How Much Does a Chimney Cap Replacement Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $75 - $500
The average chimney cap costs $300, but often ranges between $75 and $500, depending on size, shape, and materials.
The average chimney cap replacement cost is $300, though it can range between $15 and $1,000. A functional chimney cap protects the inside of your chimney and home from wildlife intrusion, debris, and water entering your chimney and fireplace. Discover the factors that make up the cost of replacing your home's chimney cap.
- Average
- $300
- Low end
- $15
- high end
- $1,000
Chimney Cap Replacement Cost Factors
Your chimney cap’s size, shape, material, and other factors will influence your replacement costs.
Chimney Cap Size
The size of your chimney and flue will determine the size of the chimney cap your home will need. Additionally, if your chimney has multiple flues, you can choose to cap each one individually or install a chimney cap that accommodates both or all of them. The size of the cap your home needs is one of the primary cost factors.
| Chimney Cap Size (Inches) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 6 x 6 | $50–$250 |
| 8 x 10 | $75–$300 |
| 8 x 17 | $100–$400 |
| 13 x 13 | $100–$400 |
| 14 x 37 | $200–$450 |
| 17 x 29 | $300–$500 |
Chimney Cap Material
You can select from three chimney cap materials: galvanized steel, stainless steel, and copper.
Galvanized Steel
Galvanized steel has the lowest durability out of the three but also comes with the lowest cost. A galvanized steel chimney cap will cost anywhere from $15 to $200, depending on the gauge of the steel and the size.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel chimney caps are the next level up regarding strength and durability—these chimney caps usually last longer than their galvanized counterparts. Expect to pay around $50 to $500 for a stainless steel chimney cap.
Copper
Copper is considered the top tier of chimney caps. This type of cap has one of the most pleasant aesthetics while standing up to debris, rain, snow, and critters. When shopping for a copper chimney cap, expect to pay around $150 to $900, depending on size and shape.
Chimney Cap Shape
The shape you choose or need for your chimney cap can impact its price. Round, square, and rectangular versions are the most common, with prices ranging from low to moderate. Oval chimney caps will likely cost up to $100 more to install, while custom shapes and sizes will demand premium prices.
Chimney Type
Masonry chimneys are the most common in standard homes. However, stone, metal, and framed versions exist. While a stone chimney may share qualities with a masonry one, expect higher average prices if its shape or form is unusual. Metal and framed chimneys may also command higher chimney cap installation prices due to the potential need for extra fitting work or material protection.
Season
While the season you choose for chimney replacement isn't a significant cost factor, choosing spring or autumn for the work can help you realize the best prices. Summer is often busy for installers, who may charge a premium for the work, while winter work may cost more due to the safety issues that could come with working in cold and snow.
Labor
Typically, labor makes up about 50% of the project's total cost. However, it's likely to take up more, as most homeowners often buy the chimney cap separately before a chimney repair company installs it.
Prep Work
You should ideally have a clear spot for the chimney cap to go. Your best bet is to hire a chimney sweep to handle the job. Chimney sweeps cost anywhere from $130 to $380—and you can also ask if they install chimney caps.
Custom vs. Prefabricated Chimney Caps
Custom chimney caps have gained popularity in recent years. They allow you to choose more stylish options that aren’t necessarily available from prefabricated options. Custom chimney caps can range anywhere from $200 to $1,000, depending on the shape, colors, and type of material requested.
Chimney Cap Ongoing Costs
Chimney caps are something of a set-it-and-forget-it home protection item. However, some ongoing care may be necessary from time to time.
Maintenance
If your home is in a location with a lot of wildlife around, it's wise to check your chimney cap annually for critters that may try to turn it into a home. The inspection can be part of your annual roof inspection.
Pest Control
If your roof inspection finds animals making themselves comfortable in your chimney or its cap, pest control services cost between $110 and $260, on average.
Repairs
Severe weather, wind, tree branches, and pests can all cause issues for your chimney cap. If your inspection finds that repair work is necessary, prompt attention may be necessary to make sure the cap doesn't cause venting problems.
DIY Chimney Cap Replacement vs. Hiring a Pro
Any time you're up on a ladder or your roof, you risk your safety. But danger aside, there’s also a chance that you won’t properly install the chimney cap, which could cause lots of problems down the road that will require professional help anyway. It’s always best to call a chimney cap professional near you to handle the job.
Signs You Need a Chimney Cap Replacement
If your chimney cap shows signs of damage, prompt attention may be necessary. A collapsed chimney cap can produce venting problems for your fireplace, which can be dangerous. Chimney cap repair costs are similar to replacement costs. If the cap just requires some minimal reshaping, you may be able to get by with reusing it. However, the best chimney cap repairs involve simply replacing it.
Cost of Common Chimney Replacement Add-Ons
While you're replacing your chimney cap can be a good time to knock off a few more items from your roof and chimney to-do list.
Chimney sweeping costs: $130– $380
Chimney inspection costs: $100–$5,000
Chimney repair costs: $160– $750
Roofing inspection costs: $125– $360
Roof repair costs: $390–$1,901
Gutter cleaning costs: $120–$235
Ways You Can Save Money When Replacing Your Chimney Cap
Having a chimney cap on your home can provide several benefits. However, the task of putting on one is often lost in the pile of other home repair and maintenance tasks, or it's put aside for more visible and satisfying projects, especially if you're not excited about spending much on the chimney cap. In that case, there are a few ways to help control the cost of chimney cap installation to make the job a bit more palatable.
Talk to your roofing company during your reroofing project to see if it has any materials lying around that you could purchase at a discount.
Avoid purchasing a custom chimney cap if possible, and install off-the-shelf versions instead.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
A chimney cap is necessary to keep your fireplace running smoothly—and your home safe. One of the main reasons to install a chimney cap is that it helps keep away wild animals, such as birds and squirrels, and protects from debris entering the rest of the system.
Chimney caps have a solid top but perforated sides so smoke can exit safely. If rain or snow falls downward, chimney caps can protect the chimney’s interior. Just note that if rain or snow blows in sideways, there’s a higher likelihood it will enter the chimney—but it's not often a cause for concern as long as you have a cap.
Most chimney caps will last between three and 25 years, depending on the material and climate. You can up your chances of a chimney cap lasting to the end of its typical lifespan by doing minor repairs as needed. Remember that it likely won’t last as long if you live in an area with severe weather—no matter how much maintenance you do on it.
Ideally, your chimney cap should be at least 8 inches above the top of the flue, though it's better if it's even higher. You want it to sit that high because it won't affect the chimney's draft, which pulls the smoke up and out of your chimney and away from your home.