By Muhammad Awais. Prices reviewed October 2026.
Chimney repair cost for a common fix, such as a new cap, a crown patch or sealing, falls between $205 and $975 nationally, with $605 as the typical figure. Larger work climbs fast: a new flue liner runs $1,350 to $5,800, and rebuilding a chimney from the roofline up can reach $15,000. The price depends on which part of the chimney failed, how tall the stack is and how hard it is to reach.
| Chimney repair | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common chimney repair, per job | $205 | $605 | $975 |
| Chimney cap replacement | $250 | $490 | $725 |
| Crown repair | $175 | $350 | $525 |
| Crown replacement | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Flashing repair or replacement | $300 | $800 | $1,300 |
| Repointing or tuckpointing the chimney | $500 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Flue liner replacement | $1,350 | $3,575 | $5,800 |
| Sealing and waterproofing | $150 | $405 | $660 |
| Partial rebuild | $1,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Full rebuild or replacement | $4,000 | $9,500 | $15,000 |
The parts of a chimney and what fixing each costs
- Cap. The metal cover with mesh sides keeps rain, animals and debris out of the flue. Replacement costs $250 to $725.
- Crown. The concrete slab across the top of the masonry sheds water away from the bricks. Hairline cracks can be sealed for $175 to $525; a broken crown is recast for $1,000 to $3,000.
- Flashing. Metal strips seal the joint where the chimney passes through the roof, the most common source of chimney leaks. Repair or replacement runs $300 to $1,300.
- Mortar joints. Weathered mortar lets water into the brick. Repointing the stack costs $500 to $2,500.
- Flue liner. Clay tile, stainless steel or cast in place liners protect the masonry from heat and gases. A new liner runs $1,350 to $5,800.
- Water repellent. A breathable masonry sealer slows water absorption for $150 to $660.
Warning signs worth a closer look
Chimney damage often starts small and stays out of sight. White staining on the bricks, called efflorescence, shows water moving through the masonry. Flaking or popping brick faces, known as spalling, follow freeze and thaw cycles in wet masonry. Rust on the damper or the firebox, damp patches on the ceiling or wall beside the chimney, and pieces of tile in the fireplace all point to water or liner problems. A leaning stack or wide cracks need prompt attention, since loose masonry can fall through a roof or into a yard. The roof inspection guide covers inspections that include the chimney exterior, and a chimney sweep can scan the flue with a camera.
Worked example: a tune up for a weathered chimney
A twenty year old brick chimney has a cracked crown, a rusted cap and bricks that darken after every rain. A chimney company quotes three jobs on one visit:
- Crown repair: $175 to $525, typical $350.
- Sealing and waterproofing: $150 to $660, typical $405.
- Cap replacement: $250 to $725, typical $490.
- Total: $575 to $1,910, with $1,250 typical.
Combining the jobs saves a second trip and second setup charge, and the crew needs to set up roof access only once. Many chimney companies also offer a small discount when an inspection and the repairs it finds are booked together. Leaving the cracked crown for another season usually leads to repointing or a partial rebuild, which costs several times as much.
Repair or rebuild
A partial rebuild, at $1,000 to $5,000, takes the stack down to sound masonry, often to the roofline, and relays it with new brick and a new crown. That is the usual answer when many bricks are spalled or the top of the stack leans. A full rebuild, at $4,000 to $15,000, replaces the chimney from the foundation or from inside the house and is reserved for structural failure or a chimney that no longer meets code. Owners who no longer burn wood sometimes remove the stack above the roof instead, then patch the roof deck, which avoids future maintenance altogether.
Cost drivers
- Height and roof pitch. Tall stacks and steep roofs need scaffolding, roof brackets and more time in harnesses.
- Access. A chimney over a garage or a single story section costs less to reach than one rising beside a third floor.
- Material. Matching old brick or stone, or rebuilding with stone veneer, raises the material bill.
- Flue type. Gas, oil and wood appliances each need a liner rated for their exhaust.
- Season. Chimney companies book up in autumn before heating season, and summer work is often easier to schedule.
- Region. The typical common repair of $605 becomes about $756 in states with costs 25 percent above the national average and about $514 where costs run 15 percent below it.
Who to hire, and what owners can do
Chimney sweeps handle caps, liners, crowns and inspections, and many hold certification from the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Masons rebuild stacks and repoint joints, and roofers handle flashing as part of their trade. Owners can watch for warning signs, keep the fireplace damper closed when not in use and book a sweep before the first fire of the season. Work on the roof itself, mortar work at height and any liner installation belong to professionals, and a liner fitted wrong is a fire and carbon monoxide risk.
Not included in these ranges
- Roof repairs around the chimney beyond the flashing.
- Interior ceiling and wall repair after a leak.
- Chimney sweeping and a camera inspection of the flue.
- Firebox, damper and smoke chamber work inside the house.
- Permits, which many cities require for rebuilds and new liners.
- Scaffolding rental on very tall or hard to reach stacks.
Chimney repair quote checklist
- Each repair listed separately with its own price.
- The cause of the damage named, with photos.
- Crown type: a patch, a coating or a new cast crown.
- Flashing material, and whether a counter flashing cut into the mortar is included.
- Mortar type and color matching for repointing.
- Liner material and its rating for the appliance it serves.
- Permit responsibility and the inspection after a rebuild or liner.
- Warranty terms for leaks and for the liner.
Cost data note
Chimney rates average HomeGuide, Angi and Fixr figures, two publishers per line, combined by the method on the methodology page. The full rebuild range rests on HomeGuide alone, and most rows use the midpoint of their range because the publishers give no average for them. The chimney leak line in the roof leak guide, $175 to $3,500, covers leak fixes only and is kept separate. These figures belong to October 2026; the site reviews them every 3 months as a set.
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost to fix a chimney?
A common chimney fix runs $205 to $975, with $605 typical. Liners and rebuilds cost considerably more.
How much does a chimney crown repair cost?
Sealing cracks in a crown costs $175 to $525. A full crown replacement runs $1,000 to $3,000.
What is the price of a new chimney liner?
A new flue liner costs $1,350 to $5,800, depending on the material, the height of the flue and the appliance it serves.
Does homeowners insurance cover chimney repair?
Policies often cover sudden damage such as a lightning strike or a fallen tree, but not wear, water damage from neglect or old mortar. The policy wording decides each claim.
How often should a chimney be inspected?
Chimneys in use should be inspected once a year, ideally before heating season, and after any chimney fire or major storm.
Related masonry and roofing guides
The masonry calculators cover brick, block and mortar quantities, and the mortar calculator counts bags for repointing and rebuilds. The tuckpointing guide prices joint repair on walls and chimneys, and the roof leak repair guide covers leaks around the chimney flashing. More topics are listed in the guides section.