How much does a chimney sweep cost?
A chimney sweep costs $150 to $375 on average in the United States, on a national average of $275, according to HomeGuide, updated in February 2026, and that price includes a level 1 inspection. A gas fireplace costs less to clean, at $80 to $150. Angi, updated in July 2026, puts the average at $254 within a range of $129 to $381.
A sweep is one of the yearly upkeep jobs priced on this site; repairs and the rest of the upkeep list are in the home improvement cost guides.
$150 – $375
average chimney sweep, including a level 1 inspection
$275
national average
$129 – $381
chimney sweep, typical range
Cost breakdown
Each table below comes from one source, named underneath it, with the date that source last revised the figures. Everything is a United States figure in USD.
Chimney cleaning cost by type of chimney
| Chimney type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Wood-burning fireplace (masonry chimney) | $150 – $375 |
| Gas fireplace | $80 – $150 |
| Prefabricated chimney | $90 – $175 |
| Wood and pellet stove | $130 – $300 |
Chimney cleaning cost by number of flues
| Number of flues | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $100 – $250 |
| 2 | $250 – $400 |
| 3 | $400 – $700 |
Chimney inspection cost by level
| Level | Average cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $100 – $250 | Basic visual inspection and cleaning of an easy-access chimney in regular use |
| 2 | $250 – $600 | Full video inspection of the flue, roof and crawl space or basement; for a house sale, repairs or a changed fireplace |
| 3 | $900 – $5,000 | Removing caps, bricks or drywall to find structural damage |
Chimney sweep and inspection cost, a second source
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average cost | $254 |
| Typical range | $129 – $381 |
| Gas fireplace maintenance | $80 – $130 |
| Pellet stove inspection and cleaning | $130 – $200 |
| Standard wood stove upkeep | $150 – $300 |
| Level 1 inspection | $160 – $300 |
| Level 2 inspection | $260 – $460 |
| Level 3 inspection | $500 – $800 |
A bar for each row of the table above, 4 of them, drawn to the same scale so the spread is visible at a glance. The figure beside each bar is the one the table prints.
What changes the price
- What you burn
- HomeGuide prices a gas fireplace at $80 to $150 and a wood-burning masonry chimney at $150 to $375. Wood leaves creosote, which takes longer to remove.
- Number of flues
- Each flue is cleaned separately. HomeGuide puts one flue at $100 to $250 and three at $400 to $700, and advises having every flue checked even if some are not in use.
- Inspection level
- A level 1 inspection is part of a routine sweep. A level 2, which HomeGuide prices at $250 to $600, is the one asked for when a house is sold or a fireplace is changed; level 3 opens the structure and is only for suspected damage.
- Time since the last sweep
- A chimney that has gone more than a year has more buildup and takes longer, and a sweep who finds damage will spend time recording it.
How to pay less
- Book in spring or summer
- HomeGuide says late spring and summer are the cheapest time to hire a sweep, because most people book when the weather turns in autumn, when waits are longer and prices higher.
- Ask what the price includes
- Confirm whether the quote covers the inspection, every flue and the stove or insert as well as the fireplace, and whether a two-storey roof costs extra.
- Ask for the camera footage
- If a sweep says a level 2 or 3 inspection or a repair is needed, ask to see the video of the flue before paying for more.
- Book the sweep and the furnace together
- If your furnace or boiler vents through the chimney, the flue matters to both. Ask whether your heating firm or sweep checks the connection between them.
Questions
How much does a chimney sweep cost?
HomeGuide puts the average at $150 to $375, with a national average of $275, including a level 1 inspection. Angi, updated in July 2026, gives $129 to $381 with an average of $254.
How much does a chimney inspection cost?
HomeGuide puts a level 1 inspection with basic cleaning at $100 to $250, a level 2 at $250 to $600 and a level 3 at $900 to $5,000.
How much does it cost to clean a gas fireplace chimney?
HomeGuide puts it at $80 to $150, and Angi puts gas fireplace maintenance at $80 to $130. Gas burns cleaner than wood, so there is less residue to remove.
How often should a chimney be swept?
At least once a year. Angi says the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fire Protection Association both recommend an annual inspection and cleaning, and how often a chimney needs sweeping depends on how much the fireplace is used and what it burns.
How long does a chimney sweep take?
One to two hours on average, according to HomeGuide, and longer if the chimney has not been cleaned for more than a year or there is damage to investigate.
For other jobs around the house, priced the same way, see every guide in home improvement costs.
Where these figures come from
These are national US ranges in US dollars from two cost guides, HomeGuide, updated 9 February 2026 and read on 5 October 2026, and Angi, updated 10 July 2026 and read on 9 October 2026. Angi replaced an older Fixr guide as the second source on 9 October 2026. The two price slightly different jobs: HomeGuide's headline includes a level 1 inspection, while Angi gives its inspection levels separately. They are shown side by side rather than averaged. Your local price depends on your roof, the number of flues and how long since the last sweep, so a written quote is the price that counts.
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How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost?
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How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost? [2026 Data]