Rising damp. A FTBs big problem or exaggerated issue?

Jasperella

Thanks for giving it the once over for me oneburge, appreciate it.

As an update if any one could advise on this...

Ive spoken to the vendor, they were genuinely as surprised as me re: damp and I have been looking into getting another opinion. Whilst researching I used Which for recommended specialists, plus general Google search so far and came across a few, but Peter Cox really caught my attention.

Then saw Rentokil.
Funnily enough some of the spiel in the website was quite uniquely worded and I recognised it as being exactly the same as on Peter Cox's.

Did a bit more digging..both branch managers called Mark.
Same registered address in Surrey.

Now I'm confused. If this company is one and the same why do they trade under different names? Should I be wary? I feel like it's deceiving, and I should avoid but I'm new to this, maybe this is normal business practise?!

Could someone advise please?

AdrianC

They're probably both franchises, and the same person's bought your local franchise for each.

Jasperella

thanks AdrianC. I guess that's quite acceptable then?

I was going to call the Peter Cox firm but I didn't want to tell them I had already been told there was a damp issue, I wanted to see what they said but Im still worried they/anyone I ask will just try and tell me there's a big problem even if there is not. I don't seem to be using the right search term to find truly independent experts who all only survey without being able to remedy the problem.
Unless I need an expensive structural survey doing to ensure an unbiased opinion and report?

AdrianC

Jasperella wrote: »

thanks AdrianC. I guess that's quite acceptable then?

<shrug> It's just different marketing routes for somebody doing what's basically the same work.

Jasperella

It's been a busy few days..I've had a surveyor in, and waiting on the written report, but had a conversation with the surveyor.
It's quite complex sounding to me, so I won't be able to go into too much detail, but the previous damp proof course didn't work/wasn't done properly. And its been recommended to me that it not only needs the chemical injections re doing but would benefit from a membrane being added in one of the walls too.
The estimate he thinks it could cost is around £3000.
I wasnt expecting that much. The current owners paid just over £1000.

The owners have said we will come to an agreement about it with either reducing our price or getting it fixed before completion. But understandably they are getting their own survey/quote done now for comparison.

I just feel overwhelmed and confused and don't know what to do.

Could anyone offer any advice or support? Even if it means politely telling me I'm being a bit silly.

My main worry is that this damp issue is never going to be fixed and I'll be having these same issues when I try to sell in say 10 years time. I do like the house, but I don't know if I should be considering walking away.
I worry that if they decide to do the works before we exchange/complete that they will get away with paying the minimum they can and I'll still be left with a failed damp proofing and I'll have to pay out £1000s that I won't have.

Anyone got any sense to talk into me, I'm all ears,

Thanks.

amandaxx1

This is what you have to weigh up... If you get them to do the work then yes,it saves hassle, but then you don't know who is doing the work. If you were organising it yourself you'd have a look at company reviews\ go on recommendations. And it will delay things for you.

Only you know if it feels like it is worth doing the extra work. We looked at a few houses that I wrote off because it needed a new kitchen. The one we have gone for has a damp problem and roof needs repairing... I love it so much it will take more than that to get us to walk away!!