Chimneys are, with the roof covering, the building component most exposed to the weather. They come in all shapes and sizes, ages and condition.
The surveyor, often with the aid of his binoculars, must assess condition and make recommendations for repair.
Sometimes, you perhaps don’t need a surveyor to tell you that your chimney has seen better days. This one, part of a Victorian property, is beyond repair. It needs taking down and rebuilding.