Buckinghamshire · London and the South East
Chimney survey in Widmer End, Buckinghamshire
Find out what’s going on with the chimney stack before you decide what to do next. Chimney surveys in Widmer End.
- Damp on a chimney breast inside
- Mortar washing out of the joints
- Gaps in the mortar around the pots
DIY checks: what’s safe
A DIY look is useful, but it is not a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are often out of sight.
Fresh stains on ceilings or walls after rain are worth noting. Photograph them and note the date, which helps when we look at the roof.
Chimney survey in Widmer End
A damp patch on a chimney breast does not always come from the same place. It might come in at the top, through worn pointing or porous bricks, or where the flashings meet the roof. Moisture trapped inside a stack with no ventilation can also cause damp. Our survey checks each of these and records the likely cause. You then know where to start. If you’ve noticed frost-damaged brickwork on the stack and flaunching that has broken away, we can find out what’s behind it, whatever the roof.
In a village or hamlet like Widmer End, 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. On older roofs, it is usually the chimneys and lead flashings that need work first.
It is not only a list of defects. For each finding, it explains what it is, why it matters and what we’d recommend, so you can plan your next steps.
- Where
- Widmer End (HP15)
- Wider area
- Buckinghamshire
- Cost
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Report
- Emailed report with photos and recommendations
- When we survey
- Weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Cover
- PI and public liability insurance
- Phone
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Towns and villages near Widmer End
What else we do in Widmer End
How the survey works
Before we start, tell us why you’ve booked: a purchase, a leak, a storm, new work or simply peace of mind. That way we can focus on what matters to you. Most visits take an hour or two for most homes, a little longer where there are several stacks. Older roofs in small places like Widmer End can have low, tight loft spaces, so tell us about the loft hatch and any ladder. Only areas that can be reached safely are inspected.
- You let us know whether any stacks are shared, unused or leaning.
- We check the roof around each stack, including the flashings.
- The top of each stack is checked for cracked flaunching and loose pots.
- Any lean, spalling or worn pointing is recorded.
- You receive a written report setting out what needs attention first.
How to prepare
- Let us know about parking before the day
- For a flat or shared roof, check access with the building owner or managing agent
- Jot down any questions you want answered
How to book
We confirm the exact price before booking, so you know the cost up front. Our price is from £150, including VAT. For a price for your roof, phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email.
Read more
What we look for on each type of roof
Chimney breasts and the loft
Stains on timbers or brickwork around the stack can point to a leak. We record what we see with photos.
Chimney pots and cowls
A loose or cracked pot can fall from height. We photograph each pot and note any damage.
Landlord and commercial surveys in Widmer End
Surveys can also be booked by buyers’ agents acting for a client. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
Freeholders and residents’ companies use a roof report to plan and budget.
Local roofs in Widmer End
Historic houses such as Hughenden Manor, about 1.9 miles south-west, show how far back building in the area around Widmer End goes. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs, and the council can say whether a home is in a conservation area. A number of Buckinghamshire villages keep thatched roofs on their older buildings. Older houses in the South East often have slate or clay tile roofs, while many later estates have concrete tiles. Each of these coverings has its own weak points, from fixings and valleys to flashings, chimneys and gutters.
Take a building like Widmer End Combined School: a written record of a large roof helps plan work for the holidays rather than in term time. Take an older house close to Church of the Good Shepherd: the nails, lead and mortar on the roof may be wearing out even where the slates or tiles look fine.
Widmer End is about 3 miles north-east of High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire. Anywhere in Widmer End, we can come and survey your property. Across Buckinghamshire, we cover Widmer End and the places around it. You can also see our page for Reading.
We survey roofs across HP15 for chimney surveys and the streets around it. Local streets include Haines Road, George's Hill and Primrose Green. If you’re just outside Widmer End, we cover Spurlands End (1 mile north-east), Cryers Hill (1 mile west), Great Kingshill (1 mile north-west), Four Ashes (1 mile south-west) and Hazlemere (1 mile south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Aylesbury (11 miles north), High Wycombe (3 miles south-west), Chesham (6 miles north-east), Marlow (7 miles south), Amersham (5 miles east) and Beaconsfield (5 miles south-east).
What’s near Widmer End
In Widmer End, that means homes and buildings near Pipers Corner School, Holmer Green Senior School and The White Lion pub. The closest station to Widmer End is High Wycombe station, about 2.6 miles south-west. A little further out are High Wycombe Castle (2.6 miles south-west) and Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre (2.7 miles north). Open spaces near Widmer End include Prestwood Local Nature Reserve.
When to book a survey in Widmer End
Lots of homes have redundant stacks. A stack sealed without ventilation can trap damp. Damp patches can appear on chimney breasts even when nothing is leaking.
Typical things we are asked to look at include:
- Redundant stacks capped without ventilation
- Mortar washing out of the joints
- Cracked or missing flaunching
- Lifted or split lead flashings
If you own a rental within reach of High Wycombe station, a dated record of the roof is useful when planning maintenance across a let.
Questions to ask before you book
- How long the report takes to arrive
- Which limits apply to the survey
- Is there a chance to talk the report through?
- Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance
Questions from Widmer End
Does a conservation area affect roof work in Widmer End?
Start with Historic England’s list for listing and your council for conservation areas. Either can affect what roof work is allowed, so it is worth checking before planning any.
Is Widmer End within the area you cover?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one.
Will you check the chimney is safe to use with a fire?
No. Our survey covers the outside of the stack and the roof around it. The flue should be checked by a sweep, or by a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas appliances.
Do you need to go on the roof to check the chimney?
Each stack is viewed from the safest viewpoints: from ground level, windows and vantage points, and from the loft where there’s access. A drone inspection is included in our Premium Survey where it applies. We note anything we couldn’t see.
What do I do with the report?
You’ll get the report by email, with photographs and clear recommendations. The Standard Survey includes a follow-up consultation, and the Premium Survey an in-person consultation.
What will the report tell me?
It works through the roof part by part, in writing and with photos, finishing with recommendations. Points are put with the most urgent first where relevant.
Does the weather affect the survey?
It can, depending on the survey. Drones can’t fly safely in strong wind or a downpour, and thermal imaging works best after a sunny day, with a dry roof and little wind. If the conditions aren’t right, we will talk to you about another date.
What affects the cost of chimney surveys
Every roof is different, so prices are confirmed before you book. These are the things that affect it:
- House, block, shop or office
- If the survey needs thermal imaging or a drone
- Extra roofs, like extensions, dormers or garages
- The package you choose: Basic, Standard or Premium
All our prices include VAT. Prices start from £150, including VAT. We confirm the price for your survey before booking.
What we need to know
We will usually ask about:
- The style of property, from a terrace to a block
- How the loft is reached, if there is one
- Dates you’re working to, such as exchange
- Why you want a survey: buying, a leak, a storm or new work
Booking is simple: just phone 07833 053749 or drop us an email, let us know about the property and we’ll explain which survey suits. We confirm the price before anything is booked.