Chimney Removal Leads: High-Intent Planning Applications for Builders & Trades in 2025

20/11/2025

When a homeowner applies to remove a chimney breast or chimney stack, they're not just "doing a bit of DIY". They're committing to structural changes inside their biggest asset. That usually means structural engineers, builders, roofers, party wall surveyors, plasterers—and a serious budget. A single chimney removal can easily snowball into £10k–£60k+ of wider work once layout changes, kitchens, loft conversions and redecorating are factored in.

The challenge is getting in front of these projects early, before homeowners pick a builder or engineer based purely on word of mouth or the first Google result. Planning applications solve the timing problem: they reveal who is planning chimney removal, where the property is, and roughly when the work is likely to start.

That's why we've introduced a dedicated Chimney Removal filter inside BuildAlert. Instead of guessing which jobs are coming up, you can see live applications in your area and send a branded letter for £1.75 to homeowners who are already planning structural work.

Example: Filtering chimney removal applications in BuildAlert and sending a £1.75 branded letter

The Search Problem: 300+ Councils, 20 Different Ways to Say “Chimney Removal”

On paper, "chimney removal leads" sounds simple—just search for applications that mention chimneys. In reality, every council describes the same job differently. One portal might say "removal of chimney breast", another "demolition of chimney to facilitate internal alterations", another "reduction of chimney stack", and yet another hides it inside a bigger proposal like "rear extension and associated alterations including removal of chimney".

If you're trying to do this manually, you end up:

• Logging into multiple council portals with different layouts and search tools each week

• Guessing every possible phrase a planning officer might use for the same type of chimney work

• Copying and pasting addresses into spreadsheets just to keep track

That's time you could spend visiting sites, quoting work and actually delivering jobs. It's also easy to miss projects completely when councils change terminology or bury chimney alterations inside more general descriptions.

If you want a broader overview of why planning applications are so effective for builders in general, see our guide to why planning applications are such high-intent leads.

How BuildAlert Solves the Chimney Removal Search Problem

BuildAlert continuously scrapes and normalises planning applications from councils across the UK. Instead of you trying to remember whether your local authority calls it a "chimney breast removal" or "demolition of chimney stack", we tag and index relevant applications behind the scenes.

From your perspective as a builder, structural engineer, roofer or surveyor, it's simple:

• One login: no more jumping between multiple council portals

• Chimney Removal tag: a single filter that captures the different ways chimney work is described

• Radius control: set the distance you're willing to travel and only see realistic leads

• Letter send in a few clicks: send a branded letter for £1.75 directly to the homeowner, without retyping the address

If you want a quick overview of how the platform works end-to-end, take a look at our How it works page after this article.

Which Trades Can Win Work From Chimney Removal Leads?

Chimney removal planning applications aren't just interesting for builders. They're a strong signal for a whole ecosystem of trades and professionals:

Structural Engineers

Removing a chimney changes how loads are transferred through the building. That usually means calculations, drawings and Building Control sign-off from a structural engineer. With the Chimney Removal filter, you can see every relevant application in your area and offer fixed-fee packages, site visits and collaboration with local builders and steel fabricators.

Builders & General Contractors

For builders, chimney removal is a high-value structural job that often opens the door to much bigger projects: open-plan layouts, kitchen refits, loft conversions and full refurbishments. Planning data tells you who's planning structural work, where they live and roughly when they'll be ready to start. You can position yourself as the local specialist in safe, tidy chimney removals and structural alterations.

Roofing Companies

When chimney stacks are cut down or removed, the roof needs making good—tiles or slates, leadwork, flashing and sometimes a full re-cover. Roofers can use the filter to spot stack removals early, then offer fixed packages and upsells like insulation upgrades or rooflight installation while scaffolding is already up.

Loft Conversion Specialists

Chimneys often run through loft spaces, exactly where new bedrooms and bathrooms are planned. A planning application that mentions chimney removal can be an early sign that the homeowner is rethinking their whole top floor. Loft companies can reach out with complete packages that combine chimney removal, dormer work, rooflights and internal fit out.

Party Wall Surveyors

In terraced and semi-detached homes, chimney work often affects party walls. That can trigger the Party Wall etc. Act and require notices, schedules of condition and awards. Surveyors can use chimney removal leads to find homeowners who need clear, compliant advice before neighbours object or work is delayed.

Plasterers, Decorators & Interior Trades

Once the messy structural work is done, the space has to be put back together—reboarding, skimming, boxing in steels, decorating and flooring. Plasterers and finishers can use chimney removal applications as a forward view of projects that will be ready for finishing in a few weeks or months, and position themselves as the fast, tidy trades that leave the final impression.

What a Chimney Removal Planning Application Actually Tells You

The value isn't just the address. Each planning application contains detail you can use to pre-qualify the job and tailor your outreach:

• Proposal text: e.g. "Removal of chimney breast at ground and first floor and installation of steel beam"

• Property context: terrace, semi, detached or flat, plus the postcode and neighbourhood

• Status: newly submitted, under consideration, approved or refused

• Drawings and documents: often showing which rooms are affected and whether other works (extensions, lofts, refits) are planned

A structural engineer might look at how many floors the chimney runs through. A roofer might scan for any mention of stack reduction. A builder might spot opportunities for a larger knock-through or extension at the same time. BuildAlert simply brings this information into one place so you can decide which projects are worth chasing.

A Simple “Do This Now” Playbook for Chimney Removal Leads

To turn chimney removal planning data into real work, treat it as a repeatable system you run every week:

1. Register or log in to BuildAlert – if you don't have an account yet, you can create one here.

2. Set your working radius so you only see jobs in areas where you actually want to work.

3. Apply the Chimney Removal filter (and any other relevant tags, such as loft conversion or roof alterations, if you offer those services).

4. Open a handful of new applications each week to check drawings, scope and timing.

5. Send a £1.75 branded letter through BuildAlert that talks directly about chimney removal, structural safety and how you handle Building Control.

6. Follow up 3–7 days later with a call or second touch if contact details are available, or be ready to respond quickly when the homeowner calls you from the letter.

Over time, this becomes a predictable pipeline of high-intent structural work rather than waiting for the phone to ring.

Turn Chimney Removal Data Into a Steady Stream of Work

Chimney removal planning applications are some of the clearest signals that structural work is coming. With BuildAlert, you don't have to gamble on ads or wait for word of mouth—you can see who is planning these jobs in your area and introduce yourself first.

If you focus on structural alterations, home improvements or residential construction, explore our pages on Construction / Builder Leads and Tradespeople to see how planning data can keep your diary full.

Ready to see live chimney removal leads near you? Register with BuildAlert or visit our homepage to see local planning applications in your area. You can also check our Pricing for a full breakdown of costs.

Related reading

• How to use tags and filters in BuildAlert to find your ideal jobs
• Builder lead generation strategies that actually work
• How builders can get a steady stream of local leads in 2025

FAQs About Chimney Removal Planning Leads

1) Do all chimney removals need planning permission?

Not every internal alteration requires a full planning application, but many homeowners still submit one— especially in flats, conservation areas or when external stacks are affected. BuildAlert focuses on planning data, which means you're targeting homeowners who are already engaging with the council and are far more likely to use professional trades.

2) Are chimney removal jobs big enough to be worth chasing?

Yes. Even a "simple" chimney breast removal usually involves demolition, steelwork, making good, flooring and decorating. In many cases, it's part of a larger project—open-plan layouts, new kitchens or loft conversions—which can turn into repeat work and referrals if you deliver a good experience.

3) How early should I contact homeowners after an application is submitted?

The best time is as early as possible—ideally at submission stage. At that point, the homeowner is planning seriously but often hasn't committed to any specific trade. With BuildAlert, you can send a branded letter for £1.75 as soon as new chimney removal applications appear in your chosen radius.

4) Can I combine chimney removal leads with other filters in BuildAlert?

Absolutely. Many users combine the Chimney Removal tag with filters for rear extensions, loft conversions or roof alterations to build a very targeted list of structural and home improvement leads. If you want to go deeper on this, start with our article on how to use tags and filters to find your ideal jobs, then log in and test different combinations in your own area.