About John
John Ashton began training to be a timber and damp surveyor with a small Preservation company in east London in 1970. He also 'worked on the tools' as they say, and over many ensuing years worked as both a surveyor and as an operative for various companies mostly in London, becoming involved in damp proofing such as cementicious tanking, remedial plastering, drilling thousands of DPC injection holes around buildings and spraying woodworm fluid in infested lofts. Ripping out wet and dry rot infected timber floors and reconstructing accordingly. Covering virtually all aspects of the preservation business in one way or another.
During this time he has achieved the required qualifications which reflect his 38 years experience and decided just over three years ago to apply his insider knowledge to promoting a more altruistic view to what has become a highly competitive market and which has proved particularly beneficial to most clients who have become aware of the advantages of an independent survey.
This means that his survey inspections are less motivated by financial reward but allow a more holistic approach to a building and its damp and timber problems than just focussing upon potential work returns essential to the economics of commercial trading companies. Not that this disregards the clients budget of course, but on the contrary can provide remedies that offer cures to problems that can often be eliminated by a subtle change of environment. Such as recognizing the presence and effects of condensation even when there is no black mould on the plaster, and in the case of pre-purchase, to provide that arbitry advice when several conflicting reports with contrasting quotes or estimates send the client into total confusion.
In latter years he has also become involved in cavity drain membrane systems which are an alternative method of damp proofing, and which cater for the controlled draining of subterranean areas rather than the brute force of cement renders. Both have their different optimum applications and can even be used in conjunction if the need exists. The essence being in which is the more appropriate for the existing circumstances, and requires more understanding of the local topography and often some research into prevailing ground water movements and their history. How useful, if not refreshing for a client to have access to planning and discussions for his or her new underground extension without the pressure of an obliged contract to a regular damp proofing company. Using an independent surveyor means that a client can select whom he or she pleases.
Being independent, also means that as well as providing survey reports for private clients, John also helps regular preservation companies out on a freelance sub-contract basis giving him the knowledge of current remedial costs so that he can project fairly accurate estimates for recommended works and also if asked by a client can help select a reputable remedial company to carry them out, and hopefully within a reasonable radius of the property to be treated.
