Sweep, repair, or rebuild?
"Chimney work" spans a 100x price range, so matching the fix to the problem matters:
- Maintenance — an annual sweep + inspection, $150–$375.
- Repairs — cap, crown repair, and waterproofing, $550–$2,370; tuckpointing an 80 sq ft chimney face, $640–$2,000. Stops water damage before it spreads.
- Relining — $1,430–$3,600 for a typical 25-foot stainless run with a new cap and a camera inspection; needed when the liner is cracked or missing.
- Rebuild — above the roofline $1,800–$6,870 for 8 ft with a cap, flashing, sealer, camera inspection and permit; a liner is priced only on a reline. HomeGuide puts a full rebuild from top to footing at $4,000–$15,000+, which this calculator does not price.
Most chimney problems are water problems — a cap and a sealer ($350–$1,670 together) now prevent a $1,800–$6,870 rebuild later.
Relining: clay vs stainless vs cast-in-place
The liner is what keeps heat and combustion gases off the masonry — a cracked or missing one is a chimney-fire and carbon-monoxide risk, not a cosmetic issue:
- Clay tile ($80–$140 per ft installed) — the traditional liner, built into new masonry chimneys; brittle and slow to fit into an existing flue, which is why it costs more per foot than stainless on a reline.
- Stainless steel flex liner ($35–$70 per ft installed single wall, $50–$160 insulated double wall) — the standard reline: durable, fits existing chimneys, works with gas, wood, or oil.
- Cast-in-place ($80–$280 per ft installed) — premium; pours a new seamless liner that also reinforces the structure.
Why a level-2 inspection is worth it
A routine level-1 sweep ($150–$375) covers a chimney in normal annual use. Pay for a level-2 video inspection ($250–$600) at the moments that actually matter: after a chimney fire, when buying or selling a home, or when you change appliances (say, adding a wood stove). The camera finds cracked flue tiles and hidden gaps a flashlight sweep misses — exactly the defects that cause fires. While the masonry is exposed, a water-repellent sealer ($150–$820) is cheap insurance against the freeze-thaw cracking that drives most rebuilds.
Frequently asked questions
How much does chimney repair cost in 2026?
Annual sweep + level-1 inspection: $150-$375. Chimney cap, installed: $200-$850. Crown repair: $200-$700. Tuckpointing: $8-$25 per square foot of chimney face. Stainless reline (25 LF, with a new cap and a camera inspection): $1,430-$3,600. Above-roofline rebuild (8 ft, with a cap, flashing, sealer, camera inspection and permit): $1,800-$6,870. HomeGuide puts a full rebuild from top to footing at $4,000-$15,000+, which this calculator does not price.
Do I need to reline my chimney?
Reline if you're switching fuel (e.g. wood-burning to gas), the liner is cracked or missing tiles, you've had a chimney fire, or an inspection shows breaches — it is a fire and carbon-monoxide safeguard, not optional. Stainless steel flex liner is the modern standard at $35-$70 per linear foot installed (single wall; $50-$160 insulated double wall); a typical 25-foot reline with a new cap and a camera inspection runs about $1,430-$3,600 and works with gas, wood, or oil. Clay tile is the traditional masonry option; cast-in-place is the premium long-life choice.
How often should I sweep my chimney?
Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves: annually, before the heating season, or after every cord burned. Gas: every 1-3 years. Pellet stoves: annually plus mid-season ash cleaning. Always pair the sweep ($150-$375) with a level-1 inspection, and get a level-2 video inspection ($250-$600) after a chimney fire, before buying a home, or when changing appliances.
Do I need a chimney cap?
Yes — always cap a chimney. At $200-$850 installed it keeps animals out, prevents downdrafts, and blocks rain that drives the freeze-thaw cracking behind most rebuilds.
Can I DIY chimney repair?
Only the simple parts. You can sweep an accessible flue with a brush and rods, or fit a cap if the roof is safe to stand on. Structural, liner and flashing work is pro work for code and safety, and an inspection should come from a certified sweep.
