Kent · London and the South East
Bicknor Chimney Survey
An experienced roof surveyor for chimney surveys in Bicknor. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and South East England.
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Cracked or missing flaunching
Chimney survey in Bicknor: what you get
Many homes have chimneys that are no longer used. Even when it is not used, a stack has to stay weathertight. If it has been capped without ventilation, damp can build up inside it. We check how redundant stacks have been capped and look for damp in the chimney breasts. The report sets out what we found and what we recommend. If you’ve noticed signs that a stack is leaning and worn or missing pointing, a survey will tell you what’s going on.
Village roofs often face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A roof report shows what needs attention first. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are frequently where weather gets in first.
Every survey ends with a written report, with photographs, sent by email. It explains the condition of the chimney stack, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Place
- Bicknor (ME9)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How we price chimney surveys
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Which survey package you book
- Roof area
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package you pick makes a difference too. The price is always agreed first.
What we need to know
When you call or email, these details help:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from the ground or a window
- Dates you are working to, such as exchange
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
Every survey is priced before it’s booked, so you know where you stand. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
Local roofs in Bicknor
With Leeds Castle about 3.7 miles south-west, Bicknor sits in an area with a long building history. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. Many older homes in Kent have handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles held by pegs through two holes, and tile-hanging on their upper walls. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Whatever the covering, it’s often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first.
Take an older house close to Church of St James: corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs.
Bicknor is about 4 miles south-west of Sittingbourne, in Kent. We provide chimney surveys for homeowners, landlords and businesses in Bicknor and the surrounding area. Our Kent coverage includes Bicknor and the places around it. You can also see our page for Maidstone.
Every address in ME9 is covered for chimney surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you’re just outside Bicknor, we cover Hucking (1 mile west), Wormshill (1 mile south-east), Broad Street (2 miles south-west), Hollingbourne (2 miles south-west) and Eyhorne Street (3 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (6 miles west), Ashford (14 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (4 miles north-east), Faversham (9 miles east), Minster (10 miles north-east) and Kings Hill (12 miles west).
Around Bicknor
For rail, the closest station is Hollingbourne station, roughly 2.8 miles south-west of the centre. Nearby you will also find Leeds Castle (3.7 miles south-west) and KIMS hospital (4.9 miles west). Not far away are Detling Hill.
Signs you need a chimney survey in Bicknor
Aerials and dishes are often fixed to stacks. Their weight and the wind on them can loosen bricks and pointing. We check fixings on the stack as part of the survey.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Disused chimneys trapping moisture
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
Landlords with a home close to Hollingbourne station may find that a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- What insurance they carry
- Whether the loft is part of the inspection
- Whether you can ask questions once you have the report
What we do, step by step
A survey visit follows a simple order: we listen to what’s been worrying you, inspect the roof from each safe vantage point, photograph what we find and record our findings for the written report. It typically takes between one and two hours for a house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. Around Bicknor, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it’s safe.
- We start by noting which stacks are in use, shared or causing concern.
- The flashings and the roof around each chimney are inspected.
- The top of each stack is checked for cracked flaunching and loose pots.
- We note the brickwork, pointing and any sign of leaning.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
Before we arrive
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Keep pets inside or away from the areas we are looking at
- Note where any stains or damp appear
Getting a price
Getting a price is simple: just ring 07833 053749 or email us, let us know about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Advice
Tips that help
Getting the most from a chimney survey starts before we arrive and carries on afterwards. Some tips:
- Check that disused chimneys can still breathe
- Keep the report to compare against at the next survey
- Find out whether changes to a stack need permission
- Use a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas appliances
With a shared stack, the report can help when talking to next door. The photos show the problem and which side it’s on, as far as we could see.
Check fixings on the stack are sound, and moved if they’re working it loose. Less load on the stack means less strain in wind.
Bicknor: your questions answered
Is Bicknor within the area you cover?
Yes. Bicknor is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. Our area covers London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Bicknor?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
I live in a flat. Can you survey the roof?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We look at the parts we are given access to, and the report makes that clear.
Do you take photos of the roof?
Yes, every report has them. Pictures sit next to the findings they show, so you can see what we mean.
What will the report tell me?
It sets out what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, with photos throughout. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely, so you know exactly what was covered.
Why is my chimney breast damp?
Damp on a chimney breast usually means water is getting into the stack, or moisture is trapped inside it. We check the stack, the flashings and how unused flues are capped, and record what we find.
Is it a structural engineer’s report?
No. Visible signs such as deflection or sagging are recorded, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
Why act early in Bicknor
If you are thinking of removing or reducing a stack, it helps to know its condition first. Changes to stacks in conservation areas or on listed buildings may need consent and the council can advise. Outbuildings and barns around Bicknor are easy to forget, but a failed roof there can spoil what’s stored inside. It is worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
Price depends partly on the package: from £150 for Basic, £250 for Standard and £400 for Premium, including VAT. The roof’s size, height and access matter as well.
Why book with us
- 98% customer satisfaction
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- An independent look at the roof
- Weekday and weekend surveys
Read what a roof survey costs and our case studies.
Other services in Bicknor
For landlords and managing agents
Letting agents and landlords in Bicknor book surveys as well as householders. A photo-illustrated written report gives you a clear record of the chimney stack, which helps you plan work between tenancies.
Landlords, agents and building managers in Bicknor and across Kent can book any of our surveys. To discuss a property or a block, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.