Chimney liner cost: installation and replacement
A chimney liner costs $1,500 to $4,000 on average to install, according to HomeGuide, and relining a chimney, which includes taking out the old liner, costs $1,200 to $4,600 in both HomeGuide's and Fixr's figures. Fixr puts the national average for a new liner at $2,500. A stainless steel liner runs $900 to $3,800 installed and a clay or cast-in-place liner $2,000 to $7,000, HomeGuide says. Where the 2021 International Residential Code is adopted, a masonry chimney is required to have one: "Masonry chimneys shall be lined" (R1003.11).
| Liner type | Installed cost (HomeGuide) | Lifespan (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (gas appliances only) | $625 to $2,250 | 5 to 15 years |
| Stainless steel | $900 to $3,800 | 15 to 25 years |
| Clay or terracotta tile | $2,000 to $3,500 | 15 to 50 years |
| Cast-in-place | $2,000 to $7,000 | 50 years |
Cost to replace chimney liner
| Item | HomeGuide |
|---|---|
| Remove an old steel liner | $250 to $800 |
| Remove old clay tiles | $500 to $2,500 |
| Install a new steel liner | $900 to $3,800 |
| Average total to reline | $1,200 to $4,600 |
What drives the price is the old liner. Fixr says an old aluminum or flexible stainless steel liner can be pulled out in one piece, while an old clay liner has to be removed tile by tile, and that removal is billed at $75 to $150 an hour on top of the new liner. It is not always needed: HomeGuide says a new steel liner may fit inside old clay tiles or a cast-in-place liner, and a cast-in-place liner can be installed over clay tiles to fill gaps and cracks. Before any new liner goes in, HomeGuide says the chimney needs a cleaning and a Level 2 inspection with a camera.
Chimney liner installation cost
| Part of the job | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection and cleaning first | $150 to $250 | HomeGuide |
| Liner material | $10 to $120 per foot | HomeGuide |
| Labor, stainless steel or aluminum | $500 to $1,500 | HomeGuide |
| Labor, average liner installation | $500 to $1,500 | Fixr |
| Labor, cast-in-place | $800 to $3,000 | HomeGuide |
| Insulation wrap for a steel liner | $8 to $15 per foot | HomeGuide |
| Insulation for a stainless steel liner, installed | $300 to $800 | Fixr |
| Permit and its inspections | $100 to $150 or more | HomeGuide |
HomeGuide says installation takes 4 to 8 hours on average, and Fixr says most jobs on a single-family home with a straight flue and one appliance connection can be done in a day. Both name the same cost drivers: a high or steep roof, more than one flue, several appliance connections, and offsets or bends. HomeGuide says chimneys with offsets and bends cost more and may need a cast-in-place liner instead of a stainless steel insert.
Stainless steel chimney liner cost
| Stainless steel liner | Material per foot | Installed per foot |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid (straight flues only) | $30 to $50 | not given |
| Flexible (one piece, up to 50 feet) | $20 to $90 | not given |
| Single wall | $20 to $40 | $35 to $70 |
| Double wall | $40 to $90 | $50 to $160 |
A whole stainless steel liner costs $900 to $3,800 installed, HomeGuide says, and HomeGuide calls it the most common type. Fixr says most professional companies recommend stainless steel because it is compatible with any appliance. Fixr says a double-wall liner has a smooth inner wall and tends to collect less creosote. Wood burning usually adds insulation to the bill. Answering which stainless steel liners require insulation, CSIA says liners used with solid fuel-burning appliances need to be insulated, while liners for gas- and oil-fired appliances do not need insulation to meet the manufacturers' installation and warranty requirements. It adds that some manufacturers list a liner for use without insulation if it conforms to the NFPA 211 construction requirements, but that this is almost impossible to confirm without destroying the chimney.
Do I need a chimney liner?
For a masonry chimney, yes, where the International Residential Code is adopted. Section R1003.11 of the 2021 IRC says masonry chimneys shall be lined, with lining material appropriate for the type of appliance connected, in line with the appliance listing and the manufacturer's instructions. The code accepts four kinds of lining for residential appliances (R1003.11.1):
- Clay flue lining complying with ASTM C315.
- Listed and labeled chimney lining systems complying with UL 1777.
- Factory-built chimneys or chimney units listed for installation within masonry chimneys.
- Other approved materials that resist corrosion, erosion, softening or cracking from flue gases and condensate at temperatures up to 1,800°F.
Gas appliances follow the code's gas chapter, Chapter 24 (R1003.11.3). Where a flue is relined with a material outside that list, the code requires a permanent label near where the connector enters the chimney, naming the only type of appliance and fuel the flue may serve (R1003.11.6). The stakes show in a chimney fire: CSIA says the heat can melt mortar, crack tiles, cause liners to collapse and damage the outer masonry, whether the flue is an older unlined type or tile lined.
Chimney liner repair
| Repair | HomeGuide table |
|---|---|
| Cracked flue tiles | $250 to $1,000 |
| Resurfacing the flue | $2,000 to $3,500 |
HomeGuide's text gives different ranges from its table: $200 to $850 to replace cracked tiles or fix mortar joints, and $500 to $15,000 to resurface an entire flue. HomeGuide calls repairing a liner a temporary solution and says most professionals recommend a new flue liner instead. It also says a video inspection shows the extent of the damage and whether repair is possible. If the damage came from a chimney fire, CSIA says most chimney fire damage is considered a covered loss under homeowners' insurance, and to have the sweep document the damage and any creosote with photos before the chimney is swept. Other repairs to the chimney are priced in chimney repair cost.
How to know if chimney liner needs replacing
HomeGuide and Fixr list the same warning signs: cracks or visible deterioration in the flue, condensation, draft, soot or creosote problems, smoke that does not leave the home efficiently, and unusual smells from the fireplace. HomeGuide adds broken clay pieces in the firebox and corrosion or warping of a metal liner; Fixr adds white powder inside the fireplace with a clay liner, which it says is a sign the liner is crumbling. As a rule of thumb, both say to plan on replacing a liner every 15 to 20 years; Fixr says an aluminum liner should be replaced at least every five years. The way to know for sure is a camera inspection: see chimney inspection levels and costs.
HomeGuide also warns of scams in which an inspector claims a chimney is dangerous and needs a full relining when there may be no damage, and says to check reviews and get several estimates. Ask for the inspection video.
Chimney liner inspection
Before a liner goes in, HomeGuide says the chimney needs cleaning and a Level 2 inspection with a camera, which checks the condition of the mortar joints and makes sure the thimbles where appliances enter are correctly sized and isolated from combustibles; it prices a Level 2 inspection at $100 to $600. Fixr puts a Level 2 inspection with a basic sweep at about $400 and recommends at least a Level 2 inspection within six months after a new liner is installed. Fixr also says to have the liner inspected before connecting a new appliance, since some liners won't fit the new appliance correctly. CSIA describes the camera work in its guide to evaluating a chimney after a fire: a small video camera on sweep rods is run through the chimney and the flue tiles are checked for cracks. Most liner warranties, HomeGuide says, require professional installation and an annual inspection.
To get quotes for a liner, a reline or the inspection that comes first, use the form below and we will send your request to a company that serves your ZIP code. Yearly care of a lined chimney is covered in chimney sweep and how often a chimney should be swept.
Chimney liner: common questions
What is a chimney liner?
How much does a chimney liner cost?
How much does it cost to replace a chimney liner?
Is a chimney liner necessary?
How long does a stainless steel chimney liner last?
Is it legal to install a chimney liner yourself?
What size chimney liner do I need?
Sources
- HomeGuide, chimney liner cost, page dated February 9, 2026: homeguide.com
- Fixr, chimney liner installation cost, updated January 31, 2025: fixr.com
- International Code Council, 2021 International Residential Code, chapter 10, section R1003: codes.iccsafe.org
- Chimney Safety Institute of America, Homeowner resources and FAQs (liner insulation): csia.org
- Chimney Safety Institute of America, "Preventing Chimney Fires": csia.org
- Chimney Safety Institute of America, "What you need to know after a chimney fire": csia.org