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Should you even treat this?
Plenty of home and garden problems are best monitored rather than treated, and acting on a non-problem wastes money. This free triage scores severity, how far it has spread, whether it involves working at height, and any legal exposure, then tells you honestly whether to leave it and watch, do it yourself, or call a qualified professional. It is guidance, not a survey.
Answer four quick questions about your problem. The tool deliberately returns leave it alone where that is the honest answer.
About your problem
Guidance only, not a survey or professional advice. Never put yourself at risk to save a quote, and always get a proper assessment before committing to treatment.
How this triage scores (methodology)
Each answer adds points across four factors: current severity, how far it has spread, the physical risk of fixing it (height and hazard), and legal exposure. Legal exposure is weighted heavily, and working at height pushes any job towards a professional regardless of the rest, because both can turn a small job dangerous or unlawful.
The total is banded: a low score returns monitor or leave it, a middle score returns DIY is reasonable with the usual safety caveats, and a high score returns get a qualified professional. The tool is biased towards leave it at the bottom end, because acting on a non-problem is a common and avoidable cost. It is a sense-check, not a survey.
Frequently asked questions
When is leaving a problem alone the right call?
More often than people think. Light surface moss on a sound roof, a few ants in summer, minor cosmetic mould from condensation, or old inactive woodworm holes often need monitoring rather than treatment. Acting on a non-problem wastes money and sometimes does harm, like pressure washing a roof that did not need it.
What pushes a job towards a professional?
Working at height, anything that touches protected wildlife or the law, signs of structural or active damage, a health risk, or a problem that has spread widely. Any one of those is usually enough to justify a qualified pro over DIY, regardless of cost.
Is this a substitute for a survey?
No. It is a quick sense-check to help you decide whether to spend, watch, or get expert help. It is guidance, not a survey or professional advice. Where the result says get a pro, it means get a proper assessment before committing to any treatment.
Sources
Editor, HomesAndHedge
Oliver Mackman is the editor of HomesAndHedge and is accountable for its editorial standards and sourcing. He ensures every claim is backed by a named source such as the Property Care Association, the RHS, the NHS or gov.uk, and that the site is clear about when a job needs a qualified professional.
Last reviewed: 12 June 2026