London and the South East
Chimney Survey in Brighton and Hove
From the largest town to the smallest village in Brighton and Hove, we can carry out chimney surveys. Written reports with photos, and surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Chimney survey across Brighton and Hove
In short: a survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching. Choose your town from the list to see local details, or call 07833 053749 to book.
Largest places
Also in Brighton and Hove
- Electronic leak detection
- Gutter survey
- Roof survey
- Flat roof survey
- Roof leak investigation
- Storm damage roof report
- Drone roof survey
- Thermal imaging roof survey
- Pre-purchase roof survey
- Landlord roof survey
- New roof snagging
Postcodes in Brighton and Hove
Chimney survey in Brighton and Hove: how it works
Chimney stacks take more weather than almost any other part of a house. Over the years, the flaunching cracks, the pointing wears and flashings lift. That lets water into the brickwork, which can show up as damp on a chimney breast or in the roof space. A survey finds these problems and records them with photos. We survey shared and party-wall stacks, brick chimney stacks and flaunching, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are pots or cowls that look unsafe and eroded joints in the brickwork.
It’s useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. The visit normally takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, while a commercial roof takes nearer three to four hours.
- We start by noting which stacks are in use, shared or causing concern.
- We check the roof around each stack, including the flashings.
- We check the flaunching and pots on every stack.
- We note the brickwork, pointing and any sign of leaning.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
Prices in Brighton and Hove
The Premium Survey includes thermal imaging and drone inspection where it applies, which starts from £400, inc. VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you want to find out.
Why book with us
- Independent findings on the roof’s condition
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- Surveys seven days a week
Arrange a survey
When you are ready to go ahead, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.
Around Brighton
In Brighton, that means homes and buildings near Fairlight Primary School, St Martin's Church and Park Crescent pub, among other places. Also close by are Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (0.9 miles west), Academy of Creative Training (0.9 miles south) and William Clarke Park (under half a mile east). Brighton has its own railway station: London Road (Brighton) station. Well-known places in the area include Brighton General Hospital (0.7 miles east) and Old Police Cells Museum (1 mile south-west). For a walk, there is Newmarket Hill and Whitehawk Hill.
Roofs, chimneys and gutters across Brighton and Hove
Owners across Brighton and Hove, from Brighton, Hove and Carlton Hill to the villages, book us to find out where their roof stands. A report helps you sort small faults before they let water in.
We work right across London and the South East, from the Isle of Wight to Hertfordshire, and Brighton and Hove is well within that. Visits run on weekdays and at weekends. Along the coast in Brighton and Hove, roofs facing the sea take the brunt of the weather, so ridges, verges and flashings there often need attention first.
Brighton: If you look after a building like Fairlight Primary School, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. If you live near a park such as William Clarke Park, or anywhere with mature trees, autumn leaves can block gutters and valleys, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall.
Prices for chimney surveys in Brighton and Hove
Our packages start from £150, with VAT included. The price for your roof depends on:
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- How big the roof is
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how safely it can be seen. Prices start from £150, including VAT.
What we need to know
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- Where the property is, with the postcode
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or email us and we’ll ask a few questions about the roof. The price is agreed before a date is set.
What you can safely check yourself
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, which helps when we look at the roof.
A lot can be seen from ground level. With binoculars, look for slipped or missing slates and tiles, gaps along the ridge and leaning chimneys. Never climb onto the roof to look.
Roof by roof
Rendered stacks
Some stacks are rendered, which can hide the condition of the brickwork beneath. We look for cracks, hollow areas and staining.
Flaunching
Flaunching is the mortar on top of a stack that holds the pots and sheds water. Once it cracks, water can get straight into the brickwork.
What happens if roof problems are left?
A leaning stack should be looked at sooner rather than later. We record its condition and recommend a structural engineer where needed, so you can decide what to do next.
Before you book any surveyor
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
- Is VAT included in the price?
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
Common roof problems in Brighton and Hove
Stacks that were used for open fires for many years can weaken from the inside. Mortar can deteriorate unevenly from flue gases and moisture, which is one reason stacks start to lean.
People typically book a survey when they’ve noticed one of these:
- Damaged chimney pots and cowls
- Damp patches on chimney breasts
- Flaunching that has broken away
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
Brighton and Hove: your questions answered
Which parts of the chimney do you look at?
The survey covers the pots and cowls, the flaunching, the pointing, the bricks and the flashings. Inside, we look for damp on chimney breasts and in the loft where there’s safe access. Everything is written up with photos.
How much does a chimney survey cost in Brighton and Hove?
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. The final figure depends on the roof and the package you choose.
What’s in the survey report?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, finishing with recommendations. Points are put by urgency where it matters.
How long does the survey take?
It typically takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, with bigger or more complicated roofs taking longer. You will then get the report by email.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, so it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
What should I do with a chimney I don’t use?
An unused stack still needs to stay weathertight and ventilated. If it is capped without ventilation, damp can build up inside. We check how it’s capped and its condition, so you can plan what to do with it.
How experienced are you?
Over 20 years and more than 5,000 surveys.