Chimney Repair Cost Calculator
Estimate chimney repair cost from the chimney's height and face width and your material and labor rates per square foot.
How this calculator works
This calculator prices chimney repair the way most masons quote it: by the square footage of the chimney face that needs work. You enter the chimney’s height and face width, and it multiplies that area by a material rate and a labor rate, both priced per square foot.
Formula: Total cost = (chimney height × face width) × material rate per sq ft + same area × labor rate per sq ft.
Worked example
A 15 ft tall, 3 ft wide chimney face, $25/sq ft material, $35/sq ft labor:
- Face area: 15 × 3 = 45 sq ft
- Material cost: 45 × $25 = $1,125
- Labor cost: 45 × $35 = $1,575
- Total estimated cost: $2,700
Notes
Repointing mortar joints on an otherwise sound chimney is far cheaper than rebuilding a leaning chimney crown or replacing a damaged flue liner — the per-square-foot rates you enter should reflect which kind of job you’re pricing, not a one-size-fits-all number.
Height and roof access also matter beyond the square-foot math. A chimney on a steep roof pitch, or one that’s hard to reach with a ladder or lift, can add significantly to labor cost that a flat per-square-foot rate doesn’t capture on its own.
How to use
Measure the chimney’s height above the roofline and its face width, then enter your local material and labor rates per square foot. Adjust the rates up for a rebuild or flue liner replacement, and down for a simple repointing job, to keep the estimate close to what you’d actually be quoted.
Estimates only. Actual cost depends on your region, material choice, and site conditions — get a contractor quote before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
What does this chimney repair estimate include?
It covers material and labor for the visible chimney face, priced per square foot, based on the height and width you enter. It doesn't include scaffolding rental, roof tear-off around the chimney, or permit fees — add those separately if your project needs them.
Why does chimney height matter so much for cost?
Height drives the total square footage of the face that needs repair, so a taller chimney has more material and labor to cover. Height also affects how hard the chimney is to reach, which can raise labor cost beyond the flat per-square-foot rate used here.
Is repointing cheaper than rebuilding a chimney?
Yes, generally. Repointing replaces worn mortar joints on an otherwise sound chimney, which is a smaller job than rebuilding a leaning stack or replacing a cracked crown. This calculator gives one blended rate, so use a lower material and labor rate for repointing-only work and a higher rate for a full rebuild.
Does this estimate cover the flue liner?
No. The flue liner runs inside the chimney and is priced and installed separately from the exterior face repair this calculator estimates. If your chimney needs a new liner, get a separate line-item quote for that work from your contractor.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.