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myChimney Sweep Costs
At a glance
- The average cost of chimney sweeping is around £95
- The job will take approximately 1 - 2 hours to complete
- A complete pricing breakdown which includes what cost factors you need to consider, types of chimney, along with what such a task usually involves
- How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what kind of jobs can be performed
- How to find and hire a chimney sweep
Are you looking for in-depth information on the average cost of chimney cleaning?
This complete guide will go over everything you need to know about chimney sweeping costs, the processes involved with chimney cleaning, and the fees chimney sweeps will charge.
It costs around £70-£120 for a local chimney sweep, depending on certain factors.
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Table of Contents
- How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost?
- Labour Costs and Timescales
- Cost Factors of Sweeping a Chimney
- What's Involved in a Chimney Sweep?
- Can I Sweep a Chimney Myself?
- Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Chimney Sweeping
- Types of Chimney
- Hiring Contractors to Sweep a Chimney Checklist
- FAQs
- Sources
How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost?
Are you looking for information on the costs involved with getting your chimney swept?
The average cost you can expect to pay to have your chimney swept in the UK is around £70-£120. Chimney sweeping should only take a couple of hours to complete usually.
This guide will go over everything you need to know about chimney sweep costs and the processes involved with chimney sweeping.
The price you will pay for chimney sweeping can vary based on several factors, including the type of chimney, the difficulty of the job, the state of the chimney, and your location in the UK.
One of the most difficult types of chimneys to sweep is an unlined chimney. If you have this type of chimney, you can expect to pay around £50-£100 more for the job, depending on its condition.
My chimney hasn't had a clean in some time. I'm planning to hire a chimney sweep. How much will it cost to have my chimney swept in total? I have a medium semi-detached house.
"I’ve seen these sweep companies before but not that often to tell the truth. I think the bloke mentioned around £149 to sweep a chimney but depends on condition"
Chimney Sweep Prices
The price you can expect to pay for chimney sweeping will vary depending mostly on the type of chimney you have, its condition, and your location in the UK.
Below is a table highlighting the average chimney sweep prices that you can expect to pay for different types of chimney sweeping.
| Type of Chimney | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Chimney sweeping on open fire chimney | £60-£100 |
| Chimney sweeping on lined stove chimney | £80-£120 |
| Chimney sweeping on unlined stove chimney | £90-£150 |
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Labour Costs and Timescales
For a budget chimney sweep on an open fire, you can usually expect to pay around £60-£70. This should only take around an hour to complete.
If you need are looking for a chimney sweep on an unlined chimney, this will usually cost around £90-£150. This type of chimney sweep will usually take around 1-2 hours.
Sometimes, there may be additional work that needs to be carried out on your chimney, increasing the costs and timeframes.
Bird nests can be an issue with chimneys and may need to be removed. This can add around £20-£40 to the cost of the job.
Those based in London can expect to pay around £30-£50 more for a chimney sweep than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.
Cost Factors of Sweeping a Chimney
There are several cost-affecting factors when it comes to having your chimney swept. Below is a list of things that may affect the overall cost of the job:
Type of Chimney
The type of chimney that needs to be swept can play a big part in the price you will pay for the job.
For example, a chimney sweep on an open fire chimney will cost around £60-£100, a chimney sweep on a lined stove chimney will cost around £80-£120, and a chimney sweep on an unlined stove chimney will cost around £90-£150. As you can see, each different type of chimney comes at a different cost.
Size of Chimney
The size of the chimney can affect the overall cost of the job. A larger chimney will take much longer to sweep, and, therefore, you can expect to pay more for the job. Most average-sized chimneys will only take around an hour to complete.
If your chimney ends up taking longer than that due to its size, then you may be looking at some additional costs.
Location of Property
Your property's location can affect the price that you can expect to pay for a chimney sweep.
Those based in London can expect to pay around £30-£50 more for a chimney sweep than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.
Also, chimneys that are difficult to access may end up costing more.
State of Chimney
The state of the chimney can also affect the cost of the job. A chimney in a very bad state will take much longer to sweep than one that is well-maintained.
If your chimney hasn't been swept for a good few years, then you can expect the job to take a little bit longer and, therefore, you may end up paying slightly more than average for the job.
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What's Involved in a Chimney Sweep?
Below you will find a guide on what's involved in a standard chimney sweeping process:
- Preparation - Before chimney sweeping begins, the contractor covers the fireplace with a vacuum-sealed protective sheet and closes all doors and windows to prevent soot entering the home.
- Inspection - The contractor inspects the chimney for any damage or blockages such as cracks, creosote buildup, or debris that could affect performance or safety concerns.
- Cleaning - The contractor will access the roof and use a chimney brush to clean the flue, while a vacuum outside collects any soot. They continue brushing down the chimney until the brush won’t go further.
- Final Steps - Back inside, the contractor or their assistant will clean the firebox and smoke shelf with a long-handled brush and vacuum to remove any remaining soot.
Can I Sweep a Chimney Myself?
The only time you should sweep your chimney as a DIY job is if you have experience in doing so.
There are several dangers that come with chimney sweeping, plus you risk voiding your insurance in cases of chimney fires.
A chimney sweeping job should be done safely. If it's not completed correctly, this could result in carbon monoxide leaking into your home, which could be fatal for you and your family.
Working on the roof can also be difficult for someone who doesn't have the appropriate experience or equipment.
Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Chimney Sweeping
There aren't any building regulations or planning permissions that relate directly to chimney sweeping. However, if the contractor is carrying out any work on your gas fire at the same time, they will need to be registered with the Gas Safe Register.
The contractor is also responsible for following any health and safety guidelines, especially when working at height, and must ensure they wear the appropriate safety equipment and protective clothing.
Many reputable professionals are also certified by trade bodies such as NACS, APICS, or HETAS, although for chimney sweeping this isn't compulsory.
Types of Chimney
There are two main types of chimney, a masonry chimney and a metal chimney. Below you will find some facts about each of these types of chimney. We will also list the pros and cons of each type.
Masonry Chimneys
A masonry chimney is the most common type of chimney found in the UK. These are a traditional type of chimney that are constructed with bricks.
The design of a masonry chimney can vary from home to home, depending on the homeowners' preference. Some masonry chimneys designed with one layer of bricks, and others are designed using multiple layers of bricks.
PROS
- ✔ Very durable
- ✔ Timeless traditional appearance
- ✔ Increases the value of the home
CONS
- ✖ Difficult to build
- ✖ Constructed with heavy materials so your home may not support it
- ✖ It can be quite expensive, so not great if you're on a budget
Metal Chimneys
Metal chimneys are constructed in a factory rather than built on site. They are simply brought to the site and assembled, making the installation process much easier than masonry chimneys.
This type of chimney tends to be constructed with metal materials that can handle high temperatures.
PROS
- ✔ Much cheaper than masonry chimneys
- ✔ Easy to install
- ✔ Many are designed with extra layers for energy-efficiency
- ✔ Variety of designs
CONS
- ✖ Shorter lifespan than masonry chimneys
- ✖ Require frequent maintenance
Hiring Contractors to Sweep a Chimney Checklist
There are a few things you will need to consider before hiring someone to sweep your chimney.
Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when looking for the right contractor for the job:
- Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work?
- How much is the work to complete? – Ask for a breakdown of costs so you can ensure you are paying a good price for each element of the job.
- What steps will the contractor take when completing the work?
- Is the contractor experienced in the type of chimney sweeping that you require?
- How many years' worth of experience does the contractor have in chimney sweeping?
- How many contractors will carry out the job?
- Will the contractor fix any issues that may arise?
- Does the contractor provide any insurance if any parts of the job go wrong?
- Will the contractor take care of any relevant waste removal?
- Does the contractor have any qualifications or accreditations associated with the type of work that is to be carried out?
FAQs
How often do you need to sweep a chimney?
It is recommended that you arrange to have your chimney swept once a year to keep it working efficiently and to keep it in its optimum condition.
How do you sweep a chimney with a woodburner?
You should undo the indoor part of the chimney once per year to inspect it for debris. Be sure to clean out any creosote that has built up within the chimney. You can use a wire brush to clean it out properly. It is recommended that you hire a professional local chimney sweep to sweep your wood-burning chimney.
Will a chimney sweep cause any mess?
A professional chimney sweep will have specialised tools and procedures to leave behind as little mess as possible. A vacuum is usually used to collect any soot that is removed, and your doors and windows should remain closed during the chimney sweep to ensure none of the soot makes its way into your house.
Why should I get my chimney swept?
A chimney should be swept regularly to ensure it is safe and efficient. Removing all of the soot and debris from the chimney will improve the airflow of the chimney and allow all hazardous gasses to escape easily. Your fire will also burn quicker with a clean chimney whilst also preventing heat loss.
How long does it take to sweep a chimney?
On average, it should take no longer than an hour to have your chimney swept. If a bird's nest blocks your chimney, this will require specialist equipment to remove and could take all day.
Sources
https://www.lawdonut.co.uk/business/sector-specific-law/chimney-sweep-legal-issues
https://morningchores.com/cleaning-wood-stove/
