How Much Does Chimney Removal Cost? [2024 Data]

Normal range: $2,000 - $10,000

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.

How we get this data
Ladder propped up on chimney of house
Photo: temmuzcan / E+ / Getty Images
Timothy Moore
Written by Timothy Moore
Contributing Writer
Updated August 2, 2023
Ladder propped up on chimney of house
Photo: temmuzcan / E+ / Getty Images

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.

See the price range to remove a fireplace:
How we get this data
Normal range for U.S.
$2,000 - $10,000
  • Average
  • $4,500
  • Low end
  • $1,000
  • high end
  • $15,000
LOWHIGH

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 Cost Breakdown

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.

Labor

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.

Materials

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

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.

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.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Chimney by Type?

You may opt for just a partial chimney removal or a full demolition, so the type of chimney removal can impact the final cost.

Full Demolition

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 Stack Removal

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.

Chimney Breast Removal

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.

What Factors Influence Chimney Removal Costs?

An old farmhouse with large chimney
Photo: nbiebach / iStock / Getty Images

Chimney removals can be messy and hazardous, so there are many additional factors that can influence the final cost.

Size

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.

Location and Accessibility

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.

Type of Fireplace

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.

Permits

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.

Asbestos Removal

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.

Structural Support

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.

Cleanup 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.

Common Reasons to Remove a Chimney

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:

Space

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.

Upgrades

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.

Damage

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.

Hazards

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.

Aesthetics

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.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for Chimney Removal Services

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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Learn more about our contributor
Timothy Moore
Written by Timothy Moore
Contributing Writer
Timothy is a home renovation, personal finance, and travel writer with more than a decade of experience in the industry.
Timothy is a home renovation, personal finance, and travel writer with more than a decade of experience in the industry.
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