Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Styles & brands we work with
- Sweep & inspection
- Caps & crowns
- Flue relining
- Masonry repair
- Gas fireplace service
See the difference
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After
Before
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AfterHow Much Does Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Cost in Milwaukee?
A standard chimney sweep in Milwaukee typically runs $180 to $350, and a sweep bundled with a Level 1 inspection usually lands between $250 and $450. A Level 2 camera inspection on its own costs about $250 to $500, while liner resurfacing with HeatShield falls in the $1,200 to $2,800 range. Every job here is quoted by a free written estimate, and that estimate sets the final price.
Milwaukee’s housing stock explains a lot of that spread. A century-old bungalow on the East Side with a clay-tile flue and years of creosote will quote higher than a 1990s colonial in Franklin. Cold, long winters mean furnaces and fireplaces work hard from November to March, and that steady burn builds up faster than in milder parts of the country. We price each chimney on what it actually needs, not on a flat card rate.
Key Takeaways
- Typical sweep: $180 to $350. Sweep plus Level 1 inspection: $250 to $450.
- Level 2 camera inspection: $250 to $500. HeatShield liner resurfacing: $1,200 to $2,800.
- Full relining with a DuraFlex or Olympia Chimney system: $2,500 to $6,500.
- Chimney cap installation (Famco or Gelco): $150 to $400.
- Estimates are free, and the written quote locks in your price.
Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Cost Breakdown (2026)
These ranges reflect what Milwaukee homeowners are quoted in 2026. Your written estimate will be specific to your flue type, height, and condition.
| Service | Typical Milwaukee Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard chimney sweep | $180 – $350 | Brush and vacuum clean of firebox, smoke chamber, and flue; creosote removal |
| Sweep + Level 1 inspection | $250 – $450 | Clean plus a visual check of accessible chimney components |
| Level 2 camera inspection | $250 – $500 | Video scan of the flue interior, often with photos of what we find |
| HeatShield liner resurfacing | $1,200 – $2,800 | Ceramic resurfacing of a damaged flue liner as an alternative to full relining |
| Full relining (DuraFlex / Olympia Chimney) | $2,500 – $6,500 | New flexible liner sized and installed for your appliance |
| Chimney cap installation (Famco / Gelco) | $150 – $400 | Cap and cover fitted to manufacturer spec for weatherproofing and animal exclusion |
| Crown or mortar repair | $300 – $1,200 | Repointing or crown repair to stop water intrusion |
What pushes a quote up: a flue packed with glazed, third-degree creosote that needs stiff mechanical work; a tall two-story chimney; a blocked flue that animals have gotten into through a missing cap; and any damage found during the sweep that turns a cleaning into a repair. What keeps it down: a chimney that gets swept regularly, a proper cap already in place, and a straightforward single-flue fireplace. Because we carry DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield materials, the sweep and the fix usually happen in the same visit rather than a second appointment after a parts order.
What Affects Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Pricing in Milwaukee
Milwaukee chimneys aren’t all built the same, and the price reflects that. Here’s what moves the number.
- Creosote level. Light soot sweeps quickly. Glazed creosote, common after heavy wood burning through a Milwaukee winter, takes more labor and time to remove safely. A dirty flue is also a fire hazard, so this isn’t a corner worth cutting.
- Flue type and height. A single-story masonry flue in Bay View is a shorter, easier job than a tall exterior chimney on a two-story home in Wauwatosa. Prefabricated metal flues price differently from clay-tile masonry.
- Whether it’s been swept before. A chimney with deferred maintenance, typical in older Milwaukee homes bought from a previous owner, often needs a camera inspection and possibly repairs alongside the clean. That’s where a $200 sweep can turn into a bigger scope.
- Access and condition. A cap that’s missing or rusted (let alone a raccoon nest) means extra work before cleaning can start. Fitting a Famco or Gelco cap at the same visit prevents the next problem.
- Inspection level required. A visual Level 1 inspection is quick. If you’re buying a home, changing appliances, or have had a chimney fire, a Level 2 camera inspection is the right call and costs more.
- Repairs found during the sweep. Cracked liners, bad crowns, and loose mortar get priced per job. HeatShield resurfacing can restore a damaged liner for far less than a full reline in the right conditions.
How to Save on Chimney Cleaning & Sweep
The cheapest chimney job is the one that stays a cleaning. A few habits keep it that way in a Milwaukee climate.
- Get the sweep done before the heating season, not after creosote has had a full winter to harden and glaze.
- Keep a proper cap in place. It keeps rain, snowmelt, and animals out, and it’s a small line item compared to the repairs a missing cap causes.
- Burn dry, seasoned wood. Wet wood puts more creosote in the flue and more work into the sweep.
- Ask for a camera inspection when you’re buying an older home, so you know about a cracked liner before it becomes an expensive surprise.
- Bundle the sweep and inspection in one visit instead of booking two trips.
We offer free estimates and honest scoping: if a sweep is all you need, that’s all we quote. Call (855) 935-4194.
FAQs – Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Cost
How much does a chimney sweep cost in Milwaukee?
A standard chimney sweep in Milwaukee typically costs $180 to $350, and a sweep plus a Level 1 inspection runs $250 to $450. Call (855) 935-4194 for an exact quote – estimates are free.
How often should I have my chimney cleaned?
Most chimneys should be swept once a year, or whenever about an eighth of an inch of creosote has built up in the flue. In Milwaukee, where fireplaces run hard through the winter, an annual fall sweep is a good baseline.
Is a chimney inspection included with a cleaning?
Not always. A basic sweep covers cleaning, while a Level 1 inspection adds $70 to $150 to the visit, and a Level 2 camera inspection costs $250 to $500. We’ll tell you which one your chimney actually needs.
Can you fix a damaged flue liner without replacing it?
Sometimes, yes. HeatShield ceramic resurfacing can restore a cracked or damaged clay liner for $1,200 to $2,800, well below a full reline. A full DuraFlex or Olympia Chimney relining costs $2,500 to $6,500 when resurfacing won’t hold.
Can you come today?
Same-day service is often possible. Call (855) 935-4194. We answer 24/7. Fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday, and same-day work is priced the same as any other job by the written estimate.
Do I need a chimney cap, and what does it cost?
A Famco or Gelco chimney cap runs $150 to $400 and keeps rain, snowmelt, and animals out of the flue. We install to manufacturer spec, and it’s often handled at the same visit as the sweep.
Pricing reflects the Milwaukee market as of 2026. Milwaukee Chimney Sweep offers free estimates – call (855) 935-4194.
Written by the team at Milwaukee Chimney Sweep.
What Our Customers Say
"Cap keeps the birds out now, which after two springs of scratching noises is worth every penny."
- Robert Sutton"Good work. The written inspection report took about a week to arrive after I asked for it, which was slower than I expected."
- Danika Ingram"Creosote buildup was worse than I realized. He measured it, showed me the glazing on the flue with the camera, and was honest that we were closer to a chimney fire than I wanted to hear."
- Nicole Kowalski