- Home Survey
Timber Surveys & Inspections
Fitzgerald Surveying provides an independent RICS-accredited timber surveying service for residential and commercial properties across South East England. Timber defects can develop for a variety of reasons, from prolonged moisture exposure to fungal decay, insect activity, and age-related deterioration.
Where deterioration is present, the full extent of the damage is not always visible during a standard inspection; concealed decay, hidden insect activity, and moisture ingress within structural elements require specialist assessment to identify accurately. We assess accessible timber elements, consider the condition of the building, and provide a detailed timber report.
- Independent timber surveyors accredited by RICS, RPSA & CIOB
- 5-star rated from 67 Google reviews
- Detailed timber inspections with clear, practical reports
- Evidence-based findings supported by on-site assessments
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- Timber Survey Explained
What Is a Timber Survey?
A timber survey is a specialist inspection that diagnoses the presence, extent, and causation of defects affecting wooden elements within a property. Our surveyors assess conditions including woodworm, wet rot, dry rot, moisture-related timber decay, and defects that could affect the strength or stability of timber structures. The inspection may cover floorboards, roof timbers, joists, beams, and wooden frames to establish the nature and significance of any deterioration identified and determine the factors contributing to it.
Many timber surveys are commissioned after concerns arise during a property purchase. Buyers may receive recommendations for further investigation following a Home Survey, while property owners may want a clearer understanding of timber elements affected by decay, insect activity, or long-term deterioration.
An experienced timber surveyor considers more than the defect itself. The inspection places observations within the wider context of the building, providing a professional assessment of the condition of accessible timber and any factors that may have contributed to the defects identified.
We carry out timber surveying for homeowners, purchasers, landlords, and property professionals across South East England, including older buildings and properties containing significant timber elements. Our findings are presented within a detailed report providing a professional assessment based on the condition of the accessible timber at the time of inspection.
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- Key Benefits
Types of Timber Defects We Investigate
Timber defects can affect buildings in different ways. Some develop through insect activity, while others result from fungal decay associated with prolonged moisture exposure. Understanding the nature of the defect helps place the condition of the timber in context and supports appropriate recommendations.
- Evidence of wood-boring insect activity
- Assessment of affected timber elements
- Condition and structural impact assessment
- Moisture-related timber decay assessment
- Inspection of affected timber elements
- Assessment of moisture source and structural impact
- Fungal decay and timber observations
- Assessment of visible affected areas
- Extent of spread and structural implication assessment
- Report Overview
What's Included in Your Timber Survey Report
A timber survey report brings together site observations, timber condition assessments, and building-related findings to provide a professional opinion on the defects identified, their likely causes, and the appropriate course of action.
- Accessible Timber Condition Assessment
- Evidence of Woodworm Activity (Where Observed)
- Wet Rot and Dry Rot Observations and Decay Assessment
- Timber Decay Assessment Findings
- Moisture-Related Timber Defects
- Roof, Floor and Structural Timber Observations
- Timber Frame Construction Observations (Where Applicable)
- Internal and External Inspection Findings
- Photographic Evidence and Supporting Notes
- Findings, professional opinion, and recommendations arising from the inspection
- Why Choose Us
Why Choose Our Timber Survey Experts
Fitzgerald Surveying provides independent timber assessments based on the observations made during the inspection, without any commercial interest in the remedial treatments or repair works that may follow. Every report is prepared solely in the client’s interest.
Our role is to assess and report on the condition of the property. We do not promote repair products or remedial treatments as part of the survey process.
Where timber-related concerns are identified during a property transaction, our reports provide the independent professional assessment needed to support informed decisions before exchange of contracts.
Timber defects rarely exist in isolation. Our inspections consider the wider building context, including construction type, moisture exposure, and ventilation, to place timber observations within the framework of the property as a whole.
Our reports present the findings in a straightforward format, making them easier to review and reference after the inspection.
- Service Area
Timber Surveys Across South East England
We carry out timber surveys across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and surrounding counties, covering residential and commercial properties from traditional buildings with significant timber elements to more modern forms of construction.
Buckinghamshire
Hertfordshire
- Client Feedback
What Clients Say About Fitzgerald Surveying
Clients instructing timber surveys through Fitzgerald Surveying receive a professionally prepared report with clear findings and recommendations, providing the independent assessment needed to make informed decisions about the property.
- Survey Process
From Booking to Timber Report in 4 Clear Steps
Whether concerns relate to timber deterioration, woodworm activity or issues raised during a property purchase, our process provides a structured route from the initial enquiry through to the completed report.
Step 1: Discuss Your Requirements
We begin by discussing the property and the reasons for the instruction. This helps establish the scope of the survey before the inspection takes place.
Arrange a Suitable Inspection Date
Once instructed, we arrange a convenient time to visit the property and carry out the inspection.
Timber Inspection
The surveyor examines accessible timber elements and records the observations made during the inspection.
Receive Your Timber Report
Following the inspection, you receive a detailed timber report outlining the findings and any recommendations arising from the survey.
- FAQ
Timber Survey Questions, Answered
Property owners and purchasers may have questions about the inspection process, common defects and what happens after the visit. The answers below cover some of the points clients regularly raise before arranging an assessment.
A timber survey is a focused assessment of accessible timber elements within a building. The surveyor records any visible deterioration, fungal decay, insect activity, or related defects and provides a professional opinion on their significance and likely cause within a written report.
A timber report sets out the observations made during the inspection, identifies any timber-related concerns, explains their likely cause and significance, and provides recommendations arising from the survey.
Many people arrange a survey after noticing signs of timber deterioration, when concerns are raised during a property purchase, or when another survey recommends a closer look at the timber.
The surveyor assesses accessible timber for evidence of wood-boring insect activity, including flight holes, bore dust, and visible damage to timber surfaces. These observations support a professional assessment of whether activity is current or historic and the extent of any deterioration present.
Wet rot and dry rot are distinct forms of fungal decay requiring different assessment approaches. Wet rot is associated with persistent moisture exposure and typically remains localised to the affected area. Dry rot is capable of spreading beyond the initial point of deterioration through masonry and building fabric. The survey identifies visible signs of both conditions and assesses the extent of affected timber.
Where timber-related concerns have been identified during a property purchase, whether through a Home Survey recommendation or observations during a viewing, an independent timber survey provides the detailed assessment needed before proceeding to exchange.
Most timber inspections take between 1 and 3 hours depending on the size and accessibility of the property. Larger properties generally take longer than smaller ones.
You receive a detailed report explaining the findings, together with any recommendations arising from the survey.
Get In Touch
Contact our team for expert property survey support. We provide Level 1 Surveys, Level 2 Condition Reports, and Level 3 Detailed Building Inspections with clear, independent reporting.
63 New Road, Weston Turville, Aylesbury HP22 5QY
enquiries@fitzgeraldsurveying.co.uk
0333 2249 516