cottage roofing

[Anonymous]

We are in the middle of purchasing an end of terrace cottage in a small village near Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Our Survey has suggested that we get the roof structure checked for adequate support by a builder as it has been altered at sometime in the past. It also needs some repair to the tiles, ridge tiles and chimney pot/stack. Does anyone know a good reliable builder in this area that could undertake this and subsequent work.

We also have high damp readings downstairs and evidence of woodworm. Again does anyone know a good timber/damp contractor who can advise what action should be taken in sympathy with the cottage.

 

[Anonymous]

"We also have high damp readings downstairs and evidence of woodworm. Again does anyone know a good timber/damp contractor who can advise what action should be taken in sympathy with the cottage."

I assume your not just looking for pre-purchase quotes for damp and timber work to use as leverage of the asking price, right?

Okay, good.

Before you start shopping for contractors, find out if you actually have a problem with damp or woodworm. Get an independent surveyor to advise you. This will be money well spent: if there's no problem there's no need for works. The house will sympathise with this approach.

Searching the seeking specialists part of this site might help with the independent surveyors. Searching the forums for damp and woodworm will help you make the right decisions for the house too.

Either way- fixing the roof should be the first priority.

Matt Green

 

[Anonymous]

I believe Ridout Associates operate nationally

Also - a RICS surveyor with conservation qualifications - see link on forum - should be able to advise.

If the damp has been diagnosed by sticking a damp meter into the wall then that's a not very reliable guide.

Ditto flight holes - the insect infestation may be long gone.

Damp can be dealt with without ripping off historic plaster and using such dubious methods as chemical injection and cement renders.

I posted several responses/links regarding breathing buildings to a post about lime plaster a couple of days ago - worth reading the information on those links.

 

[Anonymous]

Dont fall for the FREE SURVEY ^%** from these companies, do as suggested and get an independant Damp/timber specialist in, they cost but will save you money in the long run.

You will fall into the same problems as many in period houses as many banks insist on the timber treatment being backed by some 30 year guarantee (not even worth the paper it is printed by some duff printer on) but thats the way it seems to happen.

Have a look at this forum from a few weeks ago and there is always things about this touchy subject, just dont listen to the DPC injection rubbish.

PS there are only 2 proper types of Surveying institutes in the UK the RICS (Royal institute of chartered Surveyors) and ICES (Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors) all others are made up Mickey mouse affairs.

 

[Anonymous]

Heh.

"PS there are only 2 proper types of Surveying institutes in the UK the RICS (Royal institute of chartered Surveyors) and ICES (Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors) all others are made up Mickey mouse affairs. "

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarg.

The company I work for belongs to neither of those organisations. We do help train them though. We're indepenent, worked for Historic Royal Palaces, NT and EH. We're over-educated. We do expert witness work. Some of us even have beards.

We conduct survey work of timbers in situ all over the world: but there's no way of differentiating us from the remedial companies.

bah.

Matt Green

 

[Anonymous]

I agree - I think the company you work for has an outstanding reputation, your Doctorate I believe was concerned with stuff connected with rot and insect infestation, and I would certainly recommend Ridout Associates!

In the interests of fairness though there are other companies of such standing, such as Oxleys, and independent companies such as Prempress who understand traditional buildings too.

I would be wary though of some who are BWDPA affiliated - many do a decent job, but they do tend towars 'modern' teatments.

SPAB also can give a list of those who will deal appropriately with traditional buildings.

 

[Anonymous]

I knew that would get a bite!

I am sure you do fantastic work in your field and working with these orgs is very good but my point is that like the word ENGINEER, SURVEYOR has become very over used. You know what I mean, when you want a cleaner and you get a waste managment engineer!

In this country we have a problem with titles (maybe its the little Arisorcrats in us) and people did not spend an entire career and many years of education becoming Chartered Civil Engineers or Chartered Land Surveyors or what ever branch or these areas they work in to be held in the same light as a double glazing surveyor etc. I know in many countries Civil Engineers use use their title as Doctors do in the UK and they are well held members of their community and able to hold local goverment positions etc.

If we had a better way of regulating some of the awfull work that gets done here we would be better off - be it Plumbers , chippys, timber specialists or whoever it be. I would sure like to be able to phone a bricklayer who comes over and does the job correctly the first time using correct materials and is proud of his-hers work, I dont mind paying but just do it right! I am sure there are 100s of trades men if not 1000s who read this forum who are great at their jobs but I have 3500 workers where I am at the moment and a good chunk of them are awfull at their so called jobs.

 

[Anonymous]

"In the interests of fairness though there are other companies of such standing, such as Oxleys, and independent companies such as Prempress who understand traditional buildings too. "

Oh, I energetically agree. It was more of a lament that a complaint.

Matt Green

 

[Anonymous]

My post was in the interest of pointing people in the right direction - I have no interest of any sort other than to see traditional buildings treated appropriately! (I like bearsd though...)

I suspect that engaging a high quality firm to assess the building will, in the end, cost no more (and may be considerably less...) than the man with a van and a meter.