The Short Answer
Here are our prices for inspections, so you can plan before you call:
| Inspection | What it covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 chimney inspection | Every part you can reach without tools, from firebox to cap | $55 |
| Level 2 chimney inspection | Level 1 plus a video scan of the full flue, attic and crawl space | $345 |
| Chimney sweep | Cleaning the flue, smoke shelf and firebox | from $225 |
A Level 3 inspection, which involves opening part of the structure, is rare and is quoted only when a Level 2 shows it is needed. Repairs are quoted in writing after the inspection.
The rest of this post explains which one your household needs, what decides where a Level 2 falls in its range, and what you should get in return.
Which Inspection Do You Need?
NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys and fireplaces, sets three levels. Picking the right one is mostly about whether anything has changed.
Level 1 is the yearly check. If you have lived in the house for a while, you use the fireplace the same way each year, and nothing unusual has happened, this is the right choice. The inspector checks the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, the visible flue, the outside of the chimney, the crown and the cap. In a home with children, pets or older relatives, we also check the screen or doors, the glass, the hearth, the gas valve and the alarms.
Level 2 is for change. NFPA 211 calls for it when a home is sold or bought, when the fuel type changes (for example, a wood fireplace getting a gas insert), after a chimney fire, and after an event that could have damaged the chimney, such as a strong earthquake. The camera sees cracks and gaps in the flue that nobody can see from the hearth.
Level 3 is rare. It means removing part of a wall or the chimney to reach a hidden problem that a Level 2 has pointed to.
What Makes a Level 2 Take Longer
A Level 2 is $345. How long the visit takes depends on a few plain things:
- - Height. A one-story ranch chimney is quicker to scan than a two-story chimney.
- Number of flues. A chimney with two fireplaces, or a fireplace plus a furnace flue, means more than one scan.
- Roof access. A low, walkable roof is simple. A steep or tile roof takes more setup to do safely.
- Attic and crawl space. If the chimney passes through tight spaces, checking them takes longer.
- The flue itself. Heavy creosote can block the camera and mean the flue needs a sweep before it can be scanned.
If you would like to know how long your visit will take, send a photo of the chimney from the street and a photo of the fireplace opening using the quote form on this page. That is usually enough for us to plan the time.
What You Should Get for the Price
An inspection is only as useful as the report you keep afterward. Whoever you hire, expect these things:
- - Photos of each finding, not a checkbox list.
- A plain-language rating for each item: unsafe, fix soon, or watch.
- For a Level 2, still images from the video with their location in the flue.
- A written price for any repair, with no pressure to book it on the spot.
- Household notes: alarms, screens, doors, glass and anything that can burn sitting too close.
If an inspector offers a very cheap inspection and then spends the visit pushing repairs, be cautious. A good inspection leaves you with information, not a sales pitch.
Should You Combine a Sweep and an Inspection?
Often, yes. If the flue is dirty, cleaning it first makes the inspection more accurate, and it saves a second visit. A sweep starts from $225. Many families in Thousand Oaks book the two together in late summer or early fall, before the first cool evenings, so the fireplace is cleaned and checked by the time anyone wants a fire.
When Families Usually Book
A few moments in family life are good triggers for an inspection:
- - Before a new baby comes home, or when a baby starts to crawl.
- When an older parent moves in, especially one with breathing trouble.
- Right after buying a home.
- After a strong earthquake or a winter storm with high wind.
- When anything about the fire changes: smoke in the room, a new smell, a yellow gas flame.
Common Questions
Is a home inspector's report the same thing? No. A general home inspector looks at the visible parts of many systems. A chimney inspection goes further into one system, and a Level 2 uses a camera the home inspector does not bring.
How long does it take? A Level 1 is usually under an hour. A Level 2 takes longer, depending on the chimney.
Do I need to be home? We prefer it, so we can walk the household checklist with you at the end.
Book Before the Busy Season
Inspection calls climb as soon as the first cool weekend arrives. If you want the fireplace checked and ready, call us with the button at the top of this page and we will book a Level 1, a Level 2 or a combined sweep and inspection at a time that works for your family.
Want Us to Check Yours?
Screens, glass, gas valves, alarms and the flue itself: Granite Peak Chimney Company looks at the whole hearth with your household in mind, from Thousand Oaks out across the Conejo Valley.
