Bought a home with an unfamiliar stove? Book a complete homeowner inspection for £219
New homeowner stove safety inspection

Before you light it, understand it.

A wood-burning stove inherited with a property may look perfectly serviceable while its history, chimney condition and installation paperwork remain unknown. Where HETAS certification is missing, lost or unavailable, Embers provides a thorough current-condition inspection to help you understand the accessible stove, flue and installation.

Book your inspectionSend property photos
Base inspection£219Includes chimney sweep, CCTV flue inspection, operational checks and written findings.
A specialist check for an inherited stove

The house survey rarely tells the whole story.

General property surveys often record that a stove exists but do not dismantle it, sweep the chimney or examine the inside of the flue. New owners may therefore have little reliable information about maintenance, previous use or visible defects.

This service is particularly useful where an original HETAS certificate, building-control record or installation paperwork cannot be found. It does not replace or retrospectively recreate that certification. Instead, it provides a thorough assessment of the accessible appliance, flue and visible installation as they are on the day.

The sweep, CCTV inspection, smoke-draw testing, practical checks and written findings give the homeowner meaningful information and greater peace of mind about the observed condition and integrity of the system.

If the stove’s condition or history is unknown, avoid lighting it simply to see whether it works. Arrange an inspection first, particularly where there is visible damage, staining, loose components or no recent sweeping record.
Included for £219

A much closer look than a general home survey.

The appointment combines several checks so the stove and chimney can be considered together rather than in isolation.

01

Professional chimney sweep

Deposits and accessible blockages are removed using suitable equipment with careful dust containment.

02

CCTV chimney inspection

The accessible internal flue is viewed by camera to look for visible concerns that cannot be seen from the fireplace.

03

Visual stove assessment

The appliance, accessible components, hearth and visible installation details are considered for condition and obvious concerns.

04

Smoke-draw testing

Operational checks help assess whether smoke is drawing in the expected direction at the time of the visit.

05

Practical safety guidance

Findings are discussed clearly, including maintenance, repairs or further specialist work that may be recommended.

06

Written inspection record

You receive a record of the inspection and findings for your own information and future maintenance planning.

Send these details before booking

✓

Your name, property postcode and moving or completion date

✓

A full photograph of the stove, fireplace and hearth

✓

An outside photograph showing the chimney where practical

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Any make, model, data plate or paperwork available

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Whether the stove has been used since you moved in

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Anything you have noticed: smoke, smell, damage or staining

Prepare for the visit

A few photographs help us understand the property first.

This information does not replace the physical inspection. It helps us identify the appliance, confirm access and arrive prepared for the likely setup.

✓

Do not clean away evidence

Leave staining, fallen debris or other concerns visible so they can be assessed.

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Locate any documents

Installation records, servicing invoices, notices and previous sweeping certificates may provide useful context.

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Ensure access

Clear reasonable working space around the stove and advise us of parking or property-access issues.

What happens

From unfamiliar appliance to an informed plan.

The aim is to explain what is visible, what requires attention and what sensible next steps should be considered.

01

Discuss

We review what you know about the appliance, property and any concerns already noticed.

02

Sweep

The chimney is professionally swept so deposits are removed before closer internal viewing.

03

Inspect

The accessible stove, installation and flue are visually assessed, including a CCTV camera inspection.

04

Explain

You receive clear findings, practical recommendations and a written inspection record.

Embers van attending a property for stove and chimney work
Optional service upgrade

Have the stove fully serviced during the same appointment.

The £219 base inspection includes the chimney sweep and inspection work. For a stove that also requires detailed maintenance, upgrade to the complete strip-down and servicing process.

+£90Combined homeowner inspection and full stove service: £309
✓

Stove stripped down as far as safely serviceable

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Deep internal clean and component care

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Suitable lubrication, tightening and refurbishment

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Firebrick condition assessed while the stove is dismantled

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Replacement parts and firebricks quoted separately if required

See the full service details
Clear scope and limitations

Peace of mind without pretending it is a sign-off.

Honest limitations matter. The purpose is a thorough assessment of current observed condition and integrity, not retrospective certification of how or when the stove was installed.

What you receive

A professional sweep, CCTV view of the accessible flue, practical visual checks, operational smoke testing, findings and maintenance recommendations based on conditions observed during the visit.

  • Useful information where original paperwork is unavailable
  • Accessible stove, flue and visible installation considered together
  • Visible concerns highlighted and explained
  • Written record of findings for your files
  • Greater peace of mind about observed integrity

What it is not

This service is not a HETAS installation certificate, replacement HETAS certificate, building-control approval, destructive survey or guarantee of concealed elements. Components that cannot be safely accessed, construction hidden behind finishes and conditions that change after the visit remain outside a visual inspection.

  • No retrospective certification or installation sign-off
  • No destructive opening-up
  • No guarantee against every hidden defect
  • Further specialist investigation may be recommended
★★★★★
“Could not recommend them enough. Thank you so much for fixing and sorting my log burner out for my house sale!”
Emily · Google review
Sweep Safe verifiedThree Best Rated

Experienced, independent and straightforward.Sweep Safe verified, fully insured and backed by more than 20 years’ stove and chimney industry experience.

Common questions

Before arranging your inspection.

Should I light the stove before the inspection?

No. Leave it unused and cold, particularly where its history and condition are unknown.

Does the £219 include sweeping?

Yes. The base inspection includes the professional chimney sweep, CCTV flue inspection, visual assessment, smoke testing and written findings.

Can you fully service the stove as well?

Yes. The complete stove-service upgrade is an additional £90, making the combined appointment £309. Replacement parts remain additional.

What if the HETAS certificate has been lost?

Contact HETAS first to check whether they hold any installation information or certificate record that can be provided. If the paperwork cannot be located or obtained, the Embers inspection cannot recreate or replace it, but it can provide a thorough current-condition assessment, written findings and practical peace of mind about the accessible stove, flue and visible installation.

Is this the same as a HETAS sign-off?

No. It is a specialist non-destructive inspection and written record of observed conditions, not retrospective installation certification or building-control approval.

What if a problem is found?

The concern will be explained and appropriate next steps recommended. This may include servicing, replacement parts, remedial work or further investigation by another relevant specialist.

Can I arrange it before completing the purchase?

Potentially, provided the owner or agent authorises access and the required appointment conditions can be met. Contact Embers with the property details first.

Book your £219 inspection

Understand the stove before relying on it.

Send photographs of the appliance and property details on WhatsApp, or call to discuss the inspection and optional full-service upgrade.

Send property photosCall 07581 469 557