Survey shows Dampness in ground floor walls.. buy or not to buy?

tenke

Hi,

Hope you can enlighten me with your experience

Our survey came with evidence of dampness in ground floor walls, so they say we have to get a dampness/timber report.

My questions are:

- Is that very expensive?
- Is it worht to buy a house with that?

The house needs COMPLETE doing, and our offer reflected that, but I wonder if getting into dampness fixing will strangle us in the end???

You think the vendor can consider fixing this before we commit to the sale?

Thanks for any advice

P.S. If you know of a reputable website to look for dampness/timber report, we will appreciate it, thanks

Wickedkitten

The surveyor when we bought our last house went round with his little damp sticker and then recommended having a survey done. Had the survey done and the damp proof salesman's recommendation after poking his damp sticker into the wallpaper in a few places and then said that the entire ground floor had rising damp and he recommended a full hack of the plaster and an injected damp proof course for a few grand.

We moved in, had a builder that also knows about damp in who said it was mainly condensation because the house had been empty and unheated for months and we didn't have any problems with it after we had been living there.

When you viewed the house did you see any obvious signs of damp or smell any? It might be worth going back and having another look with a builder who can still do the report yet won't try to sell you something that you might not need.

poppysarah

If you're buidgeting for rewewing/installing damp proof course and there are no obviously nasty rotten bits then I wouldn't worry too much. Of course if it's dry rot you'd kick yourself... but in the walls it's likely to be a damp proof course problem or lack.

m_13

We've had damp before and most areas have a smaller company who do a fantastic job. When we lived in Hereford we used Dampcure (http://www.dampcure.net) who were absolutely fantastic and cured the horrible beetles living in our wood too.

Whereabouts are you in the UK? Somebody can then recommend somebody local to you.

tenke

Wickedkitten wrote: »

The surveyor when we bought our last house went round with his little damp sticker and then recommended having a survey done. Had the survey done and the damp proof salesman's recommendation after poking his damp sticker into the wallpaper in a few places and then said that the entire ground floor had rising damp and he recommended a full hack of the plaster and an injected damp proof course for a few grand.

We moved in, had a builder that also knows about damp in who said it was mainly condensation because the house had been empty and unheated for months and we didn't have any problems with it after we had been living there.

When you viewed the house did you see any obvious signs of damp or smell any? It might be worth going back and having another look with a builder who can still do the report yet won't try to sell you something that you might not need.

Hi,

Thanks for your answer. When you say few grand, you mean around £3000 more or less? Just to have an idea

To be honest there was a little smell but i did think it was due to the house being closed, no ventilation for some time

Maybe a builder is a good idea, but the mortage lender will need to see the report by a surveyor, i think.

tenke

m_13 wrote: »

We've had damp before and most areas have a smaller company who do a fantastic job. When we lived in Hereford we used Dampcure (http://www.dampcure.net) who were absolutely fantastic and cured the horrible beetles living in our wood too.

Whereabouts are you in the UK? Somebody can then recommend somebody local to you.

Hi,

Thanks for your answer. I am in South Yorkshire. Unfortunately we are quite new to the area, so dont know a soul who can recommend on this

Will google around i guess

spuds_2

This is a good site for checking the cost of building jobs:

http://www.mybuilder.com/

Wickedkitten

tenke wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for your answer. When you say few grand, you mean around £3000 more or less? Just to have an idea

To be honest there was a little smell but i did think it was due to the house being closed, no ventilation for some time

Maybe a builder is a good idea, but the mortage lender will need to see the report by a surveyor, i think.

Roughly about that much and this was in North Yorkshire.