Kent · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Preston, Kent
A careful look at the chimney stack at your property in Preston, with photographs and a written report.
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
How a chimney survey works in Preston
We inspect chimneys from wherever they can safely be seen: from the ground, from windows and vantage points, and from the loft where there is access. A drone inspection is part of our Premium Survey where applicable. Where part of a stack can’t be seen, the report says so. Every defect we find is photographed and described in plain words. Common reasons to book are damp on a chimney breast inside and a stack that appears to lean, across chimney breasts, flaunching and lead flashings.
In a smaller place like Preston, some roofs stand more exposed to wind and rain than in a built-up town. That weather tells first on ridges, verges, chimneys and flashings. Checking those edges shows whether anything has begun to work loose before it lets water in. Once one ridge tile or slate moves, wind gets under the next one too.
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.
- Location
- Preston (ME13)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Appointments
- Weekdays and weekends
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Prices for chimney surveys in Preston
When we price a survey, we consider:
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Roof area
- Features like valleys, chimneys, dormers and parapets
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
Every price we give includes VAT, and the written report is part of the package. Prices start from £150, including VAT. Where your roof sits in the range depends on its size, height and access.
What we need to know
What helps most when you contact us:
- The reason for the survey, like buying, a leak or storm damage
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- The kind of building and roof involved
- Access details, like a loft hatch or a shared roof
Photos help, if you have them. Pictures from ground level or a window are fine, and please do not climb up for a closer look. To get started, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Useful tips for Preston property owners
Here are a few things we’d tell any owner:
- Look at the chimneys with binoculars after a storm
- File photos of the stacks with your home records
- Check that disused chimneys can still breathe
- Book a sweep for flues that are in use
If the stack is shared, you can pass the report to your neighbour. It shows what we found and where from the viewpoints we used.
Check redundant flues are capped with ventilation. Ventilation helps keep the stack dry.
Roof by roof
Lead flashings
Over time, lead can lift or come away from the brickwork. Any loose or split flashings are recorded.
Brick stacks
Spalled bricks, where the face has flaked off, are a sign of water and frost. Any spalling is noted with photos.
Preston homes and their roofs
The coast is about 4 miles or less from Preston, so there is more wind and more salt in the air than further inland. Metal fixings and flashings corrode faster in salt air, while gales work at loose ridges, slates and tiles, while driving rain finds any gap. Older houses across Kent frequently have handmade clay or peg tiles, and many have tile-hung walls. The county’s older buildings also include oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look.
Belmont House and Gardens lies about 3.3 miles south-west, so building around Preston goes back a long way. Older homes in the area may have roofs that need matching materials when work is done. Landlords with a home close to Faversham station may find that a roof report between tenancies helps plan work before a small defect becomes a tenant’s leak. For site and facilities teams at buildings like The Abbey School, a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time.
Preston is about 7 miles south-west of Whitstable, in Kent. Preston is one of many places we visit across Kent, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. Preston is one of the towns and villages in Kent we cover for chimney surveys. You can also see our page for Canterbury.
All of ME13 is within our area for chimney surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. Streets in the area include Back Lane, Quay Lane and Park Road, all of which we cover. Preston is on the A2 and A251, which makes it simple to reach. We also cover the places around Preston: Faversham (1 mile north-west), The Brents (1 mile north), Davington (1 mile north-west), Ospringe (1 mile west) and Whitehill (1 mile south-west). Further out, we also cover Ashford (12 miles south), Canterbury (8 miles east), Sittingbourne (7 miles west), Whitstable (7 miles north-east), Herne Bay (11 miles east) and Minster (8 miles north-west).
Landmarks near Preston
We work in homes and buildings around Ethelbert Road Primary School, Oare Meadow and The Elephant pub. Preston has its own railway station: Faversham station. Other landmarks nearby include Newnham Castle (4.3 miles south-west).
The survey, step by step
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes roughly 1–2 hours for most houses, and about three to four hours for a commercial roof. If you have questions on the day, just ask. Being in a smaller place like Preston does not change how the visit works: we look from ground level, from windows, from the loft and from the roof where it’s safe. It helps to show us anything you’ve already noticed.
- 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.
- Every part we can see is looked at: pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing, bricks and flashings.
- Where there’s safe access, we check the stack in the loft and the chimney breasts for damp.
- The findings are written up with photographs and recommendations and emailed to you.
Preparing for the visit
- If you are buying, check with the agent that we can get in
- Leave side gates unlocked
- Make a note of anything you’d like us to look at
Book a survey
We confirm the price for your roof before you book, so you know where you stand. Prices start from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, phone 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Advice
Preston questions
Can a landlord with a rental near Faversham station book a roof survey?
Of course. We just need to know who will give access, and we can send the report to you or your agent.
Does being near the coast affect roofs in Preston?
Generally, yes: wind and salt air take more of a toll near the sea. Exposed details such as ridges, verges, flashings and metal fixings are the ones to watch, and Preston is within about 4 miles of the coast.
Does the report include photographs?
Yes. The report includes photos of what we found, so you can see exactly what each finding refers to.
How do I book a survey in Preston?
To arrange a survey, ring 07833 053749 or send us an email with the address, the type of property and what’s prompted the survey. We’ll confirm the price and find a day that suits.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We’re experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs like sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. The report will say if you need an engineer.
How experienced are you?
We have more than 20 years’ experience and have completed over 5,000 surveys across London and the South East.
Do you work in Preston?
Yes. We survey roofs across London and South East England, and that includes Preston.
Can I check my roof myself?
A lot can be seen from the ground. Binoculars help you spot slipped slates or tiles, gaps along the ridge and a leaning stack. Please do not climb up for a closer look.
What you can’t do safely is get up close. Slates, tiles, flat roofs and rooflights can give way. That part is for a survey.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Preston
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. Surveys run on any day of the week, which can make access easier.
Where a roof is shared: we need access agreed with whoever owns or manages the building. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan the survey around it.