Damp & Timber Surveys for Mortgage & Remortgage Properties
Buying a property or applying for a remortgage can be stressful enough without discovering that your mortgage lender, surveyor, or solicitor needs more information about damp, timber decay, or other defects.
At Trustguard, we regularly carry out Damp & Timber Surveys for properties being purchased, mortgaged or remortgaged across the North East. Our aim is to establish what is actually happening within the property and provide a clear, detailed report explaining our findings and any recommendations.
A damp or timber problem does not necessarily mean a property is unsuitable to buy or that remedial work will definitely be required. In many cases, a more detailed inspection is simply needed to establish the cause and condition of the affected areas.
When Might You Need A Damp & Timber Survey?
Several situations may require a more detailed damp and timber inspection.
You may be:
- Buying a house and concerned about damp or timber defects
- Applying for a mortgage on an older property
- Remortgaging an existing property
- Concerned about woodworm, wet rot or dry rot
- Responding to a mortgage lender’s request for further investigation
- Concerned about staining, damp patches or musty smells
- Buying a property with suspended timber floors
- Dealing with cracking, defective plaster or possible damp penetration
- Asked to provide a specialist report following a previous survey
A standard home survey can identify potential concerns, but where damp or timber defects require further investigation, a specialist inspection can provide more detailed information about the issue.
Damp Survey For A Mortgage Or House Purchase
When purchasing a property, particularly an older property, visible signs of damp can understandably cause concern.
However, damp can have several different causes.
For example, moisture may be associated with:
- A defective or bridged damp proofing course
- Penetrating damp
- Plumbing leaks
- Defective gutters or downpipes
- External render or pointing
- Poor ventilation
- Condensation
- High ground levels
- Defective floors
- moisture affecting timber elements
This is why simply seeing a damp patch does not automatically mean that a new damp proof course is required.
At Trustguard, our Damp Surveys are designed to investigate the likely cause of damp and provide the customer with a clear explanation of our findings.
For someone buying a property, this can provide useful information before making decisions about the property or proceeding with recommended remedial works.
Timber Surveys For Mortgage And Remortgage Properties
Timber defects can also be identified during a property survey.
Older properties in particular can contain timber floors, roof timbers, joists, skirting boards and other timber elements that require inspection.
A timber survey can investigate signs associated with:
- Woodworm
- Wet Rot
- Dry Rot
- Timber Decay
- Excessive Moisture
- Defective or poorly ventilated suspended timber floors
- Deterioration of accessible structural timbers
Our Timber Surveys can be particularly useful where a previous survey has identified possible timber defects or where a buyer simply wants greater reassurance before committing to a property.
What Is The Difference Between Buying A Property And Remortgaging?
When purchasing a property, you may arrange a specialist survey because:
- Your surveyor has identified possible damp
- Timber defects have been noted
- The property is older
- You have noticed signs of moisture yourself
- Your mortgage lender has requested further investigations
- You want to understand potential repair requirements before completing the purchase
A specialist inspection can give you a clearer understanding of the condition of the property before you make decisions about remedial work.
Remortgaging
Remortgaging can also result in a lender requesting further information about the condition of a property.
This can happen where an existing defect has been identified, where there are concerns about damp or timber, or where the lender requires additional information before proceeding.
In these circumstances, a detailed specilist report can provide information about the condition observed at the time of inspection and any recommendations arising from the survey.
What Happens During A Trustguard Damp & Timber Survey?
Our surveyor will inspect the property for signs of damp and timber-related defects.
Depending on the property and areas accessible at the time of the inspection, this can include consideration of:
- Internal walls
- External walls
- Skirting boards
- Architraves
- Floors
- Accessible timber
- Roof timbers
- Signs of moisture
- Ventilation
- Air bricks
- Damp proof courses
- Previous remedial work
- Visible signs of timber decay or infestation
Moisture readings may also be taken using professional equipment where appropriate.
Importantly, our surveys are non-intrusive. We do not routinely remove flooring, lift carpets or carry out destructive investiagtions simply as part of a standard survey.
How Much Does A Damp & Timber Survey Cost?
The cost of a specialist survey can vary depending on the type of property, it’s size and the level of investigation required. Rather than choosing a survey based solely on price, it is important to make sure you are getting a detailed inspection and a clear written report that addresses the concerns raised.
At Trustguard, our Damp & Timber Surveys are carried out by experienced surveyors and are designed to give property buyers, homeowners and mortgage customers a clearer understanding of the condition of the property.
What Will I Receive After The Survey?
Following the inspection, we provide a detailed written report explaining our findings, including any areas of concern and recommendations where appropriate.
Where relevant, the report can identify:
- Areas where damp has been detected
- The likely cause of the damp
- Timber defects or deterioration
- Signs of woodworm or other timber-related problems
- Areas requiring further investigation
- Recommended remedial works where appropriate
We understand that property purchases and mortgage applications can be time-sensitive, which is why we aim to provide reports promptly following the inspection.
Where a property is being purchased through an estate agent, we can also normally liaise directly with the agent to arrange access, helping to make the process as straightforward as possible for the customer.
Does A Damp & Timber Survey Guarantee There Are No Problems?
No specialist survey can guarantee that a property will never develop a defect in the future.
A survey is an assessment of the property’s condition at the time of inspection and is based on the areas that can reasonably be inspected.
There can also be concealed defects that cannot be identified without opening up floors, walls or other building elements.
Where we believe further investigation is necessary, we will explain this rather than simply assuming what is hidden behind a surface.
We believe this is an important part of providing an honest and useful survey.
Buying Or Remortgaging A Property In The North East?
If you are buying or remortgaging a property in Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Washington, Gateshead, Northumberland or surrounding areas, Trustguard can arrange a Damp & Timber Survey.
Whether your concern has come from a mortgage lender, your own building survey, an estate agent or simply something you have noticed yourself, a specilist inspection can help establish what is actually happening.
Need A Damp & Timber Survey?
Contact Trustguard to discuss your survey or arrange an appointment. We have a friendly team ready to help you on 0191 4159471 or alternately drop us a message here