The average cost to remove a chimney is $4,500, but it can range from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the size and condition of the chimney.
The average cost to remove a fireplace is around $4,500. Sure, fireplaces can be warm and cozy, but they're not the right fit for every home. Removing a fireplace from your home is a big task, involving at least a couple of dumpster loads of waste and a week or more of work in your house. However, sometimes it’s necessary, particularly if you want to join rooms, remodel your fireplace, or replace a damaged chimney.
Chimney removal costs an average of $4,500, though prices can range from $1,000 to $10,000. Homeowners may remove their chimney for many reasons, including an aesthetic preference or irreparable damage to the chimney.
The cost to remove a chimney can vary with several factors. For instance, some chimneys are actual structural components of a home, meaning the mason will need to rebuild structural support when removing the chimney, which adds to the cost. Chimneys that span multiple floors result in more debris to remove, which also increases costs. Height of the chimney can also affect the cost: You may pay about $2,000 to remove a two-story stack, while you could pay closer to $3,000 to remove a three-story stack.
Chimney removal costs are heavily based on labor costs. This can be a dangerous job that requires professional help from local structural engineers and demolition crews.
You’ll need to hire a structural engineer for a consultation before the chimney removal process begins. Structural engineers cost about $525.
You’ll also need to hire a demolition crew, which will cost about $50 to $100 per hour, per worker. And if you’re replacing the chimney, you’ll need to hire a masonry contractor to build the new structure.
During removal, demolition crews may need to insert steel beams for added support to prevent collapsing. These supports can run $100 to $400 per foot.
If you’re removing the existing chimney to install a new one, you’ll have additional material costs to consider, primarily brick and mortar. The total cost to replace a chimney can reach $15,000 or more in such instances.
The cost of debris removal should be factored into the labor costs you’re quoted, but it might be a separate line item on your estimate. You can spend up to $650 for a full truckload.
You may opt for just a partial chimney removal or a full demolition, so the type of chimney removal can impact the final cost.
A full demolition involves removing the chimney stack and chimney breast. The chimney stack is the portion of the chimney that you don’t normally see and extends beyond the roof, while the chimney breast is the part you see that typically surrounds a fireplace. Full chimney demolition costs $4,000 to $10,000.
Chimney stacks are often removed if they are leaking or damaged. The cost for removal is about $1,000 to $1,500, but the cost may increase if you need roof repair afterward. Roof repair costs between $375 and $1,800, but it can vary depending on the type of roof and extent of the damage.
Some homeowners choose to remove the chimney breast because it can take up a lot of space. Demolition crews will often need to add extra structural support during removal to protect the rest of the structure, and you may need to refinish the walls after the removal. The cost to remove a chimney breast is $1,500 to $2,500, but you may spend an additional $2,500 for new walls afterward.
The removal costs for prefabricated chimneys and masonry chimneys tend to differ. Reasons include the weight of each material, removal difficulty, and the potential for hazardous substances.
Prefab chimneys, sometimes called low-mass or factory-built chimneys, cost significantly less to remove than masonry chimneys. The metal, wood, insulation, glass, and veneer stone that make up a prefab chimney weigh less and are easier to remove than bricks and mortar. Hauling costs less due to the lower weight and the minimal risk of lead or asbestos in the materials.
The cost to remove a masonry chimney will vary depending on its height and location. Taller chimneys weigh more due to the extra weight of the additional brick, stone, and concrete materials involved, while chimneys built in difficult spots make removal more complex.
Chimney removals can be messy and hazardous, so there are many additional factors that can influence the final cost.
The size of the chimney has a direct impact on how long it will take to deconstruct it—and thus the overall chimney removal cost. Larger chimneys and especially taller chimneys will yield higher labor costs than smaller, lower chimneys.
Similarly, the location of the chimney can impact the overall cost. For instance, removing a chimney stack on a steep roof several stories up will typically cost more than demolishing a chimney on a relatively flat roof of a single-story house. You’ll also encounter price differences when removing a chimney from an exterior wall versus an interior wall.
The type of fireplace you’re removing can also impact costs. For instance, removing a wood-burning masonry fireplace means you’ll need to install structural supports for the flue that is left behind, unless it’s a total chimney removal. Removing a wood-burning stove, however, is much easier and more affordable.
The framing of a gas or electric fireplace insert may not be integral to the structure of the house, so fireplace removal costs could be lower. You will, however, need to hire a local gas plumber or electrician to properly disconnect the gas line or electrical wiring.
Because chimney removal can be dangerous, it often requires a permit. If you live in a historical home or neighborhood, there may be rules around if you can even remove the chimney at all. A structural engineer can help you determine what work needs to be done and how to get the right permit. A permit for chimney removal typically costs $20 to $150.
Homes built before the 1980s or earlier may contain asbestos that could be uncovered during a chimney removal. Asbestos is a major health hazard, so you’ll need to hire a pro to remove it before you can complete the chimney removal. Asbestos removal costs about $75 to $350 per hour.
Similarly, the demo crew might find lead flashing, which also requires careful removal.
Chimney removal can pose a risk of collapsing, so demolition experts may need to insert steel beams for support. This can cost around $100 to $400 per foot. If you’re only removing the top of the chimney—what’s visible above the roof—you likely won’t encounter these additional costs.
Removing a chimney will result in a lot of debris, so you’ll need to rent a dumpster for this project unless your demolition crew includes this in the quote. Dumpster rental costs an average of $300 to $475 for a week.
Chimneys can make the exterior of your home look more cozy even from the street view, and they’re certainly important if you have an operable fireplace or gas appliances that use the flue to vent fumes from the home. So why would anyone want to get rid of their chimney?
Here are a few reasons you might consider a chimney removal:
Chimney breasts can jet out from the wall and take up space in living areas that some homeowners would prefer to reclaim. If you don’t use the fireplace or chimney, removing the chimney breast could maximize your interior living space. Just keep in mind the cost of chimney removal could be high if it’s integral to the structure of your home; you’ll need to decide if the increased square footage outweighs the high cost of removal.
Older chimneys are not always the most energy-efficient parts of a home. If you’ve upgraded to a better, less expensive way of heating your home—and the remaining chimney structure is obsolete and actually a source of energy loss—it could make sense to remove it.
Chimneys that undergo significant damage—whether it’s water damage, damage from a storm or animals, or just general wear and tear over time—may be too expensive to repair. In fact, significant damage may result in chimney repair costs that are just as high as a rip and replace.
If you’re on the fence about repairing vs. replacing, talk with a trusted chimney repair contractor near you; they’ll be able to tell you if the chimney is salvageable.
Chimneys, especially brick chimneys, can be hazardous in earthquake-prone areas. If you don’t use the chimney and are concerned that it could collapse, it may be cheaper to remove it than to keep up with chimney maintenance and repairs over the years.
If your home has a more modern feel and the fireplace feels out of style, you may wish to remove it so you have the space to install a more current feature.
Just keep in mind, in historic homes, many potential home buyers are after those historic details. Removing an ornate fireplace could remove some of the character of an older home—and thus turn off buyers when you go to sell.
It generally costs less to remove a chimney completely than to rebuild one. Rebuilding requires additional materials and the skilled labor of masonry tradespeople. Removal, on the other hand, doesn't require masons.
Depending on its size and location, removing a chimney can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000, though the average is $4,500. If you'd prefer to keep the chimney, rebuilding costs start at $5,000 and can go up to about $15,000 in some cases. You can expect to pay $10,000 on average for chimney rebuilding.
| Service | Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chimney removal | $1,000 | $4,500 | $15,000 |
| Chimney rebuilding | $5,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
There’s a risk for chimneys to collapse during removal, so it is not advised to remove a chimney yourself. Even removing the chimney breast involves removing parts of a load-bearing wall. It’s also at least a two-person job. You’ll want to hire an engineer to examine the structure before hiring a local demolition team.
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Chimney removal often requires at least two people. Removing a chimney stack is a long process because it must be done brick by brick. A full demolition typically takes up to five days, while removing a chimney stack only may take one-half of a day to two days.
Yes, in many instances across the country, you need permission to remove a chimney, typically in the form of a permit. Check local building codes and HOA regulations to get up to speed in your area. Remember, an inspection may be necessary, too—it will ensure your project complies with zoning and safety guidelines.
You can close up a chimney instead of demolishing it. Homeowners often go this route because the cost of removing a chimney, especially a structurally important chimney, can be expensive.
Properly closing up a chimney involves closing and sealing the damper, installing a chimney cap damper, and sealing the fireplace opening with a door or bricks. The cost to seal and cap a chimney is around $500 to $650—significantly less than the average chimney removal cost.
Replacing older chimneys or fireplaces, like wood-burning stoves, with something more eco-friendly can actually increase the value of your home. Some homeowners opt to remove chimneys as they pursue LEED certification, which may also increase the value of your home. But in general, many potential buyers actually look for operational fireplaces in homes, so removing a chimney and fireplace could decrease your home’s value by up to $5,000.
