Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Childrey Chimney Survey
An experienced roof surveyor for chimney surveys in Childrey. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us across London and the South East.
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Frost-damaged brickwork on the stack
DIY checks: what’s safe
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way, and falls from height are serious. That part is for a survey, using safe viewpoints and a drone where it applies.
After strong wind, take a look from the pavement or garden: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
Chimney survey in Childrey
Our survey covers the structure of the stack and its weathering details. It is not a flue inspection, a chimney sweep or a gas safety inspection. For the flue itself, you’ll need a sweep or, for gas appliances, a Gas Safe registered engineer. If something we see points to the flue, we will say so. We survey brick chimney stacks, lead flashings and chimney pots and cowls, and the problems we’re asked to look at most are loose, cracked or missing pots and bricks with flaking faces.
In a small place like Childrey, 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. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are often where weather gets in first.
After the visit, you get a written report with photos, emailed to you. It explains the condition of the chimney stack, the defects we found and what we recommend.
- Location
- Childrey (OX12)
- Wider area
- Oxfordshire
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
When to book a survey in Childrey
Chimney stacks stand above the roof, exposed to wind, rain and frost on every side. Frost works into cracks in the flaunching and pointing, and rain soaks into worn brickwork. Most people book after spotting damp or a loose pot, or before buying.
Here are some of the things we see frequently:
- Damaged chimney pots and cowls
- Staining on walls around the chimney
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
If you look after a building such as The Ridgeway Church of England (C) Primary School, its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- If they fly a drone, whether they hold a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Whether the price includes VAT
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
Common questions in Childrey
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Childrey?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Do you cover Childrey?
Yes, Childrey is within the area we cover. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Just phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the property.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain doesn’t typically stop a survey, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Strong wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather isn’t suitable.
Do you look in the roof space?
If it is needed and safe to reach, yes. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging, as far as the space allows.
Do you survey roofs on blocks of flats?
Yes, once whoever controls the roof agrees access. We look at the parts we’re given access to, and the report makes that clear.
Do you inspect shared chimneys?
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.
What insurance do you have?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Towns and villages near Childrey
Also in Childrey
Local roofs in Childrey
There are about 500,000 buildings on England’s list of listed buildings, and around 10,000 conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, so the council is the place to ask. Cotswold stone slates are found on older buildings in west Oxfordshire, and thatch survives in some of the county’s villages. Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles. Whatever the covering, it is frequently the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first.
For an older house near a landmark such as Church of St Mary, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look.
Childrey is about 2 miles west of Wantage, in Oxfordshire. Whether the building in Childrey is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed. Our area takes in places right across Oxfordshire. You can also see our page for Oxford.
Surveys in OX12 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. You’ll find streets such as High Street, Hollow Way and Stowhill, all of which we cover. Nearby, we also carry out chimney surveys in West Challow (1 mile north-east), East Challow (1 mile east), Letcombe Regis (1 mile south-east), Letcombe Bassett (2 miles south-east) and Wantage (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include Didcot (10 miles east), Abingdon-on-Thames (11 miles north-east), Witney (14 miles north), Carterton (14 miles north), Grove (3 miles north-east) and Faringdon (7 miles north-west).
Around Childrey
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to King Alfred's and The Hatchet Public House. A little further out are Williams F1 Grand Prix Collection (3.8 miles north-east). Green spaces nearby include Letcombe Valley and Chain Hill.
What happens on the day
There is not much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, such as stains, drips or loose pieces, and we’ll take it from there. A typical survey takes between one and two hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. Around Childrey, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so it’s useful to know whether there is a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. We only go where it is safe.
- You tell us whether any stacks are shared, unused or leaning.
- 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.
- The report explains the condition and which work is most urgent.
Before we arrive
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
Getting a price
If you’re buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply phone 07833 053749 or email us whenever suits you.
Read more
Practical tips
From years of surveys, a few habits stand out:
- Check with the council before altering a stack in a conservation area or on a listed building
- Ask for ventilated caps on redundant stacks
- Keep track of stains on chimney breasts
- Book a sweep for flues that are in use
Questions about the findings are always welcome. Standard Surveys come with a follow-up consultation, and Premium Surveys with an in-person one.
Get small mortar repairs done while they’re small. It is far simpler than rebuilding a stack later.
How we price chimney surveys
When we price a survey, we consider:
- Extensions, dormers and garages with roofs of their own
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- How big the roof is
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
There are three survey packages: the Basic Survey from £150, the Standard Survey from £250 and the Premium Survey from £400, all including VAT. What your roof costs depends on its size, access and what you want to find out.
What to tell us when you get in touch
Some details help us suggest the right survey and price. When you contact us, tell us:
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- The property’s address and postcode
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
Not sure which survey you need? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Roof by roof
Flaunching
Sitting at the very top, flaunching is fully exposed. We look for cracks, gaps around the pots and missing pieces.
Chimney pots and cowls
Pots sit in the flaunching on top of the stack, and cowls or caps sit on the pots. We check that they look secure and undamaged.