When thinking of chimney sweeping, most people can’t help but imagine Laurel and Hardy’s Dirty Work comedy. Nevertheless, chimney sweep forms an integral part of homeownership. A working fireplace will not only keep your house warm and homely but also contribute to your safety. So how much does a chimney sweep cost?
Basic Inspection Cleaning costs
The average chimney sweep cost for a basic inspection and sweep falls somewhere between $80 and $200, but it could be more depending on your geographical location and the presence of abnormal blockages in your chimney flue. Notably, some chimney sweep companies charge separately for the inspection.
The basic routine is recommended for chimneys that are frequently cleaned and are functional. The chimney professional will check the fireplace components and the chimney’s exterior.
They can use a flashlight to inspect the chimney’s interior and check for obstructions. While carrying out this service, a chimney sweep should identify damage on the exterior chimney and recommend additional chimney repairs.
Chimney Sweep and Repair
Blockages and associated repairs will determine how much does a chimney sweep costs. If a chimney inspection service identifies serious blockage in the flue, you will have to replace the chimney cowl to prevent objects like nests from falling in.
A cowl may cost between $40 and $ 60, depending on material and design. Hiring someone to fix it using a ladder may cost between $200 and $300. However, if the roof is steep and scaffolding is needed, the costs may increase.
Chimneys with significant damage may require some structural deconstruction for the chimney cleaner to ascertain the degree of the damage. In such instances, the chimney sweep and associated repairs may cost you between $1000 and $5000.
Who you hire matters
Not all chimney cleaners have a good relationship with honesty. Be cautious of costs that are too much or too little. The only way to ascertain a cleaner is being honest with repair recommendations is by requesting pictures of the chimney’s interior and other areas out of sight.
It is also important to be wary of chimney cleaners who advertise their services door-to-door. In most cases, they may entice you by quoting exceedingly low prices then quickly increase costs after you allow them in. Oftentimes, companies that solicit for door-to-door chimney sweeping jobs lack a reputation worth writing home about.
Before you hire any company, do some basic research to discover how much does a chimney sweep costs in your region. Seek multiple quotes and select the most suitable. Never settle for a verbal quote, even when dealing with a reputable company.
Quotes offered verbally may easily become subject to change when the actual work is being done. In line with this, insist on a detailed list of all service charges to determine how much does a chimney sweep can cost you, and avoid unpleasant surprises.
Chimney sweeping is a real-life example of “a stitch in time saves nine”. Frequent maintenance and repairs, especially when regularly used, will cost you much less.
On the contrary, if soot, ash, and the highly flammable creosote are left to accumulate, they may cause serious safety problems and damages, which may affect how much your chimney sweep costs. If you are looking to spend less, remain safe, and stay warm, make an annual appointment with a chimney sweep and give your fireplace the dignity it deserves.