Chimney Repair Cost Calculator & Price Guide

A chimney carries smoke, heat, and gases out of your house, and it sits exposed to weather on the roof. Small problems such as a cracked cap or loose mortar are inexpensive. Neglect them and water gets in, bricks crumble, and the repair grows into a rebuild.

The price depends on which part of the chimney is damaged, how it will be repaired, and how hard the roofline is to reach. The tables below sort the costs by component, method, and chimney type.

The same damaged area can be fixed in different ways. A small mortar repair costs far less than taking down and rebuilding a section.

Repointing replaces worn mortar between the bricks. It is a routine maintenance job on older chimneys. Rebuilding is for chimneys with bricks that are broken, loose, or leaning.

Masonry chimneys are common, but some homes have stucco-covered ones. Each type comes with its own repair methods and prices.

Most masons bill by the hour for small repairs and quote a job price for bigger ones. Roof access, scaffolding, and a tall chimney can add time.

A full rebuild is a structural job. It involves taking the chimney down to a sound base, laying new brick or block, and installing a new crown, cap, and flashing.

Liners are a separate topic. A flue liner protects the chimney walls from heat and combustion gases. A cracked or missing liner is a fire and carbon monoxide risk. If your chimney has no liner, or the liner is damaged, have a professional look at it before you light another fire.

• White staining or powder on the brick, which suggests moisture.
• Cracked or missing mortar joints.
• Spalling, which is brick faces flaking or popping off.
• Rust on the damper or firebox.
• Water stains on the ceiling around the chimney.
• A leaning stack or gaps between the chimney and the house.
• Smoke or smells coming back into the room.

Have a certified chimney sweep inspect the chimney if you notice any of these signs, or if you have not had it checked recently. The Chimney Safety Institute of America lists certified professionals at csia.org.

• Which part is damaged. Caps and flashing cost less than crowns, stacks, and liners.
• Height and roof pitch. A tall chimney on a steep roof takes more time and safety gear.
• Chimney material. Brick, stone, and stucco all need different methods.
• Extent of the damage. Surface mortar loss is minor; structural lean is not.
• Access. Scaffolding or a lift adds cost.
• Location. Mason labor rates differ by region.

The sources below describe the same work in different terms. One reports a typical repair with a wide ceiling that includes rebuilds. The other uses a median that sits well below its upper limit.

A cap replacement and a full rebuild would never share a single price. Ask the mason to name the exact repair method in the quote.

Repair makes sense when the damage is limited to mortar, the cap, the crown, or flashing, and the structure is sound. A rebuild is better when bricks are loose throughout, the stack leans, or the same repairs keep returning. Get a second opinion when a contractor recommends a rebuild, because the price difference is large.

A chimney is on the roof, near flue gases, and it carries a fire risk when repaired wrong. Cap replacement and a bit of sealant work may suit a confident DIYer at a low roofline. Repointing, crown repair, liner work, and anything involving the stack should go to a mason. Working on a roof also carries a fall risk.