Independent pre-purchase and mortgage surveys from PCA-qualified, commission-free surveyors, with a clear written report you can negotiate with. Covering St Albans, Hitchin & Hertford and Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead and across Hertfordshire.
Book a surveyIf your homebuyer report or lender has flagged damp, timber decay or woodworm on a Hertfordshire property, you will usually be asked for a specialist report before the mortgage can proceed.
We provide those surveys every day. Our surveyors aren't paid commission, so their only job is to tell you accurately what is wrong, what it will take to fix and what it should cost.
We carry out pre-purchase damp and timber surveys in Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth, Potters Bar and across south and west Hertfordshire, helping buyers understand exactly what they are taking on.
Hertfordshire mixes historic market towns such as St Albans, Hitchin and Berkhamsted, with timber-framed and Georgian buildings, alongside large areas of Victorian, interwar and post-war commuter housing. Older timber-framed properties need careful, breathable repairs, while interwar homes often have corroding mild steel wall ties.
The south of the county sits on London Clay, which holds water and shrinks and swells, while the north and west are on chalk. River valleys such as the Colne, Gade and Lea bring higher water tables to nearby properties.
A historic city with timber-framed and Georgian buildings in its conservation areas, which need breathable, sympathetic repairs.
Market towns with timber-framed buildings and riverside homes that need careful damp and timber treatment.
Victorian and Edwardian homes alongside new-town housing, where rising damp and wall tie corrosion feature.
A general building survey rarely lifts floorboards or tests walls in detail. Our specialist survey does. Using calibrated damp meters, hygrometers and moisture readings, and lifting floorboards where access allows, we check for rising, penetrating and lateral damp, condensation, dry rot, wet rot, woodworm and below-ground defects.
You receive a written report setting out what we found, the cause, the work recommended and a costed quotation. That gives you the facts to renegotiate your offer, ask the seller to carry out work before completion, or simply buy with confidence.
Sellers can commission a survey before listing, so any issues can be dealt with and a guarantee transferred to the buyer, which helps sales go through smoothly.
A PCA-qualified, commission-free surveyor visits your Hertfordshire property, investigates with calibrated equipment and identifies the cause.
You receive a clear written report explaining what we found and what we recommend, with a fixed quotation and no hidden extras.
Our own trained team carries out the work, protecting your home, keeping dust down and leaving everything clean.
You receive a written guarantee, which can be protected by an Insurance Backed Guarantee for a single premium.
We survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. We regularly work in Abbots Langley, Watford, Bushey, Cheshunt, Elstree and Hatfield, and throughout Watford, St Albans, Three Rivers, Hertsmere, Dacorum and Welwyn Hatfield.
Towns and areas we cover in Hertfordshire
Find out more about our damp & timber surveys service.
Book a survey
If you’ve noticed any of these issues, arranging a professional survey is the best way to identify the cause and prevent further damage.
We understand purchases run to tight timescales and aim to arrange surveys promptly, with the written report sent soon after. Call us to check current availability.
Our surveyors are qualified to Property Care Association standards, and our reports are written in the format lenders expect from a specialist PCA company.
Yes. We need access to the property, so we arrange the appointment with the seller or their estate agent on your behalf.
The fee depends on the size of the property and what needs inspecting. Contact us with the address and we will confirm the cost before booking.
We survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire regularly, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. Call us to check further afield.
Yes. Timber-framed properties in St Albans, Hitchin and the market towns need careful, breathable repairs, and we treat timber decay and woodworm without damaging historic fabric.
We survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. Towns we visit regularly include Abbots Langley, Watford, Bushey, Cheshunt, Elstree, Hatfield, North Mymms and Potters Bar. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Hertfordshire
Our other specialist services for Hertfordshire homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Hitchin & Hertford and St Albans.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around St Albans and Hitchin & Hertford.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Hitchin & Hertford and Rickmansworth.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Watford and Welwyn & Hatfield.
Wall tie replacement and crack stitching. Most common around Potters Bar & Borehamwood and Watford.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Rickmansworth and Hitchin & Hertford.
Client testimonials
Tapco have been very helpful, responsive and professional in how they have managed and completed our re-roofing project, within budget and quote. We are very pleased with the result.
Live just outside Hertfordshire? We cover the neighbouring counties too.
Find the right service / 1 minute
Tell us what you’re seeing and we’ll point you to the right treatment. Four quick questions.
From our offices in Thames Ditton and Esher, our surveyors cover London and the surrounding counties, providing fast response times for residential and commercial properties alike.
We regularly work with:
Whether your property requires a damp survey, timber inspection or basement waterproofing system, our experienced team is ready to help.
Our certifications reflect our commitment to the highest standards of work and quality.
Why Tapco
Established in 1971
Choosing Tapco HomeDry means choosing a company with a proven history of protecting properties across the South East.
We believe every property deserves an individual assessment. That’s why our recommendations are based on what your building genuinely needs, not unnecessary treatments.
Tapco (Preservation) Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 423558) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks.
