Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Styles & brands we work with
- Sweep & inspection
- Caps & crowns
- Flue relining
- Masonry repair
- Gas fireplace service
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterHow Much Does Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Cost in Durham?
A standard chimney sweep in Durham typically costs $150 to $280 for a single flue, and most homes land near the middle of that range. A Level 2 inspection, which many older Durham homes need at the first visit, usually runs $250 to $450 depending on the flue configuration. If the technician finds a damaged crown or a deteriorated liner, repair adds to the bill, so we always quote that separately before anyone touches a tool.
We’re Durham Chimney Sweep, and we’ve been sweeping and repairing flues here since 2015. Fireplaces in Durham’s older neighborhoods are working systems, not decoration, and the price of keeping one safe reflects the actual condition of the flue. Call (866) 389-3509 for a free estimate. We answer 24/7.
Key Takeaways
- Standard sweep: $150 to $280 per flue in Durham.
- Level 2 inspection: $250 to $450, and it’s the normal starting point for a home you just bought.
- Chimney cap installed: $180 to $420, an inexpensive way to keep rain and animals out of a flue.
- Liner resurfacing with HeatShield: $1,400 to $2,800 for a typical masonry flue.
- Every price is set by a written estimate, and the estimate is free.
Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Cost Breakdown (2026)
Here’s what the work costs across the Durham market in 2026. Ranges reflect a single-flue chimney in working order. Anything we find beyond that is quoted before we start.
| Service | Typical estimated range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Standard chimney sweep (one flue) | $150 – $280 | Brush and vacuum cleaning from firebox to flue top, creosote removal, visual check |
| Sweep with two flues | $260 – $430 | Same process run on a second flue, often a furnace or wood stove |
| Level 2 camera inspection | $250 – $450 | Video scan of the flue, all sides of the chimney, crown and cap check |
| Chimney cap install | $180 – $420 | Multi-flue or single-flue cap sized to the opening |
| HeatShield liner resurfacing | $1,400 – $2,800 | Resurfacing a deteriorated masonry flue rather than tearing it out |
| DuraFlex stainless flex liner | $2,200 – $4,500 | Relining a flue that’s too far gone to resurface |
| Dryer vent cleaning | $120 – $240 | Full run from the dryer to the exterior termination |
| Crown repair or rebuild | $350 – $1,600 | Patching minor cracks up to a full crown replacement |
| Wood stove or insert sweep and check | $180 – $320 | Cleaning plus a check on the connector pipe and clearances |
Prices move for three main reasons: how much creosote is in the flue, how hard it is to reach, and whether the chimney needs a repair to stay safe. A flue with heavy, glazed creosote takes longer to clear than one with light soot, and that labor shows up in the price. A chimney with a steep roof pitch or a difficult ladder setup also raises the number. And when the technician finds a cracked crown or a liner that’s already failed, the sweep cost stops being the whole story. We don’t sweep a chimney we know is unsafe, and we don’t leave a homeowner guessing about the price of the repair. You get a written estimate.
A single flue is the normal starting point. Homes with a wood stove in the basement or a furnace flue alongside the fireplace often need two, and that’s where the second-flue price comes in.
What Affects Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Pricing in Durham
- Creosote buildup. Light soot sweeps out quickly. Glazed, tar-like creosote from burning unseasoned wood takes more time and more passes, and it’s the buildup that actually starts chimney fires.
- Number of flues. Each flue is its own system and its own cleaning job. A chimney serving a fireplace and a furnace is two cleanings, not one.
- Roof pitch and access. Durham has plenty of steep-pitch roofs on older homes, and some chimneys sit on gable ends where setting up takes real time. The safe setup is part of the job.
- Condition of the flue liner. A flue with missing or cracked liner tiles can’t be swept safely until it’s addressed. Older masonry chimneys in established neighborhoods are where this comes up most.
- Whether you want a camera inspection. A Level 2 scan adds to the visit, but it’s the only way to see what the flue liner looks like from the inside. It’s what most new homeowners in Durham want before the first fire.
- Wood stove or insert vs. open fireplace. Stoves and inserts have their own connector pipes and clearance needs, which adds a step to the visit.
The one thing that doesn’t move the price is our drive. We serve Durham and the blocks around it, from the older homes near the Eno River to the neighborhoods off Hillsborough Road, and estimates are free regardless of where you sit. That’s not a marketing line. We’d rather quote the job and let you decide than have you skip a sweep because you didn’t know where to start.
How to Save on Chimney Cleaning & Sweep
Chimney sweeping is one of the cheaper home services you can buy, and small habits keep it that way. Here’s what actually keeps your bill in the lower part of the range.
- Burn seasoned wood. Dry, split firewood rated for a wood stove produces far less creosote than unseasoned wood. Less creosote means a quicker sweep and less risk.
- Sweep on a schedule. Once a year for a fireplace you use regularly, and it’s usually enough. Skipping a year lets creosote build, and that’s when the work gets expensive.
- Get the inspection done at the same visit as the sweep. Having us look at the flue while we’re already on the roof costs less than a separate trip.
- Install a cap before a problem starts. A cap keeps rain, birds and squirrels out of the flue. It’s a small job now versus a sweeping and repair bill later.
- Ask for a written estimate before any repair. We’ll never start a repair you haven’t approved in writing, and you’ll know exactly what you’re paying before we begin.
- Include the dryer vent. Dryer vents clog on their own schedule and are one of the leading causes of house fires the average homeowner never thinks about. Adding a dryer vent cleaning to a chimney visit is cheaper than a separate call later.
We’re Durham Chimney Sweep, and we work with professional-grade materials from brands chimney specialists trust: DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco and Copperfield. That matters for cost. A general handyman who sweeps a chimney on the side doesn’t stock liner parts or resurfacing systems, so when he finds a problem he sends you somewhere else. We diagnose and repair in one relationship, so you’re not paying two companies to look at the same chimney. If you’re ready for a quote, call (866) 389-3509. Fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday.
Why a Sweep Costs What It Costs
A chimney sweep is not a quick brush-out. The technician sets up a dust-control system, works from the roof down and the firebox up, and vacuums the whole run so nothing lands in your living room. On a Durham chimney built into an older masonry stack, that can mean removing a damper, working around a smoke shelf, and cleaning a flue that hasn’t been touched in years. The job exists because a neglected chimney is the one system in a home that, if neglected, can burn it down. That’s not a slogan. Creosote is flammable, and enough of it in the wrong place will ignite.
That’s also why we push inspections when a flue is in question. A camera scan shows the liner condition from the firebox to the crown, and it tells us whether a sweep is enough or whether the flue needs attention first. We use HeatShield liner resurfacing for masonry flues that have deteriorated, and DuraFlex flexible liner systems when the flue is beyond resurfacing. Both let us restore a working flue instead of telling you to live with it.
And we sweep more than chimneys. Dryer vents and chimneys share one job: safely moving heat and combustion byproducts out of your home. A clogged dryer vent is a fire hazard most chimney-only companies never look at. We do, because it’s the same job.
If you want the full picture of what we cover, take a look at what Durham Chimney Sweep does and where we work around Durham. Both give you a sense of the neighborhoods and the homes we see most, and the older masonry chimneys that show up in those areas are exactly where a proper inspection pays for itself.
What’s Included in the Price
A sweep at the quoted price includes the full flue cleaning, a visual check of the firebox, damper and smoke chamber, a look at the crown and cap from the roof, and a written report of anything we found. You also get the written estimate for any repair before we leave, so there’s no second visit to find out what it costs. A camera inspection is a separate line item, and we recommend it whenever the flue hasn’t been looked at in a while or the home is new to you.
We don’t charge for the estimate itself. The price is set per job by the written estimate, and that’s the final number unless you approve a change in writing. That’s the same whether you need one flue swept or a full relining.
FAQs – Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Cost
How much does a chimney sweep cost in Durham in 2026?
A standard chimney sweep in Durham runs $150 to $280 for one flue in 2026, with most homes near the middle of that range. A Level 2 camera inspection adds $250 to $450 if you want one at the same visit. Call (866) 389-3509 for an exact quote for your chimney; estimates are free.
How often should I have my chimney swept?
Once a year is the normal schedule for a fireplace you use regularly, and it’s the cheapest way to keep the flue safe. If you burn wood occasionally or have a wood stove, that schedule still holds. Skipping a year can turn a $150 sweep into a repair bill, so a yearly visit is the low-cost path. Call (866) 389-3509 to get on the schedule.
Is it cheaper to sweep my chimney or have the liner replaced?
A sweep is almost always cheaper: $150 to $280 versus $1,400 to $4,500 for liner resurfacing or replacement. The question is whether the flue is safe enough to sweep. A failing liner means the sweep won’t solve the problem, and we’ll tell you that with a written estimate before you decide. Call (866) 389-3509 and we’ll look at it with you.
Can you come today?
Same-day service is often available, and fast dispatch runs from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. If you need a sweep before the season starts, calling ahead is the surest way to get on the schedule. Call (866) 389-3509. We answer 24/7.
Do you clean dryer vents too?
Yes. Dryer vent cleaning runs $120 to $240 in Durham and it’s a core part of what we do, not an add-on. A clogged vent is a documented fire hazard, and it’s easy to ignore until it isn’t. Call (866) 389-3509 to get it cleaned and checked in the same visit.
Get a Free Estimate
Pricing on this page reflects the Durham market as of 2026, and the written estimate you get is the final number. We’ve worked on Durham chimneys since 2015, and we repair what we find so you don’t need a second company. Call (866) 389-3509 for a free estimate. We answer 24/7. Fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday, and we’re closed Saturday.
Pricing reflects the Durham market as of 2026. Durham Chimney Sweep offers free estimates – call (866) 389-3509.
Written by the team at Durham Chimney Sweep, serving Durham since 2015.
What Our Customers Say
"Cap keeps the birds out now, which after two springs of scratching noises is worth every penny."
- Tyrone Jackson"Fireplace had never drawn properly since we moved in. He found the damper was only opening halfway due to a bent linkage and fixed it in ten minutes."
- Holly Delaney"Level two inspection before we bought the house. The report was detailed enough to use as a negotiating point and he explained every photo in it."
- Simone Ellison