West Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Balcombe Lane, West Sussex
Wondering about the chimney stack at a property in Balcombe Lane? We carry out chimney surveys in Balcombe Lane and across West Sussex.
- A stack that appears to lean
- Disused chimneys trapping moisture
- Cracked or missing flaunching
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Balcombe Lane
With Tyes Place about 3 miles south-west, Balcombe Lane sits in an area with a long building history. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead. Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first.
For businesses in and around places such as County Mall, a dated report on the roof is useful for planning and for any lease discussions. If your house is among the older ones in the streets near The Parish Church of St Mary, old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs. Take a building like Balcombe CofE Controlled Primary School: a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Balcombe Lane is about 4 miles south-east of Crawley, in West Sussex. Balcombe Lane gets the same service as everywhere else we work: a careful look at what can safely be seen, photographs and a clear written report. Across West Sussex, we cover Balcombe Lane.
Here we cover the RH17 postcode area for chimney surveys. We also cover Balcombe (1 mile south), Worth Abbey (2 miles north-east), Furnace Green (2 miles north-west), Pease Pottage (3 miles west) and Staplefield (3 miles south-west). Further out, we also cover Crawley (4 miles north-west), Horsham (8 miles west), Haywards Heath (5 miles south), Burgess Hill (8 miles south), East Grinstead (6 miles north-east) and Broadfield (4 miles north-west).
Local landmarks in Balcombe Lane
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to Oriel High School, among other places. Balcombe Lane’s nearest station is Balcombe station, roughly 1.3 miles south. A little further out are Crawley Museum (3.9 miles north-west) and Waterbury Castle (4.8 miles south-east). Green spaces nearby include Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow and Tilgate Lake.
Chimney survey in Balcombe Lane: what you get
If you are buying a home with chimneys, it is worth knowing their condition before you exchange. 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 shared and party-wall stacks, flaunching and chimney pots and cowls, and common reasons people get in touch are damaged chimney pots and cowls and staining on walls around the chimney.
Older buildings in small places like Balcombe Lane may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials can be used when work is done, so check with the council before planning anything. Knowing the roof’s condition helps you plan ahead with that in mind. Where a building is listed, matching the existing roof materials is often expected.
The report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Each point is backed by a photo where possible.
- Place
- Balcombe Lane (RH17)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Questions from Balcombe Lane
Is my home in Balcombe Lane listed or in a conservation area?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Is Balcombe Lane within the area you cover?
Yes. Balcombe Lane is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route as you book.
Can you give me structural calculations?
No. Visible signs such as deflection or sagging are recorded, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. If one is needed, the report says so.
Do you survey on Saturdays and Sundays?
We survey on any day from Monday to Sunday, during the day, which suits people who work during the week. Just say which days work for you.
Does the weather affect the survey?
A survey can normally go ahead in light rain, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Strong wind or a downpour can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather isn’t suitable.
Does this replace a RICS home survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, and it isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
Are you insured?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
How it works
It’s useful to start with what’s prompted the survey: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. Most visits take roughly 1–2 hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. In a small place like Balcombe Lane, access is usually the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- You tell us how many stacks there are and any damp or problems you’ve noticed.
- We inspect each stack from safe viewpoints outside.
- We check and photograph the pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
- We check the chimney breasts and the stack in the roof space where we can reach them.
- The findings are written up with photos and recommendations and emailed to you.
Preparing for the visit
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Find any records of previous roof work
- Keep pets in another room
Book a survey
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email, tell us about the property and we will suggest the right survey. The price is agreed up front.
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Places near Balcombe Lane
More services for Balcombe Lane
How the survey changes by roof type
Flaunching
We frequently find flaunching that has cracked or broken away. It’s normally a modest repair when it is caught early.
Brick stacks
Brick stacks rely on sound pointing to keep water out. The survey looks for crumbling bricks and worn or missing mortar.
Tips that help
Some practical points come up on survey after survey. They apply to most roofs:
- Ask for ventilated caps on redundant stacks
- Note any damp on chimney breasts and when it appears
- Book a sweep for flues that are in use
- Check your stacks from ground level after strong winds
If anything in the report is not clear, just ask us. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation.
Make sure redundant flues are capped with ventilation. That helps stop damp building up inside.
What affects the price in Balcombe Lane
We confirm the exact price before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- The size of the roof
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before booking.
Booking your survey
If you can, have these to hand when you get in touch:
- When you need the report by
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
We confirm the price for your roof before you book, so you know the cost up front. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Surveys for landlords and agents in Balcombe Lane
If the property is let, the agent or a tenant can let us in. Surveys run on any day of the week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. The report is emailed, so it can go straight to your client.