Chimney inspection and repair

Homeowners, landlords, letting agents, house buyers needing a survey and small building firms.

Fixed fees for surveys and quoted prices for repair jobs, plus sweeping work as a source of repeat customers.

• Building or trade experience
• Confident working at height
• Writing clear reports and quotes
• Honest advice on what is needed

• Public liability insurance with cover for work at height, and check if you need extra cover for repairs
• Building Regulations may apply to some flue and stove work, so check with your council or a competent person scheme
• Gas, oil or solid fuel appliance work usually needs specific registration, so check before taking it on
• Scaffold or access costs on taller properties, so build them into quotes
• Guarantees on repairs and what happens if a fault returns

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £2,500 to £10,000, depending on camera and access equipment, insurance and tools. Scaffold or access costs on taller properties should be built into your quotes.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how many surveys and repairs you take on, the type of work and how far you travel. Guarantees on repairs are worth factoring in.

Check that your public liability insurance covers work at height and repairs. Building Regulations may apply to some flue and stove work, and gas, oil or solid fuel appliance work usually needs specific registration, so check before taking it on.