Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Expert Building Surveys & Mundic Testing in Cornwall
Established in 1975, Stimson & Tieken has built a reputation as a trusted provider of building surveys and mundic testing in Cornwall. As members of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), we combine decades of local expertise with rigorous industry standards to deliver reliable property assessments. Our services cater to homeowners, buyers, and lenders across Cornwall, including Penzance, St Just, and the Isles of Scilly, ensuring transparency and confidence in property transactions. Specialising in concrete screening assessments, we have advised RICS and the Council of Mortgage Lenders on mundic testing procedures, maintaining approval from all major lenders. Our teams deep understanding of regional construction history enables accurate identification of properties at risk of mundic-related deterioration.With a focus on professionalism and client education, we provide clear, actionable insights to protect property investments. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our adherence to RICS guidelines and our track record of resolving complex concrete-related issues. Whether conducting Stage I assessments or advanced testing, we prioritise precision and client satisfaction. As a locally rooted firm, we offer tailored advice that addresses both immediate concerns and long-term property value. Our services are designed to streamline property transactions while upholding the highest standards of technical expertise and ethical practice.
Services
Building Surveys
Mundic Testing
Concrete Screening
Property Risk Assessments
Stage I Assessments
Stage II Assessments
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We have over 45 years of experience in Cornish property assessments.
- Our team holds Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accreditation.
- We pioneered mundic testing procedures adopted by national lenders.
- Our local knowledge covers Cornwall's unique construction history.
- We offer transparent, lender-approved concrete screening assessments.
Associations and certifications
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Services
Building Surveys
Our comprehensive building surveys assess structural integrity and identify potential issues in residential properties. Conducted by RICS-accredited surveyors, these inspections provide detailed reports on condition, maintenance needs, and valuation. Ideal for pre-purchase evaluations or property management, our surveys adhere to national standards while incorporating local Cornish construction expertise.
Mundic Testing
Specialist testing for properties constructed with historic mining aggregates. We perform RICS-compliant concrete screening to detect deleterious materials that may compromise structural integrity. Our Stage I-III assessments determine mortgage eligibility and long-term property viability, combining laboratory analysis with on-site expertise to deliver lender-approved results.
Concrete Screening
Detailed evaluation of concrete composition using core sampling and petrographic analysis. This service identifies mining aggregates in construction materials, providing classification reports required by mortgage providers. Our process follows RICS 2016 guidelines, ensuring accurate risk assessment for properties built before 1950 across Cornwall and Devon.
Stage I Assessments
Preliminary concrete screening involving 50mm core sampling from key structural elements. Conducted by chartered surveyors, this assessment classifies properties as A1 if no harmful aggregates are found. Over 85% of tested properties receive this classification, enabling straightforward mortgage approvals while preserving property value.
Stage II Assessments
Further analysis for properties showing initial signs of mundic contamination. This detailed assessment determines whether concrete deterioration meets acceptable standards for secured lending. With 60% pass rates, our Stage II process provides critical information for mortgage applications while maintaining compliance with lender requirements.
People
Wayne Tieken
Chartered Surveyor
With over 25 years of experience in Cornish property assessments, Wayne Tieken leads our mundic testing division. His expertise in concrete deterioration patterns and RICS-compliant surveys ensures accurate, lender-approved reports. Wayne has contributed to national guidelines on concrete screening assessments.
Questions
What is mundic testing?
Mundic testing assesses concrete for harmful mining aggregates that may cause structural deterioration in properties built before 1950.
Why do I need a mundic test?
Mortgage lenders require mundic tests to ensure properties in Cornwall and Devon meet structural safety standards for concrete construction.
How long does a building survey take?
A comprehensive building survey typically takes 2-3 hours on-site, with reports delivered within 5-7 working days.
Are your surveyors RICS accredited?
Yes, all our surveyors hold Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accreditation for building surveys and concrete assessments.
Can I get a mortgage with mundic concrete?
Properties passing Stage I or II assessments receive classifications that allow mortgage approval from major lenders.
How much does a Stage III assessment cost?
Stage III assessments start at £5,000 plus VAT due to extended laboratory analysis and monitoring over 12 months.
Reviews (1)
Robert Robinson
Jul 01, 2024
Report
Customer service and interpersonal skills very poor, defensive, arrogant, does not listen, talks over you and publishes on google that there is a mundic report on your property even when there's no mundic in your property and the report is 100% negative, leading any lay person to believe your property has mundic. This is very disingenuous behaviour and gives surveyors and RICS a bad name. To illustrate Wayne's Tieken general attitude during our conversation, in his own words Wayne said, 'it's my report I can do what I like with it'.
Clearly as the proprietor Wayne answers to no one, except that is the CUSTOMER, so BUYER BEWARE and know there are many other mundic surveyors available. By publishing such information Wayne Tieken is obviously trying to sell the report again for a quick buck. For what good it will do, I am going to bring this matter to the attention of RICS
Clearly as the proprietor Wayne answers to no one, except that is the CUSTOMER, so BUYER BEWARE and know there are many other mundic surveyors available. By publishing such information Wayne Tieken is obviously trying to sell the report again for a quick buck. For what good it will do, I am going to bring this matter to the attention of RICS
