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myChimney Sweep Cost
At a glance
- The average cost of chimney sweeping is around £105
- The job will take approximately 1 – 2 hours to complete
- A complete breakdown of chimney sweeping costs for different chimneys
- How long the job should take and what's involved
- How to find and hire a local chimney sweep using MyJobQuote
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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 usually costs between £80 and £150 for a professional chimney sweep, depending on certain factors, with the average cost for a standard job around £105.
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Table of Contents
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 between £80 and £150, with most standard sweeping jobs typically in the range of £90 to £120. Chimney sweeping should only take a couple of hours to complete usually.
One of the more difficult types of chimneys to sweep is an unlined chimney. You can expect the cost to sweep an unlined chimney to be around £30 to £60 more than a standard chimney sweep, depending on its condition and access.
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.
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, with jobs in London and the South East often landing at or above the upper end of the range provided.
| Type of Chimney | Typical UK Cost |
|---|---|
| Sweeping an open fire chimney | £80 – £120 |
| Sweeping a lined stove chimney | £90 – £140 |
| Sweeping an unlined stove chimney | £110 – £150 |
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Labour Cost of a Chimney Sweep & Timescales
For a standard chimney sweep on an open fire, you can usually expect to pay around £80 to £120, with higher prices typically for unlined chimneys, difficult access, or jobs in London and the South East. A standard sweep should only take around an hour to complete.
If you are looking for a chimney sweep on an unlined chimney, this will usually cost around £110 to £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's nest removal can be an issue with chimneys and this can add around £40 to £100 to the cost of your chimney sweeping, depending on how bad the blockage is. If you are only looking for bird nest removal, expect to pay between £80 and £150 for this standalone service.
Factors That Impact Chimney Sweep Costs
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 £80 to £120, a chimney sweep on a lined stove chimney will cost around £90 to £140, and a chimney sweep on an unlined stove chimney will cost around £110 to £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 £40 to £80 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.
Fuel Type
The total chimney sweep cost can also be impacted by the type of fuel being used, for example, those connected to a fire that use solid fuel such as coal or wood burning stoves generally take longer to clean.
In contrast, if the chimney is no longer in use and has an electric fire installed in front of the chimney breast, sweeping isn't necessary, and only an occasional inspection for ventilation and blockages is required.
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Additional Chimney Sweeping Costs to Consider
While most jobs will be within the typical price range for a standard sweep, there are various factors that could add to your chimney sweeping costs that it pays to be aware of:
Multiple Chimneys
It may be obvious, but if you live in a property with multiple chimneys, then the additional costs will soon add up. Not only will the actual chimney sweep cost increase, but there's more chance of repair work being required. However, when multiple chimneys are swept at the same time, the cost per chimney will be lower — with each additional chimney costing around £60 to £100 to sweep.
Additional Flues
A chimney may have a single flue that needs sweeping, or it could contain multiple flues that will each need to be swept. More flues will mean a higher cost, and expect to pay £40 to £80 for each additional flue.
CCTV Inspection
During the course of your chimney sweep, it may be necessary to check the flue for blockages or damage, using CCTV inspection equipment — especially with older chimneys or when moving into a new property. CCTV inspection can cost an extra £80 to £250 depending on what needs to be checked.
Installing a Chimney Cowl or Cap
A chimney cowl or cap can help to improve and maintain airflow through the chimney, and also prevent birds from nesting and blocking the flue. Expect to pay around £80 to £200 extra to have this done when you get your chimney swept.
Heavy Soot Removal
If your chimney hasn't been swept for a while, or there is a heavy build-up of soot, your contractor is likely to charge more than the cost of a standard sweep. Your price could increase by between £40 and £120, depending on how much more work is required to remove soot, tar, and debris that's built up.
Hi, we have a gas fire, getting some large debris coming out the chimney. I’ve approached chimney sweeps but they need fire disconnecting?
"The chimney should have a flue liner inside of it. Gas safe engineers can disconnect the fire, then they can either swap the liner or have the sweeps clean it and then gas engineer turn back on and test."
What's Involved in a Chimney Sweep?
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.
Due to the risks involved, most homeowners choose to hire a local professional chimney sweep.
With MyJobQuote, you can compare multiple quotes from chimney sweeps near you. It's fast, free, and there's no obligation to go ahead.
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 may close 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 build-up, or debris that could affect performance or safety concerns.
- Chimney Cleaning — In the UK, the majority of chimney sweeps work from inside your property. Using specialist rods and brushes, power-sweeping equipment, and industrial vacuums, they thoroughly sweep your chimney without needing to go up on the roof.
- Final Steps — The contractor or their assistant will clean the firebox and smoke shelf with a long-handled brush and vacuum to remove any remaining soot.
Checklist: Find a Chimney Sweep Near You
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:
- Are they members of a recognised chimney sweep trade body? Trade bodies like NACS, APICS, or the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps aren’t legally required, but they’re a good sign of training and standards.
- Do they have experience? Ensure the person you hire has plenty of experience with similar chimney setups and can provide evidence of their work.
- Will they provide a chimney sweep certificate? This provides your home insurance company with proof that the chimney has been professionally swept and checked.
- Are they insured? They should have public liability insurance in case anything goes wrong during the job.
- Will they take care of waste removal? Some sweeps include waste removal, but not all do, so it’s worth confirming in advance to avoid surprises.
- Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile to see what other homeowners are saying about their work.
- What if they are working on your gas fire? if the contractor is carrying out any work on your gas fire at the same time as sweeping your chimney, they will need to be registered on the Gas Safe Register.
FAQs
How often do you need to sweep a chimney?
How often you should have your chimney swept can depend on the type of fire you have. You should have a gas fire inspection, which includes checking the flue, every year. Fires burning smokeless fuel will need the chimney swept at least once a year, while chimneys for fires burning coal or wood burning stoves will probably need sweeping twice a year.
How do I know my chimney needs sweeping?
If black smoke is blowing back into your room once the fire is alight or you can smell a tar-like substance, these are strong indicators it's chimney cleaning time. Likewise if you can see or hear debris falling down the chimney, or it's coming up to heating season and you've not had a professional sweep since the previous year.
What happens if I don’t get my chimney cleaned?
If you don't arrange chimney cleaning on a regular basis to remove soot and other debris, it can cause smoke to re-enter your home rather than disperse properly. A blocked chimney also increases the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning as well as the risk of a chimney fire.
How do you sweep chimneys with wood burning stoves?
You should make sure the stove and flue are inspected and cleaned regularly. 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.
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 gases to escape easily. Your fire will also burn quicker with a clean chimney whilst also preventing heat loss.
Do chimney sweeps need planning permission?
No, chimney sweeping doesn’t require any planning permission or have any specific building regulations. However, you will need to liaise with any neighbours if your property shares a chimney with an adjacent property.
Can I sweep a chimney myself?
The only time you should sweep your chimney as a DIY job is if you have the correct experience and equipment. Chimney sweeping can be a dirty job without the right equipment, and some insurers may require proof that chimneys have been properly swept on a regular basis, which is why most people opt to hire a professional.
Do gas and oil fireplaces need sweeping?
Yes, while a standard chimney sweep may usually be associated with an open fire, it's also important to have a chimney inspection carried out with gas or oil fireplaces. This is to ensure the flue is clear, the appliance is operating correctly without any damage, and also reduces the risk of carbon monoxide.
What is a CCTV chimney inspection?
A CCTV inspection is a way of checking the inside of your chimney liner before deciding whether or not you need your chimney cleaning or any repair work carried out. It involves a small camera being fed into the chimney flue and inside the liner, checking for any damage, creosote build-up or even to see if any bird nest removal is required.
