Chimney sweep costs in the UK in 2025

A regular chimney sweep keeps your fire burning bright and guards against hazardous chimney fires. But what are the costs involved? Our expert guide has all the answers.

Keeping your chimney clean with an annual professional sweep is one house maintenance job you can't skip. It's vital to keep your fire working efficiently. It also safeguards you against the risk of chimney fires caused by blockages or a build-up of coal soot or wood tar.

But if you've never had a fire before, you might wonder how much professional chimney cleaning services cost. That's where we can help.

Here, we explore everything you need to know about chimney sweeping costs, including any additional costs you might need to budget for.

How much does a chimney sweep cost in the UK?

Most homeowners will pay an average of£90to have their chimneys cleaned by aprofessional.

However, as you can see from the table below, prices will vary depending on what type of fireplace you have and the fuel it uses. You'll also find costs are slightly higher in London.

Factors affecting chimney sweep costs

The chimney sweep costs above are a good starting point. However, the cost to clean your chimney will vary based on many different factors. They include:

Type of chimney

There is a huge variety of fireplaces in UK homes, and how a professional cleans them differs for each. They include:

• Open fire– Normally straightforward to clean as it's easier to access. The average price to professionally sweep an open fire is £90

• Inglenook fire– One of the most charming fireplaces you can have in a home, but the large size will cost you. You're looking at an average price of £200for a professional clean. However, for larger inglenook fires, this could be more like £250

• Wood burner– Often use stainless steel flue liners, which can be easier to clean. However, access can be fiddly as they are smaller and there are more components. The average cost for wood-burning fireplace cleaning is £90

• Unlined chimney(without a stainless steel or ceramic liner) – Coal soot and wood tar are more likely to build up on the rough surfaces of the chimney, which takes longer to clean, so costs are slightly higher. You're looking at approximately £105for a professional sweep

• Lined chimney(fitted with either a stainless steel or ceramic liner) – The chimney lining helps to speed up the sweeping process, so there are some savings to be had compared to an unlined chimney. On average, a lined chimney sweep with cost around £90

Type of fuel

The type of fuel you use (and how often you use it) has a bearing on how much a chimney sweep costs. They include:

• Gas– Produces no ash, soot, or creosote, making them virtually mess-free, but they still need to be swept once a year alongside a service. Cost-wise, you’re looking at approximately £85 for a professional clean. Remember that some gas fires need to be disconnected before a chimney sweep. You'll need aGas-Safe engineer to help with this

• Wood– Though charming, wood fires can build up wood tar easily if you don't keep on top of maintenance with a professional annual sweep. You're looking at paying approximately £90 for a wood stove chimney sweep

• Pellets– Pellet stoves burn compressed wood pellets, producing less ash and creosote. However, you're still looking at approximately £90for a professional sweep

Curious to know more about the cleaning process and how to prepare? Our expert advice guide to getting a chimney swept below has lots of handy tips.

Getting your chimney swept: Everything you need to know

Before you cosy up beside your first open fire, you'll need your chimney sweeping. This practical guide explains what's involved with a chimney sweep and how to prepare. And it's not as messy as you might think!

Learn more

Number of chimneys

Some chimney sweepers offer discounts for multiple chimneys in a home, so it's always worth checking. To give you a general steer, you're looking at paying £150for two chimneys to be professionally cleaned.

Also, don't forget to factor in the chimney of a traditional-style AGA, Rayburn or another type of wood-burning range cooker (if you're lucky enough to have one!). This will cost roughly £105 for a professional clean.

Frequency of cleaning

Not surprisingly, how often you keep up with regular chimney cleaning will impact the price. The cost of an annual chimney sweep is roughly £90.

However, if you've left it too long and the chimney is overdue a sweep, you're looking at £100(based on a chimney last cleaned over two years ago).

Type of service

Sometimes, your chimney might require more than a standard clean. For instance, you might have moved into a new home without records of when the chimney was last cleaned.

In this case, a professional sweeper might recommend a more specialised service, including a 'look-see' camera inspection. This survey will check you've not inherited a damaged flue (or a bird's nest in the chimney as part of the house sale!) and on average costs £175.

Discovered a bird has taken up residence in your chimney? You're looking at paying approximately £150 for abird's nest removal. However, it's important to know nest removal services are only available between September to February. This is due to the protection of live nests under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Regional variations

Like many trades, you'll pay a premium if you live in London or the South East. The average cost of a professional chimney sweep in London is £105. This is compared to the national average of approximately £90.

Call-out charges

It's also worth noting that many chimney sweepers issue a call-out charge, regardless of whether they sweep your chimney or not. This is to cover them in case the chimney is unsweepable due to access or is deemed unsafe to work with. They'll also charge you for a no-show if you forget the appointment.

It's a good idea to ask in advance what a professional sweeper's terms are and make sure they can access the chimney.

Why hire a professional chimney sweep?

First things first, always hire an experienced professional. By doing so, they'll most likely be a member of one of the leading associations, like the National Association of Chimney Sweeps or The Guild of Master Sweeps.

This means they are trained to a high standard, are up-to-speed on the latest guidelines for fire safety maintenance in the UK, and have the necessary insurance.

They can also offer other vital services, including:

• Insurance-recognised certifications – Proves to home insurers the job is completed correctly. Sometimes, an insurer may request an Inspection of the chimney's exterior on the roof. This might involve using a ladder or scaffolding (depending on the access), which will be an additional cost

• Cleaning and inspection – Sometimes, an inspection to look for blockages and damage to the chimney flue using cameras (or even drones, depending on access and visibility) is just as important as the cleaning itself

• Smoke evacuation test – A professional assesses the chimney's ability to vent smoke and gases from a fireplace efficiently and identifies any blockages, leaks, or structural issues that could cause smoke or harmful gases

• Supply and fit carbon monoxide alarms – It's a legal requirement that all homes with an open fire have a carbon monoxide alarm. Ask for one with a seven-year battery life, which costs approximately £30

• Specialist creosote and tar treatment removal– This is if the chimney has been poorly maintained. It's a labour-intensive process that will cost you. You're looking at paying roughly £600for this specialist treatment

Find affordable chimney sweeps near you

As you can see from above, the costs for a chimney sweep can be affordable – provided you keep up with an annual professional sweep. And it's a vital investment to keep your fire burning brightly and safely.

Finding an affordable chimney sweep professional is simple with Checkatrade. Just follow these three simple steps:

• Use a professional directory

Save time by using a professional directory (like Checkatrade!).

We're so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work up to £1,000. Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.

Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*

* Eligibility and T&Cs apply

• Read online reviews

A review from a previous customer is one of the best ways to check a tradesperson's professionalism.

At Checkatrade, we check all online reviews to ensure they're from real people and that trades meet our high standards.

We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.

• Compare quotes

Get at least three quotes from experienced chimney sweep professionals. That way, you can be sure you're getting the best tradesperson and price for the job. Search your postcode to get started.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a chimney sweep cost in the UK?

The average chimney sweeping cost is £90, though sweeps may charge more if your chimney has abnormal blockages or hasn’t been cleaned for over two years.

What's the price difference between cleaning a lined and unlined stove?

On average, a lined chimney costs around **£90. Meanwhile, an unlined chimney(without a stainless steel or ceramic liner) costs approximately £105. This is because coal soot and wood tar are more likely to build up on the rough surfaces of the chimney, which takes longer to clean.

Do chimney sweeps offer discounts for multiple chimneys?

Yes, some chimney sweepers offer discounts for multiple chimneys in a home, so it's always worth checking.

Can I clean my chimney myself?

While there's nothing to stop you from cleaning your chimney yourself, we wouldn't recommend it. Most home insurers require a professional sweeper to clean your chimney as part of their policy. Some even ask for a certificate as proof. Therefore, it’s not worth cutting corners, and hiring a professional is best.

How often should I have my chimney swept?

The National Association of Chimney Sweeps says fires burning smokeless fuel and gas and oil-burning appliance chimneys should be swept at least once a year. Meanwhile, wood-burning fires and bituminous coal should be cleaned quarterly if they are the primary heat source in your home and in constant use.

What's the cost of bird nest removal from a chimney?

You're looking at paying approximately £150 for a bird's nest removal.

How do I know if my chimney needs sweeping?

It’s important you can spot the signs that your chimney needs sweeping. Telltale signs to look out for include:

• A foul tar-like smell, even when the fire isn’t lit

• The fire surround is black from the soot

• Soot is falling into the hearth and room

• Dark smoke is coming out of the chimney

• The fire doesn’t burn strongly

• You suspect birds have nested

If you spot any of the above, it's time to call in the professionals.

How long does it take to have a chimney cleaned?

To clean one chimney that was last cleaned one year ago, a chimney sweep takes an hour on average to complete the job. However, if your chimney was last cleaned two years ago or more, a sweep may take closer to two hours.

Are there any seasonal discounts for chimney sweeping?

You may get a discount if you plan ahead and hire a professional chimney sweeper during the off-peak months of spring and summer. These times are less busy for chimney sweeps, as most homeowners schedule cleanings closer to autumn and winter.

Is it worth getting a chimney sweep?

Absolutely. An annual professional chimney sweep will keep your fire burning brightly all winter long and guard against hazardous chimney fires caused by blockages or a build-up of coal soot or wood tar.