Bird nests can completely obstruct a chimney, preventing smoke and combustion gases from escaping safely. We provide professional bird-nest removal for domestic properties and suitable commercial premises throughout our service area.
Every bird-nest removal includes a full chimney sweep. This is necessary because nesting material can extend much further down the chimney than is visible from the fireplace.
This bird-nest removal charge is added to the cost of the required chimney sweep.
The appointment includes the first 30 minutes needed to sweep the chimney and remove the nest. Most nests are removed within this time. If additional time is required, it is charged at £40 + VAT per additional 15 minutes.
Bird nests vary considerably—from approximately the size of a hand to material filling most or all of the chimney—so the total time cannot always be established before work begins.
We do not remove bird nests between 1 April and 31 August.
Wild birds, their eggs and active nests are protected by law. Restricting our nest-removal work during this period helps ensure that active nests are not disturbed.
Nest removal can be booked from September onwards.
If a live bird has become trapped inside a chimney, we may be able to remove it safely. This is different from removing an active nest and will be assessed according to the circumstances.
Possible signs include:
Do not use a fireplace or appliance if you suspect that its chimney is obstructed. Burning beneath a nest can create a serious fire risk and prevent smoke or carbon monoxide from escaping properly.
A bird nest can:
Even after the birds have left, nesting material can remain tightly packed inside the chimney. It will not necessarily fall away or clear itself naturally.
The service includes:
Where appropriate, removed soot and nesting material will be bagged and placed in the customer’s suitable external household-waste bin.
Chimney sweeping and bird-nest removal are carried out from ground level, working from the room containing the fireplace, appliance or access hatch. Roof access is not required.
We use suitable rods, brushes and specialist equipment to loosen and remove nesting material from the flue.
The time required depends on factors including:
Some nests can be removed relatively quickly. Others may have been built up over several seasons and can extend for a considerable distance through the chimney.
Bird-nest removal cannot be completed independently of chimney sweeping.
Once the nesting material has been loosened, the chimney must be swept to remove remaining twigs, feathers, leaves, soot and debris. This also allows us to assess the accessible arrangement and complete the required smoke test.
A bird may occasionally enter a chimney and become unable to escape, even when there is no established nest.
We can remove live birds trapped within accessible chimney systems. The appropriate approach will depend on where the bird is located, the fireplace or appliance arrangement and whether there is also nesting material present.
Please describe what you have heard or observed when completing the contact form so that we have useful information before the appointment.
No. We do not remove active bird nests.
If eggs or chicks are present, the nest must be left undisturbed. Removal can only take place once the nest is no longer active and our seasonal restriction has ended.
Our bird-nest removal appointments operate from 1 September to 31 March.
Following removal, the chimney is swept and smoke-tested.
If the chimney is safe to use, we issue a Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps sweeping certificate. Guild certificates are recognised by insurance companies as evidence of professional sweeping. Customers should read and retain any advisory notes recorded on the certificate.
If the chimney is not safe to use, we issue a warning notice and explain the next appropriate step.
We remove bird nests from chimneys in homes and suitable commercial settings such as pubs, restaurants and colleges.
We do not work on large industrial chimney systems such as those serving hospitals or crematoriums.
We provide chimney bird-nest removal throughout our service area, including Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, Royston, Saffron Walden, St Ives, Huntingdon, St Neots, Bishop’s Stortford and surrounding villages.
Availability is subject to location, seasonal restrictions and appointment scheduling.
Complete our contact form and tell us:
We will respond with suitable appointment availability.
No. We do not undertake bird-nest removal between 1 April and 31 August. Our bird-nest removal period runs from 1 September to 31 March.
Yes, we can remove live birds that have become trapped in accessible chimney systems. This is different from disturbing an active nest. Tell us what you have heard or observed when completing the contact form.
Yes. A full chimney sweep is always required as part of the nest-removal service. This removes remaining nesting material, soot and debris and allows the smoke test to be completed.
No. Chimney sweeping and bird-nest removal are completed from ground level through the fireplace, appliance or suitable access hatch.
Most nests are removed within the initial appointment time. However, a large or heavily compacted nest may require longer. The time cannot always be established before removal begins because a nest may occupy only a small section or extend through much of the chimney.
No. Do not use the fireplace or appliance if you suspect that the chimney is obstructed. A nest can increase the risk of a chimney fire, smoke entering the room and carbon monoxide being unable to escape safely.
Yes. If the chimney is safe to use after the nest removal, sweep and smoke test, we issue a Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps sweeping certificate. If it is not safe to use, we issue a warning notice instead.
Where appropriate, we bag the removed nesting material, soot and debris and place it in the customer’s suitable external household-waste bin.
Birds frequently use chimneys as sheltered nesting sites. A nest may partly or completely obstruct the flue, preventing smoke and combustion gases from escaping safely and introducing twigs, feathers, insects
