Essex · London and the South East
Chimney Survey in Little Leighs
Chimney surveys across Little Leighs, backed by more than 20 years’ experience. Every survey ends with a written report and photos.
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
- A chimney out of line
- Damaged chimney pots and cowls
About our chimney survey in Little Leighs
For buyers, a chimney survey before exchange can flag work you may want to raise. On older stacks, we often find cracked flaunching, loose flashings and worn pointing. Our report gives you specific points to raise with the seller or agent. It complements a RICS home survey rather than replacing it. We survey brick chimney stacks, shared and party-wall stacks and lead flashings, and common reasons people get in touch are lifted or split lead flashings and pots or cowls that look unsafe.
In a village or hamlet like Little Leighs, older cottages and farmhouses frequently sit alongside barns, outbuildings and a few newer houses. Roofs there can be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, and chimney stacks are often old. 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 usually the chimneys and lead flashings that need work first.
Report times depend on the survey you book: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Place
- Little Leighs (CM3)
- Region
- Essex
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What we look for on each type of roof
Rendered stacks
A rendered stack can mask problems in the bricks below. We look for cracks, hollow areas and staining.
Brick stacks
Many older stacks were built with lime mortar. We note where repairs should match the original mortar.
Can I check my roof myself?
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from ground level and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when booking.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Towns and villages near Little Leighs
More services for Little Leighs
How the survey works
The visit has one job: to see as much of the chimney stack as can be seen safely and record it clearly. Everything we note and photograph goes into the written report. It usually takes about 1–2 hours for a house, or half a day or so for a commercial building. Around Little Leighs, older homes can have small or awkward roof spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- We start by noting which stacks are in use, shared or causing concern.
- We check the roof around each stack, including the flashings.
- 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
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Have keys ready for side gates, garages or roof access doors
Book a survey
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just call 07833 053749 or send us an email when you’re ready.
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Your questions about chimney surveys in Little Leighs
Do you survey roofs for landlords with property near Cressing station?
Yes, landlords and letting agents book with us as well as owners. Just phone 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the building, including who will give access on the day.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Little Leighs?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. Both listing and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
How soon will I get the report?
Report times are set by the package. Basic is within 48 hours, Standard is 24–48 hours and Premium is the same day. If you have a deadline, such as an exchange date, let us know when booking.
What’s in the survey report?
It explains what we saw, what it means and what we’d suggest, with photographs throughout. It also says if any part of the roof couldn’t be seen safely.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Some surveys depend on the weather more than others. Drone flights need calm, dry weather, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. We will rearrange with you if the weather isn’t right.
How do you inspect a chimney without scaffolding?
We look from the ground, from windows and from the loft where it’s safe. A drone inspection is part of the Premium Survey where applicable. Any area we couldn’t view is noted.
How do I book a survey in Little Leighs?
The quickest way is to ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. Tell us the address and a little about the roof, and we’ll suggest the right survey. Surveys run on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Chimney surveys around Little Leighs
Weatherboarded walls and clay tile roofs are typical of older Essex buildings, alongside plenty of post-war and newer estates. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters. Older buildings may be listed or sit in a conservation area. Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the council can say whether a street is in a conservation area. In either case, a change of roofing material may need consent.
Take a building like Great Leighs Primary School: long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle. For landlords with property near Cressing station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at. Take an older house close to Church of St John the Evangelist: the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.
Little Leighs is about 5 miles south-west of Braintree, in Essex. Wherever you are in Little Leighs, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. Our Essex coverage includes Little Leighs and the places around it. Chelmsford is in our area too.
We work across CM3 for chimney surveys. Whether your property is on Church Lane, Main Road and The Crescent or anywhere close by, we can survey it. If you’re just outside Little Leighs, we cover Chatham Green (1 mile south-west), Howe Street (2 miles south-west), Willows Green (2 miles north), Hartford End (2 miles west) and Ford End (3 miles west). Further out, we also cover Chelmsford (6 miles south), Braintree (5 miles north-east), Maldon (10 miles south-east), Billericay (14 miles south), Witham (6 miles east) and Wickford (15 miles south).
What’s near Little Leighs
Typical jobs here are in homes near The Castle pub. For rail, the closest station is Cressing station, about 4.1 miles north-east. A little further out are Broomfield Hospital (3.5 miles south-west). For a walk, there’s Sandylay and Moat Woods.
Useful tips for Little Leighs property owners
There is plenty you can do without going near the roof. Here’s what helps most:
- Book a sweep for flues that are in use
- Photograph damp patches with the date
- Check that disused chimneys can still breathe
- Have brackets on the chimney checked
If anything in the report is not clear, just ask us. Standard Surveys come with a follow-up consultation, and Premium Surveys with an in-person one.
Unused stacks should be capped in a way that still lets air through. That helps stop damp building up inside.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Little Leighs
Landlords, agents and building managers in Little Leighs and across Essex can book any of our surveys. For a price for a let property or a block, call 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.
What affects the price in Little Leighs
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- How many separate roofs there are, such as extensions, dormers and garages
- The shape of the roof and its details
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Building height and the viewpoints available
Bigger, taller and commercial roofs take more time to survey, so the price reflects that. The price is confirmed before you book.
What to let us know when you get in touch
Here’s what helps us most when you contact us:
- Photos of the roof, taken safely from ground level or a window
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We’ll explain the options and the price.