Buckinghamshire · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Marlow Common, Buckinghamshire
A survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching for Marlow Common, from an experienced roof surveyor. Every survey comes with a written report and photographs.
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
- Frost-damaged brickwork on the stack
- Damp patches on chimney breasts
Chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Marlow Common
Our chimney survey covers the stack and the details that keep water out around it: the pots and cowls, the flaunching on top, the pointing, the brickwork and the flashings where it meets the roof. We also look for damp on chimney breasts and in the loft where there’s safe access. The findings come in a written report with photos and recommendations. It suits a single stack on a house as well as several on a larger building. We are frequently asked to look into worn or missing pointing and a stack that appears to lean, across shared and party-wall stacks, flaunching and chimney pots and cowls.
In a small place like Marlow Common, many roofs stand in the open, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. A roof report shows what needs attention first. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are often the first to give way.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the coverings down to the gutters, each with a short note and a photograph. It records what’s sound as well as what is not.
- Location
- Marlow Common (SL7)
- Region
- Buckinghamshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
What happens if roof problems are left?
If a stack seems to lean, don’t leave it. Our survey records it and says when a structural engineer should look at it, so you know where you stand. In a place like Marlow Common, a barn or garage roof left to fail puts whatever is inside at risk. It is worth including them in a survey before a winter does the damage.
Every price we give includes VAT, and the report isn’t charged as an extra. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
Why book with us
- Prices that include VAT
- Satisfaction rate of 98%
- CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID)
- Photographs and a written report every time
Take a look at our cost guide or two real surveys.
Chimney surveys in Marlow Common: local notes
A number of Buckinghamshire villages keep thatched roofs on their older buildings. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first. Historic houses such as Harleyford Manor, about 1.6 miles south, show how far back building in the area around Marlow Common goes. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and a listed home or one in a conservation area may need consent for changes of material.
Take a building like Spinfield School: long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.
Marlow Common is about 2 miles west of Marlow, in Buckinghamshire. Anywhere in Marlow Common, we can come and survey your property, on a weekday, Saturday or Sunday. We cover towns and villages across Buckinghamshire, from the larger towns to small villages. We also survey roofs in Reading.
Chimney surveys in SL7 work the same way as everywhere else we cover. We also cover Bovingdon Green (1 mile east), Mundaydean Bottom (1 mile north), Chisbridge Cross (1 mile north-west), Danesfield (1 mile south) and Bockmer End (1 mile south-west). Larger places within reach include High Wycombe (4 miles north-east), Chesham (13 miles north-east), Amersham (11 miles north-east), Beaconsfield (7 miles east), Chalfont St Peter (11 miles east) and Princes Risborough (10 miles north).
Local landmarks in Marlow Common
We work in homes and buildings around The Royal Oak pub and Sir William Borlase's Grammar School. Marlow Common’s nearest station is Marlow station, roughly 1.9 miles east of the centre. Nearby you’ll also find High Wycombe Castle (4.6 miles north-east) and Marlow Community Hospital (1.7 miles east). Not far away are Carpenter's Wood.
Nearby places to Marlow Common
What else we do in Marlow Common
What happens on the day
On the day, we begin with a quick chat about the roof and anything that is worrying you. After that, we look at everything we can see safely, using the ground, windows, the loft and a drone where applicable. The survey typically takes roughly 1–2 hours at a house, as part of a look at the roof around the stack. Older roofs in small places like Marlow Common can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- You let us know whether any stacks are shared, unused or leaning.
- We check the roof around each stack, including the flashings.
- We look at the flaunching and pots on every stack.
- We note the brickwork, pointing and any sign of leaning.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
Getting ready for the survey
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
How to book
Most bookings start with a short call: call 07833 053749 or email us. You will have a price before anything is arranged.
Related advice
Do you need a chimney survey in Marlow Common?
A stack takes the weather from every direction. Frost works into cracks in the flaunching and pointing, and rain soaks into worn brickwork. Most people book after spotting damp or a loose pot, or before buying.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Worn or missing pointing
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
- Flaunching that has broken away
If you let a flat or house near Marlow station, a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Their insurance cover
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- Will they check the loft as well as the outside?
- Whether the price includes VAT
DIY checks: what’s safe
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. You won’t see flashings, valleys or the backs of chimneys properly from ground level.
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.
Useful tips for Marlow Common property owners
A survey works best with a little help from you, before and after. Tips:
- Note any damp on chimney breasts and when it appears
- Ask for ventilated caps on redundant stacks
- Glance at the stacks from the street now and then
- Check with the council before altering a stack in a conservation area or on a listed building
If the report recommends a structural engineer, a sweep or a Gas Safe registered engineer, it will say why. That helps you brief them.
Watch for damp or staining on chimney breasts. The sooner damp is spotted, the easier the cause is to find.
Prices for chimney surveys in Marlow Common
All our prices include VAT. The things that change the price are:
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
- Whether you choose the Basic, Standard or Premium Survey
- The use of thermal imaging or a drone
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package matters as well. The price is always agreed first.
Getting in touch
These details help when you contact us:
- Access details, such as a loft hatch or a shared roof
- The property’s address and postcode
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
For a price for chimney surveys in Marlow Common, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. The address, the type of property and what you want to find out help us price the survey accurately.
Common questions in Marlow Common
Is my home in Marlow Common listed or in a conservation area?
Your council is the best source, with Historic England’s list for listed buildings. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
Is Marlow Common within the area you cover?
Yes, we do. We cover the whole of London and South East England, from towns to the smallest villages. Longer journeys are simply planned beforehand.
How long does the survey take?
Expect it to take an hour or two for a house, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. The written report follows by email.
What insurance do you have?
Our surveys are covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Ask if you need details for a managing agent or building owner.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. It is a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof, so it sits alongside a building survey rather than replacing it.
What should I do with a chimney I don’t use?
A redundant chimney needs looking after like any other. If it’s capped without ventilation, damp can build up inside. Our survey records its condition and how it’s capped, so you can plan what to do with it.
Is this an asbestos survey?
No. Asbestos surveys and sampling are not something we do. The report may flag materials that could contain asbestos on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, with a recommendation to have a specialist asbestos surveyor check before it’s disturbed.