Updated July 2026. Every chimney is different — the ranges below reflect typical projects on Chicago’s North Shore, and final pricing is always provided in writing after an inspection.
The short answer: a chimney sweep is $335 and includes a Level 1 inspection. Inspections run $205–$295 for most homes. Common repairs — caps, dampers, crowns, flashing — usually land between a few hundred dollars and about $2,600. Stainless steel liners typically run $3,000–$4,500. Complete new fireplace, insert, and stove systems range from roughly $2,800 for electric to $15,700 for high-end direct-vent gas. Your exact price is put in writing after an inspection documents the actual condition.
How we price our work
Flat-rate services — a sweep, an inspection — have set prices, and we list them plainly. Project work depends on the size, height, and condition of your specific chimney, so what we can honestly publish is the range most projects fall into and what moves a job within it. We would rather give you a real number after seeing your chimney than defend an average.
We charge for inspections because the inspection is the service: we diagnose and document what is actually happening, so our recommendations do not depend on selling you the repair. A free estimate prices a known job. A diagnostic inspection determines what the job actually is.
Inspections and sweeping
A Level 1 chimney inspection is $205 per flue, and the same flat rate covers a utility chimney serving a furnace or water heater. A Level 2 inspection with a camera survey of the flue — what you want at a real estate sale, after a chimney fire, or when the appliance venting changes — is $295. Water intrusion diagnostics run $295, and invasive Level 3 inspections are quoted case by case, typically in the $700–$800 range.
A full chimney sweep is $335 with the Level 1 inspection included, whether the fireplace is masonry, factory-built, or a stove or insert. Heavily glazed creosote that needs chemical treatment moves a cleaning into the high hundreds, and we tell you before doing that work, not after. Dryer vent cleaning is $220 on its own or $455 bundled with a sweep or gas log refresh.
Caps, dampers, and the top of the chimney
A standard stainless rain cap with spark arrestor typically runs $300–$500 installed. Multi-flue caps and caps for factory-built fireplaces generally land between $650 and $1,000, and decorative caps and toppers run $1,000–$1,700 depending on material. A top-sealing energy damper usually falls in the $850–$1,100 range, a throat damper somewhat above that, and sealing an unused flue runs a few hundred dollars depending on whether it needs a plate or a full seal.
Masonry and water intrusion repairs
Water is behind most chimney repairs on the North Shore, and the price depends on where it is getting in and how long it has been at it. Crown work ranges from roughly $500–$650 for resurfacing a sound crown to $850–$2,600 for a full rebuild, depending on the size of the chimney. Flashing runs from about $200 for a reseal to $1,200–$1,500 for a full replacement. Washing and waterproofing the masonry typically lands in the $600–$750 range. Smoke chamber parging generally runs $1,800–$2,600, and firebox work from about $1,000 for spot repairs to $2,900 for a full rebuild. Tuckpointing and rebuilds are quoted after inspection; our chimney repair cost page explains how we arrive at those numbers.
Liners, chase covers, and venting
A stainless steel utility flue liner for a furnace or water heater typically runs $3,000–$3,800 installed, depending on diameter and chimney height. Fireplace liners usually start around $4,000 and are priced per project. A custom stainless chase cover generally runs $2,000–$2,800, with utility chase covers below that and full prefabricated chase replacements above it.
Gas logs and new fireplace systems
A vented gas log set installed typically runs $1,200–$4,200 depending on size and ignition type, and ventless sets $1,300–$3,100. Complete installed systems — the unit, the venting, and the labor — range widely by category: electric inserts and built-ins from about $2,800 to $9,000, gas inserts typically $7,000–$12,000, wood-burning inserts $6,700–$11,700, direct-vent gas fireplaces $10,000–$15,700, and engineered masonry retrofit systems around $14,000–$15,000. The model, your chimney, and finishing work determine where a project lands — see our fireplace brands pages for the lines we carry.
What moves a price inside its range
Five things, mostly: the size of the chimney or firebox, how tall the chimney is and how we reach the work, the condition of the surrounding masonry, materials, and whether the job uncovers conditions that were not visible before we opened things up. When that last one happens, we document it with photos and price the change in writing before doing anything.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chimney sweep cost on the North Shore?
A chimney sweep is $335 and includes a Level 1 inspection. That covers masonry fireplaces, factory-built fireplaces, and wood stoves or inserts.
Why do you charge for inspections when other companies are free?
A free visit usually exists to quote a repair. Our inspection is a separate diagnostic service: we inspect the system, document the findings with photos and video, explain what is urgent and what can wait, and give you recommendations you can use even if someone else does the work.
How much does it cost to fix a leaking chimney?
It depends entirely on where the water is getting in. A flashing reseal can be a couple hundred dollars; a full crown rebuild can approach $2,600; masonry repairs vary with extent. That is why leak work starts with a water intrusion inspection — not every roof leak is actually a roof leak, and we would rather diagnose it correctly once than guess at it repeatedly.
Why do you publish ranges instead of exact prices?
Flat-rate services like sweeps and inspections have exact prices, listed above. Project work depends on the size, height, and condition of your specific chimney, so we publish the range most projects fall into and put your exact price in writing after the inspection.
Do you offer free estimates?
No. A free estimate prices a known job; a diagnostic inspection determines what the job actually is. You are paying us for a documented answer you can use whether or not you hire us for the repair — and you are welcome to shop the repair.
What does a new gas insert cost installed?
Complete gas insert systems — the insert, the liner and venting, and installation — typically run $7,000–$12,000 depending on the model and your chimney. Electric inserts are considerably less, generally $2,800–$9,000 installed.
Get an exact price
Call 847-994-4388 or get in touch to schedule an inspection. Serving Chicago’s North Shore from Buffalo Grove since 2017, with more than 1,100 Google reviews.