How much to charge as a chimney sweep
Chimney sweeping is priced per flue, booked seasonally, and sold on a certificate most customers do not know they need until their insurer or their solicitor asks for it.
Quick answer
A standard single-flue sweep in the UK is around 72 pounds on average in 2026, with most of the country between 60 and 85 and a wider market range of 60 to 130. London and the South East add roughly 20%, putting the typical figure at 110 to 150. A second flue swept during the same visit is normally 40 to 60 pounds extra, not a second full price, because the travel and setup are already paid for. Birds' nests, heavy soot and awkward chimneys are chargeable extras. The price should include dust protection, vacuuming, a visual check of the flue and appliance, and a sweeping certificate.
UK chimney sweeping rates, 2026
| Job | Typical UK | London and South East |
|---|---|---|
| Standard single flue | 60 to 85, average about 72 | 110 to 150 |
| Second flue, same visit | 40 to 60 extra | Higher |
| Second flue, separate visit | Full price again | Full price again |
| Bird's nest removal | Chargeable extra | Chargeable extra |
| Heavy soot or neglected flue | Chargeable extra | Chargeable extra |
Step-by-step
- 1
Price the visit, then price the flue
Most of your cost is getting there, parking, and laying up. So a second flue in the same visit should be 40 to 60, not another 72, while a separate return visit has to be charged in full. Making that logic explicit on your price list encourages customers to book both flues at once, which is better for both of you.
- 2
Make the certificate part of what you are selling
Customers usually think they are buying a clean chimney. What they often actually need is the certificate, because insurers ask for evidence of regular sweeping after a chimney fire and buyers' solicitors ask for the most recent one during a sale. Saying so on your website converts far better than describing the sweeping itself.
- 3
Quote nests and neglect as extras, before you arrive
A chimney that has not been swept in years, or has a nest in it, is a different job from an annual sweep and can take several times as long. Set out on your price list that these are chargeable, and ask when the chimney was last swept at the point of booking. That one question prevents most on-the-day pricing arguments.
- 4
Build the round geographically
At around 72 pounds a job, your earnings are decided by how many you complete in a day, and therefore by driving time. Offer neighbours a slot on the same day, group bookings by area, and treat a tight round as the actual business model, not a nicety.
- 5
Price for the season, and sell the off-season
Demand concentrates heavily in autumn and everyone wants the same six weeks. Take bookings early, and actively sell spring and summer sweeps as the way to get an appointment when you want one rather than when you can get one. Smoothing the year does more for you than raising the autumn price.
Tips & best practices
- A second flue on the same visit should be discounted, not repeated at full price. The travel is already covered and customers notice when it is not.
- Ask when the chimney was last swept at booking. It is the one question that predicts whether the job takes forty minutes or two hours.
- Put the certificate on your website in plain language. Most customers do not know their insurer may ask for it until it matters.
Common questions
How much does a chimney sweep cost in the UK?
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Around 72 pounds on average for a standard single flue in 2026, with most of the country between 60 and 85 and a broader range of 60 to 130. London and the South East typically run 110 to 150.
Should I charge full price for a second flue?
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No. The usual market approach is 40 to 60 pounds extra for a second flue swept during the same visit, because you are already on site. A separate visit is charged in full.
What should be included in the standard price?
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A full sweep of the flue, dust sheets and floor protection, vacuuming during and after, a visual check of the flue and appliance connections, and a sweeping certificate.
Can I charge extra for a bird's nest?
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Yes, and you should. Nest removal and heavily neglected flues take substantially longer than an annual sweep. State on your price list that they are chargeable extras so it is never a surprise.
Why does the certificate matter to customers?
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Home insurers may ask for evidence of regular sweeping when assessing a chimney fire claim, and a buyer's solicitor may ask for the most recent certificate during a house sale. It is often the real reason someone books.