What Chimney and Air Duct Work Costs in Brooklyn, and Why

Homeowners usually want a price before anything else, and that's fair. The honest answer is that chimney and duct work is priced by the job in front of us, not by a menu. Two chimneys on the same Brooklyn block can need very different amounts of time, equipment and risk to service. This page explains what moves the price up or down for each type of work we do, so the written price we give you makes sense when you see it.

What affects the price of a chimney sweep

A sweep sounds simple, but the time and setup it takes vary a lot from house to house. Most of the difference comes from getting to the chimney safely and from what we find inside it.

Fuel type matters. A wood-burning fireplace builds up creosote, which can be light and sooty or hard and glazed. Glazed creosote takes more time and different tools to remove. Oil-fired flues collect heavy soot and scale. Gas flues usually have less buildup but can hold debris, nests or crumbling flue tile.

• Height and roof access: a low, easy-to-reach roof is quicker than a steep roof, a tall brownstone or a roof reached only through a hatch.
• Fuel type: wood, oil and gas each leave different residue.
• Flue size and shape: larger, oddly shaped or offset flues take longer to clean thoroughly.
• Amount of buildup: a chimney swept regularly is faster to clean than one left for many seasons.
• Blockages: animal nests, fallen brick or debris add time to remove.

Chimney inspections: Level One vs. Level Two with a camera

The national standard for chimneys calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. Chimney professionals use three inspection levels, and the level you need is the biggest factor in what an inspection costs.

A Level One inspection fits when nothing has changed in your system. Our certified technicians check the readily accessible parts of the chimney, firebox and connections. A Level Two inspection is called for when the system changes, such as a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is being sold. It includes a video camera run through the flue to look at the liner and joints you can't see from the top or bottom. That extra equipment and time is why it costs more. A Level Three inspection is only needed when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or building, and it's priced separately because of the work involved.

Repairs, liners and masonry work

Repair pricing depends on what's damaged, how much of it there is, and where it sits on the chimney. Replacing a damper or rebuilding a firebox wall is a different job from repointing mortar at the top of a tall stack.

Liners are a common example in New York City. When a building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the work, and a new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. Liner cost depends on the flue's height, its size, whether it has bends or offsets, and the liner material the appliance requires.

• Chimney repair and rebuilding: amount of damaged brick and mortar, height, and whether scaffolding is needed.
• Chimney liner installation: flue height and size, offsets, appliance type and liner material.
• Chimney cap and chase cover: chimney top size, number of flues, and custom fabrication.
• Chimney waterproofing: surface area and the condition of the masonry first.
• Fireplace and damper repair: type of damper and the condition of the firebox.

Air duct and dryer vent cleaning

Duct cleaning cost depends mostly on the size and layout of the system. The more supply vents and returns, the more time it takes to clean each run properly. Long or tangled runs, hard-to-reach air handlers and heavy debris all add work. The EPA advises cleaning air ducts when there is substantial visible mold growth, vermin, or excessive dust and debris. We'll tell you if we don't see a real reason to clean.

Dryer vent pricing depends on the length of the vent, the number of turns, and where it exits the building. A short wall vent is quick. A long run up to the roof takes more time. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in homes, so this is work worth doing right.

Apartments and co-ops add their own steps. Building rules, elevator reservations, limited work hours and shared vent stacks can all affect scheduling and time. If your building requires paperwork before contractors arrive, let us know early.

Why we give a written price after we see the job

We don't quote a firm price over the phone because we can't see your roof, flue or ductwork from there. After we look at the job, you get a written price that spells out what we'll do. If we find something during the work that changes the scope, we stop and explain it before going further.

You've probably seen ads for whole-house duct cleaning at a very low price. Those offers usually cover very little. Once the crew is inside, the price grows with extra charges for each vent, the main trunk lines, the furnace, or chemical treatments. The EPA warns consumers to research the process before responding to very cheap advertised offers and to be careful with chemical treatments. A clear written scope protects you from that kind of surprise.