Q. I have just had a damp & timber survey carried out by an 'independent surveyor' on a 1880 semi-detached house. He has said that there are high levels of damp on all external walls on the ground floor using a electronic moisture meter. He recommends using Dryzone and re-plastering at a cost of £5,600 for the work. The walls are solid 9 inch - this seems an awful lot of money. The walls to treat total about 20 metres. Does this sound right? I am a first time buyer.

Submitted by: J
 

A. Yes it is an awful lot of money!!! You say the surveyor was independent yet he gave you a price? A truly independent surveyor would not be in a position to do this but he could perhaps offer a guide. Was this the case? Please explain what you mean by independent.

20 metres of 9 inch thick brickwork will use 6 tubes of Dryzone. Even at an expensive rate of £25 per tube this equates to £150 in product. If we now suppose that your 20 metres of wall equates to 25 square metres of re-plastering. At the price you have been quoted, after deducting the product cost (£150), this equates to a hack off and re-plastering cost of £218 per square metre!! This is outrageously expensive!! We have made no allowance for refitting skirting boards but this is not hugely expensive.

Dryzone to regular contractors usually sells for between £10 - £15 per tube so the product cost is more likely to be £60 - £90. We would be very interested to learn more about this 'independent' surveyor who quoted such a huge price. Please send more information or give us a call but DO NOT spend £5600 on 20 metres of 9 inch brickwork!

Hope to hear from you.