Chris Styles wrote:
Hi,

A friend is looking to buy a Victorian Terraced house, and it doesn't have a
damp course.

After spinning her an elaborate story about having the entire house sliced
out of the terrace and lifted up on blocks while a damp course is fitted, I
promised to ask around to find out how much she should expect to pay to have
a chemical DPC done.

I seem to recall someone else having the chemical DPC, and it requiring a
certain amount of replastering to be done after, because the plaster had to
be stripped back at the bottom of the wall. Is this normal (or even anything
to do with the DPC?)

Any hints, tips gratefully received.

Chris


I'm pretty sure that re-plastering would really only be necessary if
there was rising damp that had left salt stains in the existing plaster
near to floor level.

You don't say whether there is any evidence of rising damp. It is also
possible that the vendors have done a quick disguise by using stain
blocking paint so a *proper* independent damp survey would be a good idea.

Of course, a damp proofing company might say differently as most of the
work and perceived value and thus cost, is the removal of the old
plaster and the re-plastering.

Sorry, no idea of cost.

Steve