We recently had a Level 3 with Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors at a property we are buying in Highgate. The property is in poor condition. Neil found almost 70k estimated defects. We have just renegot... See more
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Refreshing to find a company these days where you speak with the person doing to work. Neil and Dunham's were excellent. Neil is very experienced and knowledgeable and knows what he's doing. Process w... See more
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Needed a survey fast due to an Auction property in 5 days. Dunham Surveyors stepped up, survey done day after report complete day after that. Amazing. The feedback from Neil was excellent. Best survey... See more
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We were buying a house in Crouch End and that fell through when we had Dunham Hale Surveyors booked in. We finally found our dream home in Muswell Hill and instructed Dunham's to carry out a Level... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
We specialise in RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Reports, RICS Level 3 Building Surveys, Structural Movement and Subsidence Inspections, and Drone Roof Surveys for houses and flats of all ages, from modern developments to period properties. Every survey is carried out by an experienced RICS-qualified Chartered Surveyor, ensuring a detailed inspection and a clear, practical report. Our surveys are written to help buyers understand the true condition of a property, identify potential risks, and make confident decisions before committing to a purchase. Where access is limited, we also use drone technology to inspect roof coverings, chimneys and other elevated areas that cannot be safely viewed from ground level. Clients choose Dunham Hale for our independent advice, clear reporting and responsive communication before and after the survey. We believe a good survey should not only identify issues, but also explain what they mean and what steps may be required next. Whether you are buying your first home, investing in property, or purchasing a period building, our aim is to provide professional surveying advice you can trust.
Contact info
Trafalgar House, 110 Manchester Road, WA14 1NU, Altrincham, United Kingdom
- 0203 962 4592 / 0161 729 1876
- hello@dunhamhale.co.uk
- dunhamhale.co.uk
Survey and Report carried out quickly
Had a couple of issues filling out the original quote request form, this was resolved after emailing customer services.
The survey was carried out very quickly and the report returned to us sooner than expected.
The Level 2 Home buyers survey highlighted a couple of things but no in depth comments or guidance were provided. Many sections were just noted as 'unable to investigate due to furniture' or something like that, which gave a sense of lack of care and rushing through the survey. We asked for some follow up information from the surveyor via email, and after getting no response we called to chase, again with no luck. Eventually we got through the next day just to be told there was a backlog in the inbox and we would get a response soon. When we got the response it was just wording cut and copied from their survey rather than any actual advice or insight. It just advised that we go and get opinions from architects, which just felt like passing the buck. If we knew we'd be getting quotes from other entities after the survey anyway, rather than actual advice, we may have gone for the lesser survey and saved some money!
We'd previously used this company for a different property and were very impressed, so chose to use them again this time. Sadly, on this occasion we would only rate the service we received as 'fine'.
Victoria. Ref: 240532
Well your response to Trust Pilot reviews is faster than emails anyway!

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Report quality was woefully lacking and not inline with RICS standards
Please read this review and DO NOT PROCEED WITH THIS FIRM. I employed Dunham Hale to conduct a level 2 building survey as they were RICS registered and had a competitive quote. However, the quality of their survey was terrible, lacking information on mandated areas (e.g. outside space) AND where defects were noted, included only vague descriptions of the issue such that it protected themselves from future recourse but didn’t provide any specificity to guide on the extent of the problem observed. Although Lvl2 surveys are not as comprehensive as Lvl 3, contrary to what Dunham Hale Surveyors have feedback, the report output was woefully lacking and provided FAR LESS DETAIL AND SPECIFICITY THAN RICS RECOMMEND OR PROVIDE IN THEIR EXAMPLE REPORTS. In short, it was completely useless! AVOID
Addendum: well done for sharing my full address in your feedback Dunham Hale. Your professionalism continues to… meet expectation.
Addendum 2: I reviewed the example level 2 report on your own website again and the disparity with the report provided to myself was vast. I wasn’t expecting a layer of detail associated to. Level 3 survey (with the exception of the grounds section that was completely absent) but just to be specific about the observations noted to make them actionable. I have previously shared valid examples of this with you and this feedback has not been taken seriously.

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Difficult to contact
Difficult to contact, and then I thought they were unpleasant when I eventually spoke to them.

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Incompetent for a heritage house survey
I enquired with this company for a quote for a level 3 RICS survey for our potential purchase of Barrow Cottage, Halebarns. I was very specific from the outset that this was a grade II listed thatched cottage and the address was given. From the photos on the listing on rightmove it is clear that this is a timber framed house.
Booking process was ok, although not great communication, with an automated email giving me a quote when I had just booked/paid for the survey. I had to badger them for a date for the survey.
Once the survey had been done I gave them 7 working days (as they had advised) and then emailed, simply to ask them for a timescale as to when the survey report would be ready as I appreciated it was an unusual building. No response. Emailed again 3 days later. No response.
Received the report after 14 days with a very defensive email from the surveyor stating that it is an unusual building which required more input than normal. Yes, I told you that at the start!
The survey is very long (109 pages) with many photos (), initially I thought this represented great depth of survey. However on further reading, the photos are very random (no correlation with the text) and not helpful, and there was not one mention of the overall condition of the beams of the house, bearing in mind this is a timber framed house - the whole structure is dependent on the integrity of the beams! There was one photo of ‘woodworm’ but no text supporting/explaining this. Lots of photos of the damp meter showing ‘high levels of damp’ (when the type of meter she was using measures salts not damp). On further email to the surveyor, I was told she couldn’t tell me whether the woodworm was active or not and its extent and that I’d need a PCA timber survey for that and the damp.
Clearly a PCA timber survey would be useless as these are done by damp-proofing companies who just want to sell you their products/DPCs.
Instead I commissioned a consultation from a heritage surveyor. What a difference! Extremely knowledgeable, pragmatic and constantly looking to see why the property was damp, why the walls of the house were bowed, not just describing the appearance. He was very scathing of the report we had already had, pointing out multiple missed issues, facts that are simply wrong which underline how much the surveyor clearly does not understand timberframe buildings, and the fact that it had seriously underestimated potential repair costs. Dunham Hale estimated this at approx £95,000 but with such significant deficiencies in the structural integrity of the house (all missed by this surveyor: rotted sill beam, multiple rotted upright beams, snapped purlin/rafter clearly visible inside the house, inappropriate use of render/cement, blocked drains, broken/missing guttering/drainage, ground levels being 1m too high, chimneys needing to be completely rebuilt, full rethatch required etc) the restoration costs are approx £412,000.
Had we proceeded to purchase this property at the agreed price, we would have bankrupted ourselves or been stuck living in a property which is literally falling down around us.
Wrote an email to complain. No response. Emailed again stating I would take this complaint to RICS. No response.
If they are not competent to provide a report on a heritage building, from a probity point of view they should have declined to take on the work. Instead they took my money and provided me with a poor and misleading report.
Can’t state this clearly enough - DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY - find an appropriately trained/competent surveyor instead. (And I wouldn’t rely on the RICS ‘qualification’ - it’s clearly pretty meaningless).
Further to your reply, I had my reservations after I had paid for the survey, with the complete lack of response, as the fee has to be paid upfront - too late for me to change my mind.
As for not knowing what the property is before you arrive - I had told you it was a listed thatched cottage and a simple google search would have shown you the outside of the house. Fairly easy to see it is a timber framed structure.
Re the length of time it took to get the report - my heritage surveyor got his comprehensive report to me within 5 working days.
With regard to the rest of your reply, what would be the point of getting a survey if I then have to get a damp survey, timber survey, roof survey etc on top? Yes, I should have absolutely gone to a heritage surveyor first time around who not only inspected all these areas but gave me conclusions as to why there were problems and more importantly gave me a plan re how to go about correcting these issues. Unfortunately, I have only bought one house before and it is not a listed property. My point is that the surveyor’s probity should play a part in whether you can complete a full survey. If you can’t, you shouldn’t accept the work.

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Good Survey / Would Use Again
Thanks to Dunham Hale for a thorough level 3 survey who helped support my case to knock a few thousand off the agreed price with the seller. Very friendly over the phone and provided a competitive quote, surveyor was booked 3 days after I called which was far better than the availability of other local surveyors. Highlighted areas that I didn't even know could be a problem. Would 100% use Dunham Hale again. 240421

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
The level 3 building survey was…
The level 3 building survey was promptly sent to me. I hope to use the findings, including following up with tradesmen investigations, to reasonably negotiate with the vendor during the buying process, if appropriate.

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Professional service
Professional service quick to respond to my enquiry would use again

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Excellent Service
Excellent Service!
Only took two weeks to carry out the survey and provide a very detailed report.
Thank you!

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
High quality report and speedy turnaround - Luke - ref240260
Luke - ref: 240260
Really positive experience with the surveyors. They were helpful with any queries I had and was impressed with the quick turnaround between booking the survey, it taking place and receiving the report.
The report I received was highly detailed and conveyed in a professional and helpful manner.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a survey in the Manchester/Salford area

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Stay away !!
Stay away !!
Bought a house and decided to use a surveyor.
Took a package of level 3 with a report that should be delivered 5-7 working days.
After several emails, keeping requesting it, we got it 16 working days.
The report was ok but unprofessional with several typos, and some unclear statements. At this level it is unacceptable.
When asked for 2 questions post survey for basic clarification as the report was not clear, I got no reply for several weeks, until I made a dispute with my bank as I had not received the services that it was advertised. The owner Mr Neil Heyes (who also did the survey), blamed first his staff for poor communication, then threatened me by email. He mentioned that we use his survey to negotiate our property. Completely incorrect and so unprofessional.
Like most unhappy reviews, it is often due to the owner's poor communication skills and very negative approach as soon as you are questioning.
Very disappointing experience.
We will make a formal complaint to the regulator.

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Brilliant service
Lorna - 240313 - 103
Survey was done timely, and has saved us thousands on our next home. The office staff were excellent and replied to emails straight away I would recommend them.
Thank you!

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Good service
Good service and professional staff. Received a call on the day as promised and the report was received within the expected timeframe. There was a slight issue with one of the elements missing and a bit of chasing required but eventually this was resolved. Report received was very detailed and included corresponding pictures as well as a section for the attention of solicitors/legal professionals so I could signpost this to my solicitors. Overall, satisfied with the service.
Dee (240243)

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Louise 240279-96: Real streamlined experience
Real streamlined experience - few emails back and forth from the team, promptly answering our questions before we fully instructed the level 3 home survey. Survey received on time and was clear and as thorough as promised. Extremely helpful all round.

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Easy and professional- gave very…
Easy and professional- gave very helpful advice resolving issues with an EPC rating dispute after the survey had happened at no extra cost

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Dunham Hale did a good job
The survey started quickly when I had confirmed the booking. I got a very detailed surveyor report (Level 3) that indicates everything inside and outside the house with paragraphs and photographs. I get a very clear picture about the condition and status of the property and suggestions on the cost of repairing items is quite useful for my decision and actions later.

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Good service and quality of report
REFERENCE 240339 Good service and quality of report - I would say it is limited to the information it provides but I think that is the process in general rather than Dunham Hale.

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Great service
It was quick and easy to arrange a Home Buyers Survey, very responsive by phone and email and survey was received in agreed timescale - thank you!

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Dunham Hale were AMAZING
Dunham Hale were AMAZING! Very helpful and efficient from start to end. Even when I thought they hadn't received my payment, they were very good at getting back to me and were always responded to my emails within a couple of days at the most. I would definitely recommend them and use them again in the future. Thanks again :)
Ny 240270

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
Good company
Good company, we had a building survey done, easily booked and very quick to provide the report after the visit. The report is written clearly and can understand what the key issues are. Communication following the report has not always been straightforward as we didn't have the details of surveyor, just the main office. They did reach out to me and responded promptly once we obtained the surveyor' details.

Reply from Dunham Hale Chartered Surveyors
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