Poor recommendation for building type. Conflict of interest

After our buyers valuation surveyor requested a damp and timber survey be completed our buyer, without knowledge of the industry, commissioned Timberwise. The property is 250 plus year old cottage, lime plastered with no signs of damp and historic woodworm beetle (as expected on a property of this age).

Timberwise, who are primarily a damp proofing contractor let us remember, with a few readings on the plaster (by damp meter calibrated for timber!) reported back within the day with a report featuring no photographic evidence or meter readings saying the property needed £4500 plus of damp works to remedy rising damp and beetle infestation, including fumigation, removal of the correctly specified and applied lime plaster (which facilitates the natural breathing of the building) a cavity membrane lining to the walls (more suited to cellars and without any mention of drainage) replastering over and paint decoration within 6 weeks (any replastering should be lime based followed by lime wash to match existing not paint).

This has caused no end of stress to us and the very real potential of scaring off a buyer subsequently breaking out chain. I have commissioned an independent surveyor, one of which can be found on the Property Care Association website, who has confirmed my belief that there is no problem with the property. I currently await on whether our buyer and their lender accept this alternative report.

I would highly recommend any seller commission an independent survey by independent company who have no conflict of interest. Timberwise and others of their ilk have a clear interest in diagnosing damp as this generates in house business. 'Yes sir damp is prevelant throughout the property and by the way here's the cost to complete the work, please advance 50% of the cost into our bank. Details as follows'. As the saying goes, turkeys do not vote for Christmas, please bare this in mind.