Chimney & Fireplace Contractors
Fireplace installation, chimney repair, sweeping and inspection.
1
Contractor Available
0
Projects This Month
Free
For Homeowners
About chimney & fireplace services
Chimney and fireplace work covers everything that keeps a solid-fuel, gas, or wood-burning appliance venting safely and the masonry around it sound. That includes inspecting and cleaning flues, repointing crumbling mortar joints, rebuilding the crown and cap, resealing flashing where the chimney meets the roof, relining the flue, and repairing or replacing firebox and damper components. Some of these tradespeople are certified sweeps, some are masons who focus on brick and stone, and many handle both the structural shell and the venting system that runs up through it.
Most homeowners call when something is already going wrong. A chimney repair search often follows a water stain on the ceiling near the flue, white staining on the brick, a musty smoky smell, or a fireplace that pushes smoke back into the room instead of drawing it up. Others book routine service before the heating season, because creosote buildup in a wood-burning flue is a genuine fire hazard and a blocked flue can vent carbon monoxide back indoors. In older Canadian housing stock, freeze-thaw cycles are brutal on exposed brick and crown concrete, so seasonal maintenance matters here more than in milder climates.
Because chimney problems range from a simple sweep to a full masonry rebuild, quoted costs vary enormously, and so does the scope contractors recommend. One company might suggest a full reline while another says a crown repair and new cap will solve it. That spread is exactly why comparing several detailed quotes pays off. Written estimates that spell out the diagnosis, the materials, and whether an inspection is included let you tell a fair, targeted repair apart from an upsell, and give you leverage to ask better questions.
Chimney & Fireplace services we cover
Chimney sweeping and inspection
Cleaning creosote and soot from the flue, clearing blockages, and inspecting the liner, damper, and smoke chamber. A camera inspection documents cracks or gaps that a visual check from the roof would miss.
Masonry and brick repair
Repointing failed mortar joints, replacing spalled brick, and rebuilding the chimney stack above the roofline. This chimney masonry work restores both structure and the weather seal that keeps water out of the wall.
Crown and cap work
Repairing or recasting the concrete crown at the top and fitting a stainless cap with a spark screen. A sound crown and cap keep rain, snow, animals, and embers from entering the flue.
Flashing repair and sealing
Resealing or replacing the metal flashing where the chimney passes through the roof. Failed chimney flashing is one of the most common sources of ceiling leaks blamed on the roof itself.
Flue relining
Installing a stainless steel or cast liner when the original clay tiles are cracked or the flue no longer suits the appliance. Relining is often required when switching from wood to a gas insert.
Fireplace and firebox repair
Rebuilding firebrick, replacing dampers and gaskets, and servicing gas inserts or wood stoves. This restores efficient, safe combustion so the appliance heats the room instead of losing heat up the flue.
Signs you need a chimney & fireplace pro
Water stains or a musty smell
Brown stains on the ceiling or wall near the chimney, or a damp smoky odour after rain, usually point to a failed crown, cap, or flashing letting water into the masonry.
White staining on the brick
Chalky white efflorescence on the exterior brick means water is moving through the masonry. Left alone, that moisture accelerates freeze-thaw damage and loosens the mortar joints.
Smoke pushing back into the room
A fireplace that will not draw, or that fills the room with smoke, signals a blocked flue, creosote buildup, a bad damper, or a draft problem that needs professional diagnosis before you burn again.
Crumbling mortar or leaning stack
Gaps you can see between bricks, mortar you can scrape out by hand, or a stack that looks out of plumb are structural warnings that the chimney needs repointing or partial rebuilding soon.
What drives chimney & fireplace cost
See the full cost guide →Scope of the repair
A cleaning and inspection sits at one end and a full stack rebuild or reline at the other. The single biggest cost driver is whether the fix is cosmetic, a sealed weatherproofing job, or structural masonry.
Height and access
Tall chimneys, steep roofs, and stacks that need scaffolding or a lift cost more to work on safely. Access difficulty affects labour on nearly every chimney job regardless of the actual repair.
Materials and liner type
Matching historic brick, stainless versus aluminum liners, and cast-in-place versus rigid systems all change the price. The appliance being vented determines which liner is code-compliant.
Condition and hidden damage
A camera inspection sometimes reveals cracked flue tiles or water damage behind the facing that was not visible from the ground, expanding the scope once work begins.
Top Chimney & Fireplace Contractors
View All
Concord, Ontario
Toronto's trusted renovation experts since 2009, kitchens, baths, basements & full home remodels across the GTA.
Chimney fireplace in the United States
Across the United States, chimney fireplace needs vary from one state to the next. Regional weather across the US — heat, storms, cold or coastal salt air — shapes which materials and details hold up over time.
From flue relining to crown and cap work, the specifics are local. State and city requirements vary, which is why hiring locally avoids permit and inspection surprises.
NeedReno lists chimney fireplace contractors in states across the United States, so you can compare a few local quotes in US dollars and hire someone who knows your area, using US standards.
How to choose a chimney & fireplace contractor
Look for a sweep certified by a recognized body such as the Wood Energy Technology Transfer program, which trains and certifies WETT professionals across Canada for wood-burning system inspection. For masonry rebuilds, hire an experienced brick mason and ask to see photos of past chimney work, not just general bricklaying. Confirm the contractor carries liability insurance and, where the trade is regulated in your province, holds the appropriate qualification. If gas appliances are involved, the person connecting them must be a licensed gas fitter. Always get the diagnosis in writing before you approve any repair.
Ask for a camera inspection so you are paying to fix a documented problem rather than a guess. Be cautious of a company that arrives for a routine cleaning and immediately recommends a costly full reline without showing you why. Compare at least two or three quotes that describe the same scope, and check that each includes cleanup and a workmanship guarantee. Reviews that mention tidy work, honest inspections, and no-pressure recommendations are worth more than the lowest number on the page, because chimney safety is not the place to cut corners.
What to expect from a chimney & fireplace project
Inspection and diagnosis
The contractor examines the flue, crown, cap, flashing, and firebox, often with a camera, then explains what is failing and why. This step defines the real scope before any quote is finalized.
Written estimate and scheduling
You receive an itemized quote covering materials, access equipment, and cleanup. Masonry and weatherproofing work is usually scheduled for dry weather so mortar and sealants cure properly.
Cleaning or teardown
The flue is swept if needed, and any failed masonry, liner, or crown is removed. Drop cloths and containment keep soot and debris out of your living space.
Repair and rebuild
The crew repoints or rebuilds brickwork, casts a new crown, sets a cap, installs the liner, and reseals the flashing, using materials rated for the appliance and the weather exposure.
Final check and cleanup
A draft and safety test confirms the chimney vents correctly, the site is cleaned, and you get documentation of the work and any inspection findings for your records.
Chimney & Fireplace: frequently asked questions
How much does chimney repair cost?
There is no single figure, because chimney repair ranges from a basic cleaning to a full stack rebuild or reline. Simple crown sealing and cap replacement sit at the low end, while repointing, relining, and structural rebuilds cost considerably more. The best way to understand your number is to get an inspection and a written, itemized quote, then compare a few so you can see what scope each contractor is actually pricing.
How often should a chimney be cleaned and inspected?
For a wood-burning fireplace or stove used through the winter, an annual inspection and cleaning before the heating season is the standard recommendation, because creosote builds up quickly and is flammable. Gas appliances vent cleaner but the flue and liner should still be inspected yearly for blockages and cracks. If you burn frequently or notice any draft or odour changes, book a check sooner rather than waiting.
Why does my fireplace smoke back into the room?
Smoke pushing into the room usually means the flue is not drawing properly. Common causes include a blocked or creosote-lined flue, a closed or broken damper, a flue that is too short or too cool, or negative pressure in a tightly sealed home. A chimney professional can diagnose the specific cause, clear or reline the flue, and correct the draft so the fireplace vents up and out as it should.
What causes water leaks around a chimney?
Leaks near a chimney most often come from failed flashing where the stack meets the roof, a cracked crown at the top, a missing cap, or porous brick and mortar soaking up water. Because homeowners often blame the roof, a proper inspection matters. Sealing the flashing, recasting the crown, fitting a cap, and repointing the masonry usually stops the leak and protects the wall inside.
Can I convert my wood-burning fireplace to gas?
In most cases yes, by installing a gas insert or log set, but the flue almost always needs relining to suit the new appliance, and a licensed gas fitter must make the connection. A chimney contractor can assess whether your existing structure and venting will work, size the correct liner, and coordinate the masonry and venting so the finished conversion is safe and code-compliant.
What is repointing and does my chimney need it?
Repointing is grinding out old, failed mortar joints and packing in fresh mortar to restore the brickwork. Your chimney likely needs it if the joints are recessed, crumbling, or you can scrape mortar out by hand, or if you see white staining and loose bricks. On exposed chimneys in freeze-thaw climates it is routine maintenance, and doing it early prevents a far more expensive rebuild later.
Ready to Start Your Chimney & Fireplace Project?
Tell us about your project and we'll connect you with verified Chimney & Fireplace professionals near you, for free.