East Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney Survey in Friar's Hill
Not sure what state the chimney stack is in? We carry out chimney surveys in Friar's Hill and across East Sussex.
- Pots or cowls that look unsafe
- Flashings pulling away from the stack
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
Common roof problems in Friar's Hill
Some owners book because a chimney breast has been removed below and they want to know about the stack above. We record what we can see in the loft and outside, and the report recommends a structural engineer if support is a concern.
Problems we come across often include:
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
The streets around a church like St Laurence's Church are often among the oldest in a place, and if your home is one of the older ones nearby, its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Questions to ask before booking
- What happens after the report arrives
- Will the report include photos?
- What they will not be able to tell you
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
How a chimney survey works in Friar's Hill
If you are buying a home with chimneys, it’s worth knowing their condition before you exchange. Cracked flaunching, failed flashings and worn pointing are common findings on older stacks. You get photos and findings you can take back to the seller or agent. It works alongside a RICS home survey, not instead of one. If you’ve noticed frost-damaged brickwork on the stack and staining on walls around the chimney, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
In a village or hamlet like Friar's Hill, older cottages and farmhouses often sit alongside barns, outbuildings and a few newer houses. Older roofs may be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, often with chimneys that have stood a long time. Each needs checking in its own way, and thatch is a specialist material we report on as far as it can be seen. On older roofs, it is typically the chimneys and lead flashings that need work first.
It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can decide what to do next.
- Location
- Friar's Hill (TN35)
- Region
- East Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Also near Friar's Hill
What else we do in Friar's Hill
How the survey works
Where it is relevant and can be reached safely, the roof space is checked as well as the outside. Inside, we look for staining, damp, gaps and signs of movement, as far as the space allows. The whole visit usually takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. Rural addresses near Friar's Hill can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- 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.
- Inside, the chimney breasts and the loft are checked for damp where there’s access.
- You get a written report with photos and recommendations by email.
Before we arrive
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Unlock side gates and any roof access doors
How to book
To book a survey, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. You’ll know the price before anything is booked.
Read more
Common questions in Friar's Hill
Can a landlord with a rental near Three Oaks station book a roof survey?
Yes, rented property is part of what we cover. Just ring 07833 053749 or email us and tell us about the building, including who will give access on the day.
Is my home in Friar's Hill listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs like sagging are noted, but we don’t provide calculations or an engineer’s opinion. The report will say if you need an engineer.
Do I need to be at home?
That depends on the survey. For inside areas and the loft space, someone has to give us access, while outside access can be discussed when booking.
How long have you been surveying roofs?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have completed over 5,000 surveys.
Do you need to go on the roof to check the chimney?
We look from the ground, from windows and from the loft where it is safe. Where it applies, our Premium Survey adds a drone inspection for a closer view. Any area we couldn’t view is noted.
My chimney looks like it is leaning. What should I do?
It is worth having a leaning stack checked. Our survey notes how it looks and the condition of the bricks and joints, and if it may be a structural issue, we recommend a structural engineer.
Friar's Hill homes and their roofs
Friar's Hill is within about 2 miles of the coast, and places near the sea get more salt in the air and more wind than inland. Near the sea, metal fixings wear faster and loose pieces on a roof are more likely to lift. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. A few old Sussex buildings still carry heavy Horsham stone slabs, and the county’s older buildings include oast houses and Wealden hall houses. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
If you look after a shop, office or commercial unit, for example near Priory Meadow Shopping Centre, a written record of the roof’s condition helps you plan maintenance rather than react to leaks. If you let a flat or house near Three Oaks station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at.
Friar's Hill is about 4 miles north-east of Hastings, in East Sussex. Whether the building in Friar's Hill is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, the roof can be surveyed. Across East Sussex, we cover Friar's Hill. We also survey roofs in Maidstone.
We work across the TN35 postcode area for chimney surveys. We cover properties on Pett Road, Friars Bank and Chapel Lane. Nearby, we also carry out chimney surveys in Guestling Green (1 mile north-west), Guestling (1 mile west), Fairlight (1 mile south), Bachelor's Bump (1 mile south-west) and Pett (1 mile east). We also work in nearby towns like Hastings (4 miles south-west), Bexhill-on-Sea (8 miles west), St Leonards (4 miles south-west), Hastings Old Town (3 miles south-west), Belmont (3 miles south-west) and Langney (15 miles south-west).
What’s near Friar's Hill
In Friar's Hill, that means homes and buildings near The Hope Public House, Speckled Wood and Buckswood School, among other places. Friar's Hill’s nearest station is Three Oaks station, about 1.4 miles north-west of the centre. Well-known places in the area include Priory Meadow Shopping Centre (3.4 miles south-west) and Conquest Hospital (3.1 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Church Wood and Robsack Wood.
How the survey changes by roof type
Lead flashings
Some older stacks have mortar fillets instead of lead. They tend to crack, so we look at them closely.
Chimney pots and cowls
Each pot is bedded into the flaunching, often with a cowl or cap on top. We check that they look secure and undamaged.
What we cannot see
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before booking. Keep these in mind:
- Parts of the stack that cannot be seen safely or belong to a neighbour we cannot access
- The inside of the flue, which needs a sweep or flue specialist
- Gas safety checks, which need a Gas Safe registered engineer
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can phone 07833 053749 or send us an email and we’ll tell you. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Friar's Hill
- Lead flashings
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Flaunching
- Brick chimney stacks
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Chimney breasts
Why act early in Friar's Hill
A damp chimney breast seldom dries out until the cause is found. It can stain walls and damage plaster. Knowing whether it’s the flaunching, flashings, brickwork or ventilation means the right fix can be planned. Older cottages and farmhouses around Friar's Hill can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Friar's Hill
- More than 5,000 surveys completed
- Surveys on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Packages from £150, including VAT
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced or our case studies.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Friar's Hill
With a portfolio of properties, you can book surveys for several addresses. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the addresses.
Businesses and commercial landlords can book us too, including offices, shops and units. Bigger roofs take more time, and they’re priced for the size.