Know what your chimney repair should cost
A 10 ft tall chimney repair costs $1,050 to $1,950 in 2026, about $150 per ft tall installed. Across every option it runs from $600 (crown or flashing repair) to $8,600 (rebuild above the roofline).
Four questions gets you an itemised range, adjusted for construction wages where you live. The whole number, up front, before we ask for anything.
What chimney repair work costs in 2026
| Project | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Repointing the masonry Raking out and replacing failed mortar joints | $1,050 – $1,950 |
| Crown or flashing repair The usual fix for a chimney that leaks | $600 – $1,100 |
| New flue liner Required after a flue fire or a failed inspection | $2,300 – $4,300 |
| Rebuild above the roofline Taking it down to sound brick and rebuilding | $4,200 – $7,800 |
Where the money goes
Masonry labour
$650 · 44% of the job
Brick, mortar and flashing
$390 · 26% of the job
Roof access and staging
$230 · 15% of the job
Debris removal
$120 · 8% of the job
Inspection and permits
$110 · 7% of the job
Chimney Repair cost by state
Labour is the part of this job that moves with geography. These are the same 10 ft tall project, priced against construction wages in each state.
- California $1,100 – $2,000 +4.6% vs national
- Texas $1,050 – $1,950 +1.3% vs national
- Florida $1,000 – $1,800 -6.0% vs national
- New York $1,100 – $2,000 +4.4% vs national
- Hawaii $1,100 – $2,100 +6.4% vs national
- Iowa $1,000 – $1,900 -4.2% vs national
- Idaho $950 – $1,750 -8.9% vs national
- Illinois $1,100 – $2,100 +5.4% vs national
- Indiana $1,000 – $1,900 -1.8% vs national
- Kansas $1,000 – $1,900 -4.4% vs national
- Kentucky $1,000 – $1,900 -4.3% vs national
- Louisiana $1,050 – $1,950 -0.1% vs national
Questions homeowners ask
How much do chimney repairs usually cost?
It depends entirely on which repair. Repointing a typical ten-foot stack runs about $1,050 to $1,950. A cap or flashing fix is a few hundred. A new flue liner is several thousand, and rebuilding above the roofline is the top of the range. Getting the diagnosis right matters more than the price.
What is the 3-2-10 rule for chimneys?
A chimney must extend at least 3 feet above the point where it passes through the roof, and at least 2 feet higher than anything within 10 feet of it. It is a building code requirement for draught and fire safety, and a chimney being rebuilt often has to come up taller than the original to meet it, which adds cost people do not expect.
Are chimney repairs covered by house insurance?
Sudden damage usually is, a lightning strike, a storm, a flue fire. Deterioration usually is not, because insurers treat crumbling mortar and a failed crown as maintenance. If the damage followed a specific event, say so when you report it and get the date right.
Can a handyman repair a chimney?
For a cap or a bit of sealing, often yes. For anything structural or anything touching the flue, no. Relining and rebuilds affect how combustion gases leave the house, and most jurisdictions require a licensed contractor and an inspection. It is also the work most likely to be looked at when you sell.
Reviewed and maintained by Anchorcost. Last checked September 3, 2026. Figures are verified against this page's own calculator on every build. How these figures are worked out.