Kent · London and the South East
Chimney Survey in Otford
Independent chimney surveys in Otford. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Signs that a stack is leaning
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- Mortar washing out of the joints
Chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Otford
Many terraced and semi-detached homes share their chimney stacks with a neighbour. We look at everything that’s safely in view and what the owner gives us access to. If a defect appears to be on the neighbour’s side, we note it, so you can talk to them. Everything is written up with photos and what we recommend. We survey chimney breasts, chimney pots and cowls and brick chimney stacks, and people most frequently book us about damp patches on chimney breasts and a chimney out of line.
Around Otford, older cottages sit alongside bungalows and newer houses. Older roofs can have slate, clay tiles or other traditional coverings, while many later ones have concrete tiles. Chimneys, valleys and gutters on older homes often need the most attention. The fixings under an older roof frequently fail before good slates or tiles do.
If any part of the chimney stack couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You’ll know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t, and what we’d suggest next.
- Location
- Otford (TN14)
- Region
- Kent
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Otford homes and their roofs
Historic houses such as Knole House, about 3.2 miles south, show how far back building in the area around Otford goes. On older houses around here, roofs frequently carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first. Across Kent, older roofs are frequently handmade clay or peg tiles, and tile-hanging on upper walls is a familiar sight. You’ll also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. Knowing the covering helps explain which parts of a roof are likely to need work first.
Homes near green spaces such as Fackenden Down can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, so outlets and downpipes are worth watching. If you own a rental within reach of Otford station, a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant. Take a building like Otford Primary School: its roofs, gutters and any chimneys need the same checks as a house’s, just on a bigger scale.
Otford is about 2 miles north of Sevenoaks, in Kent. Houses, flats, blocks and commercial buildings in Otford can all book chimney surveys, with a written report and photographs every time. Across Kent, we cover Otford and the places around it. We also survey roofs in Maidstone.
Here we cover the TN14 postcode area for chimney surveys. You will find streets such as Station Road, High Street and Bubblestone Road. We also cover Twitton (1 mile west), Shoreham (2 miles north), Sepham Heath (2 miles north-west), Halstead (3 miles north-west) and Badgers Mount (3 miles north-west). Within a short drive, we also cover Maidstone (15 miles east), Dartford (9 miles north), Royal Tunbridge Wells (13 miles south), Gravesend (12 miles north-east), Tonbridge (9 miles south-east) and Northfleet (11 miles north-east).
Near you in Otford
Typical jobs here are in homes near Knole Academy, The Woodman pub and Fackenden Down, among other places. There’s a railway station in Otford itself: Otford station. Nearby you’ll also find Kemsing Castle Bank (1.7 miles east) and Otford Heritage Centre (under half a mile south-east). Green spaces nearby include Dryhill Nature Reserve.
What a chimney survey does not cover
No survey can tell you everything, and it’s better to know them up front. Bear these in mind:
- Areas we cannot view from safe positions
- Whether a stack needs rebuilding on structural grounds
- Checks on boilers, fires or their flues
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can ring 07833 053749 or email us and we will tell you before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in Otford
- Chimney breasts
- Brick chimney stacks
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Lead flashings
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Flaunching
The survey, step by step
There is not much for you to do on the day. Show us any stains, drips or problem areas you know about, and we will take it from there. A typical survey takes an hour or two at most homes, rising to roughly 3–4 hours on a commercial building. With a bit of garden around a house, as there frequently is around Otford, the roof can be viewed from several angles. Mention any side of the property we can’t get to. The loft, where there is safe access, completes the picture.
- We start by noting which stacks are in use, shared or causing concern.
- The flashings and the roof around each chimney are inspected.
- We look at the flaunching and pots on every stack.
- Any lean, spalling or worn pointing is recorded.
- The report explains the condition and which work is most urgent.
Getting ready for the survey
- Tell us about parking before the day
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Getting a price
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or email us with the address and what you’d like to know about the roof. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Related advice
What happens if roof problems are left?
A leaning stack should be looked at sooner rather than later. We record its condition and recommend a structural engineer where needed, so you know where you stand. Blocked gutters on homes around Otford overflow and soak walls. It’s easy to sort the cause early and slow to dry a damp wall.
Our price is from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, access and the package you choose.
What you get with us
- Weekday and weekend surveys
- Thermal imaging and drones used where they help
- 5,000+ roofs surveyed
- Over 20 years’ experience
Read our cost guide or two real surveys.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Take a torch and only step on boards or joists, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: pieces of tile or slate on the ground, a gap in the ridge or a lifted flashing are all worth noting. Do not go up yourself.
How the survey changes by roof type
Brick stacks
Most chimney stacks are built of brick, with mortar joints that wear over time. The survey looks for crumbling bricks and worn or missing mortar.
Lead flashings
Mortar fillets are sometimes used where lead would normally be. They tend to crack, so we look at them closely.
Towns and villages near Otford
What else we do in Otford
Surveys for landlords and agents in Otford
We also survey roofs for businesses and commercial landlords. Larger roofs take longer.
If you own several properties, surveys can be booked for more than one address. To arrange surveys for several addresses, phone 07833 053749 or email us.
Common questions in Otford
I let a flat near Otford station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and agents are among the people we work for. Just call 07833 053749 or email us with the details, and we will talk through which survey suits.
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Otford?
We cannot confirm that for you, but Historic England’s list and your council can. A change of roofing material may need consent in either case, and councils can also use Article 4 directions.
How soon will I get the report?
That depends on the survey you book: the Basic Survey report arrives within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey the same day. Reports are sent by email.
What happens next?
The report arrives by email, with photos and clear recommendations. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation, so you can talk the findings through.
What’s in the survey report?
A written report with photographs, explaining the condition of the chimney stack, any defects and our recommendations. Standard adds moisture detection and a structural check; Premium adds thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable and structural analysis.
Does the weather affect the survey?
Light rain does not typically stop a survey. Strong wind or a downpour can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we will agree a new date if the weather isn’t suitable.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. We check the roof, not the whole building, so it’s not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.