Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. h&s Surveyors conducted a level 2 survey ahead of our house purchase last year. Their communication was excellent from start to finish, and their report was thorough and very well written. One year on, the report describes everything we've learned from living in our home and we haven't hesitated to recommend h&s Surveyors to our friends and family. Hopefully, we won't need to move home for some time, but when we do, we will use h&s Surveyors.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful and simple process to book in our survey and received back very quickly. Thorough and insightful report and lovely team to work with. Thank you so much.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely first class service, I had additional questions after the survey and nothing was too much trouble. I would highly recommend this company.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. H&S provided an efficient service at a very competitive price. Communication was great. The report was detailed and comprehensive and even our solicitor was impressed with it. We would use them again.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Andy provided a really thorough RICS Level 3 survey for us, which was clear and easy to understand, for an excellent price. Would definitely recommend.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently had a Grade 3 survey conducted as part of the process of purchasing a house, and we couldn’t be happier with the service provided! The survey was incredibly thorough, detailed, and professionally executed, giving us a clear and comprehensive understanding of the property's condition. The report was not only easy to understand but also highlighted important areas to address, which has been invaluable in helping us plan for possible future works. Chris' expertise, attention to detail, and willingness to answer any questions made the whole process seamless and reassuring. We truly feel that this survey was worth every penny and gave us the confidence to move forward with our purchase. Highly recommend to anyone looking for reliable and meticulous survey services!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Survey was promptly booked with helpful admin staff responding quickly by email. Survey was detailed (including plenty of photos) and arrived within the time promised. Seems to be much better value for level 2 surveys than other local providers. Would recommend - thank you!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Chris is knowledgeable, efficient and helpful and provides an excellent professional servicePosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was the second time using H&M Surveyors. They were quick to respond to my initial enquiry and also arranging a date for the survey. Chris phoned me beforehand to ask if I had any particular concerns about the property. The level 2 homebuyers report was provided in the timescale advised and Chris was also happy to discuss the findings of the survey once I had seen the report, which I found very useful. Chris was friendly and explained everything I needed to know. Would definitely recommend h&s and will be happy to use again in the future.
What to do if Your Property Survey Reveals Damp?
Damp is one of the most common issues we come across in our property surveys. We’ve talked about the mysterious phenomenon of rising dampness before, but if you’ve spotted signs of dampness in your home, or have had a RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Survey or Building Survey carried out which is flagging up damp problems in the property you are interested in buying, you might be wondering what your options are.
Isolated patches of moisture are generally easy to deal with, however, when a building becomes riddled with dampness, it turns into more than just a superficial problem. Crumbling brickwork and rotten timbers can cause the structure to lose integrity, ultimately making a home uninhabitable if the underlying problem goes untreated. In addition, there’s the worrying fact that black mould is known to cause severe health problems over time.
Due to all the above-mentioned risks, even the mention of a damp in a property survey can be a cause for concern to some buyers, making them suddenly uncertain about the home they have their hearts set on.
So, what is the best way to proceed when a damp survey uncovers dampness in a building you are considering the purchase of? It’s a question we get asked a lot and we are happy to share some of our knowledge and tips in this blog.
How bad is the damp problem?
The first step is to ascertain how big a problem the presence of dampness is likely to be. Depending on the kind of property investigation you have commissioned, you may have all the information you need straight away, or you may need to have a further, specialist investigation carried out. The term ‘damp’ could refer to condensation damage, which may be rectified by opening a window, placing a dehumidifier into the room or installing an extractor fan. Or, it could refer to problems caused by a leaky roof or faulty damp-proof course (DPC).
Once you understand how serious the damp is, and how much of the property is affected, you can decide whether you are prepared to carry out the necessary repairs, or if you would rather pass on that particular property and find a less troublesome property to buy instead.
Condensation
Condensation is usually the least concerning kind of dampness, as there are easy steps to fixing it. Caused by humid air hitting a cool surface, it’s common to find condensation-related dampness in rooms where cooking, showering or clothes-drying take place. Using extractor fans and opening windows are quick ways to manage the room’s humidity, while a dehumidifier can help in a pinch. Long-term, proper ventilation and insulation on external walls and windows should help.
Mould and Mildew
Signs of mould and mildew are potential of greater concern, mostly due to how fast they can spread through a property. Mould and mildew are caused by spores in the air, which can multiply very quickly if they find a cold, moist surface to land on. People living in a building with mould and mildew may experience allergy-like symptoms including sinus congestion, coughing, skin irritations and more.
Again, the best course of action is to let in plenty of sunlight and improve the ventilation around the house, ensuring that damp areas can always dry out thoroughly.
Finding the Cause
In order to completely eliminate dampness in a property, you will need to find its source – and a Building Survey is an excellent tool to help identify this for you. Blocked gutters, missing roof tiles or damaged brickwork are common culprits, as are leaking internal pipes. Your Building Survey report should also advise the best way to deal with the dampness and include estimates for repair costs, giving you all the information you need to decide whether or not the property purchase is worth progressing.
Contact us
If you’re having trouble with dampness in a property or need a surveyor to help you find the cause, H&S Surveyors can help. As a long-established firm of Chartered Surveyors operating across South Devon, our team has extensive experience carrying out RICS Level 3 Building Surveys to find dampness and other property defects and issues. Get in touch with our friendly team today at (01626) 335008 or email us at ad***@************aw.com for a free quote and to see how we can help.
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Last updated: 24th April 2025