How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost?

Chimney sweeping is an important task that should be done regularly to prevent a build-up of soot, creosote, and other flammable materials in your chimney. Not only can this create a fire hazard, but it can also damage your chimney over time.

This is different from chimney repairs. For that topic, see this in-depth guide of the average chimney repair costs in the US.

The cost of having a professional chimney sweep varies depending on a few factors, including the size and type of your chimney, the number of chimneys you have, and the location of your home. In general, chimney sweep costs you between $75 to $250 for a basic chimney sweeping. It depends regionally.

If you have a larger or more complex chimney, the cost may be higher. For example, a two-story home with a brick chimney could cost as much as $600 to $900 to have cleaned by a professional.

The best way to get an accurate estimate of the cost to sweep your chimney is to contact a local chimney sweep company and schedule an inspection. They will be able to give you a more specific estimate based on the condition of your chimney.

You can also check our cost guide below for more information on the average cost of a chimney sweep.

Do I Need a Chimney Sweep?

Most homeowners should have their chimney swept at least once a year, but you may need to have it done more often if you use your fireplace frequently.

If you burn wood in your fireplace, you should have your chimney swept every few months to prevent creosote build-up.

If you notice any of the following signs, it's time to call a chimney sweep:
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• There is a lot of soot or debris around your fireplace.
• Your fireplace smells smoky when it's not in use.
• Your chimney has cracks or other damage.
• You can see flames coming from your chimney.

What Factors Affect the Cost of a Chimney Sweep?

​As mentioned, the cost of a chimney sweep can vary depending on a few different factors, including:

Accessibility

If your chimney is easy to access, it will likely cost less to clean it. If the Chimney Sweep has to use a ladder or other equipment to reach your chimney, the cost will be higher.
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For example, if your chimney is on the second story of your home, it will be more expensive to have it cleaned than if it was on the first story.

Chimney Inspection 

Before sweeping your chimney, the sweep will need to inspect it to assess the condition and identify potential problems. This inspection usually takes around 30 minutes and is included in the cost of most chimney sweeps.

If you hire any professional for this task, they will inspect it in levels:
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• In the first level, they will check for normal cleaning and servicing.
• They will look for any damage or needed repairs on the structure itself on the second level.
• And in the third and last level, they will conduct a video scan of the chimney to check for any blockages or other problems that can't be seen with the naked eye.

Time Since the Last Chimney Sweep 

If it's been a while since you had your chimney cleaned, it will likely take the sweep longer to do a thorough job. This means that the cost will be higher than if you had your chimney cleaned regularly.
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It's good to keep it clean every year to prevent any build-up of soot or creosote. This way, the likelihood of a fire is reduced, and it will take the chimney sweep less time to do a thorough job.

Cleaning Method

There are two main methods that chimney sweeps use to clean chimneys:
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• The first method is known as the top-down method. This involves the chimney sweep setting up a ladder at the top of your chimney, and then using a brush to clean the inside of the chimney from the top down.
• The second method is known as the bottom-up method. This involves the chimney sweep setting up a scaffold at the bottom of your chimney, and then using a brush to clean the inside of the chimney from the bottom up.

The bottom-up method is generally considered more thorough, but it's also more expensive since it requires more time and effort.

Address 

The cost of a chimney sweep can also vary depending on your location. If you live in a rural area, the price will likely be lower than in an urban area. This is because there are typically more chimney sweeps available in urban areas, which means that they can charge more for their chimney sweep service.

Chimney Caps

If you have a chimney cap, it will need to be removed before the chimney can be swept. This is because the chimney cap prevents the sweep from being able to see inside the chimney.

The cost of having a chimney cap removed and replaced is typically included in the price of a chimney sweep.

Animal Removal 

You may find that animals have taken up residence in your chimney. In this case, the chimney sweep will need to remove the animals before they can begin cleaning the chimney.
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However, the cost of animal removal is usually not included in the cost of a chimney sweep.

Fireplace Damper 

Warm air from your home can escape up the chimney, and cold air from outside can come down the chimney. To help prevent this from happening, most fireplaces have a damper located at the top of the chimney.
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The chimney sweep will need to open the damper before they can begin wood stove chimney cleaning. However, opening and closing the damper are usually included in the cost of a chimney sweep.

Creosote Logs

If you have a lot of creosote built up in your chimney, the chimney sweep may recommend that you use creosote logs.

These logs are designed to help reduce the amount of creosote present in your chimney. With less creosote, there's less of a chance of a chimney fire.
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$10 to $25 for each log that's used. The cost of the creosote logs is usually not included in the cost of a chimney sweep.

Conclusion 

​The chimney sweep cost will vary depending on the size and type of your home and the difficulty of the job.

However, you can expect to pay between $75 and $200 for a professional chimney sweep.

​If you have a fireplace or stove in your home, it is important to have it cleaned regularly to prevent a chimney fire.

Author

David is the lead content editor at RVA Paving Pros, a service for Richmond VA residents. In his spare time, David likes to travel, read about business and visit the finest italian restaurants in town!