Chimney Repair Costs: Repointing, Rebuilds and Removal
Chimney work is priced mostly by access rather than by the fault itself — getting a tower or scaffold to the stack is often the biggest line on the quote. Here is what the common jobs cost and what each one involves. For typical prices, see our roof repair cost guide.
Rough figures
Repointing a stack £400–£900. New lead flashing and flaunching £300–£700. Partial rebuild £800–£2,000. Full chimney removal and roof made good £900–£2,500. Add scaffold where a tower will not reach.
Repointing
Raking out the failed mortar joints on the stack and re-pointing them in a mortar matched to the brick or stone. This is the most common chimney job — eroded joints let water into the masonry, which then pushes damp into the bedroom below and freezes and spalls the brick faces. Typically £400 to £900 depending on the height of the stack and how the access works.
Flaunching and lead flashing
The flaunching is the sloped mortar fillet that holds the pots and sheds water off the top of the stack; it cracks and crumbles with age. The lead flashing seals the joint where the stack passes through the roof. Renewing both — new Code 4 or 5 lead soakers, apron, step and back gutter, and a fresh flaunching — runs £300 to £700. Failed flashing here is one of the most common roof leaks we trace.
Partial rebuild
If the stack has leaned, the brickwork has blown, or the top few courses are beyond repointing, the stack is taken down to sound masonry and rebuilt — usually with a new flaunching, pots and flashing at the same time while the access is there. £800 to £2,000 depending on how far down it has to come.
Full removal
Where a chimney is disused and causing problems, taking it out removes the maintenance and the leak risk for good. The stack is removed above the roof line (or right down through the loft), the rafters and roof structure are made good, and the covering is re-tiled or re-slated over the gap to match. £900 to £2,500 depending on whether it comes off at roof level or goes all the way down, and how visible the repair area is.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove a chimney?
Removing the stack above roof level and making the roof good is typically £900 to £1,800. Taking the breast out through the loft as well is more — £1,500 to £2,500+ — and may need a structural check.
Why is chimney work so expensive for a small repair?
Because the access is the cost. A tower or scaffold to a stack, especially on a two or three storey house, can be several hundred pounds before any repointing is done. It is always shown as a separate line on our quotes.
Do I need to remove a chimney I do not use?
Not necessarily. A disused stack can be repointed, re-flashed and capped with a vented cowl to keep it weathertight and ventilated for a fraction of the cost of removal. Removal makes sense when it is structurally poor or repeatedly leaking.
How often should a chimney be repointed?
A stack in an exposed valley position typically needs repointing every 20 to 30 years. If damp is showing on the chimney breast inside, it usually needs doing sooner.
Related Reading
How much does roof repair cost in the UK?
Read moreRealistic UK costs by job type.
Common causes of roof leaks
Read moreThe faults we trace most often.
What happens if you ignore a roof leak?
Read moreWhy small leaks get expensive fast.
Roof repair vs roof replacement
Read moreDeciding between a repair and a full re-roof.
Chimney Problems?
Repointing, rebuilds, lead work, capping and full removal — chimney work across Merthyr Tydfil and the South Wales valleys with the access cost shown up front. Free quote.