Diary

Book before silly season fills the diary

Updated 2 September 2026

For UK chimney sweeps, the diary tightens from September through December. Households light the stove, insurers and landlords want a current certificate, and thatch conditions often specify a sweep before the heating season. By November many registered sweeps in the wood-burner belts are weeks ahead.

Book in spring or early summer, or at latest in August. Early September is already late in some parishes.

What it means

• Same week everyone calls — cold snap, insurance renewal, holiday-let agents.
• Registered diaries fill first — cash-only no-certificate visits may still be free; that is not what most policies ask for after a chimney fire.
• Longer jobs block the calendar — nest removal, unused flues, thatch. Say so when you book.

When to book

1. Ideal: spring or early summer.
2. Still fine: August.
3. Late: early September — call several registered sweeps.
4. Crisis: November–December wait lists.

How often · Cost · Certificate · Landlords · Bird nests.

Search the directory, then confirm live: HETAS · Guild · NACS · APICS · Sweep Safe.