Independent damp experts - any recommendations?

[tree]

I have posted before re my damp problems (stone-built house dating back to mid 1700s) and a number of people were kind enough to offer advice.

While I am grateful for this and the general advice available on the forum, I believe that I need a full assessment from an expert, because of the peculiarities of my situation - some sources of damp can be eradicated and some can't, so it's a matter of how best to live with them.

Can anyone recommend an independent expert, who can recommend solutions (rather than sell them!) who would be willing to visit and survey in the Chesterfield area?

Many thanks

 

[Nemesis]

Hvae you looked at the 'Seeking Specialists' part of this site?

The SPAB will be able to give you some names also.

 

[tree]

Thanks, yes I have looked at 'Seeking Specialists', but most of the companies listed appear to have something to sell and browsing on this site has made me somewhat cynical/paranoid about people offering THEIR solution rather than the right one? Hence my search for an independent expert who has nothing to gain but his/her fee.

 

[Nemesis]

Premier (will travel)

Ridout Associates

Oxleys

there are other on the list who look useful too, but the first two have people who post here (and who I would trust) and the third is well known as having major expertise too.

 

[Tom]

This forum is full of independent experts who have not only read a book on the subject but actually live with the peculiarities of period properties day in, day out!! What makes your house so very different? Do you need advice for a particular example of damp? I'm sure if you asked here you would get nothing but solid, independent advice

Jaqy

 

[Matt Green]

It's a fair comment. Damp problems can be tricky to deal with without a vast amount of information sometimes.

The poster raises a valid point about the Seeking Specialists list:

1) It's listed as non-destructive and in order to get a definitive assessment of damp a destructive survey is nearly always nesessary. A better subject heading would be 'independent', leading to:

2) The list doesn't define the difference. To make matters worse a lot of the 'non-destructive' companies will try to sell you a destructive solution (curiously, a destructive survey should lead to a non-destructive solution).

So:

LSE Preservation ( Wilts) Ltd. Undertake works

Premier Heritage Independent...owned by Timberwise now though? What's that about?

Property Care Services ??

Sadler Traditional Building Undertake works, but seem to have a reversible approach?

UK Damp & Decay Control, Independent damp & decay surveyors. Are not. Undertake works. And are copyright infringers to boot I might add.

All Timber Infestation & Consultancy Services Ltd. Independent

Balmoral Stone Ltd. ??

Bedford Timber Preservation Company. Undertake works

Blackfriar Paints ??

D S Sheridan Building Services ??

Remtreat Undertake works

Demaus Building Diagnostics Ltd Independent

Environmental Building Solutions Ltd Independent

G B Geotechnics Ltd ??

Hutton+Rostron Environmental Investigations Limited Independent

I J P Building Conservation Undertake works, but seem to have a reversible approach?

Igrox Limited, Property Renovation & Preservation Division Undertake works

Maysand Limited Undertake works

Minerva Stone Conservation

Renlon Ltd Undertake works

Ridout Associates Independent

Robinsons Preservation Limited Undertake works

Sibtec Scientific Independent - timber decay only

St Blaise Ltd Undertake works.

Terminix Property Services (now Peter Cox) Undertake works. Commissioned salesmen

Thermo Lignum UK Limited Undertake works

Ward & Dale Smith Chartered Building Surveyors Independent


To the best of my web-searching knowledge. I stand to be corrected.


Matt

 

[tree]

Many thanks for all the responses to my question.

I readily agree that many knowledgable people post on this site and I am grateful for their advice. But every situation is slightly different and I really can't describe my problems in sufficient detail to pose the definitive question leading to the definitive answer. In addition, I am rather wary of companies who have something to sell - how many would say that their solution is NOT suitable if it really wasn't. Hence the request for 'independent' experts who have no vested interest.

Thanks again for taking the trouble to respond. I'll follow up the suggestions.