on the situation. A cavity membrane system is an effective way to waterproof a basement/cellar; our surveyor would inspect the basement and provide you with a written quote for the recommended work.

Rising damp can be identified by crumbling brickwork, masonry and mortar, damp patches on walls and ceilings, a musky small in the house, mould and mildew, while condensation on windows and walls indicate moisture in the air.

Signs include tide marks on the walls, damp or wet patches, crumbling plaster, mould and mildew growth, peeling wallpaper and a thin film of mould on walls. Crumbling masonry/ mortar on exterior walls is a sure sign of rising damp and the damp proof course (DPC) is likely compromised.

At London Damp Specialists, we cover London and the Home Counties, which includes Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Sussex and Oxfordshire.

When you take a hot bath/shower, open a window to let the fresh air in and the condensation will dissipate; keep the door closed to prevent the moist air from mingling with the atmosphere. Water on the windows and frames should be removed with a dry cloth, while good ventilation will dissipate moisture in the air.

All we require is access to all parts of the building; if you are at work, if someone gives us access, that is all we need to carry out the service.

The cost depends on the level of survey you choose; check our homebuyer survey page for details and prices. We also offer an add-on service, lab analysis of plaster samples taken from various locations. The cost of the survey is deducted from the cost of the remedial work.

Our homebuyer survey has a total of 3 levels, plus we offer an additional service to carry out plaster analysis, which costs extra. For details on levels 1,2 and 3 and costs, check out our homepage.

Our homebuyer survey has a total of 3 levels, plus we offer an additional service to carry out plaster analysis, which costs extra. For details on levels 1,2 and 3 and costs, check out our homepage.

Our surveyors have an array of tools, equipment and devices; thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters (both varieties), borescope cameras and they also use drone imagery. A surveyor would even have spares, while our damp proofing teams have fully equipped mobile workshops.

We will remove and dispose of all the waste and rubble, leaving your property as we found it.

There is no fine print or grey areas in the London Damp Specialist guarantee. The areas we treat will be covered against damp for 30 years – so if damp arises in the same area then it will be repaired at zero cost to the customer.

Our surveyors use state of the art equipment such as thermal imaging cameras, borescopes, moisture meters (pinned, pinless) and drone imagery. These devices enable the professional to accurately measure moisture levels and source the origin of damp.

We do not require payment until the survey is complete; when we carry our remedial work, there is nothing to pay until the work area is dry and you are satisfied.

We typically issue you a detailed written report within 24 hours of survey completion, along with a quote for any remedial work we recommend. Should you have any questions, you can call the surveyor; we typically email the survey report to the customer.

We have a fantastic reputation within the industry, London Damp Specialists is a family-owned business and we have been servicing London and the Home Counties for years, providing a top service. Check out the many testimonials from satisfied homeowners to see how they feel about our services.

We are customer focused and if possible, we always work on until completion, of course, this is not always possible and when we do stop for the day, everything is neat and tidy.

A typical home insurance policy would cover damage caused by damp, but not the cost of the damp repairs; read the small print on your policy to find out what you are covered for.

Yes, our surveyors do take photos in order to show the customer specific areas.