Partial Chimney Removal Costs and the Benefits of Hiring a Pro

Updated July 20, 2021

With the average price of a full chimney removal ranging anywhere from $2,500-$7,500, homeowners are often looking for alternative solutions to manage their needs while also cutting costs.

There are a number of reasons why homeowners are opting to remove their chimneys at a higher rate than they have in the past.

High maintenance costs, a leaky roof, home insurance liability, and floorplan space are just some of the many reasons homeowners are choosing to remove their chimney.

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Benefits of Opting for a Partial Chimney Removal

1. Save Money

Unless your fireplace is located in the middle of your floor plan or used as a room divider, the option to move forward with a partial chimney removal, as opposed to a complete chimney removal, is a valuable money-saving alternative.

While a complete chimney removal involves the removal of the stack, breast, flue, and often the fireplace, a partial chimney removal only involves removing the stack—the visible part of the chimney that extends out from the roof.

Once the stack is removed and flush with the roof, in most cases the only thing left to do is patch the hole properly.

It's clear to see why a partial chimney removal takes up a fraction of the labor time that it takes to complete a full chimney removal, and why contractors will charge you a fraction of the cost as a result.

The average price for a partial chimney removal ranges from $300- $2,000, compared to a complete demolition which ranges from $2,500- $7,500.

2. Reserve the Option to Restore

While fewer new homes are being built with fireplaces, the value of homes that have fireplaces is on the rise.

It may make sense for your purposes to remove the chimney in your home, but reserving the option to restore it in the future could increase your home's resale value.

Opting for a complete chimney removal would mean that any future homebuyers who are dead set on having a fireplace in their home would have to start an installation from scratch, which could negatively affect their buying decision.

These same buyers, however, might consider the replacement of just the chimney stack as a viable solution to their needs.

The majority of realtors believe that removing a fireplace can negatively affect a home's appeal and resale value by upwards of $4,000, especially in colder climates.

3. Minimize the Risk of Structural Damage

Depending on how and where your chimney was installed in your home, a total chimney removal can end up turning into a very tricky task if it is integral to your home's structure.

If you hire a qualified contractor, this shouldn't be a cause for any concern other than lengthier labor time.

If you're attempting to tackle this removal on your own or with a non-licensed contractor, however, improper handling of the removal of a load-bearing chimney breast has the potential to set off a string of resulting issues.

Unless there is an absolute need to remove the entirety of your chimney, a partial removal is sure to not only be a much smaller project but will likely be less of a headache.

4. Stay On Trend

As mentioned before, homes with fireplaces are typically more valuable than similar homes without them.

While this usually applies to fireplaces that are in working condition, it does not take away from the fact that many potential home buyers are drawn to decorative fireplaces.

With fewer new builds having fireplaces installed, the aesthetic desire for a quaint fireplace to decorate a living room around is becoming increasingly sought after and could be used as a selling point if you decide to sell your home in the future.

Why Hiring a Professional Is Encouraged

If you're handy with a set of tools, your first instinct might be to tackle a partial chimney removal on your own.

This can be done, but it's important to point out the many potential dangers of this.

Beyond the implicated physical dangers of doing any manual labor (on a roof no less), you put your home's structural integrity at risk if you do not have the proper experience and skill set to determine if your chimney stack removal requires additional reinforcement.

Causing accidental structural damage by doing the project yourself could end up costing you far more in repairs than the money you were trying to save by skipping out on hiring a contractor.

Another benefit of hiring a professional is that they should have enough experience and professionalism to handle a partial chimney removal within a business day.

Knowing that the job will be done quickly and correctly while also being budget-friendly, is why hiring a chimney removal is highly recommended.

WARNING: While it is possible to remove a chimney yourself, it is not a good idea unless you have home improvement experience, you're comfortable performing manual labor on your roof, and you have an assistant nearby to help maintain your safety from the ground. Even if all this is true in your case, we recommend hiring a professional to remove your chimney to ensure it is removed as efficiently and safely as possible.