Academy Remedial Surveyors Limited

We were instructed to arrange a damp and timber report on a property we were purchasing involving Equity Release. Finding a company was really easy, finding one which belonged to the PCA proved to be more difficult. The remaining companies offered a free survey! The house was built in 1938 so there was a good chance it had a lot of problems, but how would we know, who could we trust? Eventually we decided to pay for the survey and we are delighted we did. We rang this company on the Monday, Ray arrived to do the survey on the Wednesday morning and emailed his report to us that evening. The report was very informative and written in layman’s terms. It told us there was nothing needed doing at present (apart from one small inexpensive task) but also told us what to be aware of in the future and what and what not to do to keep it in good condition, all in all a very informative report. I would recommend anyone to have an independent survey done, it was worth every penny and the service from all involved was exemplary. I couldn’t recommend this company more highly and consider we were very lucky in our choice.

Having a very old house, we were asked to provide a report on the potential for damp and any timber issues by our re-mortgage provider. I spoke with the Academy surveyor on Wednesday afternoon stressing that it was urgent to get this completed asap, as it was the only thing holding up the offer. The trader agreed to fast-track the survey and arrived as agreed on the Friday, 2 days later. Having done the survey, he wrote the report over the weekend and emailed it to me on Sunday. We went from initial phone call to the report in my hand in 4 days - couldn't ask for more than that! Excellent friendly, efficient, rapid and professional service!

Our buyer had a valuation survey which threw up some damp queries and sent round a “damp proofing expert” who provided an extortionate quote. I contacted Ray, who was fantastic and conducted a thorough independent survey, providing estimated costs of work to be completed as and when our buyer felt necessary with their choice of workmen,at less than a third of said “experts” quote. I can’t ever thank Ray for giving me complete peace of mind and preventing our sale from falling through. Would thoroughly recommend his services to anyone wanting a professional and independent survey.

I - like many other people - commissioned a Building Survey on a property I am buying, which highlighted that I may have damp and timber infestation. I contacted AR Surveyors for an independent report and I'm delighted that I did. Not only were they able to fit in the survey at the only time the vendors were available, but they completely allayed my fears and saved unnecessary expense. Ray was extremely professional and the report was comprehensive and covered far more than I had requested. It also contained technical information on damp and condensation and how to avoid it in properties of this age. I would not hesitate in recommending AR Surveyors, and - the next time I buy a house - I will be contacting Ray instead of commissioning a costly survey that required follow-up and additional expense. Had I contacted AR Surveyors in the first place, I would have saved several hundred pounds. It just remains to say: thank you so much!

We engaged Ray to undertake a damp assessment report on a property we were purchasing. Ray attended quickly and performed a thorough review, providing us with a very detailed written report. He highlighted the key issues that needed addressing and provided guideline estimates for remediation. In addition, he also provided advice on other areas we should consider / investigate. Ray was very responsive in dealing with the follow up questions and we have been very happy with his service. We would have no hesitation in recommending Ray and Academy Remedial Surveyors.

Ray Baker's survey report is thorough and very clear with a good amount of general information helping us to better understand the technical aspects of the building. The whole process from initial enquiry to receipt of the report was amazingly efficient. Well worth an independent review of the property. Would highly recommend.

I have had Ray Baker visit my property on 2 occasions and he has been very helpful. Hi advice and service was very reassuring. I have no issue with recommend him and his services.

Excellent communication during booking, helpful and accommodating with regard to finding a suitable time. Arrived on time and emailed prior to arrival. Clear concise conversation throughout the survey, professional and knowledgeable. Would not hesitate to recommend and/or use again.

We just received our third report from Ray. As private landlords we know that Ray will give us the correct diagnosis & required action. As usual the inspection was booked quickly, Ray arrived when he said he would, and the report was with us within 48 hours. Great service, great value. If damp is suspected, we won't do anything until we have a report from Ray.

After a couple of years of failed attempts to resolve a damp problem with our bay window, Ray carried out a thorough inspection of the window in questions and make a series of recommendations. Having implemented the recommendations of the report the problem appears now to be resolved. We are grateful to Ray for his professional work - well worth the fee we paid.

I called AR Surveyors on the Friday, the appointment was booked for the following Wednesday and I had the report by that evening. Ray was friendly, informative and efficient and provided exactly what we needed. Our buyers pulled out after two free damp surveys (taking less than 10 mins each) identified rising damp and recommended they install a chemical DPC , costing in excess of £3000. We were not convinced so asked AR Surveyors to take an impartial look. Turns out it was the type of plaster used and not rising damp at all, which a new DPC would not fix. Much cheaper to remedy as well. We needed the report quickly and Ray kindly put it to the top of his list and produced it in less than 24 hours at no additional cost. It covered everything that we needed to know and included the way to remedy the issue, the exact materials to use and an estimate of likely cost. We are extremely grateful for his care and attention and would not hesitate to use him again or recommend the firm.

Independent, really explained things and was clear about things that needed doing. Expert knowledge clear and came across.

Two years ago we had four separate damp problems in the walls of our basement flat. We didn't trust damp companies to remedy it without costly surveys and unnecessary additional work, so we booked ARS. Gary was booked in within the week. He diagnosed the causes and gave us a detailed written report and telephone back-up so our trusted builder - not himself a damp specialist - knew how to treat it, and what materials to use. So when we recently found damp in the wooden floor of our rental property, we booked Gary to advise. Same experience: Gary did a detailed investigation, told us what remedial works are - and aren't - needed, and answered our questions. He also examined the exterior walls, upstairs rooms, and the attic. His report arrived a day later, with photographs, information and advice, and will definitely save us money... One thought: as we knew the problem was in the floor this time, and we were between tenants, we were able to take up the laminate floor and some floorboards to allow Gary a proper look underneath. This proved invaluable.

We used Academy several years ago and their service then was everything and more than we expected so, being in the process of moving again into an older property we instructed Ray to carry out a pre-purchase damp and timber survey for us on the house we are buying now. Ray inspected the property last week and we received the written report the next working day, the inclusions were clear, definitive and very informative together with reassuring. We didn't instruct a RICS building survey, just a Lenders valuation inspection was carried out, actually we even feel we saved money on this because Rays report referred to the building as a whole, inside and out over and above what we thought a damp and timber survey covered, he identified roofing defects which thanks to him we now know we need to get fixed and enabled us to renegotiate the purchase price. After first ringing them the instruction process was so quick and simple, Jenny sent us an e-mail confirming the cost of the survey and it requested some further information, estate agents details etc for access, once returned they arranged everything, we didn't need to do anything else, they made everything so easy. If anybody needs the services of Academy don't think twice about instructing them, it really is no surprise they have so many 5 star reviews on this site and if you look praise all over the internet as a whole.

Ray did excellent work for me, he was really efficient and carried out the required survey within 2 days of me contacting him. His report was thorough but easy to digest and understand. The report put my mind at ease regarding a potential damp issue in the flat I'm purchasing and I felt that could trust the recommendations in Ray's report as he was independent. I would highly recommend this company's services.

I can only echo every other positive review for this company. Fantastic overall service, exceptionally efficient, knowledgeable, professional, courteous and excellent communications. Only company to answer the phone after 5pm on a Friday. Formally instructed Monday. Survey undertaken on Wednesday. Report received on Thursday. I would not hesitate to recommend Academy Remedial Surveyors.

Efficient, knowledgeable, professional, what more could you ask for? Elaine and Jenny were quick to respond to both emails and phone calls. The survey was carried out by Gary, who was knowledgeable and friendly and really seemed to care about my house. His detailed and informative report was received the day after his visit, with clear recommendations of the work needing to be done – and importantly – what didn't need to be done as well. I would not hesitate to recommend Academy Remedial Surveyors for their excellent service.

I found Academy Remedial Surveyors to be good! It's hard to compare having never had a similar service in the past, but the office communication was clear, efficient and straightforward, the surveyor that visited was prompt, informative and I felt he knew what he was doing. His report was sent over to me on the same day and although I (like many, I'm sure!) dread reading these things, it was detailed yet easy to digest and understand as a layman. I'd definitely pass their contact details to anyone who needed something similar.

We contacted Academy Remedial Surveyors during the sale of our home, because our buyer's mortgage lender demanded a damp and timber survey to be carried out. Not only did Ray offer to come within 48 hours of my call, but we received his full damp and timber report within 24 hours of his visit. It was this efficiency we needed to take the stress out of our house sale. We were more than happy to pay for his services because we felt confident that Ray was providing professional, independent advice - and unlike some apparently 'free surveys' offered by contractors, he wasn't trying to convince us our home needed a costly damp proofing course. We'd highly recommend Ray Baker and Academy Remedial Surveyors to anyone who wants an honest, unbiased damp and timber report on their home.

Ray Baker's survey was a great help to us after the purchase of our property. We were aware there were some damp issues but had received conflicting (and costly!) advice from damp treatment contractors. Ray's independent eye was invaluable to us in accurately identifying what the problems were and how they should best be remedied. Needless to see, these were much cheaper and more practical than the other quotes received. Ray was professional, helpful and friendly. He happily answered all my amateur questions and was more than happy to deal with follow up queries. I would very much recommend his services. Homeowner in Pinner, Middlesex

I had surveys undertaken by 2 damp proof companies to try to resolve mould & moisture issues within my tenanted flat. Quotes ranged between £5,000 and £6,500 to put dpc's in several walls. I was suspicious as they had not reached the same conclusions as to which walls needed treating and I wasn't sure where to go from there. Luckily someone recommended Academy to me. Ray Baker undertook a survey and gave a detailed report as to what was causing the problems and what steps to take to resolve them. Ray was more than happy to discuss anything on the phone too. He reached the conclusion that a dpc was not necessary and that the problems were caused by lack of airflow. He recommended a ventilation system and stronger fans in the kitchen and bathroom. A couple of hundred pounds spent on the Academy survey saved me thousands! A really friendly and efficient service too. I highly recommend them and would certainly use them again.

Excellent customer service. Highly recommended. Mr Baker was thorough and his report easy to understand. On seeking further information on one aspect he was prepared to go the extra mile for no extra charge. Impressive service. The best value we found after shopping around too. Thanks for your help

I can highly recommend Academy Remedial surveyors having had a damp and timber survey carried out by them. Academy Remedial and one of their surveyors Ray Baker, could not have been faster or more friendly in arranging and conducting the survey. Testament to their superb customer service and pride in the work they do, Ray kept in touch after the survey to ensure that what he had produced had met the standards expected. What was produced was extremely thorough and went beyond simply what was asked for, providing me with the confidence of his detailed understanding of all things damp and timber, and ultimately in the quality of the work he had done. When we encountered issues with our lenders, Ray and Jenny at Academy Remedial were incredibly supportive and worked hard to ensure we had what we needed inside two days. I will absolutely use Academy Remedial again and would recommend them to anyone else.

Fantastic service in organising and delivering a Timber and Damp report in a couple of days. Any and all queries answered very quickly, and Ray was excellent throughout. Thank you very much Ray will definitely use you again!

Prior to appointing Academy Remedial Surveyors, we had been quoted over £6000 by another company who, after a quick visit, advised us to install a new damp course and replaster. But Gary Moakes from Academy Remedial, listened carefully to our history of damp, carried out a thorough survey and submitted a detailed report which informed us the works should cost about £1000 to make good. He also spotted some woodworm that the previous company had failed to see and told us how we should have it treated. All our dealings with Academy were conducted in a courteous, professional and timely manner from our initial contact right through to Mr Moakes clear and comprehensive 10-page report with an invitation to call him if anything was not clear. I am not in the habit of posting recommendations but such was the outstanding nature of the service, I have had to make an exception. I can recommend Academy Remedial superb service without qualification.