How Much Does a Chimney Inspection Cost?
An average chimney inspection costs between $300 and $600, depending on the size and complexity of your chimney. But some inspections can cost far more!
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The average cost for a chimney inspection is $450, with typical prices ranging from $300 to $600—depending on the size and condition of the chimney, as well as the number of flues it has.
Nothing adds a touch of warmth and class to a house like a real wood-burning fireplace. If you have one, though, then you know how much care and upkeep they can take. If the chimney becomes clogged or blocked, it could quickly lead to a buildup of smoke, fumes, and deadly carbon monoxide.
To avoid that, you should be having your fireplace’s chimney inspected at least once a year, regardless of how much you may have used it in a given year. That’s why
Jerry
—the trusted brokerage app
for homeowners insurance
—has prepared this guide. In it, we’ll go over the different levels of chimney inspections, how much they cost, and when to get them. RECOMMENDED
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How much does a chimney inspection cost?
The average cost of a chimney inspection, nationwide, is $450 across all levels. Some inspections, however, can cost thousands of dollars—especially if the chimney is badly damaged or requires special care. In general, how much a chimney inspection costs you will depend on four factors:
- The size of the chimney
- The overall condition that the chimney is in
- The level of inspection done
- The number of flues that the chimney has
The most important of these factors is the inspection level. There are three levels of chimney inspection, numbered 1 to 3 in order of how invasive they are. Across all levels, the cost of a chimney cleaning is included in the inspection cost.
Level 1 — Routine inspection and cleaning
This is the standard type of chimney cleaning that you should schedule once every year. A level 1 inspection will cost somewhere between $100 and $800, depending on the size of your chimney, how many flues it has, and how heavily used it is. It includes a full cleaning and sweeping of your chimney, as well as a visual inspection of the chimney.
Level 2 — Inspection and cleaning for mildly damaged chimneys
You’ll only need this if your chimney is moderately damaged due to a fire or inclement weather. That means you’ll only need to schedule one of these if your chimney gets damaged. It can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000, depending on the size of your chimney and how nay flues it has. It includes a more in-depth cleaning and visual examination from both ends of the chimney.
Level 3 — Inspection and cleaning for severely damaged chimneys
Level 3 inspections are only for chimneys that have sustained severe structural damage. It involves an extremely in-depth cleaning and sweeping that may require demolishing some walls in order to reach the damaged areas of the chimney. This will cost somewhere between $500 and $5,000—depending on how much special demolition work is needed.
Do I need a chimney inspection?
It mostly depends on how long it’s been since you last had an inspection. As has been mentioned, you should have your chimney inspected once every year. If it’s been more than a year since your last inspection, then you’ll need one.
You should also get a chimney inspection if your chimney has recently been exposed to damaging events, such as fires, storms, or seismic events.
You won’t have to get a specific inspection when you’re buying or selling your house—the standard home inspection includes its own chimney inspection.
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Chimney and fireplace repair costs
The cost of a chimney inspection covers the inspection and cleaning services. What it doesn’t include is the cost of any repairs that may be needed. If the inspection uncovers any problems or damages, repairing them will cost extra.
Most chimney and fireplace repairs cost between $300 and $3,000, depending on the type of repairs needed and the size of the fireplace. If you need a full chimney/fireplace rebuild, however, it will probably cost you $5,000-$6,000.
Here are the most common types of chimney repairs and their average costs:
- Chimney cap repair/replacement: $300-$400
- Chimney crown repair/replacement: $800-$1,00
- Repairs for chimney structure and masonry: $1,800-$2,200
- Liner and/or flue repair/replacement: $2,400-$2,800
- Full chimney and fireplace rebuild: $5,000-$6,000
MORE: What’s the difference between a builder and general contractor?
The best chimney inspection companies
Some homeowners try to handle chimney inspections and cleaning on their own. This, however, is not a good idea. Not only is it dangerous, arduous, and bad for your health, but it’s also ineffective most of the time.
In general, you should always defer to a professional for chimney inspection and cleaning. There are a number of companies that provide these services, and it’s important that you choose one that will do a thorough job—otherwise, you could be risking house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning!
Here are a few of the most reliable chimney inspection companies available for hire:
- Midtown Chimney Sweepsprovide full-service chimney/fireplace repair and inspection services. While not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), they still have an A+ BBB rating, a 5-star customer review rating on Google, and a 4.7/5 rating on Angie’s list.
- United Home Servicesis another good option for a chimney inspection. Their reviews are a bit more mixed than Midtown’s, but they offer a wider range of services.
- Flue Tech Inc.provides the absolute gold standard in chimney inspections and repairs. Their experts are trained to deliver the very best quality services for any and all chimney care needs. Of course, if you want the best, you’ll have to pay for the best. Flue Tech’s prices are typically higher than other chimney inspection companies.
In addition, you can always do a web search to see what chimney local inspection companies exist in your area. Just remember to check their online reviews and
BBB ratings
before hiring them. How to save on homeowners insurance
The seemingly endless list of expenses associated with maintaining a home—such as chimney inspections and repairs—can be a serious financial strain. It’s important to find savings wherever you can in order to keep these expenses manageable. One area where you can save some money is
homeowners insurance
. In just a few minutes, you could save up to $800 or more on your annual premiums! All you’ll need to do is download
Jerry
—the licensed insurance broker
and policy shopping super app! Once you receive the quotes, you just have to choose your favorite policy and Jerry will do the rest! It will automatically handle the paperwork and red tape required to set up your new policy and even cancel your old insurance for you!
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