How Much Does it Cost to Rebuild a Chimney Stack?

Job	Description	Labour
1	Rebuild the corbelled “top” of an eaves chimney. This will take 2 men 2.5 days.	£700
	Plus the scaffolding & materials for the above…	£425
2	To rebuild the whole eaves chimney, will take 2 men 4 days	£1100
	Plus the scaffolding, materials, tipping etc. for the above…	£450
3	To rebuild the top of a ridge chimney, will take 2 men 2.5 days	£700
	Plus the scaffolding, materials, tipping etc. for the above…	£1025
4	To rebuild the whole ridge chimney will take 2 men 4 days	£1100
	Plus the scaffolding & materials for the above…	£1025
5	To remove, temporarily re-site and return an aerial on completion, done by an aerial fitter (from the scaffolding) could cost you an extra….	£150
6	To return when the scaffolding has gone and replace broken tiles/slates could cost anywhere between …	£50-£200

“Labour” at £175 a day (tradesman) £100 (labourer), includes incidental fixings etc. and tipping charges. “Materials” if mentioned, are larger things (a boiler) and stuff only you can choose (tiles etc). Also VAT must be added all round.

Our prices assume….

There are no conservatories, or other impediments to scaffolding erection. That all chimneys are average size (whatever that is) with no aerial and that if rebuilding, 90% the bricks and all the original pots can be reused. That pointing is done correctly. That “party chimneys” are all being done and that no tiles/slates are broken during the process

Information on chimney stacks

If the chimney is being rebuilt, where will the builder stop his demolition? (He has to knock it down before he can rebuild it doesn’t he)? If the whole stack is to come down, as opposed to just the fancy bit at the top (in the case of a Victorian chimney say), the demolition usually stops one or 2 courses above the existing flashings, providing they are sound.

If it’s just the top few courses of “corbelling” brickwork (that’s the correct name for the fancy bit at the top), that are being rebuilt, make sure you both know just how much is being demolished and make sure he sticks to the plan!

When rebuilding, it is vital that the new stack is rebuilt as tall as the old one was. Chimneys are the height they are for a reason. That was far better understood in “the olden days” when they were used seriously. Even if you don’t intend to light a fire now, in 20 years time when you can’t afford the gas bills anymore, you will be burning the fences and floorboards to keep warm at night.

If the flashings are being removed, make sure he fits new lead ones. Don’t let him return the old stuff and don’t accept anything but lead. Also, is he going to try and fit them, or is he getting a proper roofer in?