On 30/12/11 14:05, Another Dave wrote:
1928 2-storey detached house. Top storey rendered and somebody put
cavity insulation in 10 years ago ( I've owned it for four years).

Rising damp at the rear and both ends of the upper story have got
penetrating damp - I think. Rather than get estimates from people with
vested interests, would I be better off paying a surveyor to tell me
definitively what's wrong and, if so, how much would he cost?

Another Dave

Get an SDS drill and drill exploratory holes from the inside,
you should be able to patch them from the inside with ready mix cement,
or temproary plywood covering whilst investigation goes on.

You can take your time to find out whats wrong.

And with that knowledge ask a surveyor more intelligent questions.

I've had this house 4 years and been DIYing every day but there are
still many unknowns.

[g]