Independent damp surveys
How much does a damp survey cost?
An independent damp survey typically costs £150–£400: an hour or more on site, moisture readings, and a written report telling you what the damp actually is (typical 2026 quotes). A combined timber and damp survey runs £200–£500. Free surveys from damp-proofing companies cost £0 up front because the quote for treatment is the product. Tell us what you're seeing and independent local surveyors will quote you their price.
What happens next
- Tell us what you're seeing and about the property. Two minutes, no account.
- We pass your details to independent damp surveyors covering your postcode, and to no one else.
- They contact you directly with their price for the survey. Compare, choose, or walk away.
Damp Survey Prices is a free introduction service operated by Ellul Solutions Ltd; we pass your details to relevant independent damp surveyors who contact you directly. We may receive a fee from providers; you pay nothing and are under no obligation. We are not surveyors and nothing here is building or professional advice; cost figures are typical 2026 quote ranges that vary by region and property. We are not affiliated with RICS, BRE, Historic England or the Property Care Association.
Typical damp survey prices, 2026
Last updated
What a damp survey typically costs in the UK in 2026, by type of survey. These are typical quote ranges, not fixed prices; London and larger properties sit at the top of each range. The £0 row is real but not impartial: a company that sells damp-proofing earns from finding damp to treat.
Ranges reflect typical quotes for domestic damp surveys observed across the UK market in 2026; they vary by region, property size and access. Independent means the surveyor charges for the survey and does not sell or commission treatment work. Get exact prices for your property via the form above.
| Survey type | Typical price (2026 quotes) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free survey from a damp-proofing company | £0 up front | The surveyor's employer earns by selling treatment; expect a quote for works, not an impartial diagnosis |
| Independent damp survey, single issue or smaller home | £150–£250 | An hour or more on site, moisture readings, written report with diagnosis |
| Independent damp survey, whole house or larger property | £250–£400 | Room-by-room inspection; the usual choice when damp appears in several places |
| Combined timber and damp survey | £200–£500 | Adds rot and woodworm inspection; the standard pre-purchase and mortgage job |
| Specialist diagnosis (salts analysis, thermal imaging, older buildings) | £400+ | Persistent or disputed damp, listed and pre-1919 solid-wall buildings |
- An independent damp survey typically costs £150–£400 in 2026: an hour or more on site plus a written report with a diagnosis (varies by region and property size).
- A combined timber and damp survey, the usual pre-purchase job, typically costs £200–£500 (typical 2026 quotes).
- A free damp survey from a treatment company costs £0 up front because the company earns from the damp-proofing quote that follows; an independent survey is the impartial option.
Cite this page
“Typical damp survey prices, 2026”, Damp Survey Prices, https://dampsurveyprices.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-14). Ranges reflect typical quotes for domestic damp surveys observed across the UK market in 2026; they vary by region, property size and access. Independent means the surveyor charges for the survey and does not sell or commission treatment work. Get exact prices for your property via the form above.
Common questions
How much does a damp survey cost?
An independent damp survey typically costs £150–£400 in 2026 quotes, depending on region and property size; a combined timber and damp survey is typically £200–£500. Surveys from damp-proofing companies are usually free because the company earns from the treatment work it quotes afterwards.
What does a damp survey involve?
An hour or more on site: visual inspection inside and out (ground levels, gutters, pointing, ventilation), moisture meter readings in context, and checks of sub-floor timbers where accessible. You then get a written report stating the cause of the damp, the recommended fixes and their order of priority.
How long does a damp survey take?
Typically one to two hours on site for an average house, longer for large or badly affected properties, with the written report following within a few days. Combined timber and damp surveys take longer because sub-floor and roof timbers are inspected too.
Why is an independent damp survey better than a free one?
Because of who pays the surveyor. A free survey comes from a company that sells damp-proofing, so it is rewarded for finding treatable damp. An independent surveyor charges a fee (typically £150–£400 in 2026) and sells nothing else, so condensation gets called condensation, even though there's nothing to sell for it.
Do I need a damp survey when buying a house?
Get one if the valuation or your Level 2/3 survey flags damp, if the house is pre-1919 with solid walls, or if you can see or smell damp on viewings. At £200–£500 for a combined timber and damp survey, it is cheap insurance on a six-figure purchase and useful evidence for price negotiation.
Is this quote service really free?
Yes, free to you, with no obligation to accept any quote. We pass your details only to relevant independent damp surveyors, who contact you directly with their price; we may receive a fee from those providers, which is how the service is funded.