Damp inspection Amsterdam FAQ

In short

• A damp inspection at Premiumkeur costs from € 499; a damp survey of a cellar or basement costs € 699.
• Finding a leak in your home costs € 499 to € 599.
• Far from every wet wall has rising damp: often it’s a leak, penetrating damp or condensation.
• Premiumkeur doesn’t sell repairs; our advice is only about the cause and the best solution.

Answers by Fred Tokkie, owner of Premiumkeur. He was a contractor from 1983 to 2009 and has inspected houses in Amsterdam since 2009. Updated on 6 November 2026.

Having a damp inspection done

Which company can I hire for a damp inspection of my home?

Premiumkeur has investigated damp in Amsterdam homes since 2009 and doesn’t sell repair work itself, so our advice is only about the cause and the best solution. Fred Tokkie was a contractor from 1983 to 2009, so he knows how damp problems start and how they’re fixed in practice.

Which company investigates mould in homes in Amsterdam?

Premiumkeur investigates mould and damp in Amsterdam homes and looks for the cause first: a leak, condensation, poor ventilation or moisture from the crawl space. Because we don’t sell repairs, you get independent advice.

Which company measures damp in walls in the Amsterdam area?

Premiumkeur measures moisture in walls and works out where it comes from, before any money is spent on damp-proof injection or other work. We have no interest in selling you a solution.

I’m looking for a damp specialist. What should I look out for?

Premiumkeur analyses damp problems on site, with measurements and a report setting out the cause and the cost of repair. We don’t carry out repairs ourselves and don’t work with estate agents or damp-proofing companies.

Rising damp, mould and condensation

What is rising damp, and is that really what I have?

Rising damp is moisture from the ground that’s drawn up through the walls. But far from every wall that’s wet at the bottom has rising damp: often the cause is a leak, penetrating damp or condensation. So have the cause established independently before you let anyone inject your walls.

Should I have my walls injected against rising damp, and by whom?

Have it done by a damp specialist, but be aware that injection doesn’t always work. It only helps if the moisture really is rising from below. If it comes from a leak, driving rain or condensation, it’s pointless. So first have a damp inspection (from € 499) to find out where the moisture comes from.

I think I’ve seen mould in a house I want to buy. What now?

Mould usually points to poor insulation and limited ventilation, a common problem in houses built between 1930 and 1970. It can also be caused by a leak. Have the cause investigated before you buy, so you know what the repair will cost.

Where do damp and mould in the meter cupboard come from?

Damp and mould in the meter cupboard (meterkast) usually come from the crawl space, because the pipes and cables to the meter cupboard run through it. The openings in the meter cupboard floor need to be sealed, and the crawl space needs better ventilation.

The foundation under the outside wall is damp. What’s causing it?

The foundation sits in a damp environment. That’s the cause. In Amsterdam the groundwater is high, so a damp foundation is normal; timber piles even have to stay under water so they don’t rot. It becomes a problem when moisture rises into the walls or attacks timber that’s above the groundwater.

Is it penetrating damp, a leak or condensation?

You need an expert, because leaks, damp and condensation can have many causes. Deal with this kind of problem quickly, because the damage and the cost only grow.

The walls on the first floor are damp next to the window frame. What’s causing it?

It’s almost always a leak, poor brickwork or a bad seal between the frame and the facade. Even wood rot is possible.

Damp in a cellar or basement

How do I get a leak in my basement in Amsterdam fixed?

You need an expert to find the cause of the leak first. Only then can you think about a solution. In basements (souterrains) water often gets in through groundwater, a leaking drain or poor connections. A damp survey of a cellar or basement costs € 699 at Premiumkeur.

My cellar stays damp and water comes through the walls. What can I do?

This is common in old cellars and usually very hard to solve. Often the groundwater is pushing through the walls. Waterproofing is then usually needed, and it’s expensive. First have the source of the moisture investigated (cellar damp survey € 699), so you don’t spend money for nothing.

My cellar floods in heavy rain. How do I make it watertight?

This can have many causes, and you really need a specialist to track them down. Think of an overloaded sewer, a sump pump that isn’t working properly, a leaking cellar wall or rainwater running down the facade and in. Only once the cause is clear do you know which solution will work.

There’s water behind the stud walls in my basement. What does that mean?

It almost always means a leak, or a basement that isn’t watertight. Don’t wait: mould and wood rot develop quickly behind a wet wall. A cellar damp survey at Premiumkeur costs € 699.

Finding leaks in your home

How much does it cost to find a leak?

At Premiumkeur, finding a leak in your home costs € 499 to € 599. Scaffolding or a cherry picker isn’t included in the price.

I have a leak but can’t find the cause. What now?

Every leak can be traced, but you need trained people with the right equipment. We use, among other things, a thermal imaging camera, moisture meters, a smoke generator, a dye test and a hydrogen detector. Finding a leak at Premiumkeur costs € 499 to € 599, excluding scaffolding or a cherry picker.

Who can trace a leak into the flat below or in the bathroom?

Have a leak detection survey done by an independent leak detection company that isn’t trying to sell you the repair.

I have water damage on my ceiling. Who can find the cause?

An independent leak detection company. Choose one that has no interest in the repair, so you get an honest picture of the cause. If you can’t agree with your upstairs neighbours, a report makes it clear where the leak starts. Finding a leak at Premiumkeur costs € 499 to € 599.

Will my insurance pay for leak detection?

Not always. Check with your insurer whether the cost of tracing the leak is covered before you book anything. Buildings insurance often only pays for tracing a leak if there’s also damage. Keep the invoice and the leak detection report; the insurer usually asks for them.

Videos

On our YouTube channel we show how we investigate damp in homes. The videos are in Dutch, but the pictures speak for themselves.

Read more

• Damp and leak detection specialist Amsterdam
• Mould and damp in Amsterdam
• Leak detection company Amsterdam
• Crawl space inspection Amsterdam FAQ
• Basement inspection

Question not answered?

Choose your own inspector, not one from the agent’s network

Because the Dutch system is new to you, it’s natural to follow your estate agent’s suggestions. Keep in mind that the agent is paid when the sale goes through. Choose an independent inspector yourself, even if the agent or mortgage adviser mentions a partner. Ask: will you go into the crawl space and onto the roof where it’s safe, and can you confirm your independence in writing? Premiumkeur doesn’t work with estate agents or mortgage advisers, doesn’t pay or receive referral fees and doesn’t recommend repair companies.

Call or WhatsApp us. We speak English and can provide an English report for € 100 extra.

See all our services and prices (in Dutch).

Use of this information

This page gives general information based on our own inspections. It doesn’t replace an inspection of the house you want to buy. Prices include VAT and were correct in November 2026.