Kent · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Fir Toll, Kent
Find out what’s going on with the chimney stack before you decide what to do next. Chimney surveys in Fir Toll, with photos and a clear written report.
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
About our chimney survey in Fir Toll
For buyers, a chimney survey before exchange can flag work you may want to raise. On older stacks, we frequently find cracked flaunching, loose flashings and worn pointing. You get photographs and findings you can take back to the seller or agent. It complements a RICS home survey rather than replacing it. If you are worried about frost-damaged brickwork on the stack and signs that a stack is leaning, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Older buildings in small places like Fir Toll 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.
If any part of the chimney stack couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. That way, it’s clear what was covered and what wasn’t.
- Location
- Fir Toll (TN27)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How the survey works
We do not take risks to get a closer look. We inspect what can be seen safely, and anything we cannot see is noted in the report. Most visits take about 1–2 hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. Around Fir Toll, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- We go through the chimneys, any damp and any work done on them.
- 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 loft space.
- The report, with photos and recommendations, is emailed to you.
Before the survey
- Clear the way to the loft hatch
- Point out any leaks or damp patches
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we’re coming
Arrange a survey
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know the address and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price before you book.
Related advice
Signs you need a chimney survey in Fir Toll
The flaunching on top of a stack holds the pots in place and sheds water. Cracked flaunching lets water in, and each winter makes it worse. In time, the pots can become loose.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Disused chimneys trapping moisture
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- Frost-damaged brickwork on the stack
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
Anyone responsible for a site like Pluckley Church of England Primary School will know that long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.
Questions to ask before you book
- Are they insured for the work?
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- Is VAT included in the price?
What affects the cost of chimney surveys
Prices always include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- How complicated the roof is, with its valleys, chimneys and parapets
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
To find out what your survey will cost, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and a few details. We will confirm the figure before booking.
What we need to know
The more you let us know, the easier it is to price the survey. When you get in touch, it is useful to mention:
- Any photos you have, taken from the ground or a window
- Any deadline, like an exchange date
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or email us and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Can I check my roof myself?
The one thing to avoid is getting up close. Roofs are fragile and slippery, and a fall can be serious. That part is for a survey.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date.
What else we do in Fir Toll
Common questions in Fir Toll
How do I find out if my home in Fir Toll is listed?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it is in a conservation area. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Can a landlord with a rental near Pluckley station book a roof survey?
Yes, that’s a common request. We just need to know who will give access, and we can send the report to you or your agent.
How long will you be at the property?
Time on site depends on the roof, but most surveys take about one to two hours at a house, as part of a look at the roof around the stack. The written report follows by email.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and our survey covers the roof rather than the whole building. For the rest of the building, a RICS home survey is a separate job.
Do you inspect shared chimneys?
Yes. Many houses share stacks with a neighbour. We survey what we can see safely, and note anything that seems to involve next door.
Is it a problem to have an unused chimney?
It depends on its condition and your plans. We record how the stack is doing and whether it is capped with ventilation. If you are thinking of removing it, check with the council first in a conservation area or on a listed building.
Do you look in the loft space?
If it’s needed and safe to reach, yes. Inside, we look for damp, staining, gaps and sagging.
Roof by roof
Brick stacks
Many older stacks were built with lime mortar. We note where repairs should match the original mortar.
Lead flashings
Lead flashings seal the joint between the stack and the roof. The survey looks at whether the lead is tight, sound and well fixed.
Chimney surveys around Fir Toll
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. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them. About 3.6 miles east lies Godinton House, a reminder of how long the area around Fir Toll has been built on. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, like lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years.
The streets around a church like Church of St Nicholas are frequently among the oldest in a place, and if your house is among the older ones nearby, old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs. Landlords with a home close to Pluckley station may find that the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at.
Fir Toll is about 5 miles west of Ashford, in Kent. Whether the building in Fir Toll is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, we can survey the roof. Across Kent, we cover Fir Toll and the places around it. Our Maidstone page covers surveys nearby.
Chimney surveys in TN27 are booked the same way as anywhere else. If you are just outside Fir Toll, we cover Pluckley Thorne (1 mile north-west), Pluckley (1 mile north), Chambers' Green (1 mile south), Little Chart (2 miles north-east) and Mundy Bois (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (12 miles north-west), Ashford (5 miles east), Sittingbourne (12 miles north), Faversham (12 miles north-east), Davington (12 miles north-east) and Foley Park (12 miles north-west).
What’s near Fir Toll
In Fir Toll, that means homes and buildings near The Black Horse Inn, among other places. The nearest railway station is Pluckley station, roughly 0.8 miles south. Other landmarks nearby include Romden Castle (2.3 miles south-west).
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords, including offices, shops and units. Bigger roofs take more time.
A roof problem in a let property affects your tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work with less disruption.