The Person Behind the Survey
Why I Do This Differently
Most people meet a damp surveyor on the worst day of their property journey — mid-purchase, mid-dispute, or staring at a wall that keeps coming back wet no matter what they spend. Richard Bull built Damp Detectives Surveys around a simple idea: you deserve someone in that moment whose only job is to tell you the truth.
No commission from remedial damp-proofing work and no treatments to sell. The investigation uses appropriate equipment and evidence, with thermal imaging used where it can add useful supporting information, to reach findings you can act on.
The Day That Changed Everything
In November 2017 — just two months after leaving 16 years working across manufacturing, distribution, and waste disposal industries — Richard suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax: a collapsed lung. It happened on the same day his youngest daughter was born. He spent the next 10 days in hospital instead of at home with his new family.
The cause was never established; spontaneous pneumothorax often isn’t. But the timing made an impression and strengthened Richard’s interest in indoor environments, mould and moisture. Damp and mould can affect comfort, building condition and, depending on the circumstances, health. Surveys focus on the property evidence and likely moisture causes without making assumptions about an individual occupant’s health.
Independent Means Independent
Independent surveying means keeping diagnosis commercially separate from remedial work. Damp Detectives does not carry out, sell or receive income from damp-proofing treatments arising from the survey. The survey fee is for the investigation and findings, rather than for generating subsequent treatment work. Some inspection businesses also provide remedial services; that does not automatically make their findings wrong, but it is important to understand the commercial relationship.
A Specialist in Older Buildings
Older and traditional buildings can behave differently from modern construction, particularly where original materials have been altered or later finishes and damp-proofing systems have been introduced. As a member of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and a holder of the Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency in Older & Traditional Buildings, Richard considers original materials, alterations and moisture behaviour before recommending proportionate next steps for the individual building.
The Credentials Behind Every Survey
Richard’s training and professional memberships cover damp, mould and condensation investigation, water restoration, environmental health and traditional buildings:
- MISSE — Member of the Independent Specialist Surveyors & Engineers
- ACIEH — Associate of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
- ABBE Level 3 DMCB — Award in Damp, Mould & Condensation in Buildings
- IICRC WRT & AMRT — Water Restoration & Applied Microbial Remediation
- City & Guilds Level 3 — Professional Mould Remediation
- Level 3 — Energy Efficiency in Older & Traditional Buildings
- SPAB Member — Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
One Surveyor, Start to Finish
Book with Damp Detectives and you deal with Richard from the initial enquiry through to the survey and explanation of the findings. Where a written reporting tier is selected, Richard also prepares the report. That continuity helps keep the inspection evidence, conclusions and advice connected.
📞 07983 550 662
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