damp and timbers

[Anonymous]

i have just been quoted £2850 plus vat from a company recomended by bridgefords to sort out damp in a house i am hoping to buy.

i am sure this a con and could even mean we loose the house which has cost £1000 already for a survey and solicitors.

the house was built in 1880 stone and slate

they are recomending replacing chimney pots as these are open (even though it is a working coal fire

removing skirting boards from living room and puttind dpc in

removing plaster from dining room up to 1 metre and treating etc.

i have to state that the people who we are buying off are bewildered as they moved in 2 yrs ago and all was ok then

has anyone got any good advice, as mortgage co will retain monies until put right.

 

[Anonymous]

Ask the people you bought from for a copy of their survey?

 

[Anonymous]

Move in and get an independent survey carried out.
It may be that the situation isn't as bad as it seems.

The mortgage company is effectively saying: "If you don't follow the advice of a commissioned salesman sent to your home and buy his products sold to you on the pretext of expert advice, we won't lend you any money as you might spend it on a bad investment."

Heaven forbid.

Matt Green

 

[Anonymous]

thanks matt.i wish it was that simple but if i make a lower offer to cover works the mortgage co will still reduce loan by 2800 so i will still be in same position.why do the poor get poorer and the rich get richer.i wish i had tried harder at school????

 

[Anonymous]

Search through the list using the search function above or scanning down the messages. There are a lot discussions about this topic.

Though there may be damp, it doesnt sound likely that their suggestions would make any difference.

You may need to employ a more experienced and independant surveyor to provide you with advice. The question that the mortgage company is asking themselves is NOT is the house damp (they don't care) but rather, is it a suitable security for the loan (ie could we sell it and get our money back). They dont care if you spend your money wisely or not so long as they get repaid.

 

[Anonymous]

Perhaps follwing the damp discussion and trying the links will give you some good ideas to save your money.

Good luck!

Konrad



Damp discussion

 

[Anonymous]

i would like to thank everybody for excellent advice,
we got another damp and timbers specialist in today who quoted £1120 (£2600) plus vat for all works to be carried out, which has more work involved than the last quote and a guarantee this would go no higher,i was recommended to this company by a friend and if you would like his phone number please email me (all works carry a 30 yr guarantee and he has been in business 30 yrs).please take my advice if friends recommend someone its for a reason they trust them and we all trust our friends. once again thank you all.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh I do hope the work isn't a DPC AND NEW PLASTER.

 

[Anonymous]

Never, I suppose. Englishmen are too clever to trust in such hoaxy sXXX.

 

[Anonymous]

How has the damp been detected? By the use of a hand-held moisture meter? Lots of websites question the use of these coz, apparently, they can't give an accurate reading of ANY moisture in masonry. I've raised similar problem today - see Moisture Meters - for detecting dampness? Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has article on its website BUT trying to get an independent survey NOT using one seems impossible!

 

[Anonymous]

" BUT trying to get an independent survey NOT using one seems impossible! "

It's as easy as picking up the 'phone and dialing my office.

I'll put holes in your walls though.

Matt Green.

 

[Anonymous]

Hurrah, you are back, the voice of sense re; damp

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry about that- I was looking at Lord Heskith's old place.

And very nice it is too. Shame about the blown Gypsum in the G1 listed basement, but we can deal with that.

Matt Green

 

[Anonymous]

Shame about the contents gone too!

Matt Green - Ridout Associates... can be trusted I think to know what he is doing!

(Mine's a pint Matt...)