Chimney and Fireplace Removal Costs
| Type | Average Cost |
| Chimney Stack Removal (Above Roof Line) | $800 – $2,000 |
| Chimney Breast Removal (Below Roof Line) | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Remove Wood-Burning Fireplace | $500 – $1,000 |
| Remove Electric / Gas Fireplace Insert | $500 – $2,500 |
How much will it cost to remove a whole chimney?
Fireplace and chimney removal costs $3,000 to $6,000 for an entire demolition with ...
How much does chimney repair and removal cost?
Whether your chimney is beyond repair due to age, earthquakes, weather, or other events, chimney removal can be expensive. Full chimney removal involves taking out the entire chimney, including the portion inside your house, so you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 or more.
What is the average cost to clean a chimney?
- Sweeping a regular open fireplace with a single flue costs $149 – $185, which usually includes the cost of a Level 1 inspection.
- Cleaning a freestanding wood stove or pellet stove costs $159 – $225. ...
- Sweeping a wood-burning masonry fireplace is $159 – $200. ...
- Sweeping a wood-burning insert that must be removed costs $179 – $239. ...
What should I expect when removing a chimney?
- Roof leakage
- Plans to reclaim wasted space
- Improving home insulation
- Plans to stop using the chimney
- Local pollution ordinances or LEED certification
Is it a good idea to remove a chimney?
WARNING: While it is possible to remove a chimney yourself, it isn't a good idea unless you have home improvement experience, you're comfortable performing manual labor up on your roof, and you have a helper nearby to assist you and maintain safety as much as possible from the ground.
How much would it cost to remove a fireplace?
between $4,000 and $10,000A full fireplace removal costs between $4,000 and $10,000 on average, while a partial fireplace removal can cost as little as $500. Which one is right for you depends on your reasons for removing the fireplace and where the fireplace and chimney are located in your home.
How much does it cost to remove brick fireplace?
Fireplace and chimney removal costs $3,000 to $6,000 for an entire demolition with structural support and home repairs. A partial removal costs $500 to $2,500 for a wood-burning stove, gas fireplace insert, chimney stack, or breast. A large brick or stone chimney can cost $4,000 to $10,000 to remove.
How difficult is it to remove a chimney?
You should keep in mind at all times that chimney removal is a lengthy, difficult process which can potentially lead to serious structural concerns. It is best to have several people working on the project at once, and having experts on-hand may significantly reduce the risk of complications.
Will removing fireplace decrease home value?
But losing a fireplace can affect a home's appeal and possibly even its resale value, real estate pros say. A fireplace can particularly be viewed as a valuable amenity in colder climates, and removing one could even reduce the number of buyers drawn to a property, some agents say.
Can I remove the chimney from my house?
External chimney stack removal can be done from outside the building and, if done carefully, need not disrupt any internal decoration. An internal chimney breast can be removed at ground and/or first floor without having to remove the external stack.
Can a chimney be load bearing?
A fireplace is generally not load-bearing if it's located against the interior walls. Furthermore, gas and electric fireplaces are generally not load-bearing, as they don't require a chimney. Fireplaces with small chimneys also tend not to be load-bearing. Fireplaces are usually load-bearing because of the chimney.
Can you drywall over fireplace?
We talked to the experts, and this is what we discovered. It would be best if you did not use regular drywall around a fireplace as it is considered to be highly flammable. Instead, it would be best to surround the fireplace area with non-combustible materials such as stone, tile, marble, or metal.
How do you permanently close a chimney?
When it's time to use the chimney again, all you have to do is deflate the plug and pull it out. However, if you want to permanently close up your chimney, cutting out a foam insulation plug and placing it in the bottom of the chimney and caulking around it is the best method.
Do I need planning permission to remove a chimney?
Planning permission is required when: - removing the shared chimney stack (and pots) on a party wall. These tend to be external, above the roof level, and part of the character of the street, and therefore covered under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
Do you need a structural engineer to remove a chimney breast?
If you discover that the chimney breast you want to remove is real, then you will almost certainly need to contact a structural engineer. Actual chimney breasts form part of the structure of a house – once removed, the addition of support beams may need to be incorporated to support any masonry above.
How do you remove a chimney from an old house?
0:3514:48How to Take Down a Chimney From Inside a House : Remove Fireplace ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWell morning we're pretty high up. We actually got to take the chimney down from up.MoreWell morning we're pretty high up. We actually got to take the chimney down from up.
How much does it cost to remove a chimney?
The cost to remove a chimney averages between $2,000 and $4,000 for a full removal, including debris disposal. However, chimney removal costs vary from one chimney to the next for a number of reasons. In the table below, you can see real-life examples of what people across the country have paid for their chimney removal project.
What is a full chimney removal?
A full chimney removal involves the complete removal of the entire chimney, including the chimney stack (the part visible from outside the home) and the chimney breast ...
Why is it important to hire a chimney removal contractor?
Hiring an experienced chimney removal contractor to handle your chimney removal project is important for a number of reasons, but more than anything, it's for your protection. If the chimney removal is not handled properly, serious damage can be done to your home or surrounding property.
Does a chimney need to be removed?
If your chimney is located in the center of your home or a structural aspect of your home, then its removal will require more time and effort to safely complete, which will cost more as well. Another commonly overlooked factor that affects chimney removal costs is the contractor you hire to do it.
Is it dangerous to remove a chimney?
Likewise, when it comes to chimney removal, doing so improperly is not only dangerous but can negatively impact your home's value, too.
Is it cheaper to remove a brick chimney or a metal chimney?
Likewise, removing a brick chimney tends to cost more than removing a metal chimney due to the weight of the debris being removed and disposed of.
Chimney Removal Cost Breakdown
Chimney removal costs are heavily based on labor costs. This can be a dangerous job that requires professional help from local structural engineers and demolition crews.
Materials
During removal, demolition crews may need to insert steel beams for added support to prevent collapsing for $100 to $400 per foot. For demolition costs, expect masonry and brick demolition to cost about $25 to $50 per vertical foot.
Labor
You’ll need to hire a structural engineer for a consultation before the chimney removal process begins. This costs about $500. Then, hiring a demolition crew will cost about $50 per hour, per worker.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Chimney Yourself?
There’s a risk for chimneys to collapse during removal, so it is not advised to remove a chimney yourself. Even removing the chimney breast involves removing parts of a load-bearing wall. It’s also at least a two-person job. You’ll want to hire an engineer to examine the structure before hiring a local demolition team.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Chimney by Type?
You may opt for just a partial chimney removal or a full demolition, so the type of chimney removal can impact the final cost.
Full Demolition
A full demolition involves removing the chimney stack and chimney breast. The chimney stack is the portion of the chimney that you typically don’t see and extends beyond the roof, while the chimney breast is the part you see that typically surrounds a fireplace. Full chimney demolition costs $4,000 to $10,000.
Chimney Stack Removal
Chimney stacks are often removed if they are leaking or damaged. The cost for removal is about $1,000 to $1,500, but the cost may increase if you need roof repair afterward.
How much does it cost to remove a chimney?
Removing an entire chimney—stack and breast—costs $2,500 - $7,500 on average; however, chimney removal costs vary from one chimney to the next for a number of reasons.
Can you remove a chimney yourself?
WARNING: While it is possible to remove a chimney yourself, it isn't a good idea unless you have home improvement experience, you're comfortable performing manual labor up on your roof, and you have a helper nearby to assist you and maintain safety as much as possible from the ground. Even if all this is true in your case, ...
Can you chip bricks below the roof?
It may be a little more cumbersome to chip away the bricks below the roofline, but the process is still the same. When you get down to the firebox, you’ll have a hole in the wall that you’ll want to rectify as quickly as possible, since it will leave your home open to the elements.
Do you need a carbon monoxide detector for ventless chimney?
If you decide to go the ventless route, have a carbon monoxide detector installed. So far, none of the work you’re doing will affect the home’s structure. However, if your chimney extends below the floor and into the foundation, you’re looking at fixing floor framing and potentially some foundation work.
What are the most common types of chimneys?
Common types of chimney. There are a multitude of chimneys available today, each with their own costs and benefits, the most common are as follows: –. Masonry: These are probably the most common type of chimney, being made of brick, stone or mortar.
What are the parts of a chimney?
A chimney is made up of many parts, not just those on show. To help you understand the way in which your chimney functions we have compiled the below list of the main components with a brief description of each: – 1 Chimney stack: This is the part of the chimney that you will see on the roof of the house. It can be made of various materials and can be different heights. 2 Hearth: With endless design options, the hearth is the area surrounding the fireplace. It is heat resistant and protects the rest of the room from stray ashes and embers. 3 Chimney breast: This surrounds the flue and is the part you see from inside and sometimes outside the house. It is a long tunnel that spans the height of the house and opens up into the hearth on one or both floors of the house. 4 Flue: The flue is an integral part of the chimney as it is a tube starting at the lower fireplace and travelling up to the stack. It is how the heat and smoke from the fire travels up to the chimney stack and is encased by the chimney breast. 5 Fire cradle: Created from metal slats or mesh, this contains the coals and embers. 6 Chimney pot: The pot sits on top of the stack and extends the height of the stack, therefore making the chimneys’ draught more efficient.
What is the chimney flue?
Flue: The flue is an integral part of the chimney as it is a tube starting at the lower fireplace and travelling up to the stack. It is how the heat and smoke from the fire travels up to the chimney stack and is encased by the chimney breast. Fire cradle: Created from metal slats or mesh, this contains the coals and embers.
What is the area around a fireplace?
Hearth: With endless design options, the hearth is the area surrounding the fireplace. It is heat resistant and protects the rest of the room from stray ashes and embers. Chimney breast: This surrounds the flue and is the part you see from inside and sometimes outside the house.
Can you remove a chimney yourself?
In short, it is not a good idea to remove a chimney yourself. Firstly, you risk structural damage to your home which may mean unstable walls or holes which cause leaks and rot. Chimneys are heavy and cumbersome plus you would need to access the roof, all of which may lead to serious injury to yourself and your family.
Do you need to consult with neighbours for a chimney?
And if the chimney is part of a shared wall then you’ll need to consult with your neighbours for approval, under the Party Wall Act. One other important factor to consider is any other specialists tradespeople that you might need to involve in the project.
Do you need planning permission to remove a chimney?
Though you don’t need planning permission, the structural work of removing a chimney will need to comply with Part A of UK Building Regulations. To have the work approved you can either notify the local authority or hire an approved inspector to check the work, with the latter being the faster option.
Partial Vs Complete Chimney Removal Costs
The names involved giving an idea of what’s involved for each type of demolition.
Partial Chimney Demolition Costs
Partial chimney demolition is limited in the sense that it’s only restricted to certain parts of the chimney considered faulty or dangerous. Here, the significant costs involved in complete chimney demolition are avoided.
Complete Chimney Demolition Costs
Complete chimney demolition or removal seeks to tear down the entire chimney structure.
Standard Cost of Removing Different Parts of A Chimney
One of the best ways to estimate chimney demolition costs is by looking at its various components.
Chimney Stack Removal Costs
The stack is the projected part of the chimney that exits from the roof. This is mostly visible from outside the house. Demolishing the chimney stack needs to be done carefully to avoid damage to a roof.
Fireplace Removal Costs
Some homeowners may need their fireplace removed alongside the chimney.
Cost of Removing a Wood Stove
During chimney demolition or removal, a lot of areas need to be considered. Removal of a key component of the chimney such as the wood stove will attract a fee of around $500 to $1,000.
Cost to Remove a Fireplace by Type
You may have an electric insert present inside your fireplace. Removing that electric insert will cost you $750.
Cost Factors for Chimney and Fireplace Removal
You should now have a good idea of how much removing your chimney and fireplace will cost. Still, the bill you’re handed may feature a different amount due to certain cost factors. Let’s detail what those cost factors are in this section.
Related Questions
Demolishing your fireplace is not your only option if it’s constantly in the way. You can also pay professionals to relocate it to a different part of your home. The average cost of relocating a fireplace is $6,500.
How much does it cost to hire a chimney sweep?
Hiring a chimney sweep runs between $130 and $380 depending on the level of inspection and additional repair work. The moment you start dreaming about breaking out your fuzzy slippers, knitted blankets, and pine-tree-scented candles, add one more item to your checklist: a chimney inspection.
How much does it cost to inspect a fire?
You'll pay an average of $250 for this necessary service.
What is the leading cause of chimney fires?
Over time, residue builds up into a combustible material called creosote— the leading cause of chimney fires. On the most basic level, certified chimney sweeps will: Inspect your chimney for creosote and other obstructions. Remove creosote and blockages with a wire brush. Check for structural issues.
Do you need a chimney sweep inspection?
You may need a more extensive inspection when buying a home or getting ready to do construction, and you'll typically encounter three levels of chimney sweep inspections. Every time you light a fire in the fireplace or woodstove, a small portion of the burnt wood doesn't quite make it out of the chimney.
When to order a level 2 inspection?
Order a level-two inspection when putting your home on the market. Chimney sweeps may also recommend it before completing chimney updates like refitting the liner or chimney cap. The pro will use a camera to inspect the chimney and surrounding areas—like your attic and roof—more thoroughly.
Can you clean a chimney on your own?
In other words, handling all chimney inspections and cleaning on your own isn't the best plan. You can still win chimney owner of the year and save a whole bunch of money on repairs when staying safe.
Do chimney sweeps get free estimates?
However, you should still receive a free estimate before the sweep begins work. The cost breaks down by: Inspection. Cleaning.
How much does it cost to rebuild a chimney?
A complete chimney rebuild costs $1,000 to $3,500 to rebrick the stack above the roofline. A partial rebuild costs $600 to $1,000 to redo a small chimney or the top few feet of a large stack. A complete chimney replacement costs $4,000 to $15,000 to rebuild above and below the roofline.
How much does it cost to remove a fireplace?
Removing a fireplace costs $500 to $2,500 on average, depending on it's size, if the chimney breast needs demolishing, and if a gas or electric line needs capping. A partial removal that leaves the stack may require structural support for the chimney breast.
What is a complete rebuild from the roofline up?
A complete rebuild from the roofline up includes scaffolding and replacing any damaged flashing. Professionals match the color and consistency of the existing mortar and bricks and try to reuse any bricks that are still in good condition.
How much does it cost to replace a cracked brick?
Cracked bricks cost $20 to $30 per brick to remove and replace. Replacing the top few feet of bricks and repairing the crown costs $600 to $1,000 on average. Repointing a chimney costs $500 to $2,500 or $20 to $50 per row.
When to do a partial chimney rebuild?
Partial Chimney Rebuild – Recommended when only a few bricks are cracked, missing, or crumbling (spalling). A partial replacement rebuilds a full small chimney or the top few feet or courses of a large chimney above the roofline without scaffolding.
When do chimneys need to be rebuilt?
A chimney needs to be rebuilt when it's severely cracked and crumbling, spalling, leaning, deteriorating, or no longer structurally sound. Hire a chimney sweep or structural engineer to inspect and determine if the chimney needs rebuilding.
Is it dangerous to rebuild a chimney?
Rebuilding a chimney is dangerous, even with safety measures in place. The majority of masonry chimneys involved in fires had one or more construction defects. Plus, more than 500,000 people fall off a roof or ladder each year.
How much does it cost to clean a chimney?
Chimney cleaning averages most homeowners between $129 and $377. When cleaning, the professional will use a wire brush that is suited to the size of your chimney to scrub residue from the interior walls. They attach this brush to flexible rods which they can connect to extend it deeper into the flue.
How much does it cost to get rid of a chimney sweep?
The cost to have animals removed humanely and professionally varies from one species to another, but averages $175 to $500. Bats, for example, cost more than squirrels to get rid of safely.
Why do you need a chimney sweep?
It is best to have a chimney sweep come to your home to do an assessment of what is needed before you plan on how often you will have a chimney cleaning. This will be the single-most important factor in the cost of your chimney's upkeep as it will determine how often a chimney sweeper comes to your home.
Why does my fireplace smell like tar?
Odor: A rich tar smell emanating out of your fireplace is a sign you have creosote build-up. Weak fire: If your fire isn't as strong as it used to be, you probably need to have your chimney cleaned. Handle this as soon as possible because insufficient wood burning can lead to faster creosote deposits.
What is level 1 chimney cleaning?
It is necessary to ensure your chimney is safe to clean and use. Level 1 is "rolled into" the cost of your cleaning service. There are two other levels which get progressively more detailed. Level 2 will be necessary if you are going to do work on the chimney and Level 3 when there is definite structural damage.
Why is it important to clean a chimney?
Cleaning your chimney is an important task and must be done for the sake of your safety. If you haven't had your chimney cleaned in many years and use your fireplace regularly, the cost of the initial cleaning may be more expensive than any subsequent cleaning.
How much does it cost to clean a wood fireplace?
Wood fireplaces that receive regular maintenance price $85 to $100 per cleaning. Those with build-up from years of neglect could total as much as $800. Chimney cleaning kits run between $50 to $100. Using a wood-burning fireplace in the winter can lower your electric bills, not to mention its cozy appeal.
