West Sussex · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Westbourne, West Sussex
A survey of chimney stacks, pots, flashings and flaunching across Westbourne, using drones and thermal imaging where it applies. Get in touch for a price.
- Damaged chimney pots and cowls
- Lifted or split lead flashings
- Mortar washing out of the joints
FAQs for Westbourne
Is Westbourne within the area you cover?
We do. Villages and rural addresses get the same survey as a town house.
Is my home in Westbourne listed or in a conservation area?
The council and Historic England’s list are the places to check. It is worth checking before planning roof work, as both can affect what’s allowed.
Do you test for asbestos?
No. Asbestos surveys and testing aren’t part of what we do. We flag materials that could contain asbestos, such as cement sheets or soffits on pre-2000 buildings and suggest a specialist asbestos surveyor checks them before any work.
Do you carry out surveys on Saturdays and Sundays?
We carry out surveys on any day of the week. To find a day that suits you, ring 07833 053749 or email us.
My chimney looks like it’s leaning. What should I do?
Don’t ignore it. Leaning often comes from mortar breaking down unevenly. The survey records what we can see, and a structural engineer can assess whether it needs work.
Is it the same as a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey?
No. We look at the roof, not the whole building, and it isn’t a RICS Level 2 or Level 3 survey. It can sit alongside a RICS survey if you want both.
Do you inspect the flue?
No. A flue inspection, sweep or gas safety check is a separate job. We check the structure and weathering of the stack and any damp and flag anything that suggests the flue needs a look.
How a chimney survey works in Westbourne
Each stack is looked at from the safest viewpoints available: from ground level, from windows and vantage points, and from the loft where there is access. With our Premium Survey, a drone inspection is included where it applies. If we cannot see part of the stack, the report makes that clear. Every defect we find is photographed and described in plain words. If you’re worried about flaunching that has broken away and damp patches on chimney breasts, we can find out what’s behind it.
Village roofs often face open fields and take the full force of wind and rain, so ridges, chimney stacks, flashings and gutters work hard. 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 frequently the first to give way.
The report does not just list problems. It explains what we found, why it matters and what we recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Place
- Westbourne (PO10)
- Wider area
- West Sussex
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Reports
- A written report with photos, by email
- Appointments
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Common roof problems in Westbourne
Chimney stacks stand above the roof, exposed to wind, rain and frost on every side. Frost opens up cracks in the mortar, and rain gets into worn bricks and joints. Most people book after spotting damp or a loose pot, or before buying.
Signs worth acting on include:
- Staining on walls around the chimney
- Pots or cowls that look unsafe
- A stack that appears to lean
- Frost-damaged brickwork on the stack
Take an older house close to St John the Baptist's Church: old fixings, lead flashings and tall chimneys are typical of older roofs.
Before you book anyone
- Is VAT included in the price?
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
- What they won’t be able to tell you
- What the report includes, and whether it has photos
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Keep a simple record: dates of leaks, photos from the ground and any work done on the roof. Share it with us when booking.
After heavy rain, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new stains. Photograph them and note the date, as it helps a surveyor trace the cause.
For landlords and managing agents
An agent can book and manage the survey for a landlord. Access is agreed with the tenant in advance.
Roof problems in a rented home affect tenants as well as the building. A survey helps you spot issues early and plan the work with less disruption.
Places near Westbourne
Also in Westbourne
Roofs, chimneys and gutters in Westbourne
The coast is about 2 miles or less from Westbourne, and being near the sea means more wind and salt than a roof inland would face. Near the sea, metal fixings wear faster and loose pieces on a roof are more likely to lift, and driving rain gets into whatever gap is left. Warblington Castle, about 2.2 miles south-west, is one of the historic houses in the wider area around Westbourne. Older roofs in the wider area can hide decades of patch repairs, so the detail matters, and any change of roofing material on a listed home needs checking with the council first.
Take a building like Westbourne Primary School: large buildings have long gutter runs and big roofs that need checking like any other. Homes near green spaces such as Stansted Park can get more leaves in their gutters in autumn, and blocked gutters overflow and soak walls.
Westbourne is about 3 miles east of Havant, in West Sussex. Wherever you are in Westbourne, we can come and survey your property. Our area takes in places right across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Portsmouth.
Here we cover the PO10 postcode area for chimney surveys. If you need a chimney survey at a property on The Square, Church Road and Crockford Road or a nearby road, we can help. Other places close to Westbourne include Lumley (1 mile south), Woodmancote (1 mile east), Emsworth (1 mile south-west), Southbourne (1 mile south-east) and Denvilles (2 miles west). Further out, we also cover Bognor Regis (12 miles south-east), Chichester (7 miles east), Selsey (11 miles south-east), Portfield (7 miles east), Yapton (14 miles east) and East Wittering (7 miles south).
Local landmarks in Westbourne
Around Westbourne, our work takes us to homes and buildings near Stansted Park, The Good Intent Public House and Bourne Community College and the streets around them. The closest station to Westbourne is Emsworth station, roughly 1 mile south-west of the centre. A little further out are Warblington Castle (2.2 miles south-west) and Havant War Memorial Hospital (2.8 miles west). Green spaces nearby include Stoke Down and Brook Meadow (Emsworth).
How it works
We work from the outside in: outside views come first, then the loft space if there is safe access. All told, expect about 1–2 hours for a house, and longer for a large or complex roof. In a hamlet or village like Westbourne, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- First you let us know about the chimneys, any damp on the chimney breasts and any worries.
- We inspect each stack from safe viewpoints outside.
- We check and photograph the pots, cowls, flaunching, pointing and flashings.
- We check the chimney breasts and the stack in the loft space where we can reach them.
- The findings are written up with photos and recommendations and emailed to you.
Before the survey
- Make sure the loft hatch can be reached
- Tell us where we can park nearby
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with whoever owns or manages the building
Getting a price
Not sure which survey you need? The easiest way is to call 07833 053749 or use the contact form and describe the roof and what’s worrying you. We will talk you through the options and what they cost.
Related advice
What a survey costs
Not every roof costs the same to survey, and it comes down to:
- Chimneys, valleys, parapets and other details
- House, block, shop or office
- Which survey package you book
- Building height and the viewpoints available
Larger roofs, taller buildings and commercial roofs take longer, so the price reflects that. You will know the figure before booking.
Helping us price your survey
Here’s what helps us most when you contact us:
- Any stains, drips or damp patches you’ve seen indoors
- Dates you are working to, such as exchange
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- The reason for the survey, such as buying, a leak or storm damage
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 phone 07833 053749 or email us when you are ready.
Why act early in Westbourne
If you’re thinking of removing or reducing a stack, it helps to know its condition first. Changes to stacks in conservation areas or on listed buildings may need consent and the council can advise. In a small place like Westbourne, homes can be exposed to wind and rain, which finds any gap, and older walls, once damp, take a long time to dry.
A Basic Survey starts from £150, including VAT. Standard is from £250 and Premium from £400, both with VAT included. You’ll know the price for the job before booking.
Why book us in Westbourne
- Photographs and a written report every time
- Drones and thermal imaging where applicable
- Prices that include VAT
- Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
See our cost guide or our case studies.