Chimney Repair Cost Calculator
Chimney repair costs about $500 to $2,500 for repointing and $1,000 to $5,000 for a partial rebuild. At $25 + $35 per sq ft, a 15 × 3 ft face is $2,700.
How much does chimney repair cost?
Most chimney repairs run from a few hundred dollars for a cap or flashing fix to $500 to $2,500 for repointing. A partial rebuild runs about $1,000 to $5,000, and a full rebuild often $4,000 to $15,000 or more. These are typical 2026 US ranges and they vary by region, roof height, and chimney type.
This calculator prices masonry by face area. Total = (height × width) × material rate + (height × width) × labor rate. A face 15 ft tall and 3 ft wide is 45 sq ft. At $25 per sq ft for material and $35 for labor, the estimate is $1,125 + $1,575 = $2,700.
The default rates are placeholders. Replace them with figures from a local mason. The tool is best for scaling a quote: if a mason prices one chimney at a certain rate per square foot, you can see what a taller stack would cost on the same terms.
Chimney repair cost by repair type
Typical 2026 US ranges, labor included. Your local price may be higher or lower.
| Repair | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Repointing (tuckpointing) | $500 to $2,500 | Grinds out old mortar and replaces it. Bricks stay. |
| Mortar patch (small area) | $150 to $500 | Spot repair only. |
| Replacing a few bricks | $100 to $1,000 | Higher if matching old brick is hard. |
| Spalling brick repair | $1,000 to $2,500 | Face of the brick is flaking off. |
| Crown repair | $750 to $1,000 | The slab on top. Cracks let water in. |
| Chimney cap | $100 to $600 | Keeps rain and animals out of the flue. |
| Flashing repair | $200 to $300 | Seals the stack to the roof. |
| Parging | $1,000 to $2,000 | A cement coat over the masonry. |
| Waterproof sealer | $150 to $500 | Does not fix open cracks. |
| Smoke chamber repair | $500 to $2,000 | Inside, above the firebox. |
| Flue liner replacement | $1,200 to $4,600 | Priced per foot of flue, not face area. |
| Partial rebuild above roof | $1,000 to $5,000 | Takes the stack down to sound masonry. |
| Full chimney rebuild | $4,000 to $15,000 or more | From the foundation or roofline up. |
| Level 2 inspection | $100 to $500 | Often needed before a quote. |
Other items can add to the bill. Scaffolding or a roof lift can add $50 to $200 or much more on tall stacks. Emergency same-day calls often add $100 to $300. Permits vary by city.
The formula, step by step
- Area = height in feet × width in feet.
- Material cost = area × material rate per sq ft.
- Labor cost = area × labor rate per sq ft.
- Total = material + labor.
“Width” means the width of masonry that needs work. For one face, use that face’s width. For all four sides, use the distance around the chimney.
Worked examples
- One face of a tall exterior chimney (calculator defaults)
- Area: 15 × 3 = 45 sq ft
- Material: 45 × $25 = $1,125
- Labor: 45 × $35 = $1,575
- Total: $2,700
- Repointing all four sides above the roof (example rates)
A 2.5 × 2 ft chimney stands 8 ft above the roof, and the mortar is soft on every side.
- Width all the way around: 2.5 + 2 + 2.5 + 2 = 9 ft
- Area: 8 × 9 = 72 sq ft
- Material at $5 per sq ft (mortar only): 72 × $5 = $360
- Labor at $25 per sq ft: 72 × $25 = $1,800
- Total: $2,160
- Partial rebuild above the roof (example rates)
The top 4 ft of the same chimney is crumbling and must come down and go back up.
- Area: 4 × 9 = 36 sq ft
- Material at $30 per sq ft (new brick, mortar, ties): 36 × $30 = $1,080
- Labor at $60 per sq ft: 36 × $60 = $2,160
- Total: $3,240
Add the crown, cap, and flashing as separate lines, since the mason often redoes them at the same time. Repointing is mostly labor, which is why the labor rate dwarfs the material rate in example 2.
What this calculator covers and what it does not
| Repair | Use this calculator? |
|---|---|
| Repointing mortar joints | Yes |
| Replacing spalled bricks (larger areas) | Yes |
| Partial or full rebuild above the roof | Yes, with a higher rate |
| Stucco or parging on the stack | Yes |
| Waterproofing sealer | Yes, at a low rate |
| Crown, cap, flashing | No, add separately |
| Flue liner | No, add separately |
| Scaffolding, permits | No, add separately |
Repair or rebuild?
Repair if the bricks are sound and only the mortar, crown, cap, or flashing has failed. Rebuild when bricks are loose, crumbling, or spalled through, or when the stack leans.
- Repointing lasts many years if water is kept out. Fix the crown and flashing first, or the same joints fail again.
- Rebuild the section that is bad. A partial rebuild above the roof is far cheaper than a full one.
- If the chimney is no longer used, removing it above the roof is an option, but it needs roof repair afterward.
Signs you need chimney repair
- Crumbling or sandy mortar between bricks
- White powder (efflorescence) or flaking brick faces
- Cracks in the crown, or rust stains at the top
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall around the chimney
- A chimney that leans or pulls away from the house
- Smoke or odors entering the room
How to measure a chimney
- Height: for the part above the roof, measure the tallest side from the roof surface to the top of the brick. For a full exterior chimney, measure from grade.
- Width: measure each face that needs work and add them up.
- From the ground: count brick courses. Modular brick lays about 3 courses per 8 in. So 45 courses is 45 ÷ 3 × 8 = 120 in, or 10 ft.
- Take close-up photos of the worst areas so every quote covers the same scope.
Common mistakes
- Quoting one face when four need work. That understates the area by up to 4 times.
- Using a rebuild rate for repointing, or the other way round.
- Leaving out access. Steep roofs and tall stacks need scaffolding or a lift.
- Fixing mortar but not the crown or flashing. Water is behind most chimney decay.
- Skipping the inspection. A leaning or cracked-through chimney needs a structural look, not a patch.
When to call a pro
Always get a certified chimney sweep or a licensed mason to inspect first. Chimneys carry fire and carbon monoxide risk. Call right away if the chimney leans, bricks have fallen, smoke enters the house, or you see cracks in the liner. Get at least three written quotes that list the same scope.
Related estimates
For the mortar on a DIY repoint, the mortar calculator works out bags. To count replacement brick, use the brick calculator. A stucco-clad stack is priced the same way in the stucco repair cost calculator. If the roof around the stack is also worn, see the roof cleaning cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does chimney repair cost?
Typical 2026 US ranges vary by region. Small fixes like a cap or flashing run a few hundred dollars. Repointing is about $500 to $2,500, and a partial rebuild about $1,000 to $5,000.
How much does chimney rebuilding cost?
A partial rebuild above the roof is typically $1,000 to $5,000. A full rebuild often runs $4,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on height, access, and brick. Use the calculator to scale a mason's per-square-foot rate: 45 sq ft at $25 + $35 is $2,700.
What does this chimney repair estimate include?
Masonry work on the area you enter, priced per square foot for material and for labor. Scaffolding, the crown, cap, flashing, liner, and permits are separate lines.
Is repointing cheaper than rebuilding a chimney?
Usually much cheaper. Repointing replaces worn mortar and leaves the bricks in place. A rebuild takes the stack down to sound masonry and lays it up again. Price the two with different per-square-foot rates.
What is the difference between repointing and tuckpointing?
The terms are often used for the same job: grinding out old mortar joints and filling them with new mortar. Strictly, tuckpointing adds a thin contrasting line to mimic fine joints. Most chimney quotes mean repointing.
Does this estimate cover the flue liner?
No. A liner runs inside the flue and is priced by length and type, not by outside face area. Typical liner replacement is about $1,200 to $4,600. Add it as its own line.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.