Kent · London and the South East
Chimney Survey in Harrietsham
A survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching for Harrietsham and the rest of Kent. We survey on weekdays and at weekends.
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Spalled or crumbling bricks
Chimney survey in Harrietsham
A chimney stands up above the roof, exposed to wind, rain and frost on every side. In time, flaunching cracks, mortar washes out and flashings come loose. Water then gets into the stack and can show as damp on a chimney breast or a stain in the loft. A survey finds these problems and records them with photos. If you’ve noticed bricks with flaking faces and flaunching that has broken away, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
Around Harrietsham, older cottages sit alongside bungalows and newer houses. Older roofs can have slate, clay tiles or other traditional coverings, while many later ones have concrete tiles. On older homes, chimney stacks, valleys and gutters are normally where the work is. Nails and battens under older coverings often give out before the slates or tiles themselves.
The report is written in plain words, so it makes sense without any roofing background. Photographs show what each point refers to.
- Where
- Harrietsham (ME17)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What this survey can’t tell you
Our survey isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey, a structural engineer’s report or an asbestos survey. It also has these limits:
- Flue inspections or sweeping
- What’s inside the brickwork or behind render, without opening up
- Whether a stack needs rebuilding on structural grounds
If you are not sure which survey you need, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll give you a straight answer. What our survey covers.
What this survey covers
- Lead flashings
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Chimney breasts
- Flaunching
- Brick chimney stacks
- Chimney pots and cowls
Nearby places to Harrietsham
Also in Harrietsham
Roof by roof
Rendered stacks
Water can get in through cracks and then struggle to dry out. Cracks are photographed and noted.
Chimney breasts and the loft
Damp patches on chimney breasts frequently point to a problem above. We check the breasts and the stack in the loft space where we can reach.
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Harrietsham
Across Kent, older roofs are often handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Whatever the covering, it is often the fixings, flashings, valleys and gutters that give out first. The wider area around Harrietsham has a long history of building, with Leeds Castle about 2.2 miles west. If your house is among the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
Take a building like Harrietsham Church of England Primary School: its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale. For an older house near a landmark such as Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd, its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first. Living close to Kiln Wood is pleasant, but mature trees mean leaves in gutters and valleys each autumn, and an overflowing gutter soon means a wet wall.
Harrietsham is about 7 miles east of Maidstone, in Kent. We survey roofs in Harrietsham and the rest of Kent. Our area takes in places right across Kent. There is also a page for Maidstone.
Every address in ME17 is covered for chimney surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. If you need a chimney survey at a property on Church Road, Station Road and Norris Walk or a nearby road, we can survey it. Neighbouring places we cover for chimney surveys include Marley (1 mile east), Pollhill (1 mile west), Chegworth (1 mile west), Sandway (1 mile south-east) and Platt's Heath (1 mile south). Larger places within reach include Maidstone (7 miles west), Ashford (11 miles south-east), Sittingbourne (7 miles north), Faversham (10 miles north-east), Minster (13 miles north-east) and Kings Hill (12 miles west).
Landmarks near Harrietsham
Around Harrietsham, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Kiln Wood, The Lenham School and The Roebuck Public House, among other places. Harrietsham has its own railway station: Harrietsham station. A little further out are The Dog Collar Museum (2.1 miles west) and Leeds Castle (2.2 miles west).
Practical tips
Over many surveys, some simple habits stand out:
- Check your stacks from the ground after strong winds
- Use a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas appliances
- Check that disused chimneys can still breathe
- Leave close inspection to people with safe access
You get the report by email and can pass it to whoever does the work. Each defect is described in plain words and shown in a photo, so it is easy to follow.
Unused stacks should be capped in a way that still lets air through. That helps stop damp building up inside.
Leave it or get it looked at?
Chimneys are easy to forget because you rarely see the top of them. Defects tend to go unseen until there’s a stain. A survey gives you a clear picture before that happens. Tradespeople may need to travel further to a smaller place like Harrietsham, so it helps to plan roof work rather than call someone out in a hurry. Knowing early gives you time to get the right people in.
What a survey costs comes down to the roof itself: its size, its height, how many sections it has and how it can be reached and seen safely. Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT.
Why book us in Harrietsham
- Every finding written up with photos
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
- Prices that include VAT
- Surveys seven days a week
Take a look at how roof surveys are priced and our case studies.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date.
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
Harrietsham: your questions answered
How do I find out if my home in Harrietsham is listed?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
I let a flat near Harrietsham station. Can you check the roof?
Of course. Let us know whether a tenant or an agent will let us in, and we can send the report to you or your agent.
Can you survey a shared roof?
Yes, as long as access is agreed. The roof of a block or converted house is frequently shared, so whoever owns or manages the building needs to agree access. We inspect only the parts we’re allowed to reach.
What happens after the survey?
We email you the written report with photographs and recommendations. You can use it to talk to a seller, an insurer, a roofer or a managing agent, whichever applies.
How long is the visit?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof, but most surveys take about one to two hours at most homes; commercial roofs usually need 3–4 hours. The written report follows by email.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. Our survey looks at the roof, not the whole building. If you need a full building survey, you’ll need a RICS survey as well.
How do I book a survey in Harrietsham?
To book, 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.
The survey, step by step
Time on site depends on the size and shape of the roof, but as a rough guide the survey takes between one and two hours at a typical home, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. You’re welcome to ask questions while we’re there. A visit to a smaller place like Harrietsham is no different on the day: outside, inside and from any safe vantage point, in that order. It helps to show us anything you’ve already noticed.
- We go through the chimneys, any damp and any work done on them.
- We look at every stack from wherever it can safely be seen.
- We photograph and record the pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
- We look for damp on chimney breasts and in the roof space.
- The report, with photographs and recommendations, is emailed to you.
Getting ready for the survey
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Dig out any old roof reports or invoices
- Keep pets in another room
Arrange a survey
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay depends on the roof’s size, access and the package, and you can call 07833 053749 or send us an email to find out.