West Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Hickstead, West Sussex
An experienced roof surveyor for chimney surveys in Hickstead. Over 5,000 surveys and 20+ years behind us.
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Spalled or crumbling bricks
- Cracked or missing flaunching
Signs you need a chimney survey in Hickstead
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 recommend a structural engineer where support is in question.
We are often asked to look at:
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
- Pots or cowls that look unsafe
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
Take a building like Twineham CofE Primary School: its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale.
Before you book any roof surveyor
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- How long they’ve been surveying roofs
- What they will not be able to tell you
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
Chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Hickstead
We inspect chimneys from wherever they can safely be seen: the ground, nearby windows and higher points, and the loft space where it is safe. A drone inspection is part of our Premium Survey where applicable. If we cannot see part of the stack, the report makes that clear. Each defect is recorded with a photo and a plain description. We survey lead flashings, chimney pots and cowls and flaunching, and common reasons people get in touch are eroded joints in the brickwork and pots or cowls that look unsafe.
Somewhere as small as Hickstead, homes are often older cottages and farmhouses, with outbuildings and some newer houses. Older roofs may be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, often with chimneys that have stood a long time. We report on what can safely be seen, and thatch is a specialist material. On older roofs, it’s typically the chimneys and lead flashings that need work first.
You receive the findings by email, easy to pass on to a roofer, an agent or an insurer. Basic reports come within 48 hours, Standard within 24–48 hours and Premium on the day.
- Place
- Hickstead (RH17, BN6)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What a chimney survey doesn’t cover
No survey can tell you everything, and we’d rather be clear about that before you book. Bear these in mind:
- Whether the flue is safe to use
- Checks on boilers, fires or their flues
- Conditions inside walls
If you’re not sure which survey you need, ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer before you book. What our survey covers.
Roof types and parts we check
- Flaunching
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Brick chimney stacks
- Chimney breasts
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Lead flashings
Towns and villages near Hickstead
Other services in Hickstead
Hickstead homes and their roofs
With Ockenden Manor about 3.4 miles north-east, Hickstead sits in an area with a long building history. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material. In Sussex, older roofs are often handmade clay tile, frequently with tile-hanging on the walls below. Horsham stone slab roofs survive on some old Sussex buildings. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
If you own a rental within reach of Burgess Hill station, a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak. If you live in an older home near The Parish Church of St Peter, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look.
Hickstead is about 3 miles west of Burgess Hill, in West Sussex. Bookings from Hickstead are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. There’s also a page for Brighton.
Chimney surveys in RH17 and BN6 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We also cover Goddards Green (1 mile east), Sayers Common (1 mile south), Abbotsford (2 miles east), Ansty (2 miles north-east) and Hurstpierpoint (2 miles south). Within a short drive, we also cover Crawley (10 miles north), Horsham (9 miles north-west), Worthing (13 miles south-west), Haywards Heath (5 miles north-east), Burgess Hill (3 miles east) and East Grinstead (14 miles north-east).
Landmarks near Hickstead
Typical jobs here are in homes near St Paul's Catholic College. Hickstead’s nearest station is Burgess Hill station, roughly 3.1 miles east. Well-known places in the area include The Dene Hospital (1.3 miles east) and Clayton Castle (4.6 miles south-east). Open spaces near Hickstead include Wolstonbury Hill and Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve.
The survey, step by step
Where it’s relevant and can be reached safely, the loft 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. All in, the survey typically takes between one and two hours on an ordinary house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. For a village or hamlet like Hickstead, the journey is planned ahead of time: tell us about narrow lanes, gates, long drives and where we can park. The roof is looked at from ground level, from windows, from the loft where there’s safe access and from the roof where it is safe.
- 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.
- Any lean, spalling or worn pointing is recorded.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
Preparing for the visit
- Let us know about any leaks, stains or damp patches you know of
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Jot down any questions you want answered
Arrange a survey
To get a price for chimney surveys in Hickstead, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. A few details about the property and the roof help us give you an accurate price.
Read more
Common questions in Hickstead
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Burgess Hill station?
Yes, landlords and agents book with us as well as owners. Just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email and let us know about the building.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Hickstead?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
What does a chimney survey cover?
We check the pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing, brickwork and flashings. We also check chimney breasts and the stack in the roof space where we can reach. Everything is written up with photographs.
Our stack is shared. Can you still survey it?
Yes. We check the parts we can see safely and the parts you can give us access to. Where a problem appears to be on next door’s side, we note it, so you can discuss it with them.
What happens next?
You’ll get the report by email. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation.
Do you need to go on the roof to check the chimney?
We look from ground level, from windows and from the loft where it’s safe. Where it applies, our Premium Survey adds a drone inspection for a closer view. Any area we couldn’t view is noted.
How do I book a survey in Hickstead?
To book, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We will confirm the price and find a day that suits.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Hickstead
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.
Letting agents and landlords in Hickstead book surveys as well as householders. The report gives you a dated record of the chimney stack, with photos.
How we price chimney surveys
We confirm the exact price before booking. This is what makes a difference:
- Roof area
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- Whether thermal imaging or a drone is needed
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so they’re priced to match. You will know the figure before booking.
Booking your survey
Getting the details right at the start saves time. It’s useful to include:
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- What made you get in touch
- The address and postcode of the property
A quick phone call is normally the easiest start: phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Don’t use a ladder to reach the stack yourself
- Make sure fixings on the stack are secure
- Check that disused chimneys can still breathe
- Keep track of stains on chimney breasts
Once we’ve been, the findings are written up with photos. It explains the condition of each part of the stack and any damp inside. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24 to 48 hours and Premium reports the same day.
Look at your chimneys from the ground now and then, especially after strong winds. With binoculars, you can often see cracked flaunching or lifted lead.