Damp Proofing Advice for the Consumer how to Avoid Scams

The Damp-Proofing Industry has a substantial £200,000,000 yearly turnover employing some 10,000 contractors and 4 leading Chemical manufactures. Surprisingly, there are only two trade associations The Damp Proofing Association  and the Property Care Association but the collective membership of these organisations is less than  500 members, leaving 9,500 contractors without any regulation whatsoever making the Damp Proofing industry toxic with regard to complaints.

I have been working in this industry for over 30 years and have seen some appalling standards along with good and excellent applications. But in general terms the industry lacks education mostly induced by application fitters leaving current positions and starting their own companies.

There is no UK law to prevent anyone starting up a Damp Proofing business and introducing themselves as a Damp Proofing Surveyor to potential clients. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors are trying to introduce guidance mostly to stop the destruction of old buildings using inappropriate chemicals but without enforceable legislation I would suggest it will be mostly ignored.

The reason why I'm publishing this guidance document is to assist the Consumer from employing an inappropriate contractor who has no skill or understanding to complete the Damp Proofing task required and following this guide will certainly eliminate 95% of the cowboys operating in the industry.

The most important element in the entire industry is the Survey. As explained most Damp Surveyors have no qualifications at all, many being former tradesman. Some Damp Surveyors "buy" qualifications such as CSRT a worthless "qualification" costing around £300.00 the public should avoid trade qualifications they tend to be provided for profit only and to confuse the public into the miscomprehension they are dealing with a qualified surveyor, but in reality, it’s a salesman trying to gain business for himself or employer.

Trained by their employers Damp Surveyors use an Electronic Damp Meter as a tool to determine if any Dampness exists in the wall and the Survey takes on average 15 minutes.

To undertake a Professional Damp Survey it would take around three hours to conduct, measurements and observations using Hygrometers, sophisticated moisture analysis of the mortar beds and substrate by extracting samples for chemical determinations. Sub floor inspections using a CCTV camera, air flow calculations considering volume and air vent size. Wall profiling using thermal imaging cameras. Unless these elements are examined and determined the results will almost certainly be incorrect and misdiagnosed.

Condensation misdiagnosed as Rising Damp results from this lack of education and almost certainly accounts for the vast majority of Damp Proofing complaints and the remedies offered fail leaving the building owner at serve financial loss and frustration.

The guarantees offered by these contractors, save the trade Association members above are worthless, the contractor simply changes his name, shuts down the company or disappears when a problem develops.

Consumers need to take out strong and secure guarantees.

Guidance List of due diligence:

This list is not exhaustive but will assist eliminating potential scams, frauds or misdiagnoses and should be followed to reduce consumers risk to financial loss.

1.     Always deal with a limited company. Never select a man in a van trading from his mobile phone. He will evaporate at first time of trouble.

2.     Once you select a company request both its registration and VAT registration numbers. You can then view their accounts at Companies house and avoid anyone who has not filled at least a year’s accounts. Use the online VAT checker to confirm the registration number is correct, valid and assigned to the contractor.

3.     Never deal in cash. If you are requested to provide a deposit pay using a credit card for section 75 protection under the consumer credit Act. Never make a bank transfer for a deposit you could be defrauded.

4.     Ask for proof of professional qualifications and sight of the actual qualification certificate.

5.     Request evidence and copies of both the contractors Professional Indemnity and liability insurance certificates and proof of trade Association membership.

6.     Before paying the balance ask to see the guarantee they are offering and read the terms and conditions.

Finally, always have a signed and written contract drafted between you and the contractor.

If a Contractor is unable to provide the above, there is an increased chance you’re getting scammed and dealing with a cowboy.

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