Philadelphia · free referral service
Chimney repair & relining in Philadelphia
Failed inspection, a leak around the stack, a new furnace that needs a liner, or a new building next door that now towers over your chimney? Tell us what’s going on and we’ll pass it to one independent Philadelphia chimney contractor for an inspection and a written quote.
- Free to use
- One local contractor, not a call list
- Every rule and price sourced
Free · no obligation
Tell us about the chimney
Philly Chimney Repair is a free referral service, not a chimney contractor. We pass your request to an independent Philadelphia contractor, who inspects, quotes and does the work.
What we can help with
Four kinds of chimney work
Chimney liners & relining
Stainless steel, clay and cast-in-place liners, and when a flue needs one.
02Inspections & sweeping
Level I, II and III inspections, annual sweeps, and pre-purchase checks.
03Crowns, caps, flashing & masonry
Leaks, cracked crowns, loose brick and rebuilding the stack above the roof.
04Furnace & water heater flues
Gas appliances venting into an old brick chimney, and what changes when you replace one.
Why it matters in a rowhouse city
Your chimney may be venting the furnace, not a fireplace
If your house has gas or oil heat, the chimney may be carrying exhaust from the furnace, boiler or water heater in the basement. That exhaust includes carbon monoxide, which is why the City’s chimney clearance rules exist: L&I says clearances are meant to “avoid any backdraft that may increase levels of carbon monoxide.”
The City’s Rowhouse Manual recommends you “hire a chimney sweep to clean and inspect chimneys once a year,” and check for cracking at flashing and chimney caps.
- 10 ftNew construction that rises above your roof within 10 feet of your chimney or vent triggers the City’s extension rules.
- 60 daysMinimum notice the builder must give you before work starts, with an offer to extend your chimney.
- $69L&I fee per heating apparatus connected to a flue or chimney in a one- or two-family home, if permitted separately.
Costs
What chimney work costs
There’s no City price list. These are published national ranges; a contractor has to inspect the flue to quote. Full cost guide.
| Job | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel liner, installed | $900–$3,800 | HomeGuide |
| Chimney sweep (includes a Level 1 inspection) | $150–$375 (avg. $275) | HomeGuide |
| Level 2 inspection (up to 2 flues) | $250–$600 | HomeGuide |
| Crown repair (minor) / full crown replacement | $200–$700 / up to $3,000 | HomeGuide |
| Flashing repair | $300–$1,800 | HomeGuide |
City rules
Permits and rules in brief
- Mechanical permit. L&I issues Mechanical Permits for devices regulated by the Philadelphia Mechanical and Fuel Gas Codes, and says a licensed contractor must perform the work. Some mechanical work qualifies for an EZ permit with no plans.
- Construction next door. If a new building rises above your roof within 10 feet of your chimney or vent, the builder must offer to extend it, with notice at least 60 days before work.
- Carbon monoxide alarms. Homes with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage need CO alarms under the Fire Code, as L&I explains in Code Interpretation 0801.
- Historic properties. On the Philadelphia Register, masonry repair, flashing and mechanical vents need Historical Commission review. It’s free, and staff approve most applications.
Guides
Start here
Areas we have guides for: Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Mount Airy, Germantown, Society Hill, Passyunk Square, and the rest of the city.
References
- L&I: Chimney & vent clearance information sheet, Rev. 4.2025 (PDF)
- City of Philadelphia: Philadelphia Rowhouse Manual (PDF)
- L&I: Regulations concerning chimney and vent clearance on properties adjoining construction sites (PDF)
- City of Philadelphia: Get a Mechanical Permit
- L&I: Code Interpretation No. 0801, Carbon monoxide alarms (PDF)
- Philadelphia Historical Commission: Get approval for work to a historic property
- Philadelphia Historical Commission: permit log, October 2024 (PDF)
- HomeGuide: Chimney liner cost
- HomeGuide: Chimney sweep cost
- HomeGuide: Chimney inspection cost
- HomeGuide: Chimney repair cost
- PGW (Philadelphia Gas Works): emergency line on pgworks.com
Checked October 30, 2026. Codes, fees, programs and prices change; confirm with the source. Cost figures are published ranges, not quotes.
Free · no obligation
Request a quote
Philly Chimney Repair is a free referral service, not a chimney contractor. We pass your request to an independent Philadelphia contractor, who inspects, quotes and does the work.
Have a chimney question you want a pro to look at?
Tell us your ZIP code, what the chimney serves and what you’re seeing. We pass it to one independent Philadelphia chimney contractor, who contacts you to set up an inspection and a written quote.
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- One local contractor gets it
- They call or text you
Philly Chimney Repair is a free referral service, not a chimney contractor. We pass your request to an independent Philadelphia contractor, who inspects, quotes and does the work. We are not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia, L&I or PGW. We may be paid by the contractors we refer. Disclosure.