FAQs

We believe in training future generations to the highest standard possible and sometimes our surveyors may be accompanied by trainees.

We train all our staff to the highest possible level and are always looking for ways to improve.

CSRT –  Certified Surveyor of Remedial Treatments . For structures above ground level

CSSW – Certified Surveyor of Structural Waterproofing . For structures below ground levels such as basements and cellars.

CRDS & CTIS are now obsolete qualfications.

Our surveyors will check for rising/penetrating/lateral and condensation dampness and give appropriate recommendations for each type. 

A written report is will be provided, along with a quotation for any specialist remedial work required. In some cases, we will simply give recommendations and guidelines that other trades may be able to undertake on your behalf.

For example, faulty guttering, chimneys, plumbing leaks etc. 

The PCA work hard as a governing body to vet over 22 aspects of a member company’s practice and procedures.

We are inspected bi-yearly to ensure that the best practice processes and procedures are being upheld and maintained correctly.

This visit incorporates Health & Safety, checking reports, checking procedures, customer complaints etc.

Our Operatives are visited on site to ensure all works are of the best possible quality.

This process helps to ensure that any shortfalls, in any area of the company, are communicated back to us to so we can continue to improve the services we offer.

During the inspection your surveyor will have used a damp meter to see if the walls are damp by taking just a few readings. If the walls register damp for any reason, he will recommend a specialist survey is undertaken by a PCA company to determine the cause.   Our surveyor will also use a moisture meter but this is used differently to the Builidng Society’s surveyor as we will carry out an investigation known a ‘profiling’ This involves taking readings at different locations to determine the pattern of dampness. We will also inspect decorations, surrounding area, take humidity readings and where appropriate, inspect externally to establish the cause of the dampness.

Relying on the building society/bank’s report will not give an accurate diagnosis of the dampness and may result in expensive treatment that will not cure the dampness.

This is usually to assess the floor timbers which may be touching the damp walls. We can carry out this inspection but where the timbers are covered over, ie if the floor is has a laminate overlay, hardboard under carpets, fitted carpets, lino etc we will require the floor covering to be lifted prior to our arrival.

We do charge for our qualfied surveyors to visit your property.

Where available, we do have trainee surveyors that are either free of charge or at a reduced rate. (depending on their level of expertise)

Unlike some other companies, our surveyors are not commission based and are not required to “find” work on every visit.  We are renown, and pride ourselves,  on our honest and thorough inspections.

If you have had a full survey already and require a comparative quotation, please contact the office.

This is dependant on your instructions and how long we estimate we will be at the property. (ie, will it be for half an hour looking at the cupboard under the stairs, or every wall in a 21 bedroom mansion?  do you require a full written report or just a snapshot outline of defects? )

When you book to arrange, we will discuss your requirements and let you know the fee.

Where available, we have trainee surveyors that are either free of charge or available at a reduced rate.

For cancellations of surveys, provided we have 24 hours notice from agreed date of survey, your money will be refunded in full.

For Treatment works, where a deposit has been paid, 75 % will be refunded provided we have 7 days notice from agreed start date.  We regret we will not be able to refund you money where cancellation of work is made within 7 days from agreed start date.

You have the choice.  You can request a verbal response, a snapshot report or a detailed report.   Where applicable, the report will contain recommendations for other trades, recommendations for anything you can do to minimise the dampness and if remedial works are necessary, a written quotation will be provided.   When taking your instructions, we will be able to advise the best report for your needs.   If a quotation for works is required, this is ALWAYS in writing.

You should be aware that our snapshot reports are not suitable for Insurance Claims, neighbour disputes, House purchases etc.

Dampness can be caused by a number of different factors. The surveyor will use a moisture meter to obtain moisture levels however, meter readings only indicates if the wall is wet, damp or dry, it does not give the cause. The surveyor will take a series of readings known as profiling; this determines the possible source of moisture and an inspection to the corresponding wall will be examined to look for any defects causing dampness. Dampness can be caused by penetrating, lateral, condensation or Rising damp as well as plumbing leaks and it is vitally important the correct diagnosis is given as incorrect treatment may only mask the dampness temporarily.

The inspection is usually carried out from ground level (ie the surveyor will not climb on roofs) he may ask to go upstairs so he can look out of a window, for example to see the gutters from a different angle or to check any defects that may be causing dampness to penetrate down the wall. During the inspecton he will discuss with you his findings. A written report will then be compiled. This may contain recommendations for you to undertake, recommendation for other contrators,  and/or a quotation from ourselves. The report may also include photographs and sketches.

The surveyor will inspect accessible timbers for signs of wood boring insects such as woodworm.  He will also check for signs of Dry Rot and Wet Rots. Where a sub floor inspection has been requested, a section of the floor will be lifted and the wall plates and joists underneath inspected before being relaid.   During the inspecton he will discuss with you his findings. A written report will then be compiled. This may contain recommendations for the occupier to undertake such as imporoving the conditions that has caused the timber rots to occur, recommendation for other contrators and if found approriate, a quotation from ourselves. The report may also include photographs and sketches.

Please contact our office staff to arrange a mutually convenient date. We will email you an Acceptance Form to complete. Once this has been received, we will email you to confirm the details and, where applicable, ask for a deposit.

Prior to arrival we will contact you to let you know who will be coming, their approximate arrival time and to discuss any concerns you may have.

Yes, All our staff are thoroughly vetted.  Most of our technicians and surveyors have been with our company for over 15 years and we have an extremely low staff turnover rate.

Being community spirited, we do sometimes take on work experience teenagers but these would never be left alone in your property and are supervised at all times.

During our inspection we often give the option, and indeed recommend, your own builder doing the non specialist work but waterproofing below and above ground is a specialist trade, as is timber preservation and for this, we would always recommend a qualified specialist is used.

Sometimes. Our workmen are directly employed by Shaw Preservations however, during busy periods, times of sickness and holidays we do use sub contracted surveyors and workmen. If you would rather not have subcontractors work in your property, let us know beforehand.

Of course, however, the plaster used in conjunction with a DPC system is a specialised plaster and our plastering specification must be strictly adhered to. Any deviation from this may prevent the chemical from functioning correctly and will result in the guarantees becoming void. We will be pleased to pass our plastering specification onto your plasterer if requested.

Every property is different and this will depend on the render thickness, the ventilation and general external and internal condtions. Generally within 6-8 weeks it will be dry enough to apply temporary decorations. Complete drying out may take 12-18 months and after this time your permanent decorations, such a wallpaper,  can be applied.  Vinyl paints and wallpaper should never be used.

Introducing heat to speed this process up should be avoided as this will promote cracking in the render.

Permanent decorations should not be carried out for 12 – 18 months as the walls may produce salts which can damage the decorations. For this reason we recommend temporary decorations are applied after 6-8 weeks when an emulsion based paint can be used.  Vinyl wallpapers and paints are not recommended at all.

We do not recommend any type of waterproofer that prevents evaporation and stops the walls from breathing.  If an external treatment is required we recommend a water repellent is applied as this does not seal the wall and allows it to breathe.  For more advice specific to your property, please contact us.

Fixing either new or the existing skirting should be delayed until the wall has fully dried back; then the boards should be well primed prior to fixing to prevent any timber decay occurring. Drying time scales vary from property to property but as a rule of thumb we would say 2 – 3 weeks.

Ideally we would recommend they are affixed using a good quality adhesive. However, it is very important that where our Specialist Water-proof Compound (Tanking) has been applied, the system is not punctured in any way and therefore a heavy duty adhesive must always be used.

It may do! If future work is carried out on the electrical system, it is imperative our plastering is not replaced with a lightweight plaster (ie when the contractor fits new cables/socket/pipework)   as this will affect our DPC system which may make the guarantee invalid. If works are proposed, we are more than happy to give advice to your contractor regarding this.

In the rare event of this happening, we ask that you email with the relevant details. (more information will be in the report)  We will then contact you to resolve the issue. Should you still be unhappy the PCA has an arbitration and mediation service which is available to everybody. If the dispute cannot be resolved by this method, the PCA can advise on independent consultants who will arbitrate in the matter.

Usually yes. The guarantee period depends on the type of work carried out. More information will be included in your quotation.

Most contractors issue long term guarantees but on average 80% of them go out of business within 10 years making the guarantee not worth the paper it is written on.

To prevent this we provide an insurance policy from the GPI which will honour the guarantee issued to you in the unlikely event that we cease to trade. The insurance policy that protects your guarantee is with an indpependant UK insurance company.

Guarantees offered by any contractor are only valid whilst the contractor is in business.  If the contractor ceases trading, they become useless and not worth the paper they are written on.    To ensure your guarantee remains in force, an insurance policy can be purchased to protect the guarantee.   These polices are usually payable yearly, and if not paid, the insurance becomes void.

The insurance policy issued by the GPI is a one off payment covering the lifetime of the guarantee with no additional charges to you.  This makes your guarantee valuable in the event of you selling the property.

In most cases, the insurance policy comes as standard with our guarantee however, in some cases, there is a separate charge to purchase the insurance policy separately.

Most guarantees issued by other companies incur a yearly charge. If this is not paid, the document becomes null and void with no option to re-instate it.

Some guarantees are backed by a manufacturer’s guarantee scheme which is usually based offshore, may be unregulated and will only provide cover for the chemcial and not operative failure.

No. The GPI is an indepdenant insurance company based in the UK and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority.