Isle of Wight · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Shorwell, Isle of Wight
Independent chimney surveys in Shorwell. We have completed more than 5,000 surveys across London and South East England.
- Pots or cowls that look unsafe
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
- Bricks with flaking faces
How the survey changes by roof type
Rendered stacks
Cracked render can let water in and trap it behind. We record any cracking and where it is.
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.
How a chimney survey works in Shorwell
For buyers, a chimney survey before exchange can flag work you may want to raise. On older stacks, we often find cracked flaunching, loose flashings and worn pointing. You get photos and findings you can take back to the seller or agent. It complements a RICS home survey rather than replacing it. We’re frequently asked to look into pots or cowls that look unsafe and a stack that appears to lean, on chimney pots and cowls, lead flashings and brick chimney stacks.
Village roofs often face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, which is hard on ridges, chimneys, flashings and gutters. Older walls take a long time to dry once water gets in. A written report sets out what to deal with and in what order. On exposed older roofs, chimneys and lead flashings are often the first to give way.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Where
- Shorwell (PO30)
- Wider area
- Isle of Wight
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
Tips that help
You do not need to be a roofer to help. What helps most:
- File photos of the stacks with your home records
- Look at the chimneys with binoculars after a storm
- Use a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas appliances
- Note any damp on chimney breasts and when it appears
Once we have been, the findings are written up with photos. It explains the condition of each part of the stack and any damp inside. Basic reports arrive within 48 hours, Standard reports in 24 to 48 hours and Premium reports the same day.
Get small mortar repairs done while they’re small. It’s far simpler than rebuilding a stack later.
What affects the cost of chimney surveys
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
- The size of the roof
- Whether it is a home or a commercial building
Prices start from £150, including VAT. Basic starts from £150, Standard from £250 and Premium from £400, VAT included, and we can help you choose.
What we need to know
These details help when you contact us:
- Any marks or damp showing indoors
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Any deadline, such as an exchange date
We confirm the price for your survey before you book, so you know where you stand. Prices start from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, ring 07833 053749 or use the contact form.
Honest limits
Every survey has limits, and it’s better to know them up front. Keep these in mind:
- Hidden sides of a shared stack
- Whether the flue is safe to use
- Checks on boilers, fires or their flues
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll tell you before booking. The full list of what we check.
What we check
- Flaunching
- Chimney breasts
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Brick chimney stacks
- Lead flashings
What happens on the day
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes about one to two hours for most houses, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. You are welcome to ask questions while we’re there. In a hamlet or village like Shorwell, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions, or a note of a nearby landmark, help us arrive on time. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- First we talk through the stacks, their history and any problems.
- We check every stack from wherever it can be seen safely.
- We photograph and record the pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
- We look for damp on chimney breasts and in the loft space.
- You get a written report with photos and recommendations by email.
How to prepare
- Gather any invoices or paperwork from past roof work
- Move anything stored under the loft hatch
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Book a survey
Unsure which package suits your roof? It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and why you want it surveyed. We’ll explain the options and the price.
Advice
What a chimney survey looks like in Shorwell
Shorwell lies within about 3 miles of the sea, 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. Northcourt Manor, about 0.3 miles north, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Shorwell. If your house is among the older ones, expect a mix of original materials and later repairs on the roof.
Shorwell is about 5 miles south-west of Newport, in the Isle of Wight. We carry out chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Shorwell. Across the Isle of Wight, we cover Shorwell. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
Every address in PO30 is within our area for chimney surveys, from the main roads to the quietest streets. We offer chimney surveys to properties on Fine Lane, Orchards Way and Farriers Way and the roads around them. Neighbouring places we cover for chimney surveys include Thorncross (1 mile south-west), Little Atherfield (2 miles south), Moortown (2 miles west), Brighstone (2 miles west) and Chillerton (2 miles east). Larger places within reach include Newport (5 miles north-east), Ryde (10 miles north-east), Cowes (8 miles north), Sandown (9 miles east), Shanklin (8 miles east) and Ventnor (7 miles south-east). For harder-to-reach addresses, a little more planning is needed, so mention it when booking.
What’s near Shorwell
In Shorwell, that means homes and buildings near The Crown Inn, among other places. Nearby you’ll also find Carisbrooke Castle (3.6 miles north-east) and Whitecroft Hospital (3.1 miles north-east). For a walk, there is Brighstone Down.
Also in Shorwell
When to book a survey in Shorwell
Flashings seal the gap where a stack passes through the roof. They can lift in wind, crack with age or pull out of the mortar joints. Failed flashings are one of the most common causes of damp around chimneys. Lead flashings can also be stolen.
It is worth booking a survey if you’ve seen:
- Mortar washing out of the joints
- Frost-damaged brickwork on the stack
- Damp patches on chimney breasts
- Signs that a stack is leaning
If you live in an older home near St. Peter's Church, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look.
What to check before booking
- Which viewpoints they use to see the roof
- Is VAT included in the price?
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
Common questions in Shorwell
How do I find out if my home in Shorwell is listed?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. It’s worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do you cover smaller places like Shorwell?
Yes, Shorwell is on our map. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Do you climb onto every roof?
Not unless it is safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where it applies, a drone.
My chimney looks like it’s leaning. What should I do?
Have it checked rather than leaving it. Leaning often comes from mortar breaking down unevenly. We record its condition with photos, and a structural engineer can assess whether it needs work.
How do I arrange a chimney survey in Shorwell?
It is easiest to call 07833 053749 or send us an email. Let us know the address and a little about the roof. We survey on weekdays and at weekends.
Does someone need to be in?
That depends on the survey. For inside areas and the loft space, someone has to give us access.
Can you tell me if my roof has asbestos?
No. We can flag materials that might contain asbestos, but confirming it is a job for a specialist asbestos surveyor. It may be present in buildings built or refurbished before 2000.