If your property needs a repair undertaking then in the most circumstances what is required it is usually known because it is obvious - the gutter has fallen off or some slates have slipped etc. Everyone invited to estimate for the repair is looking at the same broken gutter or slipped slates so from this point of view it is a level playing field.  True some builders may try to talk you into complete new gutters or a new roof, which may be justified, but that's life and most of us are hopefully aware when this happens and will make our own judgement.
 
DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM?
But what happens if the problem that you may have is not so obvious, such as secretive woodworm or deceptive damp. What if this less than obvious problem is in a property that you are purchasing and it is your surveyor that has drawn the possibility that it may be present to your attention? If it were a potential or suspected timber or damp problem then the normal course of action would be to consult Yellow Pages or ask your surveyor or estate agent if they know of a company that could help. In these circumstances you are now almost certainly going to be reliant upon a company whose primary source of income is carrying out treatment work. As woodworm infestation and to a lesser extent damp problems are not as obvious as a broken gutter you are totally reliant upon the skill, expertise and honesty of the surveyor from the company that you have instructed. However some of these surveyors will be on commission or some other form of sales incentive which, in some circumstances, must create the potential for over enthusiastic treatment specifications.
 
UPSIDE-DOWN INDUSTRY
The problem appears to be that the building preservation industry is upside-down. The industry's primary source of income is derived from carrying out treatment work but in most cases it is the treatment company’s own representative that has decided the amount of work necessary. The problem also lies with the public who are reluctant to pay for a professional opinion and in most cases expect a survey to be carried out for no charge. Very often three or four surveys are obtained and the potential client then becomes confused when comparing these surveys as each found something different. This does not happen with structural surveys because of the cost involved and it is therefore very probable that only one structural survey will be commissioned thus comparison is not possible.
 
QUALIFIED SURVEYORS
The preservation industry has reached a mature plateau and as a consequence many of the properties now being inspected have been the subject of previous treatment, perhaps more than once, thus one could argue that the skill and expertise required to accurately diagnose a potential problem has increased. Since 1980 an examination has existed for surveyors in the building preservation industry. Over the years the examination has been improved and it now incorporates three modules which are 1) legal, health and safety, 2) identification and remedial treatment of infested timber and 3) the identification and remedial treatment of dampness. The Institute of Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing is the examining body and candidates who pass all three modules are a Certificated Surveyor in Remedial Treatment (CSRT). Currently there are over 500 CSRT qualified surveyors in this country. It is important to remember however that CSRT is an individual qualification and even qualified surveyors have to react to the dictate of their employing company. Being qualified does not exonerate a surveyor from having to meet sales targets or the need to bring in paid for work.

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN?
In an ideal world timber and damp specialist surveys should be undertaken by truly independent qualified surveyors who have no vested interest in the findings of their survey. If work is considered necessary the surveyor should prepare a specification which is put out to tender to two or three contracting companies. This way each company is quoting for the same work. Of course you would have to trust the surveyor that he receives no commission from any of the companies tendering.
 
The rub here is that the survey would have to be paid for and there is reluctance from the public to do this despite the fact that in many cases it would save them money by preventing unnecessary work. Here at Property Guarantee Administration we strongly believe that truly independent surveys and controlled tendering by contracting companies is the best way forward. We offer an independent survey service details of which may be found on our web site.