Chimney repair: what it costs and who to call
Chimney repair costs $200 to $850 for common fixes like a cap replacement or crown repair, according to HomeGuide; bigger jobs such as a new liner ($1,500 to $7,000) or a full rebuild ($4,000 to $15,000) cost far more. Fixr puts the national average for chimney repair at $750, within a typical range of $250 to $1,200. Most repairs start with an inspection that finds what is wrong.
Chimney repair cost by repair
| Repair | HomeGuide |
|---|---|
| Chimney cap replacement | $200 to $850 |
| Crown repair | $200 to $700+ |
| Crown replacement | $1,000 to $3,000 |
| Small crack repairs | $150 to $500 |
| Flashing repair | $300 to $1,800 |
| Sealing and waterproofing | $150 to $820+ |
| Repointing or tuckpointing | $500 to $2,500 |
| Spalling brick repair | $1,000 to $3,500 |
| Smoke chamber parging | $800 to $2,000+ |
| Chimney liner replacement | $1,500 to $7,000 |
| Leaning chimney repair | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Partial chimney rebuild | $1,000 to $5,000+ |
| Full chimney replacement | $4,000 to $15,000 |
Fixr prices parts of the job separately: a cap at $100 to $250, mortar at $150 to $500, flashing at $200 to $300, the flue at $300 to $2,000 and the smoke chamber at $500 to $2,000. By chimney type, Fixr puts metal and prefabricated chimney repairs at $250 to $1,200 and masonry at $300 to $1,500.
Chimney flashing repair
Flashing is the metal seal that keeps water out where the chimney meets the roof. HomeGuide prices flashing repair at $300 to $1,800, depending on the chimney size, the flashing material, how easy the roof is to reach and how far the damage goes. It prices sealing chimney leaks at $150 to $500, and a full waterproofing at $800 or more. HomeGuide's advice is to catch problems early: a $200 repair today can prevent a $2,000 repair later if moisture damage spreads. Prices by chimney size and metal, the building code rules and the signs of failed flashing are in chimney flashing repair.
Chimney crown repair
The crown is the concrete slab at the top of the chimney, beneath the cap, that protects the brick and mortar from the weather. HomeGuide prices minor crown repairs at $200 to $700 and a full crown replacement at up to $3,000. The cap above it, which keeps out rain, snow, debris and animals, costs $200 to $850 to replace.
Flue tile repair
HomeGuide prices cracked flue tile repair at $65 to $100 per square foot and says a few cracked flue tiles can be repaired for $200 to $400, but extensive damage calls for a complete liner replacement. A new liner costs $1,500 to $4,000 on average, according to HomeGuide's chimney liner cost guide; prices by liner type, removal of the old liner and insulation are in chimney liner cost. Fixr says a Level 2 inspection uses a camera to see the structure, flue and liner; see chimney inspection levels.
Chimney repointing
Repointing removes deteriorated mortar between the bricks and replaces it with fresh mortar; HomeGuide says tuckpointing adds an extra step to improve how the masonry looks. HomeGuide's price table lists repointing and tuckpointing together at $500 to $2,500, and Fixr prices each at $500 to $2,500. HomeGuide's repointing section puts most chimney projects at $700 to $3,000 and says labor makes up about 90% of that cost, because the work is detailed and time-consuming. Spalling brick, where the face of the brick flakes off, costs $1,000 to $3,500 to repair depending on how widespread it is.
Permits, labor and who does the work
HomeGuide says professional chimney repair runs $50 to $200 an hour, that some major repairs need a building permit adding $50 to $200, and that the contractor usually handles the permit application. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends having chimneys checked every year by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and swept or repaired as needed, so the sweep who inspects your chimney is often the first call; structural masonry and rebuilds may go to a mason. Get the repair priced in writing, with photos of the damage, before work starts.
Chimney repair guides
Chimney repair: common questions
How much does it cost to repair a chimney?
Chimney repair cost
Chimney crown replacement
Does homeowners insurance cover chimney repair?
Who repairs chimneys?
Sources
- HomeGuide, chimney repair cost, page dated January 22, 2026: homeguide.com
- HomeGuide, chimney liner cost, page dated February 9, 2026: homeguide.com
- Fixr, chimney repair cost, updated January 31, 2025: fixr.com
- 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