New damp course and associated costs...

Taylor132

Hello everyone, thanks for reading.

I just wanted to get an opinion on a quote I received yesterday.

A bit of background.... So I have a 3 bed end of terrace house (not overly large but a good size). I've had noticeable damp for about 18 months and have been trying to locate the problem myself as it’s purely around the entrance points in my house (front and back doors). So I've done the usual things of checking the guttering and drains and no success. The damp discolours the walls (so the white pain is multi shaded) and I have a tiny bit of black mould. Mostly there is the furry residue from the salts.

I had a formal (paid £150 inclusive) survey from Timberwise (Manchester area) and they have not found the source but think it has something to do with the current damp course failing in some way (rising damp). I bought the house in 2011 with a full structural survey and no damp found. I have no paper work for the existing damp course and think it’s really unlikely I will get any 4 years on....

Timberwise have recommended an entire new damp course. The plaster is being recommended to be removed 1 metre above the floor as well. Costs split below:

Damp proof course £751 + VAT
Plastering costs £1207 + VAT
Joinery (skirting) £327 + VAT
Plumbing £188 + VAT (assuming this is just removing and reattaching radiators).
Optional 10 year insurance £106 + IPT (the work does come with a 20 year guarantee)
:eek::eek::eek:

This is my first quote so I will be getting some alternatives.... I should stress my priority is a decent job not the cheapest price.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Doozergirl

Worse than asking a company who sell damp proofing to diagnose a problem is paying a company who sell damp proofing to diagnose a problem.

You have isolated patches of damp and their solution is to replace the whole DPC, including unaffected walls?

If you pay someone to produce a report, they have to be impartial, otherwise it's money for old rope.

Such a crooked business.

ariba10

Have you given a thought to it being condensation?

Doozergirl

Moneyman, a s a newbie, your post could be construed as being a little bit spammy, however!

I have just watched the video on the front page of http://www.heritage-house.org and it is fabulous. An absolute case in point and pertinant to the OP.

The guy is a hero. I despise damp proofing companies.

Doozergirl

In fact, we're going to call the guy

Taylor132

Hi everyone and thanks for your feedback. I will look into this much further before I part with one penny more and keep you updated on my progress just in case its relevant to anyone (I'm based in Manchester if this helps).

Doozergirl - I appreciate your point but I'm not some eedijit that just randomly picked someone to survey my house. I did research the company and checked relevant qualifications and accrediting bodies etc. I did check with 2 other large companies in my local area and they all did the same with regards to surveys. Thanks for making me feel like a total eedijit!

I came on here to get yet another opinion as damp issues are really not my area!

Taylor132

Oh dear.....just been to the Heritage House website by Peter Cox.

What a great, professional guy. He has potentially saved me thousands.

Just sat ticking off the things he comments on in timber and damp surveys - I've got a fair few of those things in my so called 'report'. I'm obviously very annoyed at being conned but MASSIVELY relieved I've found out after only parting with £150 inclusive. I paid by credit card, I wonder if I can attempt to claim this back.....

I also watched the video where he went around the house and showed the blocked air vents. I have air vent bricks outside that have been in filled. I think first thing tomorrow I shall be unplugging them!!

It all seems so obvious now (the obvious damp is in the coldest parts of my downstairs) and I think condensation may be a significant issue. Well I'm certainly going to try that out first, get the dehumidifer cranked up again and see what happens!

I can not thank you all enough for taking the time to comment and point me in the right direction.

dampdaveski

Hmm,
I'm not wary of a new member who promotes a company and their website on every post they've made OR resurrects a post from 2012
SPAM.

In the interests of ying and yang take a look at this
http://buildingpreservation.com/images/stories/pdf/jhrev.pdf

This was published in response to Jeff Howells book, but is quite relevant to this thread.

Incidentally I'm not sticking up for timberwise here, if they've mis quoted works then they deserve all they get.

SilverSaloon

Taylor132 wrote: »

Oh dear.....just been to the Heritage House website by Peter Cox.

Peter Ward! Not Peter Cox!

Taylor132

Ooops!! Apologies for the misquote.

Taylor132

So I had another guy come round and quote tonight (he is a plasterer by trade who also specialises in damp proofing - hmmmm). Anyway, I needed 3 walls skimming so I thought I might as well get another quote/opinion on the damp issue.

The guy seemed plausible, he used a moisture meter that had 2 prongs on and only found damp where it is blantantly obvious due to the mould and 'shaded' areas. These are relatively small areas so he has quoted £510 to remove plaster, install a membrane and then reboard and replaster. I'm still very new in the world of damp proofing so just wanted to get a few opinions on membranes?

Also I do have some damp in my cloak room. They guy has suggested leaving it as I have a gas meter on the inside. He has advised this will cost (in comparison) a huge amount to move (£000's). Again, I have nothing to base this one. The damp isn't a significant issue in here....at the moment.

Obviously I much prefer this guys price, but the whole situation is beginning to leave my head spinning and my aim is to fix the problem. I really hate the fact no one can actually find the source....