What a chimney estimate is for
Chimney repairs are hard for homeowners to see, so they rely on what you tell them, and some sweeps abuse that trust. An estimate that ties each repair to a finding, with camera footage or photos, shows the work is needed. It also records any hazard you told the customer about, which protects you.
What to put on a chimney estimate
- What the inspection found, with photos or video.
- Each repair tied to a finding.
- Materials like liner size and cap type.
- Any hazard and your advice on use.
- Roof access and weather.
- Warranty for the repair.
A worked example
A wood-burning fireplace that has not been swept in years. The camera shows moderate creosote, the crown is cracked and there is no cap. Rain has been getting in.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chimney sweep, one flue | 1 | each | Your price |
| Camera inspection of flue | 1 | each | Your price |
| Crown repair | 1 | each | Your price |
| Chimney cap, installed | 1 | each | Your price |
| Waterproofing sealant | 80 | sq ft | Your price |
Tie each repair to what you found in the notes: cracked crown lets water in, no cap lets rain and animals in. That is what makes the estimate believable.
Line items chimney sweeps use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney sweep, one flue | each | Wood, gas or oil appliance; say which. |
| Chimney inspection with report | each | Name the inspection level you perform and include camera footage if you have it. |
| Camera inspection of flue | each | Video of the liner and joints. |
| Chimney cap, installed | each | Size and material; keeps out rain and animals. |
| Crown repair or rebuild | each | Seal cracks or rebuild the top slab. |
| Tuckpointing | sq ft | Grind and repoint mortar joints. |
| Flashing repair | each | Where the chimney meets the roof. |
| Stainless steel liner | ft | Diameter, length and insulation. |
| Damper repair or top-sealing damper | each | Stops drafts when the fireplace is not in use. |
| Waterproofing sealant | sq ft | Breathable masonry sealer. |
| Creosote removal, heavy | each | Glazed creosote needs special treatment. |
| Animal or nest removal | each | Check local rules on protected birds before removal. |
| Dryer vent cleaning | each | A common add-on. |
Terms and deposit language for chimney
- Deposit. No deposit on sweeps and inspections. Liners and masonry rebuilds take a deposit for materials.
- Payment. Due on completion.
- Warranty. State your workmanship warranty on masonry and liner installs; liners carry the maker's warranty, which may require installation by a trained sweep.
- If an inspection finds a hazard, you will tell the customer in writing and advise not to use the fireplace until it is fixed.
- Roof access depends on weather and roof pitch.
- Animals in the chimney may be protected by law; removal follows local rules.
How to fill it in
- Put in your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for chimney
The same estimate for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.