Chimney Inspection Cost in Seattle (2026): Level 1, 2 & 3 at $99 + tax
What Does a Chimney Inspection Cost in Seattle in 2026?
At Seattle Chimney Pros, a chimney inspection in Seattle is $99 plus tax — deducted from the quote you approve. It is the same price for a Level 1, a Level 2 or a Level 3 inspection, and it includes a camera look at the flue and a written report. You pay our technician at the visit.
For comparison, the national cost guide published by Fixr puts a single-flue inspection at $85–$250 for Level 1, $150–$400 for Level 2 and $500–$5,000 for Level 3. Those are U.S. figures, not Seattle prices. The sections below show where each number comes from and what moves it.
Chimney Inspection Cost by Level: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3
The three levels come from NFPA 211, the U.S. standard for chimneys, fireplaces and vents, which adopted them in 2000 (Chimney Safety Institute of America announcement).
| Level | What it covers | When it applies | Seattle Chimney Pros | U.S. market range (Fixr, one flue, cleaning included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Readily accessible parts: firebox, damper, exterior masonry, crown, cap, visible flue | Routine check, the chimney is used the same way as before | $99 + tax | $85–$250 |
| Level 2 | Level 1, plus a video scan of the flue and the accessible attic, crawl space and basement portions | Sale or transfer of the home, change of fuel or appliance, after a chimney fire, storm or earthquake | $99 + tax | $150–$400 |
| Level 3 | Level 2, plus access to concealed areas, which can mean removing parts of the chimney or the building | A Level 1 or 2 points to a hidden hazard that cannot be checked otherwise | $99 + tax | $500–$5,000 |
The inspection price does not change with the level. Opening a wall or removing chimney parts for a Level 3, and putting them back, is work: it appears in the written quote before anything is opened. For what each level looks like on the roof and in the attic, see our guide to chimney inspection levels.
Where Do These Prices Come From?
- Seattle price: $99 plus tax — deducted from the quote you approve, the price shown on our pricing page and the chimney inspection page. It is the same for every level.
- Market ranges by level: Fixr chimney inspection cost guide, updated August 29, 2025. They are national figures for one flue, and Fixr's Level 1 and Level 2 figures include a cleaning.
- Seattle averages by level: not measured. We have not yet done enough inspections at each level to publish an honest local average, so this guide does not print one.
- Level definitions: NFPA 211, as summarized by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
What Changes the Price of a Chimney Inspection?
At Seattle Chimney Pros, none of the factors below changes the inspection price: it stays $99 + tax. On the wider market, they are what moves the bill, according to Fixr's guide:
- Number of flues: the single-flue Level 1 range is $85–$250; with four flues it reaches $550–$950.
- Roof, attic and crawl-space access: a Level 2 includes them, which is why Fixr's Level 2 range starts higher than its Level 1 range.
- A sale or a change of fuel: both call for a Level 2 under NFPA 211, so the inspection level, and the market price, go up.
- Hidden damage: a Level 3 is priced on how hard the concealed area is to reach.
- A bundled cleaning: many market prices include a sweep. Comparing an inspection-only price with a sweep-and-inspection price is comparing two different jobs.
What does change your total is the work the inspection turns up: a sweep, a cap, a repair. Those lines come from the local price grid, shown below.
Is a Chimney Sweep Included in the Inspection Price?
No. An inspection tells you what condition the chimney is in; a sweep cleans it. They are priced apart. On the Seattle price grid, tax included:
- Chimney sweep, standard: $165 – $331
- Chimney sweep, heavy buildup: $275 – $441
- Creosote removal: $221 – $553
- Chimney cap, single flue: $221 – $497
The inspection is $99 plus tax — deducted from the quote you approve. Every line is on our pricing page, and the chimney sweep page explains what a sweep includes.
Which Inspection Level Do You Need?
NFPA 211 sets out when each level applies (CSIA summary):
- Level 1: the chimney is easy to reach and you plan to keep using it the same way. NFPA 211 recommends an inspection every year for a chimney in use.
- Level 2: the home is being sold or transferred; you change the fuel you burn or add an appliance of a different type; or something likely damaged the chimney, such as a chimney fire, a severe weather event or an earthquake.
- Level 3: a Level 1 or 2 suggests a hidden hazard that cannot be checked without opening concealed areas.
These are the standard's recommendations. No Washington State rule making a Level 2 mandatory before a fuel change, or at every home sale, could be linked to an official text for this guide. Check your purchase agreement, and for a new appliance, the permit conditions explained by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections.
Who Pays for a Chimney Inspection When a Home Is Sold?
Who pays is set in the purchase agreement, not by the inspection. Fixr reports that the seller usually pays when an inspection is part of the sale. A buyer can also book one directly before the inspection contingency ends. Either way the price is the same, $99 + tax, and a sale calls for a Level 2. Our guide to chimney inspections when buying a house in Washington covers the timing.
What Does Seattle's Weather Do to a Chimney?
Long wet seasons are hard on masonry. These are the usual reasons an inspection report in the Seattle area flags something:
- Crowns: the slab on top of the chimney takes the full weight of the rain, and cracks let water into the masonry. See what chimney repairs cost in Seattle.
- Creosote: damp or unseasoned wood burns cooler and leaves more deposits in the flue.
- Flashing: the seal where the chimney meets the roof lets go over time; our guide to chimney flashing repair covers the signs.
- Animals: birds and raccoons nest in uncapped flues, mostly in spring and summer. A cap keeps them out.
Book a Chimney Inspection in Seattle
Call (206) 278-2924 or book your inspection online. We confirm the time and send one of our CSIA-certified technicians. The inspection is $99 plus tax — deducted from the quote you approve, and any work comes with a written quote before it starts.
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