Did You Know Chimney Monkey Is a Full-Service Chimney and Fireplace Company?

In short: Chimney Monkey is a full-service fireplace contractor, not just a chimney sweep or cleaning company. The team designs, builds, installs, repairs, and restores nearly every kind of fireplace and chimney system. That includes custom masonry fireplaces built during new construction, plus factory-built gas and electric units. It also covers outdoor fireplaces and complete restorations of older masonry chimneys. Chimney Monkey works directly with homeowners, and just as often alongside builders, architects, and remodeling contractors on larger projects. The company is based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and serves Chicago and the North Shore suburbs.

Planning a fireplace project? See the fireplace brands we’re an authorized dealer of — Acucraft, Urbana, Enviro, Mason-Lite, Stûv, and Lexington Hearth.

Many homeowners only think to call a chimney company after something breaks. Chimney Monkey also gets involved much earlier, during the planning stages of new construction or a remodel. That early involvement helps avoid expensive changes later. Waiting to finalize venting or framing before choosing the fireplace often causes exactly those problems.

1. What Does a Full-Service Fireplace Contractor Do?

A full-service company like Chimney Monkey handles a fireplace or chimney project from design through ongoing maintenance. It’s not just one piece of the job. That includes new construction, remodeling, repair, restoration, and inspection, for both masonry and factory-built systems. It covers gas, wood-burning, and electric fireplaces, indoors and outdoors, plus the venting and chimney work each of those needs.

2. Can Chimney Monkey Build a Brand-New Masonry Chimney?

Yes. Chimney Monkey builds new masonry chimneys as part of new-home construction or additions. Chimney Monkey coordinates that work with the framing and roofing schedule. A masonry chimney needs to go up alongside the structure, not after the fact.

3. Can You Build a Custom Fireplace in a New Home?

Yes. Chimney Monkey designs and builds custom masonry fireplaces to match a homeowner’s specific plans. That covers everything from the firebox and mantel to the surrounding finish. Getting involved early lets the fireplace design align with the home’s overall layout and style, instead of being an afterthought.

4. Can You Install Factory-Built Fireplaces?

Yes. Chimney Monkey installs factory-built, or zero-clearance, fireplaces to the manufacturer’s specifications and local code requirements. They’re often a faster and more budget-friendly option than full masonry construction. Chimney Monkey installs them in both new builds and existing homes.

5. Do You Work With Homeowners, Builders, Architects, and Remodelers?

Yes, across all of those relationships. A fireplace project touches framing, mechanical systems, vent routing, electrical work, gas piping, finish carpentry, and masonry, all at once. Chimney Monkey coordinates directly with builders, general contractors, remodeling contractors, architects, and interior designers to keep those pieces aligned. Getting that coordination right early in a project avoids costly rework once walls, vents, or framing are already in place. Chimney Monkey works with homeowners directly too, on a single fireplace or a full new build.

6. Can You Install Gas, Wood-Burning, Electric, and Direct-Vent Fireplaces?

Yes, Chimney Monkey installs all four. Gas fireplaces need proper gas line and venting work. Wood-burning units need either masonry construction or an approved factory-built system with correct draft. Electric fireplaces are the simplest to install, since they need no venting at all. Direct-vent fireplaces use sealed combustion and vent through an exterior wall. That gives homeowners more flexibility in where to place them.

7. Can You Build an Outdoor Fireplace?

Yes. Chimney Monkey designs and builds custom outdoor fireplaces for patios and outdoor living spaces, in both masonry and factory-built styles. Outdoor units need construction details suited to year-round exterior exposure, which differ somewhat from an indoor fireplace build.

8. Can You Rebuild an Old Masonry Chimney?

Yes. When a masonry chimney has deteriorated beyond what tuckpointing or a crown replacement can fix, Chimney Monkey rebuilds it. That can mean a full masonry restoration, or a more targeted rebuild of just the damaged sections.

9. Can You Repair a Damaged Fireplace Instead of Replacing It?

Often, yes. Firebox damage, a deteriorated smoke chamber, or a worn liner can frequently be repaired without replacing the whole fireplace. Chimney Monkey evaluates the actual extent of the damage first. From there, the team recommends a repair or a replacement based on what’s realistic to fix.

10. Can You Install Stainless Steel Chimney Liners?

Yes. A stainless steel liner is often the right fix for a masonry chimney with a deteriorated flue. It also helps properly connect a newer appliance to an older chimney. Chimney Monkey sizes the liner to match the connected appliance. An incorrectly sized liner causes the same kind of venting problems as an incorrectly sized chase.

11. Can You Build Chimney Chases for Prefabricated Fireplaces?

Yes. A factory-built fireplace still needs a properly framed chimney chase to house its vent system and protect it from weather. Chimney Monkey builds these chases correctly from the start. That helps avoid the rust and moisture problems that show up in older, builder-grade chases years later.

12. Can You Install Proper Venting for Gas Appliances and Fireplaces?

Yes. Chimney Monkey sizes and installs venting according to the manufacturer’s specifications and local code. That applies to a gas fireplace, a gas insert, or another gas appliance sharing space with a fireplace system. Chimney Monkey handles this as part of both new installations and repairs to existing venting.

13. Do You Coordinate Directly With Fireplace Manufacturers?

Yes. Chimney Monkey follows each manufacturer’s installation instructions directly, rather than relying on general assumptions. That matters for keeping the manufacturer’s warranty valid. It also makes sure the installation meets code requirements tied to that specific unit.

14. Can You Work With My General Contractor During Construction?

Yes. Chimney Monkey coordinates directly with a project’s general contractor on scheduling and framing details. That includes the timing of rough-ins during new construction or a major remodel. This coordination keeps the fireplace and chimney work on pace with the rest of the build.

15. Can Chimney Monkey Help During a Home Remodel?

Yes. Common remodel projects include converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas, installing an insert, or replacing an outdated factory-built unit. Chimney Monkey also updates facades, surrounds, and mantels, and can enlarge a fireplace opening where the structure allows it. Many of these updates improve efficiency along with appearance.

16. What Happens During the Planning and Design Process?

Planning typically starts with a consultation to review the homeowner’s goals, the home’s layout, and any plans already in progress. From there, Chimney Monkey aligns the fireplace choice with the venting requirements and the manufacturer’s specifications. Coordinating this early, alongside the builder’s timeline, helps prevent conflicts once framing and finishes are underway.

17. Why Is Proper Venting So Important?

Proper venting affects safety, performance, and how long the system lasts. Vent sizing, clearances, and combustion air all need to match the manufacturer’s requirements for that specific appliance. Wood-burning fireplaces depend on the right draft and chimney height to perform well. Gas appliances instead depend on correctly sized mechanical venting. Getting any of this wrong can affect efficiency and safety, not just comfort. That’s why every installation should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and applicable local codes.

18. Why Should Homeowners Choose One Company From Start to Finish?

Using one company for design, construction, and ongoing service means fewer handoffs and fewer gaps in responsibility. The same team that designed the fireplace understands its venting, its manufacturer requirements, and its maintenance needs later on. That continuity often prevents the kind of miscommunication that happens when separate contractors handle different pieces of the same project.

19. Who Builds Fireplaces Near Me?

Chimney Monkey builds, installs, remodels, and repairs fireplaces and chimneys from its base in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. The company serves Chicago and the surrounding North Shore suburbs. Projects range from a single fireplace repair to a complete new-home installation.

Where Chimney Monkey Builds and Services Fireplaces

Chimney Monkey serves homeowners, builders, and remodelers throughout Chicago and the North Shore and northwest suburbs. That includes Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Northbrook, Glenview, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Lake Bluff. It also includes Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Wheeling, and Libertyville. Long Grove, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Evanston, and Skokie round out the areas the company regularly serves. Projects range from single-room fireplace repairs to complete new-home installations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you build a custom fireplace?

Yes. Chimney Monkey designs and builds custom masonry fireplaces to match a homeowner’s specific plans, from new construction through remodeling projects. The design process treats the firebox, venting, and finish materials as one connected decision, not separate ones made later on.

Do you install gas fireplaces?

Yes. Chimney Monkey installs gas fireplaces, gas inserts, and direct-vent gas units, following each manufacturer’s specifications and local code requirements. Proper gas line and venting work are part of every installation. That’s true whether it’s new construction or a replacement in an existing home.

Can you build masonry chimneys?

Yes. Chimney Monkey builds new masonry chimneys for new construction and additions. It also rebuilds existing chimneys that have deteriorated beyond simple repair. Masonry work is coordinated with framing and roofing schedules so the chimney goes up alongside the rest of the structure.

Can you replace old fireplaces?

Yes. Chimney Monkey replaces outdated wood-burning, gas, or factory-built fireplaces with updated units, including efficiency upgrades and design changes. Many replacement projects also include an updated facade, surround, or mantel to match the rest of the room, so the finished result feels intentional rather than mismatched.

Do you work with builders?

Yes. Chimney Monkey coordinates directly with custom home builders and general contractors throughout a project, from the earliest planning stages onward. That means aligning fireplace and chimney work with framing, mechanical, and finish schedules, so nothing gets held up later.

Can you install fireplaces during remodeling?

Yes. Common remodeling work includes converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas, installing an insert, or replacing an outdated unit. Updating the surround and mantel is common too. Chimney Monkey evaluates the existing venting and chimney condition before recommending the right approach.

Do you install chimney liners?

Yes. Chimney Monkey installs stainless steel chimney liners for masonry chimneys with a deteriorated flue. Liners also help connect newer appliances to older chimneys correctly. Chimney Monkey sizes each liner to match the connected appliance, which helps avoid venting problems later on.

Can you build outdoor fireplaces?

Yes. Chimney Monkey designs and builds custom outdoor fireplaces for patios and outdoor living areas, in both masonry and factory-built styles. Outdoor construction has to account for year-round exterior exposure, which calls for different detailing than an indoor fireplace typically needs.

Do you handle permits and code requirements?

Yes. Chimney Monkey follows applicable local building codes and manufacturer installation requirements on every project it takes on. The team also coordinates permits as part of new construction, remodeling, and major repair work, so homeowners don’t have to manage that separately.

What fireplace is best for my home?

That depends on the home’s layout, existing venting, and the homeowner’s priorities around maintenance and ambiance. Chimney Monkey walks homeowners through the trade-offs between masonry, factory-built, gas, wood-burning, and electric options during the planning consultation. There’s no single default recommendation.

Do you repair leaking chimneys?

Yes. Chimney Monkey repairs leaking chimneys and chimney chases, including waterproofing, flashing repair, and chase cover replacement. An inspection determines whether the leak needs a targeted repair or a more extensive rebuild, based on how much moisture damage has already occurred.

Who installs fireplaces near Chicago?

Chimney Monkey installs, builds, and repairs fireplaces throughout Chicago and the North Shore suburbs from its base in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. The company handles new construction, remodeling, and repair projects for homeowners, builders, architects, and remodeling contractors alike, on projects of nearly any size.

Start Your Fireplace or Chimney Project With One Team

The project might be a brand-new custom fireplace, a masonry chimney, a full remodel, a chimney restoration, or ongoing maintenance. Either way, contact Chimney Monkey early in the planning process. Getting the design, venting, and construction details coordinated from the start helps the whole project go smoothly. Homeowners, builders, architects, and remodeling contractors throughout the Chicago area can rely on one experienced team. That covers fireplace installation, chimney construction, and everything that comes after.

Not sure what service your home needs?

Start with a professional evaluation so the system can be identified, the visible conditions can be documented, and the right next step can be recommended.