What We Do
Our Services
Two distinct services, both grounded in the same principle: independence, conservation literacy, and an absolute separation from the remediation trade. We diagnose — we do not treat. We advise — we do not sell.
Independent Damp Survey
A thorough, methodology-led assessment of moisture conditions in your historic or period property — prepared solely in your interest, with no stake in the works that follow.
What the survey covers
- Identification of moisture sources: rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, interstitial moisture, and defective building fabric
- Assessment of existing chemical injection, membrane, or tanking systems — and whether they are appropriate or harmful to the fabric
- Hygroscopic salt analysis where indicated
- Evaluation of ventilation, drainage, and external ground conditions
- Fabric condition notes: pointing, renders, flashings, guttering, and other contributory defects
What you receive
- A written report, typically 20–40 pages, with annotated photographs and site plans where applicable
- A clear diagnosis of moisture type, mechanism, and severity — not a vague recommendation to "treat for damp"
- Prioritised recommendations for remediation or fabric repair, written in plain English
- An honest assessment of whether specialist treatment is warranted, or whether building defects are the true cause
- A record of findings suitable for use with a solicitor, conservation officer, or heritage architect
Suitable for
- Listed buildings, all grades (I, II*, and II)
- Pre-1919 construction — stone, brick, cob, flint, and timber frame
- Georgian and Victorian terraces, farmhouses, barns in conversion, churches, and former institutional buildings
- Purchasers seeking a pre-completion damp assessment prior to exchange
- Owners disputing or seeking a second opinion on an existing contractor report
- Properties where a standard homebuyer's survey has flagged damp without a clear diagnosis
Indicative fee
£350 – £950
Varies by property size, complexity, and location. A fixed fee is confirmed in writing before any site visit is arranged. Travel outside a 60-mile radius of York is charged at cost.
Remediation Guidance
Once a damp problem is diagnosed, deciding how — and whether — to treat it is a second, distinct task. Our remediation guidance service sits between your survey report and the contractor's invoice, ensuring the works specified are proportionate, appropriate, and conservation-compatible.
What the service covers
- Review of any existing contractor specification or quote — including chemical injection, tanking, or membrane systems — to assess appropriateness for historic fabric
- Preparation of a remediation brief specifying the correct materials, methods, and sequence of works
- Advice on lime-based renders, hydraulic lime mortars, breathable insulation, and other conservation-compatible products
- Guidance on managing moisture during and after works to avoid damage to plasterwork, timber, and masonry
- Identification of building defects that should be resolved before — or instead of — specialist damp treatment
Optional: site oversight
- Attendance during works to confirm specification compliance by your contractor
- Stage inspections at key points (substrate preparation, first coat, completion)
- Written record of works as completed — useful for insurance, planning, and future sale
What you receive
- A written remediation brief or specification review, suitable for tendering to contractors
- Clear guidance on what to ask for — and what to refuse — when obtaining contractor quotes
- A record suitable for submission to a local planning authority where Listed Building Consent is required
Indicative fee
£250 – £600
Specification review and written brief only. Site oversight charged separately at a day rate; contact us to discuss requirements. This service is frequently commissioned alongside or following the Independent Damp Survey.
Get in Touch
Start with a conversation
All new commissions begin with a free initial telephone consultation — typically 20 to 30 minutes — to discuss your property, the problem, and whether our services are the right fit. There is no obligation to proceed, and no charge for the call.
- No sales pressure — if we are not the right option, we will say so
- Fixed fees confirmed in writing before any site visit
- Reports written for property owners, not contractors
- Fully independent — no commercial relationship with the remediation trade
To arrange your initial consultation:
enquiries@heritagedampsolutions.co.ukWe aim to respond to all enquiries within one working day. For urgent pre-exchange surveys, please indicate this in your message.