How much does a chimney sweep cost in the UK?
A Chimney sweep costs £50 to £150 in the UK, typically around £80 per chimney. What moves the price most is the type of flue, so a simpler job sits near the bottom of that range and a larger or higher-spec one near the top. Prices reviewed June 2026.
A chimney sweep usually costs £50 to £150 per chimney in the UK, with most people paying around £80 for a single flue swept and a certificate issued. The price depends mainly on the type of flue, how sooty or blocked it is and where you live.
Chimney sweep cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your Chimney sweep in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Chimney sweep cost breakdown
Typical Chimney sweep costs, by option:
| What you need | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Single open fire or flue, with certificate | £50 to £90 |
| Wood burner or stove flue sweep | £65 to £110 |
| Inglenook, tall stack or bird's nest removal | £100 to £150 |
What's included in the price?
Typical Chimney sweep prices include:
- Sweeping the full length of the flue with rods and brushes or a power sweep
- Sheeting up the fireplace and using a vacuum to keep the room clean
- A smoke or draw test to check the flue is clear and pulling properly
- A sweeping certificate for your records and home insurance
- Bagging and clearing away the soot and debris
What changes the price?
The things that move Chimney sweep prices most:
The type of flue, from an open fire to a lined wood burner
How sooty or blocked it is, and how long since it was last swept
Whether there is a bird's nest or blockage that needs removing
Access, such as a tall stack or a stove that has to be part-dismantled
How many chimneys are swept in the same visit
Your region
How the price is built up
The price is built around a sweep's time for a visit of roughly 45 minutes to an hour, plus travel, public liability insurance and trade body membership. A wood burner takes longer because the appliance often has to be part-dismantled to reach the flue, and a bird's nest or heavy soot build-up adds time and mess, which is what pushes a job towards the top of the band. A chimney sweep is almost entirely labour. There are no materials to speak of beyond the sweep's own rods, brushes and vacuum, so you are paying for their time, kit and travel, plus the certificate at the end.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Have a second chimney swept in the same visit, as the extra flue is usually £30 to £50 rather than a full call-out
- Book in spring or summer when sweeps are quieter, rather than the autumn rush before the heating season
- Sweep on schedule so soot never builds up, since a neglected flue takes longer and costs more to clear
- Get a couple of quotes from local sweeps registered with a trade body such as HETAS or the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, a Chimney sweep typically costs around £100, about 30% above the UK average of £80. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £75.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £50 | £80 | £150 |
| London | £65 | £100 | £200 |
| South East / South West | £55 | £90 | £170 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £45 | £75 | £140 |
Guide prices per chimney, scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
Chimney sweep cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £45 | £70 | £130 |
| Birmingham | £50 | £80 | £150 |
| Bristol | £55 | £90 | £170 |
| Cardiff | £45 | £75 | £140 |
| Edinburgh | £50 | £80 | £150 |
| Glasgow | £45 | £70 | £140 |
| Leeds | £45 | £75 | £140 |
| Liverpool | £45 | £75 | £140 |
| London | £65 | £100 | £200 |
| Manchester | £50 | £75 | £140 |
| Newcastle | £45 | £70 | £140 |
| Sheffield | £45 | £75 | £140 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for Chimney sweep, not quotes.
London and the South East run around £80 to £150, while much of the North, Wales and Scotland sits closer to £45 to £80.
Common questions
How much does a chimney sweep cost in 2026?
A chimney sweep typically costs £50 to £150 per chimney in 2026, with most people paying around £80. A standard open fire or flue is £50 to £90, a wood burner or stove flue is £65 to £110, and removing a bird's nest or sweeping a tall or awkward stack runs £100 to £150 or more.
What affects the cost of a chimney sweep?
The main factors are the type of flue, how sooty or blocked it is and how easy it is to reach. A lined stove flue, a bird's nest to clear, a tall stack and higher labour rates in the South East all push the price up. A second chimney swept in the same visit is usually only £30 to £50 on top, as the sweep is already there.
Do I get a certificate when the chimney is swept?
Yes. A professional sweep issues a sweeping certificate once the flue is clear, and it is dated and often shows the fuel type. Many home insurers, and most landlords letting a property with a solid fuel appliance, want to see one, and it is handy proof the flue has been checked before you light the first fire of the season.
Is it worth paying for a professional chimney sweep?
For a used chimney, yes. A blocked or heavily sooted flue is the main cause of chimney fires and can push carbon monoxide back into the room, so at £50 to £150 a sweep is cheap insurance against a fire or a repair bill that runs into the thousands. A professional also spots problems like a cracked pot, a failed liner or a nest before they become dangerous.
Can I sweep my own chimney?
You can on a simple, straight open flue, and a rod and brush set costs £30 to £60. The catches are that you get no certificate, so insurers may not accept the work, and it is easy to miss a partial blockage or damage a stove liner with the wrong brush. For a wood burner, an angled flue or anything you cannot see up, most people pay a sweep who can test the draw and issue paperwork.
How often should a chimney be swept?
It depends on the fuel. Wood and bituminous house coal need sweeping up to twice a year, or more if the fire is in constant use, smokeless fuel and oil need it once a year, and a gas flue once a year. An unused chimney still wants an occasional check for nests and debris.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.