Essex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Langley, Essex
Get a clear view of the chimney stack at a property in Langley from an independent roof surveyor. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Flashings pulling away from the stack
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Worn or missing pointing
Can I check my roof myself?
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. You will not see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from the ground: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
How a chimney survey works in Langley
Each stack is looked at from the safest viewpoints available: from the ground, from windows and vantage points, and from the loft where there’s access. With our Premium Survey, a drone inspection is included where it applies. If we can’t see part of the stack, the report makes that clear. Each defect is recorded with a photo and a plain description. Typical surveys look at unused flues sealed without airflow and lifted or split lead flashings, on brick chimney stacks, lead flashings and chimney breasts.
Older buildings in small places like Langley 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. A roof report helps you plan work with that in mind. Older materials such as clay tiles, slate and stone are often matched when work is done.
The report records the chimney stack as we found it on the day. That makes it useful now and a handy reference later.
- Where
- Langley (CB11)
- Region
- Essex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Flaunching
The sloping mortar around the pots is called flaunching. Cracks in it let water into the stack.
Rendered stacks
What’s behind the render cannot be seen without removing some, so the report explains what we could and couldn’t assess.
Rented homes, blocks and businesses
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf. We agree a time with the tenant beforehand.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey shows what needs attention, so you can plan the work around your tenants.
What a chimney survey looks like in Langley
If your home is older, it is worth knowing whether it’s listed or in a conservation area before planning roof work. Changes that affect a listed building’s special interest need listed building consent, and councils can also use Article 4 directions to control changes in conservation areas. Older buildings in Essex frequently have clay tiles and weatherboarding, and plenty of post-war and modern estates besides. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
If you let a flat or house near Audley End station, a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak. Take an older house close to Church of St John the Evangelist: its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look.
Langley is about 6 miles west of Saffron Walden, in Essex. Wherever you are in Langley, we can come and survey your property. Langley is one of the towns and villages in Essex we cover. Our Chelmsford page covers surveys nearby.
All of CB11 is within our area for chimney surveys. Close by, we survey roofs in Arkesden (2 miles east), Starling's Green (3 miles south), Hill Green (3 miles south-east), Clavering (3 miles south-east) and Wicken Bonhunt (3 miles south-east). Further out, we also cover Saffron Walden (6 miles east), Great Dunmow (14 miles south-east), Stansted Mountfitchet (8 miles south-east), Elsenham (8 miles south-east), Little Parndon (15 miles south) and Netteswell (15 miles south).
What’s near Langley
Langley’s nearest station is Audley End station, roughly 4.5 miles east. Other landmarks nearby include The Warren (1.6 miles west).
How we price chimney surveys
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- The size of the roof
- The number of roofs, including extensions and garages
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report isn’t charged as an extra. Our price is from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Getting in touch
Here’s what helps us most when you get in touch:
- What’s prompted the survey
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- Where the property is, with the postcode
Our phone lines are open seven days a week. To book or ask a question, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Nearby places to Langley
Also in Langley
What we do, step by step
The aim of the visit is simple: to look at the chimney stack as closely as is safe and record what we find. Notes and photos go into the written report. It typically takes about 1–2 hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. Around Langley, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so it’s useful to know whether there’s a loft hatch and how easy it is to reach. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- We start with the details: how many stacks, whether any are shared and any signs of damp.
- Each chimney is viewed from wherever it can safely be seen.
- We check and photograph the pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
- We check the chimney breasts and the stack in the roof space where we can reach them.
- The findings are written up with photographs and recommendations and emailed to you.
How to prepare
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Have any paperwork from past roof work to hand
Book a survey
If you are buying, it helps to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just ring 07833 053749 or send us an email when you’re ready.
Advice
Tips that help
Nothing here needs a ladder. Our suggestions:
- Keep track of stains on chimney breasts
- Remove aerials or dishes from the stack if they’re no longer needed
- Keep the report to compare against at the next survey
- Do not use a ladder to reach the stack yourself
After the visit, we write up the report with photographs of each stack. It covers the pots, flaunching, pointing, brickwork and flashings, and any damp we found inside. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24 to 48 hours and Premium reports the same day.
Get small mortar repairs done while they’re small. Small repairs now can save bigger work later.
FAQs for Langley
Will you come out to Langley?
Yes. Langley is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We work right across London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there when booking.
I let a flat near Audley End station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and letting agents book with us as well as owners. You can ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and some details.
What happens next?
We email you the written report with photographs and recommendations. It’s yours to share with a seller, insurer, roofer or managing agent, whichever applies.
What does a roof survey cost?
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. Our three packages are Basic from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, inc. VAT.
When does the report arrive?
Report times are set by the package. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. Mention any deadline as you book.
How long is the visit?
Expect it to take about 1–2 hours at most homes, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. The written report follows by email.
Do you carry professional indemnity insurance?
We hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance.