How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost in 2025?
Chimney cleaning costs an average of $254
On average, chimney sweeping costs between $129 and $380, with a national average of $254.
The frequency of sweeping, chimney type, and usage all significantly affect the total cost.
Professional cleaning ensures thorough inspection, identifying issues before they escalate.
Proper maintenance extends chimney life and safeguards your home's safety and comfort.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Keeping your fireplace safe and efficient starts with a clean chimney. Most homeowners spend an average of $254 on chimney sweep costs, though your total can be as low as $89 or as high as $1,020. A significant part of your total is based on how often you schedule a sweep. Build this number into your yearly budget and bring in a professional chimney sweep to stay ahead of maintenance and protect your home.
Chimney Sweep Cost Factors
Numerous factors and add-on services may affect the cost to sweep your chimney. Below are the main variables that affect your bill.
Chimney Type
The type of fireplace you own has a significant impact on the final bill. Gas and pellet units are low-maintenance, so you’ll spend less. Wood-burning stoves and open fireplaces churn out more ash and creosote, so plan on more frequent—and more hands-on—cleanings.
| Chimney Type | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Gas fireplace | $80–$130 |
| Pellet stove | $130–$200 |
| Wood stove | $150–$300 |
Roof Accessibility
Have a steep roof or a multi-story home? Your chimney sweep may require additional equipment, such as scaffolding or safety rigs, which can increase the cost.
Chimney Size
Multiple flues or an extra-tall stack mean more brush time—and more money. A single, standard flue is quicker to service, but if your chimney has several passageways or a wide diameter, plan on a higher labor charge.
Buildup and Usage
The more fires you burn, the quicker creosote stacks up. Skip a season or two of professional cleaning, and the sweep will spend extra time scraping it out, costing you more. Regular, yearly service keeps the price (and the mess) in check.
Labor
Labor rates swing with your location and the complexity of the job. Book in fall and you’ll compete with everyone else prepping for winter—prices tend to rise. Need an after-hours or weekend sweep? Expect an emergency surcharge.
Animal Removal
From raccoons to birds, critters love the shelter a chimney provides—but they’re rough on masonry and flues. Removing wildlife costs $180 to $560. Protected species such as bats may require special permits, while a simple squirrel eviction is quicker and cheaper.
Chimney Inspection
Many chimney cleaning services include a basic inspection as part of the service, but various inspection levels and associated costs range from $85 to $5,000. More comprehensive chimney inspections may be necessary for old or damaged chimneys.
| Inspection Level | Inspection and Cleaning Cost |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | $160–$300 |
| Level 2 | $260–$460 |
| Level 3 | $500–$800 |
Level 1: A quick check-up that looks for blockages, creosote, or visible damage and confirms everything vents the way it should.
Level 2: Recommended after a system change or an incident like a chimney fire. Your pro uses cameras to hunt for hidden water damage or structural issues inside the flue.
Level 3: A deep dive reserved for severe problems—think post-earthquake or major fire—and may involve opening walls or masonry for a closer look.
Creosote Logs
At an average of $15 each, creosote-sweeping logs help break down stubborn residue so it flakes off and lands in the firebox. They’re a handy in-between step, but they don’t replace an annual visit from a certified sweep.
Chimney Repair Costs
Chimney cleaning involves more than a sweep to remove soot. This process involves inspecting and maintaining various components of the chimney and fireplace system. Depending on their condition, some components may require additional chimney repairs or replacement.
| Repair Type | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Chimney liner installation | $625–$7,000 |
| Fireplace damper repair | $150–$450 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $150–$1,600 |
| Chimney cap replacement | $75–$1,000 |
Chimney Liner
Liners are a protective layer inside the flue that helps prevent wear, retain heat, and optimize ventilation of dangerous gases. If workers discover a damaged or deteriorated liner during cleaning, you may need to reline your chimney, which ranges between $625 and $7,000.
Fireplace Damper
Fireplace dampers cost $150 to $450 to replace and $100 to $250 to repair. Dampers prevent downdrafts and direct smoke up and out of the chimney. Warped dampers can lead to cold air entering your home, poor air quality, and inefficient burning.
Chimney Flashing
Chimney flashing repairs cost $150 to $1,600. Higher costs reflect larger chimneys, premium material, and the extent of damage. In some cases, minor damage may only need resealing.
Chimney Caps
Replacing a chimney cap averages $300, ranging between $75 and $1,000. Chimney caps reduce downdrafts and prevent animals, rainwater, and debris from entering your chimney.
Budgeting for Chimney Cleaning Costs
Keep costs down without cutting corners. Use these money-saving tips:
Schedule regular cleaning and inspections to prevent creosote buildup, blockages, chimney fires, and expensive chimney replacement costs.
Burn creosote logs to minimize buildup between cleaning services.
Get detailed quotes from multiple local chimney sweep contractors and compare their rates and included services.
Keep your chimney in good condition to ensure proper ventilation, which helps manage creosote buildup.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed over 10,000 real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you light fires often, plan on a yearly sweep. Burn wood several nights a week? Ask your sweep whether a biannual schedule makes more sense. Even an idle chimney needs attention—skipping service invites animals, moisture, and hidden creosote that can spark a fire the next time you strike a match. When in doubt, book an inspection and let the pro set the right cadence.
A certified chimney sweep starts with a visual check from the firebox to the chimney cap. Next come flexible rods fitted with wire brushes that scrub soot and creosote from the flue walls. If thick, tar-like layers refuse to budge, the pro may apply a chemical treatment or rotary tool to finish the job. A final pass with a high-powered vacuum keeps debris out of your living room, leaving the system clean and ready for safe use.
A routine sweep with a quick inspection can wrap up in 45 minutes to two hours. If the flue is packed with heavy soot or glazed creosote, expect the pro to stay three hours—or longer—while they scrape, brush, and vacuum every surface. The extra time is worth it: a thorough job keeps smoke flowing out, not into your living room, and helps you avoid expensive repairs down the road.
Watch for thick, shiny creosote, smoke backing into the room, a strong tar-like smell, or fires that struggle to stay lit. Each warning sign points to restricted airflow and a higher risk of chimney fire. Call a sweep as soon as you notice one—or better yet, schedule annual service so these red flags never have a chance to appear.
Chimney sweeping has many benefits for both safety and efficiency. These include preventing chimney fires, improving airflow and ventilation, and preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. Cleaning also helps your fireplace burn wood and heat your home more efficiently, and it keeps smoke out of your living space, protecting your household and belongings.
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