Aaron West
Director @ SHDR
After my studies, I had the good fortune to land an onsite apprenticeship with one of the lead foremen who rebuilt the Grand Hotel after it was bombed by the IRA in 1984. He was a well-regarded and knowledgeable tutor. He opened my eyes to the old ways and taught me the sympathetic approaches to caring for an old property. He taught me to understand material science and building pathology, and how to release trapped moisture rather than lock it in.
After serving three years as a private soldier with the Royal Engineers. I left the Army in 2004 and set up my own company. 18 years later, I’m still carrying the torch passed to me by my Obi-Wan Kenobi.
I’m a building surveyor who specialises in damp buildings, identifying wood boring insects and all types of fungal decay that want to digest buildings. I’ve surveyed much of the property timeline from as old as 11th Century to modern day town houses. I’ve worked with English Heritage, National Trust and Historic England.
I can’t list the rest, we haven’t the time, but my clients call me ‘Dr Damp’, and I love my job a bit too much!
TRADITIONAL VALUES
FRESH APPROACH
When issues occur with any property, it isn’t just the property that needs looking after, it is the owners and occupants as well.
When signs of damp, woodworm, or fungi show its face in any property, it’s especially worrying if you don’t know why it’s happening. It’s this unknown that encourages misinterpretation of the situation. And that creates understandable anxiety and wasted expense.
Over the years, we’ve helped and advised scores of property owners and tenants and given them logical solutions based on an honest appraisal of how to reverse damp and decay issues. What gets wet really does dry out.
We have bailed out homeowners from flooded properties and dealt with everything nature could throw at a structure, above and below ground. Simply understanding the warning signs and responding directly is the best remedy.
If you’re facing a damp issue, we’ll be the comforting voice of reason and will always have your best interests at heart and be backed up by science.
We’ve been looking after buildings and their occupants for many years and will continue to do so because we know that our approach works.
Please take a moment to read our reviews and see how our customers rate our advice. We take pride in providing the best possible advice.
k ellis2024-03-24Sussex Heritage Damp Restoration are fantastic to deal with from start to finish. Their knowledge and work is outstanding and I would not hesitate to recommend them.
A Taylor2024-03-24I'm so glad I stumbled across the SHDR website when looking for a solution to condensation problems. Aaron got straight in touch, and came around to assess the situation. Since then he and his team (thanks Matilda and the crew!) have sorted out the condensation issue with humidity-sensitive fans and a french drain. Grateful to them for their expertise and hard work. Can highly recommend.
Toby Herst and Amber Ashley2024-03-08Very prompt and efficient service. I met Max today who is professional and informative. We have had an ongoing issue in our flat in Brighton for sometime now, SHDR has identified the issue and offered solutions in record time! Thank you MAX!!
Madeleine Spencer2024-02-25After ages of battling mould and damp in our flat, Aaron came round and did a thorough inspection of the property. He was so knowledgeable and took the time to properly explain to us what the issue was, why it was happening and advise on how to fix it. He was so friendly and enthusiastic about how it could be solved, we were left feeling so positive, optimistic and aware about what was a very concerning issue for us. Aaron even gave us quick tips on little things we could do straight away to avoid making it worse until a proper solution could be sorted out. Thanks to Aaron we actually understand some of the problems and causes and things to look out for - to the point where I’m regurgitating it to friends to seem like an expert myself! We were so impressed with his service and would highly recommend him to anyone.
Michael Nussbaum2024-02-25I've been consulting with Aaron from SHDR on a first home with damp and mould issues and the experience has been over and above the standard. Not only personable - clearly caring about our livelihood - it has been very reassuring. Plenty of people (including some specialists) have given the impression that there is basically not much that can be done as old buildings have problems. Aaron has been able to give clear explanation of causes of issues along with quick-win suggestions and proper long-term solution recommendations which actually make a difference. The knowledge displayed is incredible - nobody has the same level of passion and expertise on the subject - and matched with a pragmatic approach to give us real options that will help us. On top of this Aaron is unbelievably nice! I have been raving about the service already because it's beyond what anyone would expect
Michael Edmonds2024-02-11Over the last year, Aaron has been exceptionally helpful and friendly in helping us understand our Victorian terrace house in Brighton. He explained the issues we were experiencing in a reassuring and accessible way, and has enabled us to address them in a way that is appropriate to the property. This has improved ventilation, brought relative humidity down to ideal levels and created better air quality. Aaron has given us a much better understanding of our home and continues to check in to make sure all is well. He and his team have been great to work with and we’d definitely recommend them.
Marti Reading2024-02-05Aaron took time to sort out our condensation problem and recommended we install a Nuaire Drimaster PIV System which is working exactly as it should. Our condensation has cleared up completely and no more damp patches or smells in the house. We cannot recommend this company highly enough. They go above and beyond for their customers.
Sophie Benton2024-01-31Aaron has been absolutely brilliant from start to finish. He found the cause of a damp issue I’ve had with my flat for years and has provided some really straightforward solutions.
Brian Fudge2024-01-31Aaron saved us from buying an overpriced money pit. But more importantly, he enabled our house sale to complete at the offer price when his report convinced the buyers’ bank to remove all concerns and lend on the full amount. For both properties (our home and the target purchase) Aaron quickly and comprehensively outlined all the issues. He reported the real state of the structures and straightforward uncomplicated solutions that were sympathetic to the listed heritage requirements and unbelievably affordable.
Christopher Swallow2024-01-20Aaron is the first person to give me real actionable, professional and unbiased advice on how to maintain and upgrade our period property. I now have the confidence to work with contractors in a more informed way. Aaron is always there to give advice and help. I will be using him again!!
