West Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney Survey in Handcross
Find out what’s going on with the chimney stack before you decide what to do next. Chimney surveys in Handcross.
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
- Damp patches on chimney breasts
- Lifted or split lead flashings
Useful tips for Handcross property owners
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. What helps most:
- Leave close inspection to people with safe access
- Check unused flues are capped with ventilation
- Photograph damp patches with the date
- Ask about consent before removing a chimney on an older property
You can send the report to roofers or builders for quotes. With the same list in front of each contractor, comparing quotes is simpler.
Keep an eye on chimney breasts for new damp patches. Early signs are easier to trace.
Chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Handcross
A chimney survey is about the outside of the stack and the roof around it. It isn’t a flue inspection, a sweep or a gas safety check. For the flue itself, you’ll need a sweep or, for gas appliances, a Gas Safe registered engineer. We’ll tell you if we see anything that suggests they should take a look. We survey lead flashings, chimney breasts and flaunching, and people most often book us about staining on walls around the chimney and gaps in the mortar around the pots.
In a small place like Handcross, many roofs stand in the open, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. Lead flashings and old chimney stacks are often where weather gets in first.
The report records the chimney stack as we found it on the day. It is useful right away, and a good reference for later.
- Location
- Handcross (RH17)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Towns and villages near Handcross
More services for Handcross
Common roof problems in Handcross
Years of fires can affect the mortar inside a stack. Flue gases and damp can break down the mortar, sometimes more on one side than the other, which can make a stack lean.
It’s worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Flaunching that has broken away
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Frost-damaged brickwork on the stack
For landlords with property near Balcombe station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Questions to ask before booking
- What experience they bring
- What exactly goes into their report
- What happens after the report arrives
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey seven days a week, which helps when tenants work during the week.
Managing agents and residents’ management companies use roof surveys to plan maintenance. The report sets out what needs attention now and what can wait, which helps when budgeting.
What happens if roof problems are left?
A small amount of repointing or new flaunching is normally a modest job. Left for a few winters, frost and water can loosen pots and bricks and the job gets bigger. In a small place like Handcross, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and damp in older walls is slow to dry out.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where it applies) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 inc. VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you need to know.
What you get with us
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
- Every finding written up with photos
- 98% customer satisfaction
Take a look at our cost guide or two real surveys.
Chimney surveys in Handcross: local notes
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. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first. Tyes Place, about 1.9 miles south-east, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Handcross. Older homes in the wider area often have features worth a closer look, such as lead valleys, tall stacks and roofs that have been patched over the years, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Take a building like Handcross Primary School: long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle. If you live in an older home near All Saints, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look.
Handcross is about 4 miles south of Crawley, in West Sussex. Handcross is one of many places we visit across West Sussex, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages.
Every address in RH17 is within our area for chimney surveys. We cover properties on High Street, London Road and Windmill Platt. If you’re just outside Handcross, we cover Slaugham (1 mile south), Plummers Plain (2 miles south-west), Colgate (3 miles north-west), Broadfield (3 miles north) and Lower Beeding (3 miles south-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (4 miles north), Horsham (5 miles west), Haywards Heath (6 miles south-east), Burgess Hill (7 miles south-east), East Grinstead (10 miles north-east) and Shoreham-by-Sea (15 miles south).
Around Handcross
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Royal Oak Public House and Handcross Park School, among other places. The nearest railway station is Balcombe station, roughly 2.8 miles east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find Crawley Hospital (4.3 miles north). Open spaces near Handcross include Tilgate Lake and Blunts Wood and Paiges Meadow.
The survey, step by step
Before we start, let us know why you’ve booked: buying, a leak, storm damage, new work or just wanting to know where things stand. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take about one to two hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. Rural addresses near Handcross can be hard to find from a postcode alone, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- 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.
- The report explains the condition and which work is most urgent.
Preparing for the visit
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Find any records of previous roof work
Book a survey
Most bookings start with a short call: ring 07833 053749 or email us. The price is agreed before a date is set.
Advice
FAQs for Handcross
Is Handcross within the area you cover?
Yes. Handcross is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We survey roofs across London and South East England. Just mention lanes, gates or anything else about the route when booking.
Can a landlord with a rental near Balcombe station book a roof survey?
Yes, landlords and letting agents book with us as well as owners. Just ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us about the building, including who will give access on the day.
What will the report tell me?
You get our findings in writing, part by part, with photos. The most urgent items are made clear.
Will I get photos?
Yes, every report has them. Pictures sit next to the findings they show, which makes the report easy to follow.
Are you insured?
We’re covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance, for every survey we carry out.
How do I arrange a chimney survey in Handcross?
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and agree a day with you.
Do you use drones?
Where it helps and the rules allow, yes. Our sub-250g drone is flown by a CAA-registered operator with a Flyer ID and Operator ID, and the airspace and weather are checked before every flight.
Different roofs, different checks
Lead flashings
Where the chimney meets the roof slopes, lead flashings keep water out. The survey looks at whether the lead is tight, sound and well fixed.
Chimney pots and cowls
A loose or cracked pot can fall from height. We photograph each pot and note any damage.