Homebuyers Survey: Damp, Dry Rot, Wood worm... Radon!

superfurrybiped

Hi there, I'll try to keep this brief and would appreciate any advice...

We've had an offer accepted on a 1920s terraced house in Cardiff that we knew needed a load of work; clear signs of damp, bouncy floors, no kitchen and decor probably also from the 1920s. We'd looked for woodworm but missed any signs of it, plus when the Homebuyer's Report came back a significant dry rot issue was noted (and possibly Radon, but I'm not even thinking about that yet!).

Dealing with these issues isn't putting us off completely as we have an experienced, trustworthy builder on board who has viewed the house with us and will carry out most of the work, however we'd like a specialist to survey the damp and timber and treat the woodworm and dry rot, plus the building society is demanding a PCA registered "surveyor". They have placed a £10k retention on the mortgage until the dry rot is remedied.

I've looked into the PCA registered damp specialists nearby who all have mixed reviews at best -plus, I don't really just want someone to come and tell me we need a damp proof course without addressing where the damp is really penetrating. Rather, I've identified a damp specialist with 30 years experience and dozens of positive testimonials from customers with similar problems. This specialist asked me to check with the building society that they would accept work that was Non-PCA certified and the building society have said they will not.

So I'd like to know:
-Is there any hope of convincing the building society that they are misguided in insisting on PCA registered work or is trying to persuade them a lost cause?
-Is it viable to get the work carried out to our satisfaction then ask the surveyor back, or would we be likely to lose the £10k retention?
-Failing these, does anyone know an experienced damp and timber expert in the Cardiff area who is PCA registered but can be trusted to assess the property properly before selling a DPC?

Many thanks in advance!

G_M

superfurrybiped wrote: »

So I'd like to know:
-Is there any hope of convincing the building society that they are misguided in insisting on PCA registered work or is trying to persuade them a lost cause?
Dubious but worth a try. I wouldn't go in telling them they are 'misguided' though! Offer them your own alternative, stressing his qualifications/experience and ask if he'd be acceptable

-Is it viable to get the work carried out to our satisfaction then ask the surveyor back, or would we be likely to lose the £10k retention?
High risk strategy. If they set conditions, either comply, or get the conditions changed.

-Failing these, does anyone know an experienced damp and timber expert in the Cardiff area who is PCA registered but can be trusted to assess the property properly before selling a DPC?

Many thanks in advance!

Q3 - sorry.


http://www.independentdampsurveyors.co.uk/
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