Chimney Sweep Cost

How Much to Sweep a Chimney?

The average cost to have your chimney swept is usually around £70 to £120. However, prices can vary and will depend on several factors such as the type of appliance or chimney, the time it will take to complete the cleaning, plus the location and ease of access.

For example, the cost to sweep a typical open fire chimney starts from £80, while a lined stove chimney ranges from £80 to £150.

One of the most difficult types of chimney to sweep is an unlined chimney which costs around £80 or more, depending on its condition and often its degree of maintenance.

Chimney Sweeping Prices

Here is an average chimney sweep cost for common chimney types:

Additional Costs of a Chimney Sweep

There are various other costs you need to consider when having your chimney swept including:

How Much is a Chimney Sweep? (Labour Only)

It usually only takes around an hour for an experienced chimney sweep to complete the job.

How much does a chimney sweep cost? Well, they usually charge around £60 to complete a budget sweep for an open fire chimney, while an unlined chimney could take two hours or more to sweep and can cost upwards of £90.

Time frames can increase, especially if there is a significant build of up creosote.

Chimney cleaning costs can increase, as tradesmen may charge extra for bird nest removal which can range from £100 to £120, usually with a sweep included.

This can actually take all day, depending on the accessibility to the chimney, as specialist equipment is required for this type of situation.

Your location will also determine the cost, as local chimney sweep prices in London cost up to £200 for a large business, while in northern areas, medium-sized business charge as little as £50.

Factors That Impact Chimney Cleaning Costs

The cost of sweeping your chimney will vary depending on the type of chimney you have.

For example, a fairly cheap chimney sweep costs around £50 to £80 to clean an open fire chimney which should only take around an hour to complete.

A more difficult sweep would be for an unlined chimney which can cost up to £150. Other factors like bird nests will increase time frames and the overall cost.

The type of fuel may also affect the price, as fuelling your fireplace with coal or wood tends to cause a significant build-up of creosote, which may require sweeping twice a year.

If you have more than one chimney, some companies will charge a specific rate per chimney, although some do offer discounts for multiple chimneys in one household.

The mess created inside your home is incredible if the cleaning is not carried out professionally. Plus, any debris left inside the chimney after cleaning, can lead to further damage or potential fire risks and leave you with substantial costs at a later date.

It's also highly likely you don't go on your own roof very often, if at all, as such a chimney sweep may spot other issues such as if your chimney needs repointing (expect to pay around £600.

They may also notice other unconnected jobs, including if you need to replace roof tiles (£75 to £300).

What Does Chimney Sweeping Involve?

The following steps are involved when sweeping a wood burning chimney, although are also similar for chimneys using coal fires:

Preparation

The chimney sweep will begin by laying protective sheeting around the fireplace to protect your home from soot. The area may be sealed off with plastic or cloth barriers and tape to prevent soot and debris from entering the home.

An industrial vacuum (often with HEPA filters) is then placed to control any dust and debris during the cleaning process.

You should also expect your chimney sweep to perform a visual inspection of the chimney. This will include checking for signs of creosote buildup (a highly flammable byproduct of burning wood), as well as checking for any blockages, such as bird nests, leaves, or other debris that may be obstructing the flue.

Cleaning

The chimney sweep is likely to work with a partner and may start from the roof (top-down method) or inside the home (bottom-up), depending on which method they prefer or is most suitable.

Using a chimney cleaning brush and rods, they will then clean the insides of the flue to remove soot, creosote, and dislodge any other debris.

If working from the roof down, the sweep will lower the brush into the chimney, while their assistant manages the vacuum inside the property. If any blockages were spotted during the inspection, these will be carefully removed.

They will then move onto the fireplace to clean the smoke shelf behind the damper and the fire box (where the wood burns), in order to remove any remaining soot etc.

Inspection

Once the chimney sweeping process is completed, a final inspection will ensure the chimney is clear with free airflow and functioning as expected.

This will also include checking for cracks in the flue or chimney, monitor for further damage, moisture intrusion or note any other cause for concern, recommending the next course of action if any additional work is required.

Finally, the work area will be cleaned up, with any protective covers being removed, ensuring there is no soot or other debris left behind. Most chimney sweeps will also provide a report of their work and document any findings.

DIY Chimney Sweeping vs Professional

If you have a standard, traditional, brick-built chimney, it’s possible to clean the chimney yourself. However, in the case of a chimney fire, insurance companies may prove unwilling to pay out if you haven't had it cleaned professionally.

Some people just use a set of drain rods instead of chimney sweeping rods, but either way unless you are highly experienced it is unlikely you will clean your chimney as effectively as someone who does it for a living.

In addition, the consequences of a chimney leaking carbon monoxide into your home are potentially fatal. As such, ensuring your chimney is safe is not something you should take lightly or risk cutting corners.

If in doubt, use a qualified chimney sweep and have both chimney and fire checked regularly!

Below are the pros and cons of carrying out the work yourself, compared to hiring a professional chimney sweep.

DIY Chimney Sweeping

Pros

• ✔ Saves money due to having no labour costs
• ✔ Convenient and can action as and when required
• ✔ Immediate action, don't need to make an appointment

Cons

• ✖ Can potentially void any insurance claims
• ✖ Safety risks if not carried out correctly
• ✖ Requires very specific equipment

Professional Chimney Sweeping

Pros

• ✔ Efficient cleaning and thorough inspection
• ✔ Can identify any damage or potential issues
• ✔ No negative impact on insurance claims

Cons

• ✖ More expensive process than DIY
• ✖ Less flexible and require an appointment
• ✖ Have to assume you're given correct advice

One of the key points to note with DIY chimney sweeping is that if the job isn't done properly, improper cleaning can lead to a build-up of creosote and a potential fire hazard, as well as risk of carbon monoxide leaks.

Although we wouldn't recommend taking it on by yourself, if you are an experienced DIY enthusiast and still confident then you will need the following equipment:

Do I Need My Chimney Swept?

If you have a fireplace that burns gas, wood or coal, you will need to have it swept regularly.

This will prevent a build-up of soot, which, if left, could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, chimney fires and smoke penetration.

If you notice that your fire is not burning as it normally does, then you may need your chimney sweeping.

Other reasons may include strong odours from your fireplace, a build-up of smoke in your chimney, visible soot on your fireplace, or you may even hear the sounds of small animals who have nested in your chimney, blocking the flue and leaving droppings.

Benefits of a Chimney Sweep

There are a variety of benefits for having your chimney swept, including:

• Health and Safety - Regular chimney sweeping helps protect your home and family from harmful gases like carbon monoxide by ensuring fumes are properly vented. A clean chimney promotes safer, healthier indoor air.
• Improves Efficiency - Creosote buildup can result in having to use more of your supplies. However, a clean chimney allows proper airflow, helping your fire produce greater heat and burn more efficiently.
• Prevents Expensive Repairs - Regular cleaning helps prevent soot and creosote to accumulate, which if left can cause structural damage and cracks in your chimney, leading to unwanted costs.
• Prevents Blockages - Soot and tar from burning fossil fuels can block your flue. Chimney sweeping removes any buildup before it hardens, reducing fire risk and ensuring safe ventilation.

How Often Should I Hire a Chimney Sweeper?

Every chimney will have a recommended frequency of sweeping required which will depend on a number of factors, such as the type of fuel used, the appliance and the type of fuel burned.

According to HETAS, if you use wood or coal to fuel your chimney, then you should have it swept at least twice a year, while smokeless chimneys should be cleaned once a year.

However, you may need to have your chimney cleaned on a quarterly basis if you use it frequently. The best time to sweep your chimney is just before the heating season starts, which is usually around autumn time.

When sweeping twice a year, the second sweep should be done right after the peak of the heating season, which is normally around January.

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Who are HETAS?

HETAS – the Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme – are an organisation that monitor the use of biomass and solid fuels to ensure they are safe and eco-efficient.

HETAS provides training to chimney sweeps, which provides them with a HETAS chimney sweep accreditation, enabling them to certify their own work in line with current building regulations.

This includes chimney sweeps who are members of the Association of Professional and Independent Chimney Sweeps (APICS), National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS), the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps and Sweep Safe.

What is Chimney Lining?

Chimney lining, which costs around £150 to £250, is a fixture that is installed inside your chimney for safety and practical reasons.

This includes its ability to prevent fires, as the chimney liner protects the joints and masonry which stops the chimney from overheating, whilst also preventing corrosion from flue gases.

If you do not have a chimney liner or flue, then your chimney and home is more exposed to heat and smoke from a live fire. Gas leaks are also possible if your chimney starts to deteriorate.

Chimney liners are also beneficial for improving heat efficiency, as it helps to enhance air flow. This will enable you to use less fuel, whilst also preventing heat loss.

Flue liners can also make your chimney more low-maintenance, as a liner reduces soot build-up, and therefore it won’t need to be swept as often which will reduce the cost of chimney sweeps.

A professional chimney sweep will check the condition of the chimney at the same time and advise if a new liner is required.

Building regulations do not insist that you have a chimney liner installed in theory, but in practice, most chimneys will require one.

You should also get any appliances serviced and cleaned at the same time as the chimney itself.

How Can I Keep My Chimney Clean?

In between regular chimney sweep maintenance, you should try to clean your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis to prevent a massive build-up of soot, dirt and debris.

This will involve cleaning the fireplace and removing any dirt from the hearth, the fireplace surround and grate.

You should try to use fuel that creates less mess, such as low-moisture or dry firewood, as this produces less smoke and also burns more easily.

You should also make sure that you stack your wood with enough space for oxygen circulation, as this will offer you better heat-efficiency and less creosote build-up.

Another way to reduce soot deposits is by making sure the chimney flue is warm before lighting the fire. This can be achieved by rolling newspaper, lighting it and holding up to the chimney to warm the flue up.

Closing Off a Chimney

If you do not use your fireplace, then you may be losing heat out of your home, without getting the benefits of a heated fire. If this is the case, you could consider closing off your chimney for good, without having to pay for chimney removal.

Before closing off a chimney, you should hire a professional to inspect the chimney and repair any structural damage, and you should also have it swept before closing off the chimney, which tends to cost around £100 to £150.

To close off the chimney, the cap needs to be removed, then the perimeter of the chimney top should be measured, followed by cutting a metal sheet to match the measurements of the chimney.

Rubber caulk will then be applied to all sides of the chimney before the metal sheet can be attached along with the chimney top.

The next step involves closing the fire damper inside your home. The top of the fireplace will then be measured, and a piece of foam insulation will be cut to match the circumference.

The foam will then be installed inside the chimney and rubber caulk will be used again on all sides of the insulation.

How to Find and Hire a Chimney Sweep

To ensure that your chimney is safe and efficient, you should consider a professional chimney sweep, who on average will charge around £70 to £120.

Before hiring a chimney sweep, you should check their credentials, and also check if they are a member of HETAS, APICS, NACS, Sweep Safe and the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps. This will ensure that you hire someone with the right qualifications, who is also able to certify their own work and maintain building regulations compliance.

You should also always check a tradesman’s insurance before hiring them for the job, as they should have public liability insurance for protection against incident and damage, for their own sake and yours.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.hetas.co.uk/when-chimney-swept/
http://www.stroudchimneysweeps.co.uk/hintsandtips.html
https://nacs.org.uk/advice/
https://www.sweepchief.co.uk/gas-fire-flue-sweeping/