A chimney sweep costs between £60 and £130 in the UK, depending on the type of appliance and whether any additional work is needed. Most sweeps include a visual inspection and issue a certificate on completion — essential if your home insurer requires evidence of annual maintenance.
Prices have edged up modestly in 2026, largely reflecting higher fuel and vehicle costs for sole traders. Booking early in the summer off-season can sometimes save you £10–£20 compared with autumn peak demand.
Chimney Sweep Cost Breakdown
The table below shows typical 2026 prices for the most common sweep types. These are ballpark figures for mainland England and Wales; expect a 10–15% uplift in London and the South East, and some rural areas may carry a call-out surcharge.
| Service | Typical 2026 Cost |
|---|---|
| Open fire / solid-fuel stove sweep | £60–£90 |
| Gas fire sweep | £70–£100 |
| AGA or Rayburn sweep | £90–£130 |
| CCTV camera inspection (add-on) | £50–£80 |
| Bird nest or debris removal (surcharge) | £30–£60 |
| Second flue sweep (same visit) | £30–£50 extra |
What Drives the Price?
Appliance type is the biggest variable. Gas fires require specialist knowledge and often a longer flue, which pushes the price above a standard open fire. AGA and Rayburn ranges have complex flue routes and require more time on site, hence the higher rate.
Location matters. Urban areas with parking restrictions and congestion charges add to a tradesperson’s costs, and these tend to be passed on. Call-out fees of £15–£30 are common where the sweep needs to travel more than 20–30 miles.
Access difficulty can add time. A swept flue that runs through two or more bends, or one that enters the chimney stack via a back boiler, will take longer to clear. Some sweeps charge by the hour (typically £40–£60/hour) once a straightforward job turns complex.
Additional services such as a CCTV inspection, smoke draw test, or carbon monoxide alarm check will add to the bill but are often worth including, particularly before buying a property or recommissioning a long-dormant fireplace.
Typical Day Rates
Most chimney sweeps operate as sole traders and price per job rather than per day. However, if you need multiple flues swept — common in period properties — negotiating a half-day rate can work out cheaper. Expect to pay roughly £200–£280 for a half-day covering three or four flues on the same property.
Worked Example: Victorian Semi with Two Open Fires
A homeowner in the East Midlands with two open fireplaces books a HETAS-registered sweep in July 2026:
- First flue sweep: £75
- Second flue sweep (same visit): £40
- CCTV inspection of one flue (suspected crack): £60
- Total: £175
The sweep identified a displaced flue liner on the CCTV footage, allowing the homeowner to get repairs quoted before the heating season — a potentially costly problem caught early.
How Often Should You Have Your Chimney Swept?
The frequency depends on what you burn:
- Solid fuel (wood, coal, smokeless fuel): at least once per year, ideally before the heating season starts. The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps recommends twice a year for wood-burning stoves used daily.
- Gas fires: every two years if the appliance is serviced regularly; annually if it is used heavily or if you live in an area with high atmospheric pollution.
- Oil-fired appliances: annually.
- Solid fuel AGA or Rayburn: annually as a minimum; twice yearly for continuous-use installations.
These are minimum recommendations. Your home insurer may specify a particular frequency — check your policy documents, as failure to maintain a chimney can invalidate a fire claim.
When to Use a HETAS or NACS Registered Sweep
Two bodies accredit chimney sweeps in the UK:
- HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme) — primarily known for solid-fuel heating, HETAS-registered sweeps are trained and assessed to a nationally recognised standard.
- NACS (National Association of Chimney Sweeps) — covers all fuel types; members must hold current public liability insurance and undergo regular training.
Using a registered sweep matters for several practical reasons. Their sweep certificate is accepted by most UK home insurers as evidence of maintenance. If you are installing a wood-burning stove, Building Regulations (Part J in England, Section 3 in Scotland) require that flue installations are notified to the local authority — a HETAS or NACS sweep can provide the compliance documentation.
For listed buildings, any work to a chimney may require listed building consent from the local planning authority before it proceeds. Always check with your local conservation officer if in doubt.
[!tip] Off-Season Booking Demand for sweeps peaks in September and October. Booking in May or June can mean shorter wait times and sometimes a small discount.
DIY Chimney Sweeping: What Not to Do
Chimney sweep rods and brushes are available from DIY retailers, and some homeowners attempt to sweep their own flues. This is not recommended for several reasons: without proper dust sheets and a closed-throat fireplace, soot will spread through the room; you cannot perform a proper draw test; and you will not receive a sweep certificate. For rental properties, a certificate from a registered sweep is particularly important in demonstrating compliance with your duty of care as a landlord.
Getting Quotes
When contacting sweeps for quotes, give them:
- The type of appliance (open fire, stove, gas fire, AGA)
- The fuel type
- When the flue was last swept
- Whether you have noticed any smoke spilling into the room or unusual smells
This information lets a sweep give an accurate price upfront and flag any services — such as a CCTV inspection — that may be advisable given your situation.
