Chimney Stack Removal Cost
If you’re thinking of removing a chimney stack, you might want to know how much it costs.
When a disused chimney stack is damaged, most people choose to have it removed rather than having it restored.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Chimney Stack?
Typically, a chimney stack removal involves removing the stack all the way down to the roof tiles. The chimney breast is usually retained in place and used as a decorative feature within the property when the chimney stack is removed.
So, how much does removing a chimney stack cost, and how long does it take? The majority of chimney stack removals may be accomplished in a matter of days, with costs ranging from £400 to £2000.
A small chimney stack removal will cost between £400 and £800, a medium chimney stack removal would cost between £800 and £1300, and a large chimney stack removal will cost between £1200 and £1200.
The cost of removing a chimney stack is influenced by a number of factors, including the size of the chimney stack.
The ease of access to the roof, the materials chosen, and your location in the UK are all aspects to consider. Those who live in the London area may anticipate to pay more than those who live in the north or elsewhere in the UK.
Chimney Stack Removal Prices
The costs of removing a chimney stack in the UK are shown in the table below:
| Job description | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Small-sized chimney stack removal | £400-£800 |
| Medium-sized chimney stack removal | £800-£1300 |
| Large-sized chimney stack removal | £1200-£2000 |
What are the Supply Costs of a Chimney Stack Removal?
When it comes to removing a chimney stack, you’ll need some supplies, such as roofing materials to cover the part of the roof where the chimney was removed, as well as scaffolding to complete the job.
In most cases, your contractor will include these costs in their overall job quote. However, let’s say you’re thinking about buying the materials ahead of time and paying for the labour separately. In that scenario, you could be curious about the costs of the supplies required.
Roofing Materials Costs
When your chimney stack is removed, the place where it used to be must be covered with new roofing materials to mix in with the rest of the roof; otherwise, you will be left with a gap in the roof.
Roofing felt will cost roughly £50-£60 per square metre if you require it. If you need new roof tiles, the price will vary. Concrete roof tiles, for example, will cost between £0.40 and £6.68 per square metre, but clay tiles will cost between £0.37 and £100.71 per square metre.
Please see our new roof cost guide for additional information on the prices of roofing materials.
Scaffolding Costs
You will need to hire scaffolding for the duration of the project in order for the contractors to do the work safely and efficiently. Scaffolding for a chimney typically costs between £450 and £550.
Check out our scaffolding pricing guide for additional information on how much it costs to hire scaffolding.
What are the Additional Costs of Removing a Chimney Stack?
When it comes to removing a chimney stack, there are a number of additional costs to consider. These extra costs could include the cost of removing a chimney breast, the cost of a new roof, or the cost of hiring scaffolding.
The following is a list of the various items that you may need to budget for when doing this type of work:
Removing a Chimney Breast
If you’re removing your chimney stack, it’s very likely that you don’t use it anymore. Many folks will use their disused chimney breast as a decorative element. The chimney breast, on the other hand, might take up a lot of room in the room.
A chimney breast removal may be exactly what you need if you require more floor space. The cost of removing a chimney breast varies based on where it is positioned in the house, the materials used, and your location in the UK.
The cost of removing a downstairs chimney breast is from £1455 and £2010. If you’re removing a chimney breast from an upper floor, expect to pay between £1570 and £2120. Check out our chimney breast removal guide for more information on how to remove chimney breasts and the costs involved.
New Roof Installation
If you’re having work done on your chimney, it might be a good time to have work done on your roof as well, especially since scaffolding will be erected for the project. If you’re thinking about getting a new roof installed, you’ll have to factor in some additional charges.
A new roof costs between £5000 and £6000 on average. These costs, however, can vary depending on the materials used, the roof’s size, and your location in the United Kingdom.
Please see our new roof cost guide for more information on how much it costs to install a new roof.
Scaffolding Hire
You will need to hire scaffolding for the duration of the project in order for the contractors to do the work safely and efficiently. Scaffolding for a chimney typically costs between £450 and £550. Check out our scaffolding pricing guide for additional information on how much it costs to hire scaffolding.
Skip Hire
When removing a chimney stack, you’ll need to think about how you’ll get rid of the waste. Many contractors offer rubbish removal as part of their package. If they don’t, you’ll almost certainly need to hire a skip to properly dispose of all rubbish. Depending on the size of your chimney stack, this type of labour can generate a lot of waste.
You should anticipate to pay roughly £100-£400 on average to hire a skip for your chimney stack removal, depending on the size of skip you require. Please see our skip hire cost guide for more information on the costs associated with hiring a skip.
Cost-Affecting Factors
There are also a number of cost-influencing factors that might affect the final cost of having your chimney stack removed. Additional elements that may affect the overall cost of this type of work are listed below:
Size of the Chimney Stack
The size of your chimney stack might have an impact on the total cost of the project. A small chimney stack removal, for example, will typically cost between £400 and £800. A medium chimney stack removal costs between £800 and £1300, whereas a large chimney stack removal costs between £1200 and £2000.
With this in mind, the larger your chimney stack is, the higher the cost of the job will be. Larger chimney stacks will take much longer to dismantle, resulting in higher labour costs.
Materials Used
The cost of removing your chimney stack is influenced by the materials utilised for the task. For rebuilding the roof over the area where the chimney stack formerly stood, you’ll need a variety of materials.
Roofing felt will cost roughly £50-£60 per square metre if you require it. If you need new roof tiles, the price will vary. Concrete roof tiles, for example, will cost between £0.40 and £6.68 per square metre, but clay tiles will cost between £0.37 and £100.71 per square metre.
As you can see, the roofing materials utilised can have a significant impact on the entire cost of removing your chimney stack. Please see our new roof cost guide for additional information on the prices of roofing materials.
Your Location in the UK
The cost of removing your chimney stack depends on where you live in the United Kingdom. For this type of labour, those in and around London should expect to pay more than those in the North or other parts of the UK. This is due to the fact that labour prices are greater in certain places, and hence the costs may be much higher depending on the contractors you hire.
Before choosing a business to remove your chimney stack for you, it’s a good idea to get a few bids for the job. This way, you can be sure you’re receiving a decent deal on the work you’re having done.
Tradesmen Costs for a Chimney Stack Removal
If you want to buy materials separately for your chimney stack removal, you might be curious how much the labour portion of the job would cost. The cost of hiring contractors for this type of work varies based on the scope of the task, the difficulty of the job, and your location in the United Kingdom.
Each contractor’s average cost for the labour element of dismantling a chimney stack is roughly £200-£300 per day. For safety and efficiency, this type of operation normally necessitates at least two tradespeople.
Those living in and around London should expect to pay roughly £30-£70 more per day on average for labour than those living in the north or elsewhere in the UK.
A small chimney stack removal normally takes a day or two to accomplish. It will take about 1-2 days to remove a medium chimney stack. The removal of a huge chimney stack normally takes two to three days.
Benefits of Removing a Chimney Stack
There are numerous advantages to removing a chimney stack. The following is a list of the most significant benefits of this type of work:
Streamline the Roof
While many people prefer the classic aspect of a home with an external chimney, many modern residences do not have one. This streamlined roof aspect can be very pleasant, and many people prefer it.
A chimney stack removal is the finest solution for you if you want to streamline the appearance of your roof.
Prevent Leaks
Because their chimney stack is broken and perhaps leaking, many homeowners choose to have it removed.
A leaking chimney stack may be quite costly to repair, and if you choose not to get it repaired, you may end up with water spilling into your home.
If you don’t use your chimney at all, having the entire chimney stack removed may be a more cost-effective choice. This can help to avoid leaks and will also help to prevent future leaks.
Improve Appearance of Home
If your chimney is quite old and weathered on the outside, you might want to consider removing it to improve the aesthetic of your property.
Removing an old, broken, or otherwise ugly chimney stack can dramatically improve your home’s visual appearance from the outside.
Save Money
It can be very expensive to repair your chimney stack if it is broken or leaking. Having your chimney stack totally removed rather than repaired is typically far less expensive.
With this in mind, if you don’t utilise your chimney at all, merely removing the chimney stack can save you a lot of money.
FAQs
Q: Why do you need to remove a chimney stack?
A: You may desire to have your chimney stack removed for a variety of reasons. The following is a list of the most typical reasons for removing a chimney stack:
- The chimney stack is leaking, and removing it would be less expensive than repairing it.
- You no longer use your chimney and, as a result, the chimney stack is no longer required.
- You’re having your entire chimney removed because you don’t use or need it anymore.
- You’d love your external roof’s attractive appeal to be free of the chimney.
- You’d want to demolish an existing chimney stack so that a new one can be built in its place.
Q: What is causing my chimney to leak?
A: Your chimney could be leaking for a variety of reasons. It could be because the flue’s inside surface or a joint has failed.
If your chimney is made of bricks, the bricks may deteriorate or crumble with time, and the mortar between the bricks may also deteriorate and disintegrate, resulting in leaks.
Clay liners are dropped down into the chimney in various pieces if your chimney has been lined with them. Smoke can escape if a joint fails in the spaces between the pieces of liner.
Q: What are the different parts of a chimney?
A: Aside from the chimney stack, there are other additional parts to a chimney. The following is a list of the various parts of a chimney, along with an explanation of each:
- The flue is the void that permits the combustion products to escape into the atmosphere.
- A flue liner is a type of material that is used to create the flue within the chimney.
- The flue pipe is a metal pipe that connects the fire appliance to the flue system.
- Chimney – The structure that surrounds one or more flues is known as a chimney.
- Chimney breast – The part of the chimney inside the home that houses the fireplace is known as the chimney breast.
- The section of the chimney that sits above the roof is known as the chimney stack.
- Chimney terminal – Also known as the pot or cowl, the chimney terminal is a means of completing the top of the chimney.
Q: Can a chimney catch on fire?
A: Yes, a chimney has the potential to catch fire. If your fireplace isn’t properly maintained or swept on a regular basis, deposits will ultimately build up in the flue.
As the smoke goes upwards through the flue, deposits such as tar and soot can build up on the sides of the flue.
If a spark from the fire reaches the flue, it can be carried through the flue, igniting some of the deposits and causing the chimney to catch fire.
Q: Do I need to have my chimney inspected?
A: If you haven’t used your chimney in a long time and want to start using it again, you should have it inspected by a chimney professional before lighting a fire.
If you’ve had a chimney fire in the past, you should always have it inspected before using it again.
If you have any worries regarding the performance of your chimney or fireplace, you should have it inspected. If you see a poor draw of smoke escaping into the room or other areas of your home, you should have it looked out as soon as possible since there may be some issues that need to be addressed.
Q: Do I need planning permission to remove a chimney stack?
A: If you don’t reside in a listed building or a conservation area, you usually don’t require planning permission to remove a chimney stack. In these circumstances, you should seek advice from your local government before proceeding with the job.
