Abbott Damp Proofing Limited

Your building surveyor specifically advised you to arrange an intrusive assessment from a damp proofing specialist due to “a risk that additional defects and consequently repair works will be discovered at a later date”. You went against the advice of your building surveyor and instructed us to carry out a non-intrusive assessment. We made the limitations of this type of assessment clear to you. We reported back our findings and reiterated there may be dampness in concealed areas we could not fully inspect. We also provided the opportunity for you to come back to us if we had not fulfilled your instructions. We had no response because we had carried out the assessment as instructed. The wall in question appears to be a timber stud wall (or false wall) which completely obscures the underlying structural wall. This wall requires intrusive investigation and you should accept responsibility for your decision to commission a non-intrusive assessment. This case demonstrates the importance of taking the advice of the experts you instruct, particularly if your house purchase decision requires high levels of assurance. If your building surveyor has advised an intrusive assessment, then that is what you should do or at least be prepared to accept the consequences if you choose not to.