Lee FlecknellEmergency roof repairs, rental property · August 2026
Highly recommend this company carried out some emergency roof repairs on one of my properties would use again.
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Chimney removal
Chimney removal with the roof tiled over to match
Chimney removal takes a redundant stack off the roof for good, so there is no more repointing, no leaking flashings and no loose bricks above the garden. Best Top Roofing takes chimneys down below the roof line, caps and ventilates the flue, and tiles the roof over to match the rest, across Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire.
Most houses with gas central heating no longer use their chimneys, but the stacks still need maintaining. A chimney that is leaking, leaning or needs rebuilding is often better taken down than repaired, especially when you are having the roof replaced anyway. Removing it deals with the problem permanently and takes away the flashings that are the most common leak point on the roof.
Removal above the roof line is a roofing job. We scaffold the stack, take it down brick by brick into a skip rather than dropping it, and stop below the rafters. The flue is capped and ventilated so the remaining breast inside does not suffer from damp, and the hole in the roof is framed with new timber, membraned, battened and tiled or slated in to match the surrounding roof. Done alongside a re-roof, the chimney simply disappears.
Removing a chimney breast inside the house, or a stack that supports a neighbour's chimney on a shared party wall, is structural work with extra rules. We tell you at the survey if your chimney needs building control involvement or a party wall agreement before it comes down.
When you call, you speak to the familyBest Top Roofing is family-run. The family that answers the phone and gives you the quote is the family that turns up and does the job.
What is included
- Scaffold and safe access to the stack
- Stack taken down by hand below roof level
- Waste bagged and skipped, not dropped
- Flue capped and ventilated
- New timbers framed across the opening
- Membrane, battens and tiles or slates laid to match
- Lead or dry details where the roof meets any remaining brickwork
Signs you need this
- A chimney you no longer use that needs expensive repair
- Recurring leaks around the chimney flashings
- A stack that leans, cracks or sheds bricks
- Planning a re-roof and wanting a simpler roof
- Damp chimney breasts from an unused flue
Chimney removal: our recent work
Every photo is one of our own jobs. Tap to enlarge.
Rebuilt chimney with a new stone cap and a red cowl
Lead back gutter and apron behind a brick chimney stack
Red interlocking tile re-roof with a brick chimney and new dry ridge
How it works
Survey
We check the stack, whether it is shared, and what supports it inside.
Fixed written price
Removal, capping and roofing in listed in writing.
Take it down
Brick by brick below the roof line, into a skip.
Roof made good
Timbers, membrane and tiles to match, flue vented, site cleared.
A chimney you do not use is a maintenance bill waiting to happen. Removing it properly means one job, and no more flashings to leak.
Chimney removal: your questions answered
How much does chimney removal cost?
It depends on the size and height of the stack, access and the roof covering to match. Removal is often best value when combined with a re-roof. We give you a fixed written price after a look.
Do I need permission to remove a chimney?
Removing a stack above the roof does not usually need planning permission unless the house is listed or in a conservation area. Removing a breast inside or a shared stack involves building regulations and possibly a party wall agreement.
Will the roof match afterwards?
Yes. We tile or slate the opening to match the rest of the roof, and where the tile is no longer made we source the closest match or use reclaimed tiles.
What happens to the chimney breast inside?
It stays in place and the flue is capped and ventilated to prevent damp. Removing a breast inside the house is separate structural work.
Can you remove a chimney during a re-roof?
Yes, and it is the best time to do it. The scaffold is already up and the roof is open, so the chimney is removed and the roof covered in one job.
Related services
Reviews
What customers say on Google
Dannie SmithQuoted the next day · June 2026
Thomas came and gave me a quote next day, very professional and clean work was carried out. I will be using best top roofing for all my projects going forward and would highly recommend them.
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R Vidya RLeaking felt roof repaired · September 2026
thanks to Thomas for fixing our roof. It was pleasure working with you. I feel confident that the water leak is accessed from all points and all problem addressed
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Lee SextonNew flat roof · April 2026
I needed a new flat roofing doing and this amazing company did it exactly how I wanted it. Highly recommended. Friendly and polite. Would use and again and tell all my friends and family.
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Mahmoud Al SuwwanRoof problem fixed · August 2026
We had a problem in our roof we called this company and they solved the problem so happy and satisfied. I really highly recommend if anyone needs roofing work done if I ever need a roofer again hopefully we don't if I ever did I will always use this company again, thank you so much, guys.
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Lisa DunneBlocked gutters cleared · April 2026
Cleaned out our gutters as were blocked and overflowing. Very happy with the job done. Thank you very much!
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Ligita KaledaiteChosen over other quotes · July 2026
Very friendly. Had couple of Quotes from other companys And this was the best company for it.
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Sally MaskellRoofing work by Thomas · June 2026
Very impressed with the work that Thomas has done. Definitely recommend.
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Scarlet BullRoofing work · August 2026
Professional, good quality work! Recommended.
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Checkatrade customerBalcony roof installation · August 2026
Fantastic, professional and polite throughout the job.
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10 year
re-roof
guarantee
Our guarantee
re-roof
guarantee
Every new re-roof guaranteed for 10 years, in writing
When we replace your roof, our workmanship is guaranteed for 10 years from the day we finish, and the membrane, tiles and slates carry their manufacturers' guarantees on top. Repairs and flat roofs are guaranteed too, with the terms for your job written on your quote. We are fully insured.
Covered
- Our workmanship on every new re-roof for 10 years
- Lead, flashings, ridges and verges we fit
- Flat roofs laid to the system's specification
- Repairs, with the terms written on the quote
On top
- Tile and slate manufacturer guarantees
- Membrane and flat roof system guarantees
- Photos of the finished job
- The same family to call if anything is wrong
Not covered
- Storm or accidental damage after completion
- Work altered or added by someone else
- Parts of the roof we did not work on
- Gutters left to block and overflow
The guarantee for your job is written on your quote before you agree to anything. Read the full guarantee.
Talk to us about chimney removal
Ring or send the form. We come out, look at the roof, show you what is needed and give you a fixed written price. No pressure and no hidden extras.