West Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Charlton, West Sussex
Chimney surveys in Charlton, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
How a chimney survey works in Charlton
Chimney stacks take more weather than almost any other part of a house. In time, flaunching cracks, mortar washes out and flashings come loose. That lets water into the brickwork, which can show up as damp on a chimney breast or in the roof space. We record what we find with photos and recommendations. We survey flaunching, shared and party-wall stacks and brick chimney stacks, and people most often book us about frost-damaged brickwork on the stack and mortar washing out of the joints.
In a small place like Charlton, many roofs stand in the open, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A roof report shows what needs attention first. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are often the first to give way.
What you get is a clear record of the chimney stack on the day we saw it. It is useful straight away, and a good reference for later, for example when you want to check whether anything has changed.
- Location
- Charlton (PO18)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey can’t tell you
This is not a RICS building survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. Other limits to bear in mind:
- Hidden damage within the stack
- A structural engineer’s assessment
- Gas safety checks, which need a Gas Safe registered engineer
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and we’ll point you to the right survey. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings
- Chimney breasts
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Flaunching
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Brick chimney stacks
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
It is useful to keep a record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us as you book.
Nearby places to Charlton
More services for Charlton
Chimney surveys in Charlton: local notes
West Dean House, about 1.7 miles west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Charlton. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters. Older houses across Sussex frequently have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging on their upper walls. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Whatever the covering, it’s frequently the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Singleton CofE Primary School, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. The streets around a church like The Parish Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary are often among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, corroded nails, tired lead and weathered chimney pointing are the things to watch on older roofs.
Charlton is about 5 miles north of Chichester, in West Sussex. Bookings from Charlton are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Charlton is one of the towns and villages in West Sussex we cover for chimney surveys. Portsmouth is in our area too.
Surveys in PO18 are booked the same way as anywhere else. Whether your property is on Charlton Road and Knight's Hill or anywhere close by, we can survey it. If you’re just outside Charlton, we cover Singleton (1 mile west), East Dean (1 mile east), West Dean (2 miles west), Cocking (3 miles north) and Heyshott (3 miles north). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (9 miles south), Chichester (5 miles south), Selsey (12 miles south), Littlehampton (11 miles south-east), Emsworth (10 miles south-west) and Rustington (12 miles south-east).
What’s near Charlton
Nearby you’ll also find Chichester Centre (4.6 miles south) and Weald and Downland Gridshell (0.8 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Levin Down and Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.
Before and after the survey
Nothing here needs a ladder. A few suggestions:
- Look at the chimneys with binoculars after a storm
- Keep the report to compare against at the next survey
- Never climb onto the roof to look at a chimney
- Keep track of stains on chimney breasts
Many people use the report to get quotes for the work. With the same list in front of each contractor, comparing quotes is simpler.
Unused stacks should be capped in a way that still lets air through. That helps stop damp building up inside.
What a survey costs
Our packages start from £150, inc. VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on:
- How many separate roofs there are, like extensions, dormers and garages
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- The size of the roof
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
One thing that affects the price is the package: Basic from £150, Standard from £250 or Premium from £400, all including VAT. Size, height and access can affect the price too.
Getting in touch
These details help when you contact us:
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- Where water is showing inside, if it is
- The property’s address and postcode
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The exact figure depends on the roof and the package, so call 07833 053749 or send us an email with the details.
FAQs for Charlton
Will you come out to Charlton?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Is my home in Charlton listed or in a conservation area?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Do you look in the loft space?
Where it’s relevant to the survey and there is safe access, yes. A clear path to the hatch helps, and if the loft can’t be reached safely, the report says so.
Do I have to be there for the survey?
Not necessarily. An outside-only look can be arranged beforehand, but the loft and any rooms with damp need someone to let us in.
How much is a survey?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. You’ll know the exact price before booking, and it depends on the roof’s size, access and the package you choose. For a price, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
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 is safe access. Everything is written up with photos.
Can you survey in bad weather?
Light rain is usually fine; heavy rain and wind are different. Strong wind or heavy rain can make access unsafe and ground a drone, and we’d agree another day.
The survey, 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 make notes for the report. Most visits take roughly 1–2 hours for most houses; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. Somewhere as small as Charlton, access is often the only tricky part. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Weekday and weekend visits are available.
- First we talk through the stacks, their history and any problems.
- Each stack is inspected from safe positions outside.
- Pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings are checked and photographed.
- We look for damp on chimney breasts and in the roof space.
- The report, with photographs and recommendations, is emailed to you.
Preparing for the visit
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- Agree roof access with the managing agent if it’s shared
How to book
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and give us a few details about the property and we will explain which survey suits. The price is agreed up front.
Read more
Leave it or get it looked at?
If you are buying, find out about the stacks before you exchange. Once you’ve exchanged, the work is down to you. Our report gives you facts to raise with the seller or agent. In a small place like Charlton, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. The price is confirmed before booking.
Why book with us
- PI and public liability insurance
- 5,000+ surveys completed
- An independent look at the roof
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
See our cost guide or our case studies.