Durie Heritage - Building Surveyors Reviews 82

Alison and John provided an exceptionally thorough and detailed consultation on various problems within my 18th century home in North-East Scotland. After visiting they provided a detailed follow up summary report with each defect clearly defined plus listings on internal, external, recommendations and conclusions. I can't recommend Durie Heritage enough. Thank you both.

We were interested in buying a very old timber framed cottage and I realised that we would need some specialist guidance before proceeding. After researching a number of specialist surveyors we settled on Durie Heritage. John was brilliant right from the start. Communication was good and the price competitive. The level of detail in the survey was invaluable to us along with Johns clear expertise and knowledge which helped us to make an informed decision as to how best to proceed. I am so grateful we found them! Would have no hesitation in recommending.

On behalf of our clients, we commissioned Durie Heritage to carry out a gable wall survey, looking at damage caused by suspected damp/rotten internal timbers. Durie were able to identify the true cause of the issue and provided a very detailed, evidence-based report with full rationale, images and explanations. As a result of the report, the remediation works were less intrusive than originally expected and will take a much more sensitive approach to the existing building fabric. A straight-talking company we hope to have the pleasure of working with again in the future.

I was feeling very overwhelmed by everything online about damp and rising damp specifically. And after a ‘damp and timber survey’ recommended by our estate agent was done, with recommendations that didn’t add up, I got in touch with Alison & John. The survey was thorough, and the report was clear and detailed. They also happen to be absolutely lovely people, and were very supportive when advising how to deal with the issues we were having.

The most thorough survey that looked at and tested literally every nook and cranny of my lovely, condensation-filled cottage. Durie Heritage provided information to a depth and knowledge that should be the norm, but aren't. Specialists in heritage buildings, they covered everything that was more modern in the building too. Report, including photographs, very detailed and wholly useful. Completely rotated my view on how to protect and caretake the building. Very patient and respectful of my 0.05% building knowledge, they took the time to explain verbally how things worked, and then in the report. Given their experience and busyness, they were able to do the survey within a couple of months, when I anticipated they would be booked till the end of this century and would only do surveys for big and/or listed properties. This wasn't the case. They sincerely treat every property and owner with individual time and respect. I was very grateful for this. 100% recommend.

Alison and John provided a roof inspection following the discovery of wood rot in our attic. With it being an old Glasgow tenement, I wanted some independent advice before committing to extensive repairs. The service they provided was fantastic. They managed to fit me in around other jobs as I was on holiday that week. They gave useful advice on the materials we should use for the repair and the right tradespeople for the job. They put the drone up to get some good videos of the roof which was included in the price of the survey. They took plenty of photos in the loft space and moisture readings in areas of concerns. Ultimately they discovered there was still water coming in despite significant roof repairs undertaken 6 months earlier. If we had went ahead with the rot treatment works, the root cause of the issue would not have been addressed.

I’d highly recommend them. They do what they say they’ll do, they’re not afraid to get their hands dirty, are honest and straight-talking, and all at a reasonable price. They know how old building works and I’m glad I sought their advice.

John visited the house to help us track down the source of some leaks in the roof. He made a thorough examination and provided details of ameliorative action. He even identified the cause of another leak on another part of the roof, which I hadn't asked advice about. He was great at explaining his reasoning and advice. The report was clear and produced quickly.

John is extremely knowledgeable about old buildings. He was able to give a comprehensive explanation of why our flat was feeling cold and the reasons why we had found patches of damp and how to go about preventing this. He gave a detailed breakdown of how we should do this (which didn’t involve selling us products or services we didn’t need like a previous “damp specialist” had tried to do). It was worth paying a bit extra to get the level of expertise and care John provides.

John and Alison were brilliant. John had a great phone conversation with us after the survey and was genuinely interested and cared - great customer care. Been given great peace in of mind and I advise anyone to go with a specialist like Durie Heritage if you have an older property. I used a big standard company for a previous old property and it was the biggest regret with many issues not picked up and far too generalised. Johns survey was specific, detailed and gave so many tips on how to manage and care for the property.

John and Alison were fantastic, they thoroughly assessed our new tenement home and provided some solid advice outlining the current state and potential improvements that could be made. There's always a concern with surveys of historic buildings that recommendations will be made that would actually be harmful as they assume modern approaches and materials but this wasn't the case, they are specialists in historic buildings and that was very clear from the way they approached the survey. I would highly recommend them for any survey involving historic buildings!

We have an 1862 brick and flint house with water ingress. Have spent thousands on roofers telling us all sorts.
Found Durie Heritage online and 5 minutes into reading about them, I knew these were the people for old properties.
I emailed the problem, they replied within 24 hours and we spoke at length on the phone.
They drove from Shropshire to Hertfordshire to undertake a full survey (physical inspection, drone, heat seeking equipment, the lot).
Full report with what’s wrong, why and how to rectify, in plain English, delivered to inbox within 48 hours.
Have had numerous contacts since, they will even speak directly to the contractor to make sure they know what needs doing.
Directors John and Alison are ridiculously well qualified and are super passionate about old houses.
Prices are very, very, reasonable and the cherry on the cake is they are lovely people.
Problems with an old house, just contact these guys, the best call you’ll make.
Brilliant!

Brilliant advice and thorough assessment of properties. We have used John and Anne's services on 2 occations now. First, to help us assess a grade II listed building as to whether we could restore it and on a second occation to perform a full survey for a house we are still in the process of purchasing. On both occations the advice was very educational and helped us to not only make decisions, but also prioritise repair and renovation tasks ahead of us.

Great service! Very through job providing lots of detailed information providing a great insight into my property which has served me well in my renovations. Definitely worth the money!

John provided advice and consultancy services to us in relation to our Victorian house. His advice was clear practical and pragmatic - and he took the time to explain in a way accessible to us both, one of whom had read extensively in relation to old house works, and one who had read less.

I echo what other reviews say. John and Alison undertook a thorough inspection our grade C listed house, explaining aspects of its construction and what should and should not be done. The subsequent report was insightful and extensive. Follow-up requests for further information/suggestions have been responded to. Well worth the investment

After discovering some serious damp damage I needed to have an extensive survey done on our old property to fully understand the extent of the damage but also if there were any other problems and why the building was malfunctioning so badly. Having had damp proofing work done in the past at great expense but to no effect, and after extensive head spinning research, I came to believe that I needed a surveyor who specialised in old properties. This was confirmed after a 15 minute free 'survey' by a mainstream damp proofing company which fell far far short of what we needed. Frustratingly most old property specialists seem to be based in England but luckily I found Durie Heritage who cover Scotland and who promised an extensive and detailed survey. They did not disappoint and over several hours conducted a thorough and detailed survey. I was present throughout and during their survey and afterwards I learned a huge amount about how old buildings should function and how they begin to fail. What impressed me most was that they really care about old buildings - they really know their stuff. Another thing that impressed me was that they promise ongoing support and advice which I really appreciate. Their very detailed report was with us just a few days after the survey which was great as they were very busy at the time. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again, in fact I plan to have a follow up survey done in the near future to assess the property again after remedial works have been done.

A fantastic company to deal with. They were more than happy to answer all of my questions on the day, and any questions I have had since receiving my report. They are very knowledgeable, and their advice and expertise has been crucial to understand how to make our Edwardian home less damp.

I recently bought a Grade II listed building in a conservation area, not realising the extent of the damp and water ingress problems prior to purchasing. This can cause real distress, not knowing the cause or remedy. Step in John and Alison. As well as being lovely people, they are very knowledgeable in their field. They reassured me and helped alleviate some of the stress by breaking down concepts and explaining the reasons behind the damp issues over the course of the day.

Equipped with a selection of measurement devices, they surveyed both the interior and exterior of my property, providing their initial prognosis verbally on the day. A few days later, I received a comprehensive report detailing all the areas of concern and indicating the priority level for each task. This report has been very useful when contacting contractors to carry out the various repairs.

They were well worth the money and know how to treat historic buildings correctly, unlike some other surveyors who merely suggest lining the walls with plastic and hoping for the best. Many thanks indeed!

This is the 2nd time I've enlisted the help of Durie Heritage having had John survey another property of mine a few years earlier. This time I got John and Alison and they were on form as usual digging into the detail of what was causing the problems in my house. I got the report promptly a few days later and am now in the process of acting on its recommendations. They were also kind enough to give me a 10% discount for being a returning customer. If you want to get to the root of your property's damp problems and fix them in a way that works with the building rather than against it, get Durie Heritage booked!

As a churchwarden, I was tasked with finding a knowledgeable surveyor for a full survey of our late 1800s church in Lancashire. As it happens, we got 2 knowledgeable surveyors - John and Alison. From the prompt response to my initial email, through to their survey visit and report, they were excellent. They reached parts of the church that haven't been looked at for many a long year. Their lengthy and detailed report has been greatly beneficial to our future plans to update parts of the church whilst preserving the fabric of the building.. They are both so straight forward and down to earth and their offer of continued advice, is greatly appreciated.