Surrey · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Sutton Abinger, Surrey
A survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching in Sutton Abinger, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photographs.
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- Spalled or crumbling bricks
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
About our chimney survey in Sutton Abinger
A chimney stands up above the roof, exposed to wind, rain and frost on every side. Over the years, the flaunching cracks, the pointing wears and flashings lift. Water then gets into the stack and can show as damp on a chimney breast or a stain in the loft. We record what we find with photos and recommendations. We survey lead flashings, flaunching and brick chimney stacks, and people most often book us about lifted or split lead flashings and damaged chimney pots and cowls.
In a small place like Sutton Abinger, many roofs stand in the open, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. Damp in old walls is slow to dry, so a small leak can do a lot of harm. 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.
If any part of the chimney stack couldn’t be seen safely, we say so in the report. You will know exactly what was inspected and what wasn’t.
- Place
- Sutton Abinger (RH5)
- Region
- Surrey
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- Survey days
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insured
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Updated
- 27 October 2026
What affects the price in Sutton Abinger
Several things affect the price of a survey:
- Any need for thermal images or a drone flight
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- Basic, Standard or Premium
- Building height and the viewpoints available
A small, low roof with good viewpoints takes less time than a tall, complicated one, and the package you pick makes a difference too. The price is always agreed first.
Getting in touch
The more you tell us, the easier it is to price the survey. When you contact us, let us know:
- Whether there’s a loft hatch, a shared roof or tricky access
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
- Where the property is, with the postcode
- Your timetable, like an exchange date
If you’re buying, it is useful to book soon after your offer is accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. Otherwise, simply call 07833 053749 or use the contact form whenever suits you.
What we look for on each type of roof
Chimney breasts and the loft
If a chimney breast has been removed below, we note what we can see of the support above. Confirming the support is a job for a structural engineer.
Flaunching
Flaunching takes the worst of the weather. We look for cracks, gaps around the pots and missing pieces.
What happens on the day
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. It helps us focus on what matters most to you. Most visits take roughly 1–2 hours at a typical home, and longer for a large or complex roof. In a small place like Sutton Abinger, access is normally the main thing to plan. Mention any outbuildings, barns or garages you want included, and anything about the roof you already know. Visits can be on weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays.
- 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.
- We note the brickwork, pointing and any sign of leaning.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
Getting ready for the survey
- Jot down any questions you want answered
- Check we can get to the back of the property
- Check pets are kept safely away
Getting a price
To arrange a survey, call 07833 053749 or drop us an email and tell us the address and what’s prompted the survey. You will know the price before anything is booked.
Read more
FAQs for Sutton Abinger
Can a landlord with a rental near Gomshall station book a roof survey?
Yes, letting agents and landlords book with us as well as owners. Just call 07833 053749 or send us an email and let us know about the building, including who will give access on the day.
Do you cover smaller places like Sutton Abinger?
Yes, smaller places are covered as well as towns. We work right across London and the South East. Let us know about access, parking and anything unusual about getting there as you book.
Is a chimney survey the same as a flue inspection?
No. It is not a flue, sweep or gas safety inspection. We look at the stack, pots, flaunching, pointing and flashings, and damp inside, and we will say if anything suggests the flue needs checking.
Is this a RICS survey?
No. This is a survey of the roof only, so it is not a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. Many buyers have both.
Are you structural engineers?
No. We are experienced roof surveyors, and visible signs such as sagging are noted, but calculations and an engineer’s opinion are outside what we do. If one is needed, the report says so.
What do you check on a chimney?
The whole stack, as far as it can safely be seen: pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing, bricks and flashings. We also note leaning, redundant stacks and damp inside.
Can you survey a chimney stack we share with next door?
Yes. We look at the parts we can see safely and the parts you can give us access to. If a defect seems to be on your neighbour’s side, the report records it, so you can discuss it with them.
Chimney surveys around Sutton Abinger
About 4.3 miles north-west lies Hatchlands Park, a reminder of how long the area around Sutton Abinger has been built on. On older houses around here, roofs often carry the marks of earlier repairs, from replaced slates to new lead. Older houses across Surrey often have handmade clay tiles, and many have tile-hanging. A few of Surrey’s oldest buildings have heavy Horsham stone slab roofs. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them.
If you let a flat or house near Gomshall station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let. The streets around a church such as Church of St James are often among the oldest in a place, and if yours is one of the older homes nearby, its roof may have old fixings, lead flashings and chimneys that need a closer look.
Sutton Abinger is about 5 miles south-west of Dorking, in Surrey. We survey roofs in Sutton Abinger as part of our work across London and South East England. Our Surrey coverage includes Sutton Abinger. Our Guildford page covers surveys nearby.
We work across RH5 for chimney surveys and the streets around it. Streets in the area include Hoe Lane, Annisdowne Close and Sutton Place. If you’re just outside Sutton Abinger, we cover Hoe (1 mile west), Abinger (1 mile east), Abinger Hammer (1 mile north), Gomshall (1 mile north-west) and Shere (2 miles north-west). We also work in nearby towns such as Guildford (7 miles north-west), Woking (10 miles north-west), Epsom (12 miles north-east), Horley (11 miles east), Redhill (12 miles east) and Ewell (13 miles north-east).
What’s near Sutton Abinger
Locally, jobs take us to homes and businesses close to The Volunteer pub and Hurtwood House. For rail, the closest station is Gomshall station, roughly 1.4 miles north-west. Nearby you’ll also find Mesolithic Museum (0.9 miles east) and Abinger Castle (0.9 miles east). The countryside around Sutton Abinger includes Combe Bottom and Silent Pool.
Landlords, agents and block managers in Sutton Abinger
Letting agents can arrange access with tenants. We survey on any day of the week, which can make access easier.
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
When you need someone else
It’s useful to know what a survey won’t do before booking:
- A structural engineer’s assessment
- Parts of the stack that can’t be seen safely or belong to a neighbour we cannot access
- Hidden damage within the stack
If in doubt, call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we’ll suggest the right survey. The full list of what we check.
What we check
- Flaunching
- Brick chimney stacks
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Lead flashings
- Chimney breasts
- Shared and party-wall stacks
Also near Sutton Abinger
What else we do in Sutton Abinger
When to book a survey in Sutton Abinger
Stacks that were used for open fires for many years can weaken from the inside. Mortar can deteriorate unevenly from flue gases and moisture, which can make a stack lean.
A survey makes sense if you’ve noticed:
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- A chimney out of line
- Worn or missing pointing
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
Anyone responsible for a site like Belmont Prep School will know that long gutter runs and wide roofs on a building that size are worth checking on a regular cycle.
What to check before booking
- Whether you get a written report with photos
- How much experience they have with roofs like yours
- Whether the price includes VAT
- Their report turnaround times