Damp Survey Greater Manchester — Honest, Independent, CSTDB-Qualified
Free for homeowners. Fixed-fee reports for buyers, insurers, and solicitors from £349.
Book your survey
Free for homeowners · Call back in 2 hours (office hours)
No obligation. No commission-paid salespeople. If there's no damp problem, we'll tell you — on the day.
We've got your request!
Thanks! One of our CSRT-qualified surveyors will call you back within 2 hours during office hours. No obligation, no salespeople.
Something went wrong
We couldn't submit your request. Please try again or call us directly.
FREE VS PAID
"Is it really free?" — the first question everyone has
Yes. Honestly. Here's how the two options compare and who each one is for.
Free Homeowner Investigation and Quotation
Investigation and quotation only — by a qualified surveyor.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 45–90 min on-site visit by a qualified surveyor
- Full visual inspection of affected area + surrounding walls/floors/ceilings
- Protimeter Surveymaster moisture readings (surface + deep probe)
- Diagnosis of rising / penetrating / condensation / timber / mould
- Plain-English explanation before we leave — on the day
- Written report emailed within 2 working days
- No-obligation quote if remedial work is needed
- An honest you don't need treatment verdict if that's the answer
NOT INCLUDED
- CSTDB-signed report for solicitors, lenders, or insurers (needs paid version)
- Invasive work (lifting floorboards, opening walls)
- Asbestos, plumbing, electrical, or gas checks
Paid Damp & Timber Report
Full report and quotation by a CSTDB-qualified surveyor.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Everything in the free survey, PLUS
- CSTDB-signed written report in PDF (mortgage-lender accepted)
- Timber inspection for woodworm, wet rot, dry rot
- Sub-floor ventilation + roof-void assessment
- Whole-property moisture mapping (not just one area)
- Thermal imaging scan on request
- Lab salts analysis on request
WHO THIS IS FOR
- Pre-purchase buyers whose RICS survey flagged damp
- Landlords needing evidence for tenant dispute or insurance claim
- Solicitors needing documentary evidence
- Homeowners whose lender asked for a specialist damp and timber report
Turnaround: Survey within 5 working days. Report within 3 working days.
See report options & pricing →TYPES OF DAMP SURVEYS
Types of damp surveys we do in Greater Manchester
All prices Fixed-fee, no surprises. If you're not sure which one, put your postcode in above and we'll ring back to help decide.
| Survey type | What it covers | Best for | Turnaround | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Homeowner Investigation and Quotation | Moisture readings, diagnosis, no-obligation quote | Anyone living in the property | 2 working days | Enquire now |
| Localised Damp Survey | Focused diagnosis of one room / patch, written report | Single-problem homes, tenants, landlords | 3 working days | Enquire now |
| Full Damp & Timber Survey ★ | Whole-property visual + moisture + timber + ventilation + roof-void, CSTDB-signed report | Home buyers, solicitor / lender requests, insurance claims | 3 working days | Enquire now |
| Pre-Purchase Damp Report | Full damp & timber + buyer-focused risks section, negotiation estimates | Anyone under offer on a Greater Manchester property | 5 working days | Enquire now |
| Heritage / Listed Building Survey | BS 7913 guidelines, lime-plaster + breathable-wall focus | Grade I/II owners, conservation areas | 5 working days | Enquire now |
| HMO / Commercial Survey | Multi-unit inspection, landlord-compliant report, Section 11 guidance | Landlords, letting agents, block managers | 5 working days | Enquire now |
| Basement / Cellar Survey | BS 8102 structural waterproofing, Type A/B/C recommendation | Basement conversions, existing damp | 5 working days | Enquire now |
| Post-Works Re-Inspection | Re-moisture-test after remedial works, drying certificate | Verification after our — or anyone's — works | 2 working days | Enquire now |
| Second-Opinion Review | Independent review of another company's damp report | Anyone quoted £5k+ wanting a check | 2 working days | Enquire now |
Free Homeowner Investigation and Quotation
Localised Damp Survey
Full Damp & Timber Survey ★
Pre-Purchase Damp Report
Heritage / Listed Building Survey
HMO / Commercial Survey
Basement / Cellar Survey
Post-Works Re-Inspection
Second-Opinion Review
All prices shown include VAT. Not sure which one you need? Put your postcode in the form above and we'll ring back in 2 hours — at no cost and no pressure.
WHO WE SURVEY FOR
Six kinds of clients we see most weeks
Worried homeowners
Spotted damp, mould, or a peeling patch you can't explain? A free on-site diagnosis within 5 days.
Book free survey →Home buyers
Your RICS survey flagged possible damp? Our CSTDB-signed report is accepted by mortgage lenders and solicitors.
Pre-purchase report →Landlords & HMO managers
Tenant dispute, disrepair claim, or licensing inspection? Documentary-grade reports with photos and readings.
HMO survey →Listed & period property
BS 7913-compliant surveys. Lime plaster, breathable walls, traditional construction. No blanket chemical DPC.
Heritage survey →Estate agents & surveyors
Fast-turnaround reports to unstick sales. Under-offer priority slots most weeks.
Trade account →Insurance assessors
Root-cause reports that stand up to loss-adjuster scrutiny. Full photographic evidence and timeline.
Insurer reports →PLAIN ENGLISH
What actually is a damp survey, and why do you need one?
A damp survey is a professional inspection of a property to identify the source of moisture problems — rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, leaks, hygroscopic salts, timber rot, or mould — and recommend the right fix.
In Greater Manchester specifically, you'll want one if: your home has tide-marked plaster, black mould behind furniture, peeling paint, a musty smell, or crumbling wall bases. You'll need a CSTDB-signed written report if your RICS buyer's survey flagged damp, your solicitor or insurer has asked for documentary evidence, or a mortgage lender has asked for a specialist damp & timber report before releasing funds.
A WeatherWise Greater Manchester survey takes 45 minutes to 2 hours on site. The surveyor uses a Protimeter moisture meter, hygrometer, and (on paid surveys) thermal imaging. You get a plain-English diagnosis on the day and a written report — free within 2 working days, paid reports within 3.
Sometimes the answer is: you don't need a damp survey at all. Condensation from poor ventilation, old stains from a fixed leak, and salt marks on chimney breasts don't need damp-proofing. We'll tell you on the phone if we think that's you.
WHAT A SURVEY FINDS
The six faults we diagnose most often in Greater Manchester
Click any card to read more about the fault, the fix, and typical costs.
Rising damp
Horizontal tide-mark ~1m up the wall, flaky plaster, salt crystals.
Victorian and mill-town terraces in Oldham, Rochdale, and inner Manchester with failed bitumen DPCs. Around 1 in 15 suspected cases actually turn out to be rising damp.
Penetrating damp
Patch that darkens in rain, usually on an exposed wall.
Common on west-facing Pennine-exposed walls, around chimney flashing, after pointing has perished.
Condensation & black mould
Mould around windows, cold-bridge corners, behind furniture.
#1 cause of damp callouts in Manchester and Salford apartments — poor ventilation + high occupancy + sealed windows.
Timber rot (wet / dry / woodworm)
Crumbling joists, dark staining, frass, tunnels in skirting.
Sub-floor ventilation blocked by driveway/patio works. Common in Edwardian Didsbury and Victorian Chorlton conversions.
Hygroscopic salts
Damp patch on chimney breast, won't dry, no obvious source.
Often mis-diagnosed as rising damp by commission-paid surveyors. Oil-based primer fixes it.
Basement water ingress
Damp below DPC line, efflorescence, wet floors.
The Irwell, Medlock and Mersey tributaries + former mill-site culverts = a notoriously high water table in Salford, Stockport, and central Manchester. Needs BS 8102 Type A/B/C system.
HOW IT WORKS
Our 4-step process
From first call to written report — usually inside 10 working days.
Book online or by phone
Postcode, quick description, preferred day. Call back within 2 hours in office hours.
Surveyor visits in 5 days
CSTDB + PCA qualified, ID badge, 45 minutes to 2 hours on site, full moisture readings.
Diagnosis + written report
PDF by email in 2-3 days. Photos, readings, floor-plan overlay, CSRT signature.
Fix it — or don't
If works are needed, we quote with a 20-year GPI insurance-backed guarantee. If not, we tell you.
EQUIPMENT
The kit we bring — by brand and model
Every competitor says professional equipment and stops there. We'll name ours.
Protimeter Surveymaster
GE BLD5365
Surface + deep-probe moisture readings in plaster, timber, and brick. UK industry standard.
Thermo-Hygrometer
Protimeter Hygromaster L
Air humidity + dew point per room — diagnoses condensation vs true damp.
Thermal Imaging Camera
FLIR E6-XT / E8
Detects cold bridges, hidden leaks, and missing insulation behind finished walls.
Borescope Camera
Depstech DS350 HD
Inspects cavities, sub-floor voids, and chimney breasts without opening walls.
Trimex ME5
Non-destructive moisture meter that detects moisture in timber, plaster, brick and masonry. Pin-free and dual-depth, so we can distinguish surface moisture from deeper structural moisture within the wall.
Air Testing Kit (Hygrometer + MMS3)
We test Relative Humidity, Vapour Pressure Differential and Absolute Humidity with a hygrometer, then measure surface temperature with the MMS3 to identify the Dew Point of the wall — the threshold where condensation forms.
ACCREDITATIONS & STANDARDS
Qualifications insurers, lenders, and solicitors recognise
Our surveyors don't just have a meter — they have the letters after their name that your mortgage underwriter checks for.
GPI Guarantee
Up to £50,000 insurance-backed cover. Transferable to a buyer.
BS 7913:2013
Conservation of Historic Buildings — used on heritage surveys.
BS 8102:2022
Structural waterproofing — used on basement surveys.
DPA Member
Damp Proofing Association — diagnostic and workmanship standards.
Federation of Damp Proofers
Trade body with code of practice and complaints procedure.
THE REPORT
What you get in the report — and what you can do with it
What's in the report
- Cover page with property address, survey date, surveyor name + CSTDB number
- Executive summary (1-page, for solicitors / lenders)
- Room-by-room findings with moisture readings, photos with compass bearings, floor-plan overlay
- Diagnosis of each defect (rising / penetrating / condensation / timber / mould / basement)
- Recommended treatment for each defect, with typical cost ranges
- Remediation timeline (what happens first, second, third)
- 20-year GPI insurance-backed guarantee terms (if works instructed)
- Limitations section — what we couldn't access and why
- Surveyor's CSTDB declaration + company registration
- Glossary of terms for non-specialist readers
Where the report is accepted
| Use case | Accepted? |
|---|---|
| Mortgage lender requirement | ☑ Yes |
| Solicitor's enquiries | ☑ Yes |
| Insurance claim (buildings / contents) | ☑ Yes |
| Tenant disrepair / Section 11 | ☑ Yes |
| Price negotiation (buyer-side) | ☑ Yes |
| Seller's pack (pre-listing) | ☑ Yes |
| HMO licence / local authority | ☑ Yes |
| Section 20 leaseholder consultation | ☑ Yes |
| Conservation / listed consent | ☑ Yes |
| Building control sign-off | ⚠ Sometimes |
| Planning application support | ☑ Yes |
Our reports are full diagnostic documents — not inspection certificates. A CSRT-signed report carries weight in court, with insurers, and with mortgage underwriters.
DAMP DIAGNOSIS SCHEMATIC
Where we find the faults in a typical Greater Manchester terrace
Cutaway of a typical Greater Manchester terrace — labels map to the six fault types above.
WHO'LL TURN UP
Your named surveyor — not an anonymous subcontractor
We'll email their photo and CSTDB number the day before your visit.
Connor Saunders
FODCS-Qualified Damp Surveyor
REMEDIALS & SECOND OPINIONS
Already had a survey from someone else? We'll review it — free.
Quote off another company's report
If someone else has surveyed and recommended £5,000+ of damp proofing, we'll quote off their report for free — and we'll add a post-repair re-inspection at no extra cost.
About 4 in 10 of the reports we review over-diagnose. In those cases, we'll tell you — even though it means no work for us.
Send us the other report →Full remedials service
Post-works re-inspection — verified drying, not just promises
After any remedial work — whether we did it or someone else did — a re-inspection proves the wall has dried out. We re-moisture-test the affected areas 3 and 6 months after the work and issue a drying certificate. From £199+VAT, or included free on any job we completed.
LOGISTICS
Evenings, weekends, keys, HMOs, invoicing — sorted
Evening slots
Last slot 19:00 Tues/Weds/Thurs, subject to surveyor diary.
Weekend slots
Sat mornings available. Sundays on request for commercial.
Keys or key-safe
We'll collect keys from any Greater Manchester letting agent or key-safe.
HMO / multi-unit
Whole-building surveys in one visit. One landlord-compliant report.
Tenant-not-home
Agent or landlord can authorise. Full photographic record included.
Cashless invoicing
Invoice + BACS + Stripe. No card on the doorstep.
Net-30 terms
For agents and landlords with 3+ properties.
Kanda finance
Remedial work spread over 6-60 months. 11.9% APR rep.
COVERAGE
All 10 Greater Manchester boroughs + fringe towns within the M60
Primary — 2–3 working days
Manchester & Salford:
M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M11, M12, M13, M14, M15, M16, M19, M20, M21
Trafford & Stockport:
M32, M33, M41, SK1, SK2, SK3, SK4, SK5, SK6, SK7, SK8
Inner Bury, Oldham, Tameside:
M25, M26, M27, M30, M45, OL1, OL2, OL4, OL6, OL8
Secondary — 5–7 working days
Bolton, Wigan & Rochdale:
BL1-BL9, WN1-WN8, OL10-OL16
Outer Stockport & Tameside:
SK9-SK17, SK22, OL3, OL5, OL7, OL9
Cross-border:
WA14-WA15 (Altrincham), WA3 (Lowton), BB4 (Rossendale), HD3 (Saddleworth fringe)
FAQ
20 questions — because this is a complicated topic
FOR BUSINESSES
Trade accounts for agents, solicitors, insurers, and block managers
Letting agents
Preferred-partner rates on multi-property portfolios.
Solicitors & conveyancers
Fast-turnaround buyer reports to unstick exchanges.
Insurance loss adjusters
Root-cause reports for disputed claims.
Block managers
Section 20 consultation support + major-works reports.
Local authorities
Tender-ready pricing for housing stock surveys.
Architects & builders
Pre-construction damp & timber assessments.