Free damp survey from Kenwood?

[BathBitch]

Buyers have requested a (free) damp survey to be done by Kenwood but looking at reviews they get slated as con artists.

I've agreed to the survey but wondering if I shouldn't have. Anyone got any advice?

They'll find damp and tell you their chemical damp course will fix it. Cancel. And get an experienced local surveyor to carry out a survey for you if you think it is needed. It will not be free though.

I inherited a damp report from Kenwood on a property (that I have now bought) from the previous buyer who dropped out.

It highlighted three problem areas.

I got another damp specialist (not free) and a building’s surveyor to give second and third opinions. Both agreed that there were only 2 locations with damp. Both agreed it would actually be impossible for there to be damp in the 3rd location identified by Kenwood.

Cheaper to pay for a proper survey than do expensive, invasive damp treatment that isn’t needed. Plus you need to find and resolve the cause of damp (eg insufficient air bricks) rather than just treat the damp.

I think the buyers will use it to get money off which I'm fine with if it's true. Dh thinks we should just let them do the survey. The EA has organised it all

Would they not be getting a standard survey done anyway? Then the surveyor can check for damp. Sounds very dodgy otherwise...how do they pay for their free surveys...presumably from finding ‘issues’ to repair

They've had the survey which apparently detected damp and recommended a damp survey.

damp is water

water usually comes from:

• condensation, e.g. wet washing draped round the house, or bathrooms not ventilated.

Damp-proofing will not cure this

• leaks, e.g. roofs or plumbing

Damp-proofing will not cure this

• bridged DPC, e.g. paving or flowerbeds heaped up the side of the house

Damp-proofing will not cure this

• other defects

e.g. concrete poured over airbricks Damp-proofing will not cure this

• chemical

e.g. (very rare) you are living in an old stable or cowshed and the walls are soaked in dried urine which attracts moisture from the air. Damp-proofing will not cure this

No doubt there are some other causes that damp-proofing will cure. None spring to mind though.
What did the salesman surveyor say was the cause in your case?

The survey is Monday, I'll report back then Piglet on what the 'surveyor' finds.

Our buyer had a free damp survey from one of these companies.
Surprise surprise they need a chemical damp proof. I have replied stating that there is an error on their damp survey as there is no “damp stain” (or any stain or mark) on the chimney breast in question.
We have negotiated a discount (roof stuff mainly) but I’ve suggested that they get a proper surveyor in to look at it when they move in, as I can’t find any damp with our damp metre.
Charlatans.

What did the surveyor do mango? I've tried to Google, do they lift carpets or just check the walls for moisture readings?

I wish I knew. Stupidly I let them come while I was at work.

I've been the buyer in this situation. This is what happened:

• mortgage valuation survey found evidence of damp and we were told we had to provide a damp report
• got a damp proofing company to provide a free report who said there was rising damp, and we could pay them several thousand for a damp proof course. Mortgage company were happy with this report and gave us our mortgage.
• got some excellent mumsnet advice to get an independent damp survey instead, to find out what was really going on. This only cost a couple of hundred pounds.
• damp surveyor said the cause of damp was NOT likely to be rising damp, but actually defective guttering and drains, causing penetrating damp.

Both types of surveyors used moisture meters in the walls and visual inspections.

Survey has been rescheduled for later in the week 🙄