A damp survey in the UK typically costs between £100 and £600 depending on the property, the provider, and the level of detail needed. The price varies wildly — and most providers won't even tell you their rate until you've booked a visit. Here's a straight answer.
Typical UK damp survey costs
| Survey type | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free "quote" visit | £0 (but...) | Sales call from a remediation company. No written report. Expect a quote for treatment within 48 hours. |
| Basic visual inspection | £75–£150 | Walk-round with moisture meter. Verbal or short written summary. |
| Residential mould survey | £100–£200 | Focused mould assessment with cause identification and written report. |
| Comprehensive damp & mould report | £200–£400 | Full HHSRS-compliant report with thermal imaging, moisture mapping, remediation plan. |
| PCA-certified forensic report | £400–£600+ | Expert witness quality. Often used for legal disputes or large commercial properties. |
Why "free" surveys aren't free
Many damp proofing companies advertise "free damp surveys". What they mean is: a salesperson will visit, then try to sell you £2,000–£10,000 of remediation work. The survey isn't independent, and you won't get an impartial written report you can use for insurance, courts, or HHSRS compliance.
If you actually have damp, you need an independent survey — one where the surveyor has no financial interest in prescribing remediation work.
What should a damp survey actually cost?
For a typical UK residential property (2–4 bedrooms), you should expect to pay around £200–£300 for a thorough independent damp and mould survey with a proper written report. Anything significantly cheaper usually means:
- • No thermal imaging
- • No air quality assessment
- • Short report without HHSRS rating
- • Tied to a remediation upsell
Our Lincolnshire pricing
At The Damp & Mould Man, we publish our pricing upfront — no site visit fees, no surprises:
Residential Mould Survey
£100 +VAT
Focused mould assessment with written summary and remediation advice.
Comprehensive Report
£250 +VAT
Full HHSRS-compliant report with thermal imaging, moisture mapping, and compliance documentation.
What affects the price?
- Property size: larger properties take longer to inspect. 4+ bed properties may attract a surcharge.
- Level of documentation needed: HHSRS-compliant reports for councils, ombudsman, or legal use cost more than homeowner summaries.
- Equipment used: thermal imaging, air quality meters, and moisture mapping add cost but improve diagnosis accuracy.
- Turnaround time: 24-hour urgent reports cost more than standard 48-hour turnaround.
- Surveyor qualification: PCA-certified surveyors typically charge more than uncertified inspectors.
- Location: travel time and fuel costs can affect pricing for remote properties.
Is a damp survey worth the money?
A £250 survey is the cheapest decision you'll make if damp is real. Getting the diagnosis right avoids:
- • Wasted thousands on the wrong treatment (e.g. chemical DPC when the real issue is a leaking gutter)
- • Legal liability under HHSRS and Awaab's Law
- • Structural damage spreading while the symptoms are painted over
- • Failed mortgage applications on properties with undiagnosed damp
How to choose a damp surveyor
- Ask for the price upfront. If they won't quote without visiting, find one who will.
- Ask if they carry out remediation work. Independent-only surveyors are arguably more impartial, but integrated providers (like us, via LWR Group) give you one point of contact for the whole problem.
- Check certifications. PCA (Property Care Association) membership, FODSC, or CIOB membership add weight to reports.
- Ask what's included. Does the quoted price include thermal imaging? HHSRS rating? Written report? Or is that extra?
- Ask about their guarantee. What happens if they miss something?
FAQ · Frequently Asked
Common Questions
How much does a damp survey cost in the UK?+
Typically between £100 and £600 depending on the property and provider. A basic visual inspection runs £75–£150, a residential mould survey £100–£200, and a comprehensive HHSRS-compliant damp report £200–£400. Most homeowners should budget £200–£300 for a thorough independent survey with a proper written report.
Are free damp surveys actually free?+
No. A "free damp survey" is almost always a sales visit from a remediation company — a salesperson attends, then quotes for £2,000–£10,000 of treatment work within 48 hours. There's no independent written report you can use for insurance, courts, or HHSRS compliance, because the surveyor has a financial interest in prescribing work.
What's included in a proper damp survey?+
A thorough independent survey should include thermal imaging, moisture readings, an HHSRS hazard rating, cause identification, and a written report with remediation recommendations. If a quote is significantly cheaper than £200, it usually means one or more of these is missing.
How much does The Damp & Mould Man charge?+
Our Residential Mould Survey is £100+VAT (focused assessment with written summary and remediation advice) and our Comprehensive Damp & Mould Survey is £250+VAT (full HHSRS-compliant report with thermal imaging, moisture mapping and compliance documentation). Pricing is published upfront — no site visit fees, no surprises.
What affects the price of a damp survey?+
Property size, the level of documentation required (HHSRS-compliant reports for councils or legal use cost more than a homeowner summary), equipment used (thermal imaging and moisture mapping add cost), turnaround time, surveyor qualification, and travel distance.
How do I choose a good damp surveyor?+
Ask for the price upfront rather than booking a visit blind, ask whether they also carry out remediation work (so you understand any conflict of interest), check certifications such as FODSC or PCA membership, confirm exactly what's included in the quoted price, and ask what happens if they miss something.
