Chimney Inspections (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3)

Regular chimney inspections are essential for keeping your fireplace and venting system safe, efficient, and up to code. At Chimney Monkey, we provide thorough chimney inspections to detect issues early, prevent hazards, and ensure your system is ready for use year-round.Schedule Your Chimney Inspection: 847-994-4388

Our Chimney Inspection Services Include:

Level 1 Inspection

Basic annual inspection for systems under continued use. We check all readily accessible parts of the chimney, fireplace, and flue for damage, blockages, or wear.

Level 2 Video Scan Inspection

Required during a property sale, after a chimney fire, or when making system changes. Includes a camera scan of the flue to detect hidden damage, cracks, or structural issues.

Masonry & Structural Evaluation

We assess the chimney crown, flashing, cap, mortar joints, and bricks for signs of deterioration, leaks, or movement.

Draft & Venting Performance Check

Ensure your fireplace or appliance is venting properly to prevent smoke backup or carbon monoxide exposure.

Why Schedule a Chimney Inspection?

Catch problems early before they become costly
Ensure safe and proper ventilation
Comply with insurance and real estate requirements
Extend the life of your chimney and fireplace

Why Our Inspections Aren’t Free

Plenty of companies will look at your chimney for free. Here’s the catch: an inspector who works for free only gets paid when he finds a problem. That’s not an inspection — that’s a sales appointment with a flashlight.

We do it differently. You pay for the inspection, and in exchange you get an honest answer. Our technicians document everything on video, walk you through exactly what they see, and put it in writing. If your chimney is fine, we tell you it’s fine — and we get paid either way, so we have no reason to invent a repair.

That’s the whole model: we’re diagnosticians, not salesmen. The inspection is the product, not the pitch.

What You Get

• A Level 1 or Level 2 inspection performed to the NFPA 211 standard
• Video documentation — you see what we see, not just what we say
• A written report you can keep, share with your insurer, or hand to another contractor for a second opinion
• A straight answer, including “everything looks good”

Chimney Inspection FAQs

Why do you charge for chimney inspections when other companies do them for free?

Because a free inspection is paid for somewhere — usually in the repairs it “discovers.” Companies that inspect for free earn revenue only when they find problems, which creates pressure to find them. We charge a flat inspection fee so our technicians are paid to be accurate, not persuasive. Many of our inspections end with “your chimney is in good shape.”

Do you give free estimates?

No. An accurate repair estimate requires a proper diagnosis, and a proper diagnosis is an inspection — which we charge for. Once we’ve inspected your chimney, the repair quote that comes from it is grounded in documented evidence, not a guess from the driveway.

What if the inspection finds nothing wrong?

Then you get great news and a video record proving it. About the best outcome a homeowner can hope for — and one a free-inspection company has a hard time delivering.

Can I use your inspection report to get quotes from other companies?

Yes. The report is yours. We’re confident in our repair pricing, but the diagnosis stands on its own no matter who does the work.

Proudly Serving Chicago’s North Shore

With years of experience and thousands of satisfied customers, our team continues to deliver exceptional chimney care across the North Shore. We’re dedicated to protecting your home year-round while expanding our reach to new towns every season. Our growing team ensures prompt, reliable service—wherever you are.

Core Service Areas

Specifically, we proudly serve Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Deerfield, Riverwoods, Bannockburn, Northfield, Northbrook.

Extended Service Areas

We also cover Arlington Heights, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Glenview, Hawthorn Woods, & Fort Sheridan.

No matter where you live across the North Shore, Chimney Monkey is ready to help—with fast response times and service tailored to your home.

Call Chimney Monkey at (847) 994-4388 and let us take care of your chimney needs!