How much does a chimney rebuild or replacement cost?
How much does a chimney rebuild or replacement cost?
A chimney rebuild costs $1,000 to $3,500 to rebrick the stack above the roof. A complete chimney replacement costs $4,000 to $15,000 to rebuild above and below the roofline. Fireplace replacement costs $1,000 to $3,500 to rebuild and remodel.
$1,000 – $3,500 Rebuild chimney stack from roofline cost
$4,000 – $15,000 Full chimney replacement cost
A chimney rebuild costs $1,000 to $3,500 to rebrick the stack above the roof. A complete chimney replacement costs $4,000 to $15,000 to rebuild above and below the roofline. Fireplace replacement costs $1,000 to $3,500 to rebuild and remodel.
Chimney Rebuild Cost
A complete chimney rebuild costs $1,000 to $3,500 to rebrick the stack above the roofline. A partial rebuild costs $600 to $1,000 to redo a small chimney or the top few feet of a large stack. A complete chimney replacement costs $4,000 to $15,000 to rebuild above and below the roofline.
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Partial Chimney Rebuild | $600 – $1,000 |
| Roofline Up Chimney Rebuild | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| Total Chimney Replacement | $4,000 – $15,000 |
Partial Chimney Rebuild – Recommended when only a few bricks are cracked, missing, or crumbling (spalling). A partial replacement rebuilds a full small chimney or the top few feet or courses of a large chimney above the roofline without scaffolding.
Roofline Up Chimney Rebuild – With significant deterioration, vertical cracking, spalling bricks, and damaged mortar joints, the whole stack must be torn down and rebuilt from the roofline up.
Total Chimney Replacement – Required when there's structural damage above and below the roofline, causing stack leaning, severe spalling, or mortar deterioration.
In all three cases, the chimney crown and cap are replaced.
Average cost to rebuild and replace a chimney
| National Average Cost | $2,200 |
| Minimum Cost | $600 |
| Maximum Cost | $15,000 |
| Average Range | $1,000 to $5,000 |
A chimney needs to be rebuilt when it's severely cracked and crumbling, spalling, leaning, deteriorating, or no longer structurally sound.
Hire a chimney sweep or structural engineer to inspect and determine if the chimney needs rebuilding.
A severely deteriorating or leaning chimney that goes unfixed eventually collapses and needs rebuilding immediately to prevent future damage.
Rebuild Chimney Stack Cost
A complete chimney stack rebuilding costs $1,000 to $3,500 or $100 to $300 per linear foot from above the roof to the crown. A partial rebuild costs $600 to $1,000 to rebrick a small chimney or the top few feet of a large stack with cracks, spalling, or missing bricks.
| Item | Cost Per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Single Flue | $100 – $300 |
| Double Flue | $200 – $400 |
*Costs vary depending on the chimney size, roof accessibility, scaffolding, level of deterioration, materials, design intricacies (corbelling or shadowing), additional repairs, and labor.
A complete rebuild from the roofline up includes scaffolding and replacing any damaged flashing. Professionals match the color and consistency of the existing mortar and bricks and try to reuse any bricks that are still in good condition.
Usually, only the outside bricks (show courses) have to be replaced when significant deterioration occurs and repointing is insufficient. The top part of chimneys degrades first, especially without proper maintenance of repointing and resealing the grout joints every five years.
Chimney Extension Cost
A chimney extension costs $1,000 to $3,000 on average, depending on the required material and height. Extending a chimney adds a few feet of height to the stack to get proper ventilation, meet building codes, or prevent embers from escaping.
| Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Metal | $1,000 |
| Masonry | $3,000 |
Chimney Replacement Cost
A chimney replacement costs $4,000 to $15,000 to rebuild above and below the roofline. A complete replacement is required when there's structural damage throughout that cracks the mortar. Typically, the firebox, smoke chamber, and hearth remain intact.
| Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Metal | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Masonry | $4,000 – $15,000 |
Additional costs for chimney construction may include:
Pouring a new concrete pad or chimney foundation
Designs and calculations to ensure the chimney draws properly
Constructing a new hearth, mantel, or smoke chamber
Installing a new chimney liner costs $1,500 to $4,000.
Damper installation
Permits and inspections
Fireplace Replacement Cost
Replacing a fireplace costs $1,000 to $3,500 on average, depending on if it's gas, wood-burning, or electric.
Replacing a gas fireplace insert costs $2,000 to $5,000.
Installing a new gas line costs $350 to $750 to connect the fireplace to the manifold.
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Replace Gas Insert | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Replace Gas Log Insert Only | $300 – $2,000 |
| Replace Full Fireplace | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| Install New Gas Line | $300 – $800 |
Cost To Rebuild Fireplace
Rebuilding a fireplace costs $500 to $2,500, including stone or brick refacing and mantel remodeling. Costs depend on the fireplace size and if the bricks or stones can be reused.
Alternatively, building a new fireplace costs $1,900 to $5,600, depending on if it's gas, wood-burning, or masonry.
| Method | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Remodeling / Refacing | $500 – $2,500 |
| Rebuild From Scratch | $1,900 – $5,600 |
Fireplace Removal
Removing a fireplace costs $500 to $2,500 on average, depending on it's size, if the chimney breast needs demolishing, and if a gas or electric line needs capping. A partial removal that leaves the stack may require structural support for the chimney breast.
Alternatives To Rebuilding Chimney
Damaged masonry chimneys that are still structurally sound can be repaired. Stacks that have collapsed or are beyond repair can be removed and completely replaced.
Cost To Repair Brick Chimney
The average cost to repair a brick chimney is $150 to $1,000. Repairing cracked bricks cost $10 to $20 per square foot to remove and replace. Replacing the top few feet of bricks and repairing the crown costs $600 to $1,000 on average.
Repointing a chimney costs $500 to $2,500 or $20 to $50 per row. Repointing or tuckpointing repairs crumbling and damaged mortar joints on brickwork to help support a stack that is still structurally secure. Repointing does not work if the chimney damage is substantial.
New Brick Chimney Cost
Brick chimney construction costs $100 to $300 per linear foot or $1,000 to $3,500 to install on average.
Building a masonry fireplace costs $3,500 to $5,600 more.
Therefore, a complete fireplace and chimney installation costs $3,000 to $9,000 total.
Chimney Removal
Removing a chimney stack costs $800 to $2,000 for everything above the roofline. Chimneys along the side exterior must be demolished entirely above and below the roofline for $2,500 to $7,000. A severely damaged chimney stack that's unused can be removed to reclaim wasted space.
An inspection from a structural engineer costs $350 to $900. Inspections are necessary when removing a chimney that compromises a home's structural stability.
Chimney rebuild FAQs
What Are Signs A Chimney Needs To Be Rebuilt or Replaced?
A chimney needs to be rebuilt or rebricked when it's severely cracked and crumbling, spalling, leaning, deteriorating, or no longer structurally sound.
Signs a chimney needs rebuilding:
Vertical cracking in the chimney stack
Damaged, cracked, or uneven areas of mortar
Chipped, cracked, missing, crumbling, or spalling bricks
Crumbling, cracked, or missing chimney crown
Cracked flue tiles
Old chimney is missing a liner, and the interior is coated in thick creosote
A leaning chimney stack with eroded mortar joints
Water damage posing a structural risk
What Causes Chimney Cracks?
Cracks in a chimney are caused by:
Improper construction
Water expansion
Chimney movement or tension from building stress
Thermal expansion
Excessive moisture seeping into bricks that freeze and thaw repeatedly
Important: Untreated cracks cause spalling, water and structural damage, and increases the chances of fire.
DIY Chimney Rebuild
Rebuilding a chimney is dangerous, even with safety measures in place. The majority of masonry chimneys involved in fires had one or more construction defects. Plus, more than 500,000 people fall off a roof or ladder each year.
Chimneys must also meet building code requirements to pass inspection. Chimneys require the right height, wall thickness, adequate clearance from combustibles, properly supported components, and should accommodate thermal expansion.
How To Rebuild A Chimney
Here are the steps to rebuild a chimney:
Prepare Masonry Cement – The mason or sweep analyzes the existing mortar and mixes the new mortar to match the consistency of the original.
Removing Old Mortar – The old mortar is removed using a hand rake, trowel, crowbar, or hard blows from a hammer. A hammer should be used as the last resort.
Replace Bricks – After removing the mortar, the old bricks are replaced with a new set one-by-one using fresh mortar. The mason replaces bricks one section at a time and gradually moves to other parts until all the old bricks are replaced.
Combustible Clearance – The professional ensures proper clearance of combustibles, insulation, and between the flue for the firebox.
Brick Patterns – The expert uses a trowel to draw the bricks' patterns and applies cement with the refractories to give the appropriate outlines.
Crown Replacement – The professional replaces the chimney crown and installs a cap to prevent water damage, protect the stack from deteriorating, and keep sparks contained.
Fireplace – In most rebuilds, the firebox, hearth, and smoke chamber remain. Otherwise, if the fireplace is pre-fabricated, the professional removes it from the panel and orders a new model to match the existing model's specifications.
Hiring A Chimney Rebuilding Company
Hiring a mason or chimney repair service ensures proper construction and limits the risk of a fire. Before hiring a chimney contractor, be sure to:
Get at least three in-person estimates to compare.
Ask for recommendations from family, friends, and neighbors.
Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide and Google.
Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for longer than five years.
Choose companies that are certified with the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).
Avoid selecting the lowest quote as quality may suffer.
Ask for a written contract and warranty.
Avoid making large payments upfront. Come up with a payment schedule for the work completed.
Questions To Ask
Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
Who's the project manager, and will you use subcontractors?
Will you obtain a structural engineer’s report?
Will you pull any necessary permits?
Are scaffolding, debris disposal, and cleanup included in your estimate?
Will you fix any roof damage after the stack is rebuilt?