Frequently Asked

There are two main reasons. 1. Builders do not have the spare time to spend a day going over a property and analysing it before suggesting which works are necessary. By economic necessity they need to make a snap judgement after looking at a property for a short period. 2. Tradespeople understandably tend to focus on their own areas of expertise. Ask a lime mason, and they are likely to specify lime finishes and miss roofing details. Ask a roofer and the reverse will happen. My surveys are independent, and I am able to take the time needed to obtain a clear picture of any given building.

You will receive a post-survey report tailored to the survey commissioned. Depending on the service selected, this may include a targeted assessment of specific issues or a more comprehensive analysis of the building, together with practical recommendations. Full Building Diagnostic Surveys also include one hour of post-survey telephone support to discuss the findings and next steps.

I operate primarily in Cornwall, but am happy to travel further afield. Unfortunately this does incur extra expense.

Our surveys are individually tailored to suit each client. Before visiting, I will discuss what you would like to gain from the survey and adjust my priorities accordingly. In some cases after I have visited, I may recommend further investigation of a particular issue by myself or by a third party specialist.

A HomeBuyer Report and a specialist damp survey are designed for different purposes. A HomeBuyer Report provides an overview of the property's condition to support the purchase process, identifying significant defects and highlighting areas that may require further investigation. A Muddy Mortars survey focuses specifically on understanding the causes of damp, condensation and moisture-related issues, helping homeowners make informed decisions about the care of their property rather than the legal aspects of a property transaction.

Absolutely not. Although they are commonly used by surveyors, damp meters are ineffective for measuring moisture levels in a wall. They measure electrical resistance on the surface of the wall; this reading is not reliable and gives no indication of sub-surface moisture levels. I observe the symptoms holistically, relying on my senses and experience of working with old buildings.

I have fifteen years' hands on experience carrying out repairs to traditional buildings and observing their long-term performance. I also have five years' experience carrying out specialist surveys of historic buildings. This combination of practical repair experience and diagnostic surveying allows me to assess moisture-related issues with an understanding of both how traditional buildings function and how different repair approaches perform over time.

The scope of each survey is agreed during the initial consultation and confirmed in your written proposal before any work is carried out. This ensures you know exactly what will be inspected, what questions the survey is intended to answer and what you can expect from the final report. Depending on the survey commissioned, this may include investigating the causes of damp, condensation and moisture-related issues, assessing the condition of the building fabric, or examining specific areas of concern. The post-survey report explains the findings and provides practical recommendations appropriate to the agreed scope of the survey. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more information.

The standard survey is non-invasive, meaning that the fabric of the property is not disturbed. I do my best to make a complete report of issues affecting the property, but problems that do not present symptoms which are possible to identify visually or through sensory contact may not be identified. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more information.

The benefits of knowing your building far outweigh the cost of having a survey conducted. If issues with your property are identified and dealt with promptly, you could save thousands of pounds in the long term. A survey helps to protect your property by giving you the information required to commission remedial works that will make a real difference.

I am qualified through practical experience and independent study. Since 2008, I have worked extensively on traditional buildings, developing an understanding of how they are constructed, how they perform and how they should be maintained. Alongside this practical experience, I have undertaken independent study focused on the care and conservation of traditional and listed buildings. I have a longstanding interest in historic buildings and am committed to helping owners understand and care for them appropriately.

I can focus more attention on a specific issue, but generally recommend that a full survey is carried out. A localised symptom of damp within an old building may be caused by issues which are not necessarily located near the symptom. Additionally, a survey is likely to highlight developing issues which will cost much more if not identified and dealt with promptly.

In order to remain unbiased, I do not recommend specific contractors. I can provide you with a list of people operating in your area and give you guidance on vetting a contractor. I can assist you with carrying out due diligence, obtaining comparable quotes, and interpreting quotations once you have received them.

Surveying a building demands complete concentration. I am able to be more thorough and productive if I can carry out the survey without distraction. To get a proper understanding of the building I first need to review my notes and photos from the survey. For this reason I prefer to discuss the results after I have written the report. Post-survey telephone consultation is included with some surveys and can be purchased separately where it is not included. For a more in-depth discussion, I can make a second visit to the property for an additional charge.

This depends on the size of the property and the complexity and number of issues affecting it. I generally spend two to four hours on site. The time spent analysing the findings and preparing the post-survey report depends on the survey commissioned.

My lead time is generally two weeks, though it may be shorter or longer depending on my current workload.

This depends on the size of the property, the number and complexity of the issues affecting it, and on the level of detail that you wish me to go into. Before carrying out a survey, I will discuss your requirements and provide a written proposal setting out the agreed scope of the survey and the associated cost.