Homeowner Survey
For owners and landlords who want the cause of damp, mould, rot or woodworm diagnosed properly before any work is done.
Independent damp & timber surveys
Independent Damp Surveyor in West Yorkshire
Ben Horne finds the real cause of damp, mould and timber rot in your home, and tells you what it should cost to put right. He doesn't sell treatments or take commission, so his only job is to give you the right answer.
- Federation of Damp trained & certified
- Fully insured
- No treatments sold
- Based in Cleckheaton
Your survey report tells you
- What is causing the damp or decay
- Whether it's rising, penetrating or condensation
- What work is needed, and who can do it
- A guide to the likely cost
Why choose an independent damp survey?
Plenty of damp-proofing companies offer a free or cheap survey, but they're in the business of selling treatments. It's no surprise that so many of those surveys end with a quote for chemical injection, tanking or replastering.
Ben is different. He's a qualified surveyor who doesn't carry out remedial work and doesn't take commission from anyone. He diagnoses the problem, explains it in plain English and recommends the most cost-effective fix, which is very often a simple repair a general builder, roofer or plumber can do.
Whether you own your home, are about to buy one, or are a landlord or tenant trying to resolve a mould dispute, an independent report gives you facts you can rely on.
Free survey or independent survey?
The difference comes down to who is paying the surveyor, and what they're hoping you'll buy next.
| Question | "Free" survey from a treatment company | Independent survey from DSWY |
|---|---|---|
| Who visits | Often a surveyor or salesperson employed by a treatment company | A qualified, independent damp and timber surveyor |
| How they're paid | Commonly linked to the treatments and work sold | Only by the survey fee, with no commission |
| Typical outcome | A quotation for injection, membranes or replastering | The actual cause identified and fixed first, often simple maintenance |
| Who does the work | Usually the same company | Any builder or tradesperson you choose, or you |
| What you can show others | A sales quotation | An impartial written report for a lender, landlord, tenant or council |
Damp and timber surveys
Every survey looks for the cause, not just the symptom, and ends with a clear written report.
Pre-Purchase Survey
Buying a home? Find out whether damp or timber issues flagged by your surveyor are real, how serious they are and what they'll cost.
Landlord & Tenant
A neutral report for landlords, tenants and letting agents on what is causing damp or mould, and what needs to happen next.
Timber Rot & Woodworm
Spongy floors, cracked timber or small holes in joists? Identify dry rot, wet rot or woodworm and whether it's still active.
What's the problem in your home?
Find out more about the most common damp and timber problems in West Yorkshire homes.
Rising dampTide marks and crumbling plaster low on walls
Penetrating dampPatches that appear or spread after rain
Condensation & black mouldMould in corners, on ceilings and round windows
Damp cellarsWet walls and musty smells below ground
Wet & dry rotSoft, cracked or spongy floors and joinery
WoodwormSmall round holes and fine dust in timber
How a survey works
Simple, straightforward and with no pressure to buy anything afterwards.
Tell Ben what's happening
Call, WhatsApp or send the form. Photos are welcome. Ben will confirm the fee and book a time that suits you.
Inspection inside and out
Moisture, humidity and temperature readings, plus a close look at gutters, walls, ground levels, ventilation and timbers.
Your written report
A clear report by email: the cause, the work needed, who can do it, and a guide to the likely cost.
You decide what next
Get quotes from any builder or tradesperson you choose. Ben doesn't do the work, so there's no sales pressure.
See a sample damp survey report
Want to know what you'll receive? The sample report shows the level of detail in a full survey: property information and a floor plan, moisture pathways and readings, photographs of each area inspected, external walls, roof spaces, chimneys, heating and ventilation, and clear condition ratings and recommendations.
View the sample report (PDF, 4 MB)Meet your surveyor
Ben Horne is an independent damp and timber surveyor based in Cleckheaton. He is trained and certified through the Federation of Damp, an organisation set up to raise standards in how damp and mould are diagnosed in UK homes.
Ben's approach is simple: listen to the homeowner, inspect thoroughly inside and out, explain the findings clearly, and never recommend work that isn't needed.
Federation of Damp (FOD) trained and certified damp surveyor.
Damp surveys across West Yorkshire
Based in Cleckheaton, right by the M62 and M606, Ben covers the whole county. Choose your area for local information.
Frequently asked questions
What is an independent damp survey?
An inspection of a property by a damp and timber surveyor who doesn't sell or carry out treatments. The aim is to identify the cause of damp, mould or timber decay and recommend the most cost-effective fix, with no commercial reason to recommend unnecessary work.
Why not just get a free damp survey?
Free surveys are usually offered by companies that sell damp-proofing, injections, membranes and replastering. The surveyor may be paid on what they sell. An independent survey costs a fee, but it often saves far more by avoiding work you don't need.
How much does a damp survey cost?
The fee depends on the size of the property and whether you need one problem area looked at or the whole house. Call or message Ben with the address and a description of the problem and he'll confirm the price before anything is booked.
How long does a survey take?
A typical house takes around one to two hours on site. Larger or older properties, or whole-house pre-purchase inspections, can take longer. Your written report follows by email.
Do you carry out damp-proofing or repair work?
No. Ben is a surveyor only. He doesn't do remedial work and doesn't take commission from contractors. Much of the work identified in a report can be done by a general builder, roofer, plumber or even the homeowner.
Is it really rising damp?
Genuine rising damp exists, but it's much less common than is often claimed. Most damp at the bottom of walls in West Yorkshire homes turns out to be caused by bridged damp-proof courses, high outside ground levels, rain penetration, leaks or condensation.
Book an independent damp survey
Talk to Ben about the problem you've noticed. He'll explain whether a survey is worthwhile and confirm the fee before anything is booked.
- ben@dswy.co.uk
- Based in Cleckheaton, covering all of West Yorkshire
Request a call back
Tell Ben about the problem and he'll call you back, usually the same day.