Oxfordshire · London and the South East
Murcott Chimney Survey
Not sure what state the chimney stack is in? We carry out chimney surveys in Murcott and across Oxfordshire, with plain-English findings.
- Damp patches on chimney breasts
- Spalled or crumbling bricks
- Damaged chimney pots and cowls
What a chimney survey looks like in Murcott
West Oxfordshire’s older buildings frequently carry Cotswold stone slates, and a few villages in the county keep their thatch. Slate and clay tile are the usual coverings on older South East houses, with concrete tiles on many later estates. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters. The wider area around Murcott has a long history of building, with Boarstall Tower about 2.7 miles east. If your home is one of the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
If you own a rental within reach of Islip station, the gap between tenancies is a good time to have the roof looked at.
Murcott is about 4 miles south of Bicester, in Oxfordshire. Whether the building in Murcott is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, we can survey the roof. Murcott is one of the towns and villages in Oxfordshire we cover for chimney surveys. Our Oxford page covers surveys nearby.
Every address in OX5 is covered for chimney surveys. We also cover Fencott (1 mile north-west), Merton (1 mile north-west), Charlton-on-Otmoor (1 mile west), Upper Arncott (2 miles north-east) and Lower Arncott (2 miles north-east). Further out, we also cover Oxford (7 miles south-west), Bicester (4 miles north), Abingdon-on-Thames (12 miles south-west), Witney (15 miles west), Thame (10 miles south-east) and Kidlington (6 miles west).
Near you in Murcott
The nearest railway station is Islip station, roughly 3.7 miles west of the centre. Other landmarks nearby include Bicester Community Hospital (4.1 miles north) and Bicester Avenue (3.5 miles north). Not far away are Otmoor RSPB reserve and Graven Hill.
About our chimney survey in Murcott
Damp on a chimney breast can have several causes. Water may be getting in at the top through cracked flaunching or an uncapped pot, through the brickwork, or at the flashings. Moisture trapped inside a stack with no ventilation can also cause damp. Our survey checks each of these and records the likely cause. You then know where to start. We survey brick chimney stacks, chimney breasts and chimney pots and cowls, and common reasons people get in touch are signs that a stack is leaning and bricks with flaking faces.
In a village or hamlet like Murcott, 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 frequently old. We report on everything that’s safely in view, and thatch is a specialist material. Chimneys and lead flashings on old roofs frequently need the most attention.
The report works through the roof section by section, from the main slopes down to the gutters and outlets. It records what’s sound as well as what isn’t.
- Location
- Murcott (OX5)
- Region
- Oxfordshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
How we price chimney surveys
When we price a survey, we consider:
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- How big the roof is
- House, block, shop or office
For a price for your roof in Murcott, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us about the roof. We’ll confirm the figure before booking.
Getting in touch
Getting the details right at the start saves time. It’s useful to include:
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- Pictures from the garden or a window, if you have them
- Where any leaks, stains or damp patches show inside
- Your postcode, so we can check access and travel
Once you know what you need, ring 07833 053749 or email us. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Common questions in Murcott
Can a landlord with a rental near Islip station book a roof survey?
Yes, landlords and letting agents book with us as well as owners. You can call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and a few details.
How do I find out if my home in Murcott is listed?
Historic England’s list shows listed buildings, and the local council can tell you about conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material.
Will you fly a drone over my roof?
Where it is applicable and safe, yes. We’re a CAA-registered drone operator (Flyer ID and Operator ID), flying a sub-250g drone. It is included in the Drone Roof Survey and, where applicable, the Premium Survey.
When does the report arrive?
Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24–48 hours and Premium reports on the same day. Each one is emailed.
Should a redundant chimney be removed?
There is no single answer. We record how the stack is doing and whether it’s capped with ventilation. In a conservation area or on a listed building, changes may need consent.
How can you see the top of the stack?
We inspect from wherever is safe: from ground level, windows and vantage points, and from the loft where there is access. Our Premium Survey includes a drone inspection where it applies. We note anything we couldn’t see.
What will the report tell me?
It explains what we saw, what it means and what we’d suggest, backed by photographs. Anything we couldn’t see safely is noted too, so you know exactly what was covered.
The survey, step by step
Safety comes first on every visit. Everything that can be seen safely is inspected, and anything we cannot see is noted in the report. The survey normally takes an hour or two for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. In a hamlet or village like Murcott, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. The visit itself is the same as anywhere else.
- 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.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
How to prepare
- If you’re buying, let the agent know when we are coming
- Make sure pets are kept safely away
- Leave side gates unlocked
How to book
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. We’ll confirm the price before you book.
Advice
What we look for on each type of roof
Flaunching
Cracked flaunching is one of the most common chimney defects we record. Caught early, it’s frequently a small job.
Rendered stacks
Water can get in through cracks and then struggle to dry out. Cracks are photographed and noted.
Do you need a chimney survey in Murcott?
Where a chimney meets the roof, lead flashings keep water out. They can lift in wind, crack with age or pull out of the mortar joints. When flashings fail, water often shows up in the loft or on the chimney breast. Lead is also a target for theft.
Problems we come across frequently include:
- Mortar washing out of the joints
- A chimney out of line
- Pots or cowls that look unsafe
- Flashings pulling away from the stack
Shop and office owners around Bicester Avenue may find that a dated report on the roof is useful for planning and for any lease discussions.
Questions to ask before booking
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Which limits apply to the survey
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Whether any drone flown is registered with the CAA
Why it is worth a survey now in Murcott
Cracked flaunching and worn pointing are frequently modest repairs when they’re caught early. Left for a few winters, frost and water can loosen pots and bricks, and the work grows. For an older or listed building in a place like Murcott, repairs may need matching materials and consent, so a defect found early gives time to plan the work properly.
A Basic Survey starts from £150, inc. VAT. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both with VAT included. You’ll know the exact price before booking.
Why choose Independent Roof Survey in Murcott
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Every finding written up with photos
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Drone flown under a CAA Flyer ID and Operator ID
Landlords, agents and block managers in Murcott
With a portfolio of properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget, with the most urgent items set out first.