Frequently Asked Questions

For most enquiries, we offer a free initial survey to assess your property and provide a detailed quotation. Pre-purchase surveys for homebuyers may incur a fee depending on the property size and requirements. We'll confirm this when you book.

We're based in Glasgow and cover all of Central Scotland including Lanarkshire (Hamilton, Motherwell, East Kilbride), Renfrewshire (Paisley, Johnstone), Dunbartonshire, and surrounding areas. If you're unsure whether we cover your location, just give us a call.

We typically arrange surveys within a few days, though this can vary depending on demand. If you have an urgent issue (such as an active dry rot outbreak) let us know and we'll do our best to prioritise your booking.

Yes. We've been full members of the Property Care Association since 2002. This means our surveyors hold industry-recognised qualifications (CSRT and CSTDB) and all work is carried out to PCA standards.

We use our own directly employed, trained technicians for all standard work. We only bring in specialist subcontractors for specific tasks that require additional expertise, and we supervise all work on site.

Absolutely. Mortgage lenders and solicitors often require a specialist damp and timber report before approving a purchase. As PCA members, our reports are accepted by all major lenders.

Yes, no problem. If you can't be present for the survey, we're happy to collect keys from the selling agent or a neighbour. Just let us know when booking.

All our specialist treatment work comes with a comprehensive long term guarantee, giving you long-term peace of mind.

Yes. Our guarantees are backed by GPI (Guarantee Protection Insurance), which means your cover remains valid even if anything were to happen to our company. This protection can also be transferred if you sell the property.

In most cases, no. We can usually work room by room with minimal disruption. For larger projects involving significant structural work, we'll discuss any practical considerations with you beforehand.

General builders are great for many jobs, but damp and timber problems require specialist diagnosis. Misidentifying rising damp as penetrating damp, or missing dry rot entirely, can lead to ineffective treatment and wasted money. A PCA-qualified surveyor can accurately diagnose the problem and recommend the right solution.

A Home Report gives a general overview of a property's condition but isn't designed to diagnose specific damp or timber issues. A specialist damp and timber survey is far more detailed: we use moisture meters, inspect hidden areas, and identify exactly what's causing any problems and what treatment is needed.

Yes. Prolonged exposure to damp conditions can contribute to respiratory problems, allergies and worsen conditions like asthma. Mould growth associated with damp releases spores that can affect air quality. Addressing damp problems promptly protects both your property and your health.

Some treatments (particularly damp proof course injection) require drilling into walls, which will need redecorating afterwards. We'll always explain what's involved before work begins. For timber treatments, disruption is usually minimal.

Yes. We have experience working on historic and listed properties across Glasgow and Central Scotland. We understand the sensitivities involved and can advise on appropriate treatments that respect the building's character while solving the problem effectively.

Damp proofing refers to treatments that prevent moisture from entering your property. This includes installing or repairing damp proof courses (DPC), applying waterproof membranes, and addressing the source of moisture ingress. The aim is to stop damp rising or passing through the building structure and affecting the internal fabric.

Costs vary depending on the type of damp, the size of the affected area, and the treatment required. We provide a detailed quote following our survey so you know exactly what's needed and what it will cost. We never recommend unnecessary work.

Our damp proofing treatments come with a comprehensive long term guarantee. With proper installation and no new external factors, treatments can last the lifetime of the building.

Condensation issues can often be improved with better ventilation: opening windows, using extractor fans, and avoiding drying clothes indoors. However, rising damp and penetrating damp require professional diagnosis and treatment to be fixed properly and permanently.

Check the external wall about 15cm (6 inches) above ground level. You may see a visible line (often black bitumen, slate, or plastic) running horizontally through the mortar. Properties built before 1960 may not have a DPC at all, which is common in older Scottish properties.

Rising damp comes from groundwater being drawn up through walls (capillary action) and typically shows as damp up to about 1 metre from the floor with visible tide marks and salt deposits. Penetrating damp enters from outside through defects like cracked pointing, damaged gutters or faulty roofing, and can appear anywhere on the wall. It often gets worse in wet weather.

Dry rot is a wood-destroying fungus called Serpula lacrymans. Despite its name, it needs moisture to grow (timber must have a moisture content above 20%). It's called "dry" rot because the affected wood becomes dry, brittle and crumbly. It's the most serious form of fungal decay because it can spread through masonry to attack timber throughout a building.

The key difference is how they spread. Wet rot stays localised to the area where timber is wet; fix the moisture source and the rot stops. Dry rot is far more aggressive: it can spread through masonry, brickwork and plaster to find new timber, even in relatively dry areas. Dry rot also produces distinctive cuboidal cracking (timber breaks into cube-shaped pieces), while wet rot tends to crack along the grain.

Yes, and this is what makes dry rot so dangerous. The fungus produces root-like strands called rhizomorphs that can travel across and through masonry, brick and plaster to reach new timber sources. A dry rot outbreak in one room can spread to timber throughout a building if left untreated.

Costs vary significantly depending on the extent of the outbreak and how much timber needs replacing. A minor, localised outbreak will cost far less than an extensive one affecting multiple rooms. We provide detailed written quotations following our survey so you know exactly what work is needed and what it will cost.

Treatment time depends on the size of the outbreak. A small, contained outbreak might be treated in 1-2 days. Larger outbreaks requiring extensive timber replacement and masonry treatment may take a week or more. We'll give you a clear timeframe in our quotation.

In most cases, no. We can work room by room, and the fungicidal treatments we use are safe once dry. However, for very extensive outbreaks requiring major structural work, temporary relocation may be more practical. We'll discuss this with you during the survey if relevant.

It depends on your policy and how the dry rot occurred. Some policies cover dry rot if it resulted from a sudden, insured event like a burst pipe. However, dry rot caused by gradual deterioration or poor maintenance is typically excluded. We can provide detailed reports to support insurance claims where applicable.

Wet rot is a general term for several wood-destroying fungi that attack timber with high moisture content (typically above 50%). The fungi break down the wood's cellular structure, causing it to lose strength and eventually crumble. Unlike dry rot, wet rot stays localised to the damp area and won't spread through masonry.

The key difference is how they spread. Wet rot stays in the damp area; remove the moisture and it stops. Dry rot is far more aggressive and can spread through masonry, brickwork and plaster to attack timber throughout a building. Wet rot also needs much higher moisture levels to thrive. Correct identification is essential as treatments differ significantly.

No. Unlike dry rot, wet rot cannot spread through masonry or brickwork. It only affects timber that is directly exposed to moisture. However, if the moisture source isn't fixed, the rot will continue to destroy the affected timber and may eventually affect adjacent timbers that also become damp.

Costs depend on the extent of the decay and how much timber needs replacing. A small area of affected skirting board will cost far less than replacing structural floor joists. We provide detailed written quotations following our survey, so you know exactly what's needed before any work begins.

For very minor surface decay, DIY treatment with a wood hardener and preservative may be possible. However, wet rot often indicates a bigger moisture problem that needs professional diagnosis. If structural timber is affected (joists, rafters, lintels) you should always use qualified specialists to ensure repairs are safe and effective.

This depends on the severity. Minor wet rot affecting window frames or skirting might be treated in a day. More extensive decay requiring timber replacement could take several days. We'll give you a clear timeframe in our quotation.

Not if the moisture source is properly fixed. Our approach always addresses both the rot and its cause. Once timber is dry and stays dry, wet rot cannot return. All our work is backed by a comprehensive long term guarantee for your peace of mind.

The most visible sign of woodworm is small round exit holes in timber, typically 1-2mm in diameter (about the size of a pinhead). You may also notice fine powdery dust (called frass) beneath the holes. The adult beetles are small (3-5mm), brown, and you might spot them near windows during the flight season (March to September). The larvae themselves are creamy-white, curved grubs that live inside the timber; you'll only see them if you break open infested wood.

Fresh exit holes have clean, light-coloured edges and may have fresh frass (fine powder) beneath them. Old, inactive holes tend to be darker, dusty, and have no fresh frass. Finding dead beetles near windows during spring/summer suggests recent activity. However, it can be difficult to tell for certain, which is why we always recommend a professional survey to confirm whether treatment is actually needed.

Yes. When adult beetles emerge from timber, they mate and the females seek out suitable timber to lay eggs, which could be other timbers in the same property. An infestation in your floorboards can spread to joists, skirting boards, and roof timbers. Beetles can also fly, so infestations can potentially spread to neighbouring properties, though this is less common.

Adult Common Furniture Beetles typically emerge and fly between March and September, with peak activity in May to July. This is when you're most likely to spot the small brown beetles near windows or light sources. It's also when new eggs are laid, continuing the cycle. If you notice beetles during this period, it's worth getting a survey to check for active infestation.

DIY woodworm treatments are available for minor infestations in furniture or non-structural timber. However, for structural timbers like joists, floorboards and roof timbers, professional treatment is strongly recommended. We have access to professional-grade insecticides that penetrate deeper and last longer than retail products. We can also identify whether you actually have an active infestation, saving you money if treatment isn't needed.

Costs depend on the extent of the infestation and how much timber needs treating. A small area might cost a few hundred pounds, while treating an entire roof space or multiple floors will cost more. If timber replacement is needed due to structural damage, this adds to the cost. We provide detailed written quotations following our survey, so you know exactly what's needed before any work begins.

Woodworm beetles are attracted to damp timber, so controlling moisture is key. Fix any leaks promptly, ensure good ventilation in roof spaces and sub-floor voids, and address any damp problems. Check antique furniture carefully before bringing it into your home as it can harbour infestations that spread to structural timber. For new timber, use pre-treated wood where possible.

Tanking (Type A) applies a waterproof barrier directly to walls and floors to block water. Cavity drainage (Type C) fits a membrane that channels water into a drainage system and pump, managing water rather than blocking it. Type C is generally more reliable for Scottish properties as it works with water pressure rather than against it.

Costs depend on the size of the basement, the severity of water ingress, and the system required. A small cellar will cost significantly less than a large basement conversion. We provide detailed written quotations following our survey so you know exactly what's involved.

In most cases, yes. Even basements with significant water ingress can be successfully waterproofed with the right system. Our survey will identify any structural issues that need addressing first and recommend the most appropriate solution for your situation.

This depends on the size and complexity of the project. A straightforward cellar might take a few days; a larger basement conversion could take one to two weeks. We'll give you a clear timeframe in our quotation.

Waterproofing itself typically doesn't require planning permission as it's internal work. However, if you're converting the basement into habitable living space (like a bedroom), you may need building regulations approval. We can advise on this during the survey.

Type C systems include a sump pump that should be checked periodically to ensure it's working correctly. We recommend an annual service to test the pump and clear any debris from drainage channels. This keeps your guarantee valid and ensures the system performs when you need it.

Yes. A dry, usable basement adds genuine square footage to your home. Estate agents typically value this space, and buyers are willing to pay more for a property with a waterproofed basement that can be used as living space or reliable storage.

A damp and timber survey is a specialist inspection carried out by a qualified surveyor to identify any damp problems (rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation) and timber defects (dry rot, wet rot, woodworm) in a property. It's more detailed than a standard Home Report and provides specific recommendations for treatment.

Home Reports provide a general overview but don't diagnose the cause or type of damp. A specialist damp survey will identify exactly what's causing the problem, how serious it is, and what treatment (if any) is needed. This gives you clarity before purchase and can be used to renegotiate the price if significant work is required.

Survey costs depend on the size and type of property. Contact us for a quote tailored to your specific property. Remember, a survey is an investment. It can save you thousands by avoiding unnecessary treatments or uncovering hidden problems before you buy.

Typically 1-2 hours depending on the size and complexity of the property. We take the time to do a thorough inspection rather than rushing through.

It's helpful but not essential. We'll need access to all areas including loft spaces and any cellars or basements. If you can't be there, we can arrange key access.

No. Our surveyors are qualified professionals, not salespeople. We only recommend treatment when it's genuinely needed. If your property is fine, we'll tell you, and you'll have the report to prove it.

Our surveyors hold PCA-recognised qualifications including CSRT (Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatments) and CSTDB (Certificated Surveyor in Timber and Dampness in Buildings). We've been PCA registered since 2002.