Chimney Inspection
Know exactly what's in your chimney — for $49, in writing
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4.9 · 3,412 Google reviews
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CSIA & NFPA certified
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Licensed · $2M insured
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Same-day PDF report
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40 years sweeping chimneys
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3,412 verified Google reviews
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4.9 average rating
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CSIA-certified crew
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NFPA 211 compliant
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Licensed in 6 states
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100% background-checked technicians
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Free estimates
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40 years sweeping chimneys
●
3,412 verified Google reviews
●
4.9 average rating
●
CSIA-certified crew
●
NFPA 211 compliant
●
Licensed in 6 states
●
100% background-checked technicians
●
Free estimates
●
40 years sweeping chimneys
●
3,412 verified Google reviews
●
4.9 average rating
●
CSIA-certified crew
●
NFPA 211 compliant
●
Licensed in 6 states
●
100% background-checked technicians
●
Free estimates
●
40 years sweeping chimneys
●
3,412 verified Google reviews
●
4.9 average rating
●
CSIA-certified crew
●
NFPA 211 compliant
●
Licensed in 6 states
●
100% background-checked technicians
●
Free estimates
Pricing, before you commit
Want an estimate before booking?
Use our free Chimney Inspection Cost Calculator to see which NFPA 211 level your situation calls for and exactly what it costs — in less than 30 seconds. No email, no callback, no surprise fees.
Estimate preview
Live
chimney-inspection
$49 – $2,999
Typical job
$49 – $149
Final price quoted in writing before any work.
The craft, done properly
WHAT A CHIMNEY INSPECTION IS
A chimney inspection is a documented safety assessment of your entire system — firebox, damper, flue, crown, cap, flashing, and exterior masonry. NFPA 211 defines three levels. Level 1 is the annual baseline: a full visual inspection of every accessible component, with a written pass/fail finding. Level 2 adds a high-resolution camera run of the full flue interior — required after chimney fires, real-estate transactions, or suspected damage. Level 3 is invasive and rare: targeted access to expose concealed hazards, used only when Level 2 confirms the need.
Brown Chimney's standard Level 1 inspection is $49, performed by a CSIA-certified technician — and the fee is credited toward any repair booked the same visit. A Level 2 camera inspection is $549 and includes a digital video record. Gas fireplaces get their own dedicated safety assessment at $249, covering burner, pilot, ignition, valve, venting, and safety shutoffs. See exactly which level your situation calls for with our inspection cost calculator — the answer takes 30 seconds.
Level 2 camera inspection after a home purchase
The Work
What a chimney inspection actually does.
An inspection turns guesses into documentation. Most chimney problems — a cracked liner, a failing crown, early creosote glazing — are invisible from the living room. They announce themselves years later as leaks, smoke, or repair bills three times the size. A documented inspection catches them while they're still small line items.
Every Brown Chimney inspection ends the same way: a written pass/fail finding, photos of anything worth watching, and a separate line-item quote if work is needed. Nothing gets fixed without your written approval. If heavy buildup turns up, a professional cleaning clears it — and because the $49 fee is credited toward same-visit work, the inspection effectively pays for itself the moment anything real is found.
Related reading: the warning signs your chimney needs attention — the symptoms our crews hear about most, and what each usually means. Hiring for the first time? Here are the questions worth asking any chimney company before they set foot on your roof.
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When to book
When do you need a chimney inspection?
The CSIA and NFPA 211 recommend an annual inspection for every chimney — used or not. Beyond the calendar, these are the situations that call for one now. If any sound familiar, book the $49 visit and get an answer in writing.
After a fire, sale, or fuel change, a Level 2 camera inspection is the required standard — the flue interior has to be seen, not assumed. Your technician confirms the right level on-site before any work begins.
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Half the chimneys we inspect are fine. We tell you that too — that's the point of the forty-nine dollars.
Ben Brown
Owner
The Brown Chimney Standard
Not the cheapest. The one homeowners call first.
Same crew, every visit
You get a W-2 technician you'll recognize next year — not a rotating cast of subcontractors.
No-mess guarantee
If we leave a single visible soot mark on your floor or furniture, the visit is free. Period.
Written, photo-backed report
Every job ends with a PDF. Great for insurance, great for selling the home, great for peace of mind.
Transparent pricing
Price is quoted in writing before we start. No 'while we're up there' surprises.
What to expect
What happens during a chimney inspection?
A standard Level 1 visit runs 45–60 minutes from door to door. Here is every step, in order — the same sequence whether your chimney passes clean or needs work.
01
Exterior & roof-level check
Crown, cap, flashing, and exterior masonry examined from the roof — where most water problems start and where they're cheapest to catch.
02
Firebox & damper inspection
Interior check of the firebox, damper operation, and smoke chamber. On gas units: burner, pilot, ignition, valve, and safety shutoffs tested.
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03
Flue evaluation
Visual assessment of the flue from both ends per NFPA 211 Level 1. If the interior needs to be seen in full, a Level 2 camera run ($399) is offered — never assumed.
04
Written pass/fail finding
Every component gets a documented verdict with photos. No vague 'concerns' — a clear finding you can act on, file with insurance, or hand to a realtor.
For transparency
What this visit doesn't cover.
Repairs themselves — the inspection documents and quotes them; work starts only after your written approval
Level 2 camera run — available as a $149 add-on when the flue interior needs to be seen
Cleaning — most clients book the sweep the same visit (the $49 fee credits toward it)
FAQs
Common questions about chimney inspections
How much does a chimney inspection cost?
Brown Chimney's standard Level 1 inspection is $49 — credited toward any repair booked the same visit. A Level 2 camera inspection is $149, Level 3 invasive inspection runs $599–$2,999, and a gas fireplace safety assessment is $549. Every level ends with a written finding.
How often should a chimney be inspected?
Once a year, per the CSIA and NFPA 211 — whether you use the fireplace or not. Animals nest in idle flues, mortar deteriorates, and water finds failing crowns regardless of burn schedule. Annual inspection is the baseline; more often after storms or heavy burning seasons.
What's the difference between Level 1, 2, and 3 inspections?
Level 1 ($49) is a visual check of all accessible components — the annual standard. Level 2 ($149) adds a full camera run of the flue interior, required after fires, home sales, or fuel changes. Level 3 ($599–$2,999) is invasive and rare — used only when Level 2 confirms a concealed hazard.
Do I need an inspection if I never use my fireplace?
Yes. Animals nest in unused chimneys, mortar joints deteriorate, and water enters through failing crowns whether or not you burn. The CSIA recommends an annual inspection regardless of use — and Brown Chimney's $49 visit settles the question in writing.
What happens if the inspection finds a problem?
You get a written report with photos and a separate line-item quote for any repair. Nothing gets fixed without your written approval — and if you book the work the same visit, the $49 inspection fee is credited toward it.
Related Services
Often paired with chimney inspection.
A safer hearth — for 2026
Forty-nine dollars. Zero guesswork.
Every Brown Chimney inspection follows NFPA 211 and is performed by a CSIA-certified technician — with a written pass/fail finding, photos, and a same-day repair quote if anything turns up. Book online or call, and know exactly where your chimney stands.