West Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in The Haven, West Sussex
A survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching in The Haven, carried out by an experienced roof surveyor. You get a clear written report with photos.
- Staining on walls around the chimney
- Spalled or crumbling bricks
- Loose, cracked or missing pots
Chimney surveys around The Haven
Handmade clay tiles and tile-hung upper walls are typical of older Sussex houses. Some old buildings in Sussex have Horsham stone slab roofs. Whichever you have, the details that tend to fail before the covering itself get the closest look. There are about 500,000 buildings on England’s list of listed buildings, and around 10,000 conservation areas. Listed building consent is needed for changes that affect a listed building’s special interest, and conservation areas can limit changes of roofing material, so the council is the place to ask.
Landlords with a home close to Billingshurst station may find that a roof report helps you deal with small faults before they turn into a call from a tenant.
The Haven is about 3 miles north of Billingshurst, in West Sussex. The Haven is one of many places we visit across West Sussex, for houses, flats and commercial buildings. We cover towns and villages across West Sussex. For surveys nearby, see our Crawley page.
We cover every part of RH14 for chimney surveys and the streets around it. Neighbouring places we cover for chimney surveys include Five Oaks (1 mile south-east), Bucks Green (2 miles north), Slinfold (2 miles east), Rudgwick (2 miles north) and Tisman's Common (2 miles north-west). Larger places within reach include Crawley (12 miles east), Horsham (5 miles east), Broadfield (11 miles east), Storrington (10 miles south), Billingshurst (3 miles south) and Bewbush (10 miles east).
Local landmarks in The Haven
We work in homes and buildings around The Blue Ship Public House, among other places. The Haven’s nearest station is Billingshurst station, roughly 3.4 miles south. Other landmarks nearby include Horsham Hospital (5.3 miles east) and Christs Hospital School Museum (3.9 miles east).
Chimney survey in The Haven: what you get
Redundant chimneys are common, particularly where fires have been replaced by central heating. Even when it is not used, a stack has to stay weathertight. Capping a stack without ventilation can trap moisture and lead to damp inside. We check how redundant stacks have been capped and look for damp in the chimney breasts. You get photos of each stack and our recommendations. If you’ve noticed loose, cracked or missing pots and frost-damaged brickwork on the stack, a survey will tell you what’s going on, whatever the roof.
In a village or hamlet like The Haven, older cottages and farmhouses often sit alongside barns, outbuildings and a few newer houses. Roofs there can be clay tile, slate, stone or thatch, and chimney stacks are often old. We report on whatever is safely visible, and thatch is a specialist material. Chimneys and lead flashings on old roofs often need the most attention.
It isn’t only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend.
- Place
- The Haven (RH14)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Prices
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Insurance
- PI and public liability insurance
- Telephone
- 07833 053749
- Last updated
- 27 October 2026
More services for The Haven
What happens on the day
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes about 1–2 hours at a typical home, though large, tall or awkward roofs take more time. You’re welcome to ask questions while we are there. Older roofs in small places like The Haven can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. We only go where it is safe.
- You let us know whether any stacks are shared, unused or leaning.
- We check the roof around each stack, including the flashings.
- We look at the flaunching and pots on every stack.
- Any lean, spalling or worn pointing is recorded.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
Preparing for the visit
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- Show us where any leaks or stains appear
Arrange a survey
To get a price for chimney surveys in The Haven, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email. Some details about the property and the roof help us give you an accurate price.
Read more
How the survey changes by roof type
Flaunching
Flaunching is the mortar on top of a stack that holds the pots and sheds water. Cracks in it let water into the stack.
Lead flashings
Flashings can lift in wind or pull out of their mortar joints. We photograph any we find that look loose or damaged.
Practical tips
A little preparation and a few simple habits help, both for the survey and for the roof itself. Our tips:
- Use the report as a baseline for future checks
- Check unused flues are capped with ventilation
- Keep track of stains on chimney breasts
- Book a sweep for flues that are in use
Once we’ve been, the findings are written up with photos. It covers the pots, flaunching, pointing, brickwork and flashings, and any damp we found inside. Turnaround is within 48 hours for Basic, 24 to 48 hours for Standard and the same day for Premium.
Make sure redundant flues are capped with ventilation. That helps stop damp building up inside.
Do you need a chimney survey in The Haven?
A stack takes the weather from every direction. Frost opens up cracks in the mortar, and rain gets into worn bricks and joints. People usually call us when they notice damp or a problem with the stack, or before a purchase.
Things that often lead to a survey include:
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
- A stack that appears to lean
- Frost-damaged brickwork on the stack
Around The Haven, as everywhere, small roof faults are simplest to sort before they let water in.
What to check before booking
- What follow-up you get after the report
- Whether VAT is in the quoted price
- Their drone registration, if they fly one
- Whether you get a written report with photos
Surveys for landlords and agents in The Haven
Shared roofs need a little more planning: we need access agreed with the freeholder or managing agent. Mention it when you contact us and we’ll plan the visit with that in mind.
For a freeholder or residents’ company, a roof report is a sound basis for a maintenance plan, putting the urgent items at the top.
Your questions about chimney surveys in The Haven
I let a flat near Billingshurst station. Can you check the roof?
Yes, landlords and agents are among the people we work for. Just call 07833 053749 or use the contact form with the details.
Is my home in The Haven listed or in a conservation area?
For listing, use Historic England’s list; for conservation areas, ask the council. It matters most if you’re planning to re-roof in a different material.
Will you walk on the roof?
Not unless it’s safe. Most of what we need can be seen from safe viewpoints, the loft and, where applicable, a drone.
Can you survey a chimney stack we share with next door?
Yes. Many houses share stacks with a neighbour. We survey what we can see safely, and note anything that seems to involve next door.
How do I book a survey in The Haven?
Just ring 07833 053749 or email us. We will ask a few questions, confirm the price and agree a date.
How do you inspect a chimney without scaffolding?
We inspect from wherever is safe: the ground, nearby windows and higher points, and the loft space. A drone inspection is included in our Premium Survey where applicable. If part of a stack cannot be seen, the report says so.
How long will you be at the property?
That depends on the size and shape of the roof; most visits take roughly 1–2 hours at a house, as part of a look at the roof around the stack. The written report follows by email.
What a chimney survey doesn’t cover
We only report what can safely be seen on the day, so some things are outside what a survey can do:
- Hidden sides of a shared stack
- Checks on boilers, fires or their flues
- Hidden damage within the stack
If you are not sure which survey you need, call 07833 053749 or email us and we will give you a straight answer before booking. The full list of what we check.
Roofs we survey in The Haven
- Chimney pots and cowls
- Chimney breasts
- Flaunching
- Lead flashings
- Shared and party-wall stacks
- Brick chimney stacks