1. Definitions
1.1.‘SDL’ refers to Surveying Damp Limited.
1.2."Service" refers to all services offered by SDL, including damp and condensation surveys, written reports and one-to-one consultations.
1.3.‘Client’ refers to any person or company requesting services from SDL.
1.4.‘Contractor’ refers to any company, sole trader, or person in a position to complete necessary building works at the Client’s property.
2. Appointment of SDL
2.1.If the Client appoints SDL to provide any Service(s), SDL agrees to provide the Service(s) on the terms and conditions contained in the present document.
2.2.The terms and conditions become applicable once the Client accepts the booking and SDL issues written confirmation of the booking. Where payment is required in advance, the booking will only be confirmed once payment has been received, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
2.3.Our booking confirmation will be taken as acceptance of the following terms and conditions, unless otherwise agreed to in writing before the commencement of our Service on the date and time provided in the booking confirmation.
2.4.Where the Client is a consumer and statutory cancellation rights apply, SDL will provide the required cancellation information at the time of booking. If the Client requests that the Service begins before the expiry of any applicable cancellation period, the Client may be required to expressly request this in accordance with applicable consumer law. Any statutory cancellation rights will not be excluded or limited except where permitted by law.
3. Parking and Site Access for Surveys
3.1.SDL requires free parking to be available at the property during the Service. Parking permits should be provided where necessary. If the Client cannot provide free and available parking at the property, and/or permits cannot be provided, then any parking fees or fines incurred by SDL will be payable by the Client to SDL.
3.2.Unless otherwise stated, surveys are non-invasive, and we will not undertake invasive works to access areas not readily accessible (for example subfloor voids, removal of skirting boards, or lifting carpets).
3.3.If an invasive survey is booked, SDL is not responsible for making good any works carried out to gain access (for example refitting floorboards).
3.4.It is the Client’s responsibility to arrange good access to all necessary areas, including other properties if required (especially in multi-occupancy buildings), subfloor and roof voids if the Service requires it. If adequate access is not arranged and inspection cannot be carried out or completed in full, then our standard charges will still be payable. Any return visit(s) required will also be payable.
3.5.SDL will use best endeavours to work around limited access. Heavily cluttered areas, or refusal to allow access to certain areas, may prevent the surveyor from completing the inspection; our standard fees will remain payable.
4. Surveys
4.1.Our surveys are limited to 2.5 hours spent on site and discussing our findings with the Client. During the survey, SDL will inspect the areas of concern as indicated by the Client’s instructions, pinpoint the probable causes of the damp issues and make recommendations for the remedial action necessary to put the issues right.
4.2.A survey is carried out as per the Client’s instructions. If the brief is inaccurate and this impacts the survey in any way, we accept no liability, and our standard fees will be payable. We are not responsible for damage in areas not mentioned in the Client’s instructions.
4.3.We will only inspect the areas and rooms we are asked to inspect by the Client, and we will not be held liable for missed diagnosis in an uninspected area or room.
4.4.Where a written report is included within the Service booked, the fee includes a written report outlining our findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with a 30-minute follow-up call via telephone, Teams or equivalent to discuss any questions the Client may have. Any further assistance beyond this session may incur additional charges as a one-to-one consultation.
4.5.The surveys are observational only and limited to what we can visually see under the weather conditions present at the time of the survey. We will not be held liable for missed diagnosis due to specific weather conditions.
4.6.Our survey findings and recommendations relate to the conditions observed at the property at the time of the survey. They should not be relied upon as an assessment of conditions that develop or materially change after the survey date. Where circumstances at the property change, further inspection or advice may be required.
4.7.Using a range of specialist equipment and our expertise, we will try to pinpoint the damage seen to a specific cause. Although it is likely we can do this using our non-invasive methods and expertise, there are limitations to these methods and further invasive specialist intervention and/or further invasive investigation by SDL might be required. Any such work will be payable in addition to the original costs.
4.8.There are limits to what survey findings can provide and every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of our findings, conclusions, recommendations, and reports. However, information is presented as we find it, with no warranty as to its accuracy, and is intended for guidance only. SDL cannot be held responsible for the way in which the Client may interpret or act upon our findings and/or report. This does not affect your statutory rights under consumer law, including your right to expect us to exercise reasonable care and skill.
5. Payment
5.1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the full survey fee is payable in advance to confirm and secure the booking. A booking will not be considered confirmed until payment has been received in full, unless alternative payment terms have been agreed in writing.
5.2. An invoice will be issued by email with payment details. Payment is currently accepted by BACS only. SDL does not currently accept payment via the website, over the telephone, or by cheque.
5.3. Where alternative payment terms have been agreed in writing, including arrangements for payment following completion of the Service, those agreed terms will apply. For example, SDL may agree payment terms of 30 days from the date of invoice with established business clients or property professionals. Any such arrangement must be confirmed in writing by SDL before the booking is confirmed.
5.4. Where payment is required in advance, the survey appointment will be reserved once payment has been received. If payment is not received by any stated payment deadline, SDL reserves the right to release the proposed appointment time.
5.5. Written survey reports are normally aimed to be completed and issued within 10 working days of the survey date. This is an intended timescale rather than a guaranteed deadline. If, due to unforeseen circumstances, workload, further consideration of the findings, or other circumstances, the report is likely to take longer than 10 working days, SDL will notify the Client and provide an updated expected timescale as soon as reasonably practicable.
5.6. Any overdue payment may be pursued through a debt collection agency and/or County Court proceedings. SDL reserves the right to charge interest on overdue commercial payments where permitted by law, together with reasonable recovery costs. Any interest or recovery charges applied to consumers will only be applied where legally permitted.
5.7. SDL does not accept payment directly from insurance companies, loss adjusters or similar third parties unless expressly agreed in writing. Where an insurance claim is being pursued, the Client remains responsible for payment of SDL's fees unless alternative arrangements have been agreed with SDL in writing.
6. Booking Date & Time Changes, Cancellation or No Access Charges
6.1.Rescheduling. Clients may reschedule a booking free of charge up to 2 working days before the original appointment. Rescheduling with less than 2 working days’ notice will incur a £50 reschedule fee. Multiple reschedules for the same booking may each incur the reschedule fee. The reschedule fee does not reduce or offset any later cancellation charges.
6.2.Cancellation. To cancel without charge, the Client must give notice in writing to info@surveyingdamp.co.uk at least 2 full working days before the appointment. If the Client cancels less than 2 full working days before the appointment, SDL may charge the full fee for the Service.
6.3.If a booking is rescheduled with less than 2 working days’ notice and then cancelled, the original short-notice cancellation charge will still apply. This prevents short-notice reschedules being used to avoid cancellation fees and protects the time and resources reserved for the booking.
6.4.No Access. If we are unable to gain access to the property at the agreed date and time, a no-access fee of £100.00 will be payable. Any follow-up visit will be charged at the standard rate, and normal payment terms will apply.
6.5.Where payment has been made in advance, any applicable rescheduling, cancellation or no-access charges will be deducted from the amount paid. Where the amount paid exceeds the applicable charge, the remaining balance will be refunded to the Client. Refunds will normally be made to the original payment method within 14 days, subject to any statutory requirements.
6.6.Where Services are booked by telephone or email, the Client's statutory cancellation rights (if any) will be confirmed at booking. Cancellation and refund rules set out in clause 6 apply equally to bookings made by phone or email.
7. Limitation of Liability
7.1.Nothing in these terms excludes or limits any liability which cannot be excluded or limited by law, including liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
7.2.SDL’s total liability arising out of or in connection with the Services shall not exceed the amount of the survey fee paid by the Client for the specific Service in question. This limit shall not apply where SDL has caused damage intentionally or through reckless disregard.
8. Exclusion of Indirect and Consequential Losses
8.1.SDL shall not be liable for any indirect, special or consequential losses, including (without limitation) loss of profit, loss of business, loss of revenue, loss of opportunity, or loss of anticipated savings, even if such losses were foreseeable or SDL had been advised of the possibility of them.
8.2.Nothing in this clause affects your statutory rights as a consumer.
9. Indemnity
9.1.The Client shall indemnify and keep SDL indemnified against any losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses reasonably incurred by SDL as a result of the Client's breach of these terms, negligent acts or omissions, or inaccurate information supplied by the Client.
10. Events Beyond SDL’s Control (Force Majeure)
10.1.SDL shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations where such delay or failure is caused by circumstances beyond SDL’s reasonable control (including but not limited to extreme weather, strikes, pandemics, government action, or supply issues). SDL will notify the Client and seek to rearrange the Service as soon as reasonably practicable.
11. Confidentiality and Third-Party Disclosure
11.1.The contents of this survey report are confidential and intended solely for the use of the instructing Client.
11.2.The report may not be shared, copied, reproduced, or distributed, in whole or in part, to any third party without SDL’s prior written consent. Consent will not be unreasonably withheld where sharing is required for legitimate purposes (including solicitors, estate agents, potential buyers, or contractors).
11.3.Unauthorised disclosure may result in legal action.
12. Entire Agreement
12.1.These terms constitute the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the Services and supersede all prior agreements or arrangements (whether written or oral).
13. Severability
13.1.If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, that provision shall be severed, and the remainder shall continue in full force and effect.
14. Assignment
14.1.The Client may not assign, novate, or transfer any of its rights or obligations under these terms without SDL's prior written consent. SDL may assign its rights under these terms.
15. Governing Law
15.1.These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
16. Privacy
16.1.A copy of our Privacy Policy can be found on our website or by requesting an electronic copy by emailing info@surveyingdamp.co.uk.
Terms and Conditions Review
We review this document at least annually or when there is a change to our processing activities.
Last updated: 09-09-2026
Next review date: 09-09-2027
Document Version: 2.0