Should I repair or remove a chimney I no longer use?

It depends on condition and cost. A sound redundant stack can simply be maintained, but if it is badly decayed, removing it and making good the roof may work out more economical than repeated repairs — a roofer can advise on the balance.

Chimney Repair Costs

These figures are illustrative, not quotes

The ranges on this page are here to help you understand what influences cost — they are not fixed prices or quotes. What you actually pay depends on your specific roof, how easy it is to reach, and current material and labour rates. Always get written quotes from insured, accredited roofers.

What affects the cost

Before looking at any numbers, it helps to understand the variables that move the price. These are what a roofer weighs up when pricing the job.

Access and scaffolding

A chimney is at the highest, most exposed part of the roof. Reaching it safely nearly always means scaffolding or a tower, and that access is frequently the single biggest part of a chimney repair quote.

The type of repair

Re-pointing the mortar joints is at the cheaper end; renewing the lead flashing, re-rendering the stack or rebuilding it from a certain course upward are progressively larger jobs.

Leadwork

Good flashing is skilled leadwork, and the amount and complexity around a chimney affects the cost. Sealant "repairs" are cheaper but rarely last, so proper lead is the durable option.

Height and stack condition

A tall stack, or one where the brickwork and mortar have badly decayed, needs more work and sometimes a partial or full rebuild rather than a surface repair.

Whether the chimney is still in use

A working flue may need its pots, flaunching and lining considered as well, whereas a redundant stack might be repaired more simply — or removed altogether.

Illustrative cost ranges

Illustrative — not a quote

The ranges below are a starting point for understanding likely costs. Treat them as ballpark figures for setting expectations, not as a price for your job.

Illustrative chimney ranges — not quotes. Access and stack condition are the main variables.

Work	Typical illustrative range	Main cost driver
Re-point the stack	£300 – £900	Access and stack size
Renew lead flashing around the stack	£400 – £1,200	Leadwork and access
Re-render the stack	£500 – £1,500	Height and condition
Rebuild the stack (upper courses)	£1,500 – £4,000+	Extent of rebuild
Remove a redundant chimney	£1,000 – £3,000	Making good the roof after

What’s usually included

Typically included

Labour for the chimney and leadwork
New lead, mortar or bricks as the job requires
Safe access to the stack, usually scaffolding
Making good the surrounding roof covering

Often not included

Flue lining or sweeping for a working chimney unless agreed
Internal repairs to a damp chimney breast
Redecoration of water-damaged internal walls

Get a price for your roof

The only way to know what your job will cost is a quote from a roofer who has seen it. Get a free, no-obligation quote from a trusted local roofer.

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Frequently asked questions

Because a chimney stack is at the highest and most exposed point of the roof, it cannot be reached or worked on safely from a ladder. Scaffolding or a suitable tower is a safety requirement, which is why it features on almost every chimney quote.