Chimney Sweep Cost in San Antonio, TX
What a sweep, a Level 1, 2 or 3 chimney inspection, a cap, a crown repair, a reline or a dryer vent cleaning typically costs, and how to read a quote.
Get a Free QuoteSan Antonio Chimney Sweeps is a free quote service, not a chimney company: we connect San Antonio-area homeowners with independent local chimney sweep, inspection and repair companies for free, no-obligation quotes. The prices below come from published guides so you can judge the quotes you receive. They are estimates, not offers.
Chimney service price table
Typical national ranges from Fixr (2025) and Angi via Bob Vila (2023) — estimates, not quotes.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Chimney sweep / cleaning | $130–$380 (avg about $255); Fixr’s wider band $100–$500 |
| By flue: gas fireplace / pellet stove / wood stove | $85–$250 / $175–$350 / $200–$500 |
| Camera inspection added to a sweep | about $50–$75 more |
| Level 1 inspection | $85–$950 (usually the low end, often bundled with a sweep) |
| Level 2 inspection (camera) | $150–$1,000 |
| Level 3 inspection | $500–$5,000 |
| Chimney cap, installed | $300–$600 |
| Chase cover replacement | $300–$700 |
| Damper repair / install | $100–$225 / $200–$400 |
| Flashing repair / replace | $200–$300 / $300–$800 |
| Crown repair / replace | $750–$1,000 / $1,000–$3,000 |
| Waterproofing / sealing | $150–$500 |
| Tuckpointing (chimney) | $500–$2,500 |
| Chimney rebuild (partial) | $500–$4,000 |
| Chimney relining | $1,800–$4,000 (avg about $2,500; up to about $7,000) |
| Dryer vent cleaning | $100–$200 (avg about $150; roof exits $150–$300; bird nest in the vent $150–$400) |
| Animal removal | $200–$600 |
| Gas fireplace repair | $200–$1,000 (thermocouple $75–$150; gas valve $150–$300) |
How San Antonio compares
Two local directories’ estimates sit near the bottom of the national bands: a standard sweep about $120–$130 per chimney (HomeBlue, June 2024) and about $150–$250 for a sweep with a basic inspection (ChimScout, 2026). Several local companies advertise starting prices from roughly $99 to $195, which usually exclude prefab units, extra flues and repairs.
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Pick what the visit would include. The result is a typical range from the guides above, not a quote.
Typical range: $130–$380
Estimates from Fixr (2025) and Angi via Bob Vila (2023), not quotes. The independent company that visits sets the final price in writing.
What moves the price
- Masonry vs. prefab. Factory-built (zero-clearance) fireplaces, common in 1980s–2000s San Antonio subdivisions, are often priced separately because the firebox panels, flue and chase cover differ from a brick chimney with clay flue tiles. Local “from” prices often exclude them.
- Fuel. A gas log set leaves little deposit, so its flue sweep sits at $85–$250 versus $130–$380 for wood.
- Number of flues and stories. A second fireplace or a tall two-story chimney adds to the base; the HomeBlue figure is per chimney for that reason.
- Inspection level. A Level 1 visual check is usually bundled with a sweep. A Level 2 camera scan is $150–$1,000; a Level 3, which opens concealed areas, $500–$5,000.
- Condition. Heavy creosote, animal debris, a rusted-shut damper or a cracked crown turn a sweep into a sweep plus repairs. Animal removal is $200–$600; chimney swifts are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so an active nest waits until the birds leave.
- Masonry scope. Crown repair ($750–$1,000) differs from replacement ($1,000–$3,000), and flashing repair ($200–$300) from replacement ($300–$800). After freezes like February 15, 2021 (9 °F) or January 17, 2024 (18 °F), ask which one is being quoted and why.
- Gas work. Gas line work is done only by Texas-licensed plumbers (or, for propane, Railroad Commission-licensed LP-gas companies); inside San Antonio a Plumbing, Gas and Sewer permit applies. Ask who will touch the gas, and ask whether the company holds a TDLR ACR (TACL) license for burner or log-set work.
- Permits and reviews. Sweeping, inspections, caps and dampers need no City of San Antonio permit we could find; dryer-duct, mechanical and gas work are permitted trades; whether a chimney rebuild or reline needs a building permit is not stated on the City’s pages, so the contractor confirms with Development Services. Exterior work in historic districts such as King William, Monte Vista and Dignowity Hill needs an OHP Certificate of Appropriateness; visible caps may need HOA approval in Stone Oak, The Dominion, Fair Oaks Ranch, Shavano Park and Timberwood Park, so check your covenants.
What a written quote should itemize
Texas has no chimney-sweep, masonry, roofing or general-contractor license, so the paperwork separates companies. A quote worth comparing lists:
- Fireplace type (masonry or prefab), fuel, number of flues, and the NFPA 211 inspection level, with a camera scan and a written report with photos if included.
- Each repair as its own line: cap size and material, chase cover, damper type, crown repair vs. replacement, flashing, waterproofing product, liner size.
- Who performs any gas work and under what license, and who pulls any permit.
- The company’s CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep or NFI certification (verify on csia.org or nficertified.org), proof of insurance, and, for repair work inside San Antonio city limits, its City Home Improvement Contractor registration (nonstructural work; structural work needs a Residential Building Contractor, per DSD CI-2025-005).
- Cleanup method, payment terms and what triggers a price change once work starts.
Keep the report. The TREC Seller’s Disclosure Notice (Form 55-1, 2026) asks about fireplaces and chimneys, gas lines and previous fires, and a recent report answers those questions with evidence. This is general information, not legal advice.
Ready to compare? Request free quotes, read how the quote service works, or see the sweeping, inspection and masonry repair pages. The blog cost guide goes deeper.
Cost questions
What is the average cost of a chimney sweep and inspection in San Antonio?
National guides put a sweep at $130–$380 (average about $255, Angi via Bob Vila, 2023) with a Level 1 inspection often bundled in, and a camera inspection adding about $50–$75 (Fixr, 2025). Two local directories estimate $120–$130 per chimney for a standard sweep and $150–$250 with a basic inspection. All are estimates; the written quote is the price.
Why do local companies advertise sweeps from $99 when the guides say more?
Starting prices from roughly $99 to $195 usually cover one standard flue with easy access and exclude prefab (factory-built) units, extra flues, heavy creosote, animal debris and any repairs. A prefab firebox, a second flue or a camera scan each add to the bill. Ask what the advertised price includes, and get the all-in figure in writing.
How much does a Level 2 chimney inspection cost?
Fixr (2025) lists Level 2 inspections at $150–$1,000. A Level 2 is the camera inspection called for on a sale or transfer, after a fuel change, with a new appliance, or after a malfunction or event such as a chimney fire or a hard freeze. Level 3 inspections, which open concealed areas, run $500–$5,000.
Does a gas fireplace cost less to sweep than a wood-burning one?
Usually. Fixr (2025) and Angi via Bob Vila (2023) put a gas fireplace flue at $85–$250 against $130–$380 for a typical wood-burning sweep, because gas leaves far less deposit. A gas log set still benefits from an annual service visit, typically $200–$1,000 for repairs with a thermocouple at $75–$150 and a gas valve at $150–$300. Gas line work is done only by Texas-licensed plumbers.
Will my homeowner’s insurance pay for chimney repairs?
It depends on the policy and the cause. Sudden events are treated differently from wear or deferred maintenance, and a chimney fire or freeze damage is usually documented with a Level 2 inspection report and photos. Ask your insurer what your policy covers before authorizing work, and keep every sweep and inspection report; the same records help with a seller’s disclosure later.
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