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How much does a chimney sweep cost?

The price of a chimney sweep depends on several factors such as the degree of pollution, location, the number of flues, and the type of cleaning. Regular cleaning is better for your chimney and your wallet.

What does chimney sweeping cost?

The average price for cleaning one chimney fluctuates between 50 and 80pounds for a regularly cleaned flue.

Is your chimney heavily polluted, or do bird nests also need to be removed? Then the cost price will be higher.

Does it concern an annual mandatory cleaning of a central heating appliance, including a chimney? Then the price is between £80 and £125.

You see average prices for having your chimney swept in the table below.

Type of cleaning
Price indication
Sweep chimney   
£30 - £50
Remove creosote or tar
£150 - £170
These are average indicative prices that our chimney sweeps charge. These prices may differ from the prices in the quotation.

If it concerns a private house in the Flemish Region older than 10 years, you can enjoy a reduced VAT rate: you only pay 6 percent VAT instead of the usual 21 percent.

Chimney sweep price of various types of cleaning

Prices depend on the degree of pollution, the number of channels to be cleaned, and the distance. The amounts below are average prices, including VAT.

●    1 flue: the price for cleaning 1 flue costs between £50 and £80.
●    Multiple flues: the price of cleaning multiple channels is usually lower.
●    Camera inspection: the cost of an internal review using a camera costs £80.
●    Complete cleaning of the stove including chimney: £80 - £125
●    Extra transport costs: depending on the distance from your residence. Count on £ 0.4 per kilometer.
●    Maintenance contract: price per cleaning is lower with a maintenance contract. The prices of these are different.

Why clean your chimney?

Mandatory: In some instances, chimney cleaning is compulsory by the government or the insurance company.
More efficient: a chimney that has been cleaned fires more efficiently.
Heating price decreases: your heating costs will decrease because you burn more efficiently.
More environmentally friendly: a well-maintained chimney emits less environmental pollutants.
Risk of fire decreases: the risk of chimney fire decreases noticeably.

When to sweep chimneys?

Chimney sweeping is not mandatory. We strongly recommend doing this once a year with a view to safety. Moreover, regular chimney cleaning prevents defects, high heating costs, and environmental pollution.

Is the chimney sweep price worth it?

It is certainly worthwhile to have a chimney cleaning carried out. A clean chimney provides essential benefits:

1) Lower energy costs:
 A clean chimney means lower energy costs. After cleaning the chimney, your heating system achieves a higher return. Less than fuel is used. Depending on your consumption, at least part of the chimney sweep price is paid back through lower energy consumption.

2) Better safety:
Lower energy consumption also means less waste and lower CO2 emissions. The soot that sticks in the chimney also creates fine dust and harmful soot particles. The chimney sweep's intervention is, therefore, even environmentally conscious.

3) Less CO2 emissions:  
Lower consumption also means that less CO2 is emitted. Besides, the soot particles in the chimney are a great source of harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, leading to CO poisoning.

How does a chimney sweep work?

The sweeping can be done from the inside or the outside. Is it happening from within? A (flexible) sweeping stick with a brush goes into the flue from below until the top is reached. With this technique, it is not necessary to go on the roof. It allows the work to be done a little faster.

There is practically no difference between wiping from the inside or the outside. It does not matter about the costs. Chimney sweeps usually do not charge extra when gettingon the roof for cleaning. They reach the roof with a ladder. If that is not possible, the roof is often accessible through a window or dormer.

In both cases, the stove is disconnected before sweeping the chimney. The professional chimney sweep will ensure that everything remains clean. It is therefore not necessary to cover the furniture in advance.

Chimney sweep with a licensed technician

From a legal perspective, the mandatory cleaning of your central heating appliance (of which the chimney is part) may only be performed by a recognized technician. Do you only want to have the chimney of an individual heating appliance cleaned?

Even then, it is essential to work with a recognized chimney sweep. The insurance sometimes requires a certificate of cleaning. Only a recognized professional can issue such a certificate. Now, use our online quotation service and request prices from recognized chimney sweep without obligation. Click here for more information.

Is chimney cleaning mandatory?

In some instances, the cleaning of the chimney is mandatory. It depends on what kind of stove you have at home.

Central heating appliance

Is your chimney connected to a solid fuel or oil central heating boiler? Then annual cleaning is mandatory. This is every two years for gas central heating appliances. The obligation means that you have your entire boiler cleaned. Cleaning the chimney is part of that. Cleaning the central heating appliance may only be carried out by a technician recognized by the Flemish government.

Individual heating appliance

Do you have a stove with a chimney that is not part of the central heating? Then cleaning is not required by law. Sometimes, your insurance company may impose an annual cleaning of the chimney. That's because regular chimney maintenance reduces its failure rate.

After cleaning, you will receive a certificate tosubmit proof to the insurer. Recognized chimney sweeps can only issue certificates. It is therefore essential that you work with an official chimney cleaner.