Kent · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Ruckinge, Kent
Chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Ruckinge. More than 5,000 surveys completed across London and South East England.
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
- Signs that a stack is leaning
- Lifted or split lead flashings
About our chimney survey in Ruckinge
Our survey covers the structure of the stack and its weathering details. It is not a flue inspection, a chimney sweep or a gas safety inspection. If you use a fire or a gas appliance, the flue should be checked by a sweep or a Gas Safe registered engineer as appropriate. If something we see points to the flue, we will say so. If you’re worried about gaps where the stack meets the roof and cracked or missing flaunching, we can find out what’s behind it, on chimney breasts, chimney pots and cowls and brick chimney stacks alike.
Older buildings in small places like Ruckinge may be listed or in a conservation area. That can affect what materials can be used when work is done, so check with the council before planning anything. A roof report helps you plan work with that in mind. Where a building is listed, matching the existing roof materials is frequently expected.
We write the report in plain English, so you don’t need to be a roofer to follow it. Photographs show what each point refers to, and recommendations are put in order of urgency where relevant.
- Where
- Ruckinge (TN26)
- Wider area
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What a chimney survey looks like in Ruckinge
Handmade clay tiles, including Kent peg tiles hung on pegs through two holes, are typical of older Kent buildings. You’ll also find oast houses and timber-framed Wealden hall houses among the county’s older buildings. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them. An older home may be listed, or stand in a conservation area. To find out, check Historic England’s list and ask the council about conservation areas. Re-roofing in different materials may need permission there.
If you live in an older home near Church of St Mary Magdalene, its chimney, valleys and lead work are likely to be the parts that need attention first.
Ruckinge is about 5 miles south of Ashford, in Kent. Whether the building in Ruckinge is a house, a flat or a commercial unit, we can survey the roof on a weekday or at the weekend. Our Kent coverage includes Ruckinge and the places around it. We also survey roofs in Canterbury.
Here we cover the TN26 postcode area for chimney surveys. If you need a chimney survey at a property on Oak Ridge and Hamstreet Road or a nearby road, we can help. Neighbouring places we cover for chimney surveys include Hamstreet (1 mile west), Stone Cross (2 miles north), Orlestone (2 miles north-west), Bromley Green (3 miles north-west) and Kenardington (3 miles west). We also work in nearby towns such as Ashford (5 miles north), Folkestone (12 miles east), Hythe (8 miles east), Hawkinge (12 miles east), Tenterden (9 miles west) and Cheriton (11 miles east).
Around Ruckinge
For rail, the closest station is Ham Street station, roughly 1.5 miles west. Other landmarks nearby include William Harvey Hospital (5.3 miles north). Open spaces near Ruckinge include Orlestone Forest.
What we look for on each type of roof
Chimney pots and cowls
Damaged pots are a safety concern as well as a leak risk. We photograph each pot and note any damage.
Flaunching
We frequently find flaunching that has cracked or broken away. Caught early, it is often a small job.
Common roof problems in Ruckinge
Years of fires can affect the mortar inside a stack. Mortar can deteriorate unevenly from flue gases and moisture, which is one reason stacks start to lean.
Look out for signs like these:
- Flashings pulling away from the stack
- A stack that appears to lean
- Bricks with flaking faces
- Mortar washing out of the joints
If you let a flat or house near Ham Street station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- When you will get the report
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- How they plan to inspect the roof safely
- What the survey won’t cover
Ruckinge questions
Is my home in Ruckinge listed or in a conservation area?
You can check whether a building is listed on Historic England’s list, and your council can tell you if it’s in a conservation area. If a home is listed, changes that affect its special interest need listed building consent, and in a conservation area re-roofing in different materials may need permission.
Will you come out to Ruckinge?
Yes. Ruckinge is within the area we cover, which takes in towns, villages and rural addresses. We cover the whole of London and South East England. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
How much does a chimney survey cost in Ruckinge?
Our price is from £150, including VAT. What you pay for your roof depends on its size, height, access and the package.
Our stack is shared. Can you still survey it?
Yes. Many houses share stacks with a neighbour. We record the stack as far as we can see it and flag anything on the neighbour’s side.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. It’s a specialist roof survey, not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 building survey. It focuses on the roof and can sit alongside a RICS survey.
Does the report include photographs?
Yes. Photographs are taken throughout the survey, and the report uses them to show each finding alongside our recommendations.
Which parts of the chimney do you look at?
The whole stack, as far as it can be seen safely: pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing, bricks and flashings. Leaning, unused stacks and damp on chimney breasts are recorded too.
The survey, step by step
There is not much for you to do on the day. Point out anything you’ve noticed, like stains, drips or loose pieces, and we will get on with the inspection. A typical survey takes about 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. In a small place like Ruckinge, access is normally the main thing to plan. Let us know about outbuildings, past repairs and any leaks you’ve noticed. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- You tell us how many stacks there are and any damp or problems you’ve noticed.
- The stacks are looked at from ground level, from windows and from other safe vantage points.
- We check and photograph the pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
- Inside, we look for damp on chimney breasts and in the loft where there is safe access.
- The findings are written up with photographs and recommendations and emailed to you.
Before the survey
- Have any questions written down, so nothing gets missed
- If it is not your property yet, arrange access through the agent
- If the roof is shared, arrange access with whoever manages the building
Book a survey
Once you know what you need, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date, weekday or weekend.
Read more
What happens if roof problems are left?
Cracked flaunching and worn pointing are often modest repairs when they’re caught early. Left for a few winters, frost and water can loosen pots and bricks and the job gets bigger. For older village homes like those around Ruckinge, the right replacement materials are not always easy to find quickly. That’s one more reason to find defects before they become urgent.
Prices start from £150, including VAT. The final price depends on the size and height of the roof, access and which survey you book.
What you get with us
- Covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- Prices that include VAT
- Two decades and more of roof surveys
- A written report with photos
What affects the cost of chimney surveys
Prices vary from roof to roof, and it comes down to:
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- The size of the roof
- The type of building, from a house to a block or an office
- Height and safe access
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.
Helping us price your survey
Getting the details right at the start saves time. Please include:
- When you need the report by
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
- What kind of property and roof it is
- Whether there is a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
For a price for chimney surveys in Ruckinge, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form. A few details about the property and the roof help us give you an accurate price.
Places near Ruckinge
Other services in Ruckinge
What you can safely check yourself
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.