Something is not right with your property. There is a mark on the wall, a smell you cannot explain, or a surveyor has flagged a concern. Before you spend money on treatment, you need an accurate diagnosis.
Price Lilford are RICS-regulated chartered surveyors based in Canterbury. We inspect, diagnose and report. We do not carry out treatments or sell remedial products. That means when we tell you what the problem is, and what to do about it, you can trust the answer.
A damp survey is a professional inspection of a property to identify the presence, cause and severity of moisture-related problems. It is not a visual check and it is not the same as a general building survey.
During a damp inspection, a chartered surveyor uses specialist equipment, including calibrated moisture meters, hygrometers and, where appropriate, thermal imaging, to build an accurate picture of moisture levels within the building fabric. The findings are then assessed against the construction of the property, its age and its history of maintenance and alteration.
The result is a written report explaining what is causing the damp, how serious it is, and what needs to be done. That report is independent. It is not produced by a contractor trying to sell you a treatment.
A damp issue flagged during a building survey, or one you have spotted yourself on a viewing, needs proper investigation before you exchange. A damp survey will confirm the cause, the severity and the likely cost of remediation, giving you the information you need to negotiate or to walk away.
You have noticed a tide mark, peeling wallpaper, black mould or a persistent damp smell. Perhaps a contractor has already visited and recommended treatment, but you are not convinced or the problem has returned. An independent diagnosis will tell you exactly what you are dealing with, and whether any previous treatment has addressed the actual cause.
Awaab's Law, which came into force in October 2025, significantly tightens the obligations on landlords to investigate and remediate damp and mould within specific timeframes. An independent damp survey from a RICS-regulated surveyor provides a clear record of the condition of the property and a professional assessment of the cause, important both for compliance and for resolving any dispute with a tenant.
A pre-sale damp inspection can identify any issues before they become a problem during the buyer's survey. Addressing concerns proactively, or understanding what you are dealing with ahead of time, keeps the sale process moving and removes the risk of a last-minute price negotiation.
Damp issues are easy to ignore, until they aren’t.
If you’ve recognised your situation above, the next step is getting a proper diagnosis.
Not all damp is visible. Some of the most significant moisture problems in Canterbury's older housing stock are hidden within walls or floors and only become apparent through specialist testing. These are the most common indicators that something requires investigation:
Canterbury's housing stock spans several centuries, from medieval and Tudor buildings in the historic core to Victorian and Edwardian terraces across St Dunstan's, Wincheap and the New Dover Road area, and mid-century housing further out.
The cause of damp varies considerably depending on the age and construction of the property.
Moisture from the ground rising through the base of a wall by capillary action. It is most commonly found in older properties with solid brick or stone walls, no cavity, and either a missing or failed damp proof course. Victorian terraces in Canterbury are particularly susceptible, especially where external ground levels have been raised over time.
Water entering the building fabric from outside, typically through a defective roof, blocked or leaking gutters, failed pointing, defective window or door frames, or a chimney that is no longer maintained. Penetrating damp tends to present as damp patches that worsen in wet weather and dry out in dry periods.
The most common cause of damp and mould in modern properties and in recently insulated older buildings. Warm moist air contacts a cold surface and water vapour condenses. It is most commonly seen on north-facing walls, in poorly ventilated bathrooms and kitchens, and around thermal bridges such as window reveals and external wall ties.
One of our chartered surveyors visits your Canterbury property and carries out a thorough on-site assessment. Most inspections take between one and two hours, depending on the size and complexity of the property.
Unlike a contractor survey, our assessment is focused entirely on identifying the root cause and providing a damp diagnosis.
You receive a clear written report covering the findings of the inspection, the identified cause or causes of the damp, a severity assessment, photographic evidence, and our recommended course of action.
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Reports are typically delivered within three to five working days of the inspection. |
We carry out damp surveys across Canterbury and the surrounding area for:
• Homeowners dealing with an existing problem or seeking peace of mind before undertaking renovation work.
• Property buyers who need an independent assessment of a concern raised during a viewing or a previous survey.
• Landlords requiring a professional record of property condition and compliance support under Awaab's Law and the HHSRS framework.
• Letting agents and property managers managing defect investigations on behalf of landlords.
• Solicitors and insurers requiring an expert report in connection with a dispute, claim or legal proceeding.
• Property developers and investors assessing the condition of a potential acquisition before committing to a purchase.
Many companies offering a damp survey also sell the treatment that follows. That creates a straightforward conflict of interest: the surveyor has a financial incentive to find damp, and to recommend their own products and services to fix it.
Price Lilford do not carry out damp treatments. We do not supply chemical DPC injection, remedial plaster, waterproof renders or ventilation systems. Our only product is the report.
That means our assessment of your property is driven by what we actually find, not by what would justify a follow-on job.
If you have already had a damp survey from a treatment contractor and you are not convinced by the findings, a second opinion from an independent chartered surveyor is often worthwhile. We see this regularly, and in a significant number of cases the original diagnosis has been incorrect or overstated
We’ve built a reputation for being thorough and honest with our clients, consistently delivering reliable, accurate advice.
We are based in Canterbury and carry out damp surveys across the city and the wider Kent area. We regularly work in Canterbury city centre and the surrounding villages and towns, including Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham, Sturry, Chartham, Bridge, Barham, Wye, Folkestone, Ashford and Dover.
Canterbury's housing stock presents a particular range of damp-related challenges. The concentration of solid-walled Victorian and Edwardian terraces across St Dunstan's, Wincheap and the New Dover Road areas, the historic core's pre-war and listed buildings, and the chalk subsoil conditions in parts of east Canterbury all create conditions where damp risk is elevated and where accurate diagnosis matters more than in a standard modern property.
If you are outside Canterbury, we are happy to discuss whether your location falls within our service area. Most of Kent is covered.
A damp survey from Price Lilford includes an on-site inspection using calibrated moisture meters and hygrometers, a visual assessment of all accessible areas, identification of the type and cause of any damp found, a severity rating, photographic evidence, and a written report with clear recommendations for remediation. The report is produced to RICS standards.
A building survey covers the overall condition of a property, including damp — but at a broader level. A dedicated damp survey goes deeper into moisture-related issues specifically, using specialist equipment and focusing in detail on cause, severity and remedy. If a damp issue has been specifically identified or flagged, a dedicated damp survey is the appropriate response. Price Lilford offer both, and we can advise which is right for your situation.
Most inspections take one to two hours on-site, depending on the size and condition of the property. The written report is typically delivered within three to five working days.
Most inspections take one to two hours on-site, depending on the size and condition of the property. The written report is typically delivered within three to five working days.
Yes. A damp survey report from a RICS-regulated surveyor is a professional document that can be shared with your solicitor, mortgage lender or estate agent. It can be used as evidence in price negotiations or to support a request for remedial works prior to exchange.
No. A free survey from a damp treatment company is typically carried out by a sales representative whose purpose is to identify work for the business to carry out. An independent damp survey from a chartered surveyor has no commercial interest in the outcome. The findings are based on what is actually present, not what would justify a treatment programme.
You receive a written report with our findings and recommendations. We explain what is causing the damp, how serious it is, and what needs to be done. Acting on those recommendations is entirely your decision. We do not carry out treatments — we will suggest the appropriate type of contractor for any remedial work, but the choice of who you use is yours.
Yes. We have considerable experience with listed and historic buildings in and around Canterbury. Damp diagnosis in listed buildings requires particular care because the construction methods differ significantly from modern buildings and many standard treatment approaches are not appropriate. Our reports take account of conservation constraints and recommend remedial approaches that are compatible with historic fabric.
Yes. We can provide a professional damp inspection report that documents the condition of the property, identifies any damp or mould, establishes the cause, and sets out the recommended course of action. This type of report supports landlord compliance with Awaab’s Law and the HHSRS framework and provides a defensible professional record in the event of a dispute.
Yes. We cover Canterbury city centre and all surrounding areas, including Whitstable, Herne Bay, Sturry, Chartham, Wye, Barham, Bridge, Faversham and the wider Kent area. If you are unsure whether your location is covered, call us on 01227 760810 and we will confirm.
The easiest way is to use the request form on this page or to call us directly on 01227 760810. We will confirm availability, agree a date and time, and send you a written confirmation. There is no obligation to proceed with any further work following the inspection.
