Kent · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Ashley, Kent
Not sure what state the chimney stack is in? You can book a chimney survey in Ashley and across Kent, with plain-English findings.
- Mortar washing out of the joints
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
- A stack that appears to lean
Why act early in Ashley
A loose pot or brick can fall from height. Finding them early means they can be dealt with before they come down by a roofer. Older and listed buildings around Ashley may need consent and matching materials for repairs, so leaving a defect until it’s urgent leaves less time to plan.
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we will tell you which fits.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Ashley
- A report with photos
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- 98% of customers satisfied
About our chimney survey in Ashley
For buyers, a chimney survey before exchange can flag work you may want to raise. On older stacks, we often find cracked flaunching, loose flashings and worn pointing. Our report gives you specific points to raise with the seller or agent. It complements a RICS home survey rather than replacing it. We survey brick chimney stacks, flaunching and lead flashings, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are worn or missing pointing and flaunching that has broken away.
Somewhere as small as Ashley, homes are frequently older cottages and farmhouses, with outbuildings and some newer houses. Older roofs may be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, often with chimneys that have stood a long time. We report on what can be seen safely, and thatch is a specialist material. Chimneys and lead flashings on old roofs often need the most attention.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photos, sent by email. It sets out the condition of the chimney stack, any defects and our written recommendations.
- Where
- Ashley (CT15)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Landlords and agents in Ashley book surveys as well as householders. A report with photos gives you a clear record of the chimney stack, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Ashley and across Kent can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Towns and villages near Ashley
More services for Ashley
What we’re asked to look at in Ashley
Some owners book because a chimney breast has been removed below and they want to know about the stack above. We note what’s visible in the loft space and outside, and recommend a structural engineer where support is in question.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Cracked or missing flaunching
- Bricks with flaking faces
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Lifted or split lead flashings
If you let a flat or house near Martin Mill station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
- Whether VAT is added on top
- Their insurance cover
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
The survey, step by step
You don’t need to do much on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we’ll get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home, and more on a big or complicated roof. Somewhere as small as Ashley, access is often the only tricky part. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- First we talk through the stacks, their history and any problems.
- We check every stack from wherever it can safely be seen.
- Pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings are checked and photographed.
- Inside, the chimney breasts and the loft are checked for damp where there’s access.
- The report, with photographs and recommendations, is emailed to you.
Before we arrive
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Keep pets in another room
Booking a survey
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, so phone 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
Advice
Common questions in Ashley
Can a landlord with a rental near Martin Mill station book a roof survey?
Yes, rented property is part of what we cover. Just phone 07833 053749 or email us and tell us about the building, including who will give access on the day.
Is Ashley within the area you cover?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. Our area covers London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
Can you survey a chimney stack we share with next door?
Yes. We inspect whatever is safely visible and what you give us access to. Where a problem appears to be on next door’s side, we note it and you can raise it with them.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
That depends on the survey. Inside the building and in the loft, we need someone to let us in, while outside access can be discussed as you book.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. If one is needed, the report says so.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, if whoever owns or manages the building agrees access. We look at the parts we are given access to.
What does a chimney survey cover?
We check the pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing, brickwork and flashings. Inside, we look for damp on chimney breasts and in the loft where there’s safe access. Everything is written up with photos.
What a chimney survey does not cover
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Hidden damage within the stack
- Checks on boilers, fires or their flues
- Structural calculations for a leaning stack
If you are not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer. The full list of what we check.
What this survey covers
- Flaunching
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Brick chimney stacks
- Lead flashings
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Chimney breasts
Tips that help
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Check unused flues are capped with ventilation
- Ask about consent before removing a chimney on an older property
- Leave close inspection to people with safe access
- Use a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas appliances
Many people use the report to get quotes for the work. Because everyone is pricing the same findings, the quotes are easier to compare.
Have aerial and dish brackets on the stack checked and taken off if they’re no longer needed. Removing unused fixings takes strain off the brickwork.
What a chimney survey looks like in Ashley
Ashley lies within about 5 miles of the sea, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Near the sea, metal fixings wear faster and loose pieces on a roof are more likely to lift, and driving rain gets into whatever gap is left. About 4.3 miles east lies Walmer Castle, a reminder of how long the area around Ashley has been built on. Older homes in the wider area frequently have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years.
Take an older house close to East Studdal Church Hall: its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Ashley is about 4 miles north of Dover, in Kent. Ashley is one of many places we visit across Kent, for homes and businesses alike. Across Kent, we cover Ashley and the places around it. There is also a page for Canterbury.
All of CT15 is covered for chimney surveys. Local streets include Chapel Lane, Northdowns Close and Waldershare Road, and we cover them all. Close by, we survey roofs in Studdal (1 mile north-east), East Studdal (1 mile north-east), West Langdon (1 mile south-east), Sutton (2 miles east) and Church Whitfield (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Canterbury (11 miles north-west), Margate (14 miles north), Dover (4 miles south), Folkestone (10 miles south-west), Ramsgate (11 miles north-east) and Broadstairs (13 miles north-east).
Around Ashley
The nearest railway station is Martin Mill station, about 2.4 miles south-east. A little further out are Walmer Castle (4.3 miles east) and Buckland Hospital (4.1 miles south).