Kent · London and the South East
Swingfield Minnis Chimney Survey
A survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching across Swingfield Minnis, using drones and thermal imaging where applicable. Call or email for a price.
- Unused flues sealed without airflow
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
- Gaps where the stack meets the roof
Do you need a chimney survey in Swingfield Minnis?
The flaunching on top of a stack holds the pots in place and sheds water. Once it cracks, water gets in and frost makes the cracks bigger. Loose pots can follow.
We’re often asked to look at:
- Eroded joints in the brickwork
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Bricks with flaking faces
- Cracked or missing flaunching
Acrise Place lies about 1.5 miles south-west, so building around Swingfield Minnis goes back a long way. Older homes in the area may have roofs that need matching materials when work is done.
Choosing a roof surveyor
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Whether the inside of the roof is included
- What’s outside the scope of the survey
- Whether the price includes VAT
Chimney surveys for homes and businesses in Swingfield Minnis
Chimney stacks take more weather than almost any other part of a house. 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. A survey finds these problems and records them with photographs. We survey flaunching, lead flashings and brick chimney stacks, and common reasons people get in touch are mortar washing out of the joints and frost-damaged brickwork on the stack.
In a village or hamlet like Swingfield Minnis, older cottages and farmhouses often sit alongside barns, outbuildings and a few newer houses. Older roofs may be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, often with chimneys that have stood a long time. Each needs checking in its own way, and thatch is a specialist material we report on as far as it can be seen. Chimneys and lead flashings on old roofs often need the most attention.
The Standard Survey adds moisture detection, a structural check and a follow-up consultation. The Premium Survey goes further, with thermal imaging, drone inspection where applicable, structural analysis and an in-person consultation.
- Where
- Swingfield Minnis (CT15)
- Region
- Kent
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- A written report with photos, by email
- When we survey
- Weekdays and weekends
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
Roof by roof
Rendered stacks
What’s behind the render can’t be seen without removing some, so the report says what can and cannot be judged.
Lead flashings
Over time, lead can lift or come away from the brickwork. We photograph any we find that look loose or damaged.
What happens on the day
We photograph the roof as we go, so you can see in the report what we found and where. Close-ups come from the safest viewpoint available, including by drone where it is applicable and the weather allows. Most surveys take about 1–2 hours for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. Cottages and farmhouses around Swingfield Minnis often have roofs at several levels, with lean-tos and outbuildings attached. Each part is looked at from wherever it can safely be seen, and anything we cannot see is noted.
- First we talk through the stacks, their history and any problems.
- We look at every stack from wherever it can safely be seen.
- Pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings are checked and photographed.
- We look for damp on chimney breasts and in the loft space.
- The report, with photos and recommendations, is emailed to you.
Getting ready for the survey
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
- Check the loft hatch can be reached
- If it isn’t your property yet, arrange access through the agent
Getting a price
When you’re ready to go ahead, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email. We will suggest a package, agree the price and find a date.
Related advice
Checking the roof from the ground
Look up at the roof after a storm, from ground level: broken slates or tiles in the garden, gaps along the ridge or loose lead are signs to note. Leave anything above ground level to a survey.
If you have a loft with safe access, take a look inside. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, checking for stains, damp wood or chinks of daylight.
When you need someone else
In fairness, a roof survey has limits:
- Hidden damage within the stack
- Areas we can’t view from safe positions
- Whether a gas appliance or its flue is safe
Not sure which survey suits your roof? You can call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and we will tell you before you book. The full list of what we check.
What we check
- Flaunching
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Brick chimney stacks
- Lead flashings
- Chimney breasts
Places near Swingfield Minnis
What else we do in Swingfield Minnis
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Swingfield Minnis
Swingfield Minnis lies within about 4 miles of the sea, where sea air brings more salt and stronger wind than inland. Metal fixings and flashings corrode faster in salt air, while gales work at loose ridges, slates and tiles, and driving rain gets into whatever gap is left. Older houses across Kent often 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. On roofs like these, good slates or tiles can outlast the nails, battens, lead and mortar around them.
For site and facilities teams at buildings such as Selsted Church of England Primary School, a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time. If you own a rental within reach of Shepherds Well station, knowing the condition of the roof, chimneys and gutters helps you plan work rather than react to complaints.
Swingfield Minnis is about 4 miles north of Folkestone, in Kent. We carry out chimney surveys for householders, landlords and businesses in Swingfield Minnis and nearby. Swingfield Minnis is one of the places in Kent where we work for chimney surveys. There is also a page for Canterbury.
Surveys in CT15 are booked the same way as anywhere else. We offer chimney surveys to properties on Canterbury Road and Hoad Road. Swingfield Minnis sits on or near the A260, which makes travel easy. Close by, we survey roofs in Selsted (1 mile north), Densole (1 mile south), Wootton (2 miles north), Hawkinge (2 miles south) and Old Hawkinge (2 miles south). Further out, we also cover Ashford (13 miles west), Canterbury (10 miles north), Dover (6 miles east), Folkestone (4 miles south), Whitstable (15 miles north) and Deal (11 miles north-east).
Landmarks near Swingfield Minnis
For rail, the closest station is Shepherds Well station, roughly 4.1 miles north-east of the centre. Nearby you will also find Elham Valley Countryside Centre And Railway Museum (3.9 miles south-west) and Royal Victoria Hospital (4.1 miles south). Not far away are Cheriton Hill.
What affects the price in Swingfield Minnis
Prices vary from roof to roof, for these reasons:
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The shape of the roof and its details
- How big the roof is
- How tall the building is and how easy the roof is to see
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.
Helping us price your survey
These details help when you contact us:
- The address and postcode of the property
- Dates you are working to, such as exchange
- Pictures of the roof from a safe spot, if you have them
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
Buyers should book once an offer has been accepted, so you have the findings in time to act on them before you exchange. For any other survey, just call 07833 053749 or drop us an email when you are ready.
Swingfield Minnis: your questions answered
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Swingfield Minnis?
Check Historic England’s online list first, then ask the council about conservation areas and any Article 4 direction. The answer matters most when a change of material is on the cards.
Can a landlord with a rental near Shepherds Well station book a roof survey?
Yes, rented property is part of what we cover. Just phone 07833 053749 or email us and let us know about the building, including who will give access on the day.
Is it a problem to have an unused chimney?
It depends on its condition and your plans. The survey shows its condition and how it’s been capped. In a conservation area or on a listed building, changes may need consent.
What does a roof survey cost?
Chimney survey starts from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for your survey before booking, based on the roof’s size, access and package. For a price, phone 07833 053749 or send us an email.
Can you survey a chimney stack we share with next door?
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.
How many surveys have you done?
Over 5,000 surveys so far, over more than 20 years.
Can you survey in bad weather?
A survey can typically go ahead in light rain, and it can even help show where water is getting in. Strong wind or heavy rain can stop drone flights and make roof access unsafe, so we’ll agree a new date if the weather is not suitable.