Chimney stack removal · East & West Sussex
Chimney removal across East and West Sussex
Carefully planned removal of redundant or unsafe chimney stacks, with controlled dismantling, in-house scaffold access and the surrounding roof rebuilt to a clear written specification.
- 20+ years’ experience
- £10m public liability
- Family-run
- In-house scaffolding
Local Sussex contact numbers
Call the number covering your part of Sussex
These are service-area numbers for the same family-run company, not separate branches.
Define the scope first
“Chimney removal” can describe three very different jobs
Removing a redundant chimney is not simply a matter of taking bricks off a roof. Before a quotation is finalised, the intended removal level, flue use, ownership, structural support, roof covering and required approvals all need to be understood.
Our roofing scope commonly concerns the external stack above the roofline and the work needed to close and weatherproof the roof. Removing an internal chimney breast is a different building and structural project. It is included only when expressly surveyed, designed where necessary and written into the quotation.
External stack removal
The masonry above roof level is dismantled in controlled courses. Flashings are removed and the roof is reconstructed over the former opening.
Partial reduction
A stack may be reduced to an agreed level rather than removed completely. The remaining masonry, caps, flues and weathering must all be dealt with in the written scope.
Internal breast removal
This can affect floors, ceilings, party walls, fire separation and the support of masonry above. Structural calculations and Building Control involvement may be necessary.
Repair or remove?
Removal is one option—not the automatic answer to every chimney leak
A leaking chimney may need local repairs rather than demolition. We look at the purpose and condition of the stack, not just the symptom visible indoors.
Repair may be more appropriate when…
- The chimney or fireplace remains in use.
- The stack contributes to the character of the property.
- Mortar joints, flashings, flaunching or pots are the repairable cause.
- The masonry is fundamentally sound.
- Planning or conservation constraints favour retention.
Removal may be considered when…
- The stack and all relevant flues are confirmed redundant.
- Masonry is unstable or repeated repairs are no longer sensible.
- The homeowner accepts the permanent change to the building.
- Shared ownership, structural support and permissions have been resolved.
- The roof can be rebuilt with a suitable compatible covering.
The finished roof matters
Making good should be treated as roof construction, not a cosmetic patch
Once the stack is below the required roof level, the former penetration has to become part of a continuous roof plane. The exact detail varies with tile or slate type, rafter layout, underlay, battens, ridge position and any party-wall or fire-separation detail.
Compatible coverings are selected for profile, size and gauge—not colour alone. With an older roof, a perfect visual match may not be possible, so the proposed material and extent of renewal are recorded in the quotation.
Read about pitched roofing →Understand the cut-off point
External stack work and internal structural work are not interchangeable
This simplified section shows why the level of removal must be named precisely. It is an explanatory diagram, not a project-specific structural detail.
Typical roof-level method
How an external chimney stack is removed and the roof reinstated
The exact sequence is adapted to the building and agreed specification, but a competent roof-level scope should address each of these stages.
- 1
Survey and define
Confirm the stack, removal height, roof covering, access, flues, shared elements and visible defects. Drone photographs may assist where conditions allow.
- 2
Access and protection
Provide suitable scaffold, edge protection and a controlled route for materials. Protect the roof, openings and ground-level areas before dismantling starts.
- 3
Controlled dismantling
Remove pots and masonry progressively in manageable sections. Bricks and debris are lowered or contained rather than dropped onto the roof.
- 4
Inspect the opening
Check the exposed roof structure and the condition of surrounding underlay, battens and coverings. Any structural alteration follows the agreed detail.
- 5
Rebuild the roof plane
Install or alter framing and trimming where specified, lap in appropriate membrane, fit horizontal battens at the correct gauge and reinstate compatible tiles or slates.
- 6
Finish and record
Complete relevant ridge, verge or junction details, clear debris and provide completion photographs where available. Any follow-on internal work remains separately identified.
Common project types
Chimney removal situations we can assess
Redundant stack above a tiled roof
Remove the external masonry to the agreed level and close the opening with compatible underlay, battens and tiles.
Leaking stack under review
Compare targeted chimney and leadwork repairs with removal, taking appearance, use, approvals and future maintenance into account.
Shared or party-wall chimney
Clarify ownership, flues, retained masonry and neighbour implications before choosing any physical solution.
Stack removal during re-roofing
Coordinate removal with a wider roof-lining or re-roofing project so membrane, battens and coverings are continuous.
Unstable or storm-damaged masonry
Assess access and immediate risk. Same-day attendance may be possible depending on current availability, but safe access governs what can be done.
External stack plus internal alterations
Separate the roof package from structural, plastering, floor, ceiling and decoration work so responsibilities and specifications remain clear.
A clearer quotation
What we aim to identify in writing
A useful chimney-removal quotation should let you compare scope—not just headline price. The survey determines which points apply to your property.
- The chimney and exact level of removal
- Scaffold and access assumptions
- Known flue, party-wall or approval dependencies
- Extent of roof opening and making-good
- Proposed membrane, battens, tile or slate covering
- Structural input or exclusions
- Waste handling and site protection
- Photographs where available
- Programme assumptions and payment stages
- Any qualifying written guarantee
Bespoke Roofing & Renovations Ltd
A joined-up roofing and scaffold service
Bespoke Sussex Roofing is the trading name of Bespoke Roofing & Renovations Ltd. We are family-run, carry £10m public liability insurance and bring more than 20 years of roofing and construction experience to surveys and quotations.
Free, no-obligation written quotations include photographs where available and state what is included, excluded and dependent on third-party approval.
Questions before committing
Chimney removal FAQs
The right answer depends on the building, which is why the quotation follows an assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all promise.
Do I need planning permission to remove a chimney stack?+
It depends on the property and the proposed change. Listed status, conservation controls, permitted development rights and a shared stack can all affect the answer. The property owner should confirm the position with the local planning authority before work begins; listed buildings may also need listed building consent.
What is the difference between a chimney stack and a chimney breast?+
The stack is the part visible above the roof. The breast is the masonry projection inside the building and the flue passes through the structure. Removing only the external stack and making good the roof is different from removing an internal breast, which can require structural design and Building Regulations approval.
Will chimney removal need Building Regulations approval?+
External stack removal and roof making-good must still leave the roof safe and weatherproof. If internal masonry is removed, a remaining stack is supported, structural timbers are altered or fire separation is affected, Building Control and structural-engineer input may be required. This is checked for the particular scope rather than assumed.
Can you remove one side of a shared chimney?+
Sometimes, but not without first identifying ownership, flues, support and Party Wall implications. A stack on or serving a party wall may affect the adjoining owner. Appropriate professional advice and any required notices or agreements should be in place before work starts.
Can the new roof tiles be matched to the existing roof?+
We assess the profile, size, headlap, colour and condition of the existing covering. Compatible reclaimed or new tiles may be sourced where practical, but an invisible match cannot be promised on an aged roof. The written quotation explains the proposed covering and any likely variation.
How is the roof protected while the chimney is removed?+
The sequence is planned around access, weather and the size of the opening. Masonry is reduced in controlled stages, materials are contained and temporary weather protection is kept available. The opening is then framed or trimmed as specified, underlay and battens are reinstated and the roof covering is completed.
How long does chimney stack removal take?+
A straightforward external stack removal may take a few working days, but access, stack size, roof covering, structural requirements, shared-flue issues and weather can change the programme. We provide a job-specific scope rather than a blanket timescale.
Is scaffolding normally required?+
Usually, because controlled dismantling and roof reconstruction need a stable working platform and safe material handling. Bespoke has in-house scaffolding capability. Where scaffold occupies a public highway or pavement, the appropriate highway licence may be required.
Can a drone survey be used for the quotation?+
Where the site and weather are suitable, drone photographs can help show the stack, flashings and surrounding roof during the initial assessment. A drone view does not replace close inspection, opening-up or structural investigation when those are needed.
Is chimney removal guaranteed?+
Qualifying work receives the written guarantee stated in the quotation. The duration and scope depend on the work agreed. Guarantees do not automatically transfer to a future owner; if transferability is required, it must be discussed and agreed in writing before the work begins.
Request a written chimney-removal quotation
Tell us which stack you are considering removing
Send the property address, a ground-level photograph and whether any fireplace, stove or boiler is connected. We will arrange the next suitable assessment.
Qualifying work receives the written guarantee stated in the quotation. Guarantees do not automatically transfer to a future owner; if transferability is required, it must be agreed in writing before work begins.