How Much Does a Chimney Inspection Cost?
At Ember Chimney & Fireplace, a chimney safety inspection is part of the $149 Chimney Safety Package, which also includes a chimney sweep and a photo report. Nationally, a Level 1 inspection costs $100 to $250 and a Level 2 costs $250 to $600, according to HomeGuide’s 2026 cost guide.
Which level you need matters more than anything else for the price. Here is how the three levels compare and when each one is used.
Chimney Inspection Cost by Level
| Level | What it covers | National price (HomeGuide, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Firebox, damper, visible flue and outside of the chimney | $100 to $250 |
| Level 2 | Level 1 plus a camera scan of the whole flue, attic, crawl space and roof areas | $250 to $600 |
| Level 3 | Parts of the chimney or wall opened to reach hidden damage | $900 to $5,000 |
The levels come from the NFPA 211 fire safety standard, which inspectors across the country follow.
Level 1 Chimney Inspection
A Level 1 is the yearly checkup. The technician looks at every part of the chimney and fireplace that can be reached without special tools: the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, the part of the flue that can be seen, and the outside of the chimney, crown and cap. It is the right inspection when nothing about the system has changed and you use it the same way as last year.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
A Level 2 adds a video camera run up the full length of the flue, plus a look at the attic, crawl space and roof areas near the chimney. The camera finds cracked flue tiles, gaps in the mortar and damage that a flashlight cannot reach. NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 when:
- A home is bought or sold.
- There has been a chimney fire, earthquake or storm damage.
- The fireplace, stove, insert or fuel type is changed.
If you are buying a home, a general home inspection usually covers only the parts of the chimney that can be seen. Read more in why a Level 2 inspection matters before a home sale.
Level 3 Chimney Inspection
A Level 3 is rare. It means opening part of the chimney or the wall around it to reach an area a camera cannot. It is only used when a Level 2 points to serious hidden damage.
What Ember’s Inspection Includes
The Chimney Safety Package is $149 and includes:
- A chimney sweep of the flue, smoke chamber and firebox.
- A safety inspection of the chimney from top to bottom.
- A photo report of what the technician found.
- The full $149 credited toward any repair booked within 30 days (one package per household).
Because the chimney is swept first, the technician sees the real surface of the flue instead of a layer of soot. Find out more on our chimney inspection page.
Is a Free or Very Cheap Inspection Worth It?
A very low inspection price can be a way to get a technician in the door to sell repairs. Ask whether you will get photos of what they find and a written price before any work. Ember gives you both, and no repair starts until you say yes.
Book a Chimney Inspection
Ember Chimney & Fireplace is a BBB Accredited Business with an A rating. Our CSIA-certified chimney technicians offer guaranteed same-day service, and seniors get 10% off and military members get 5% off.
If the inspection finds damage, see what chimney repair costs, or check how much a chimney sweep costs.
