Chimney inspections
Three levels exist, they are not interchangeable, and knowing which one you actually need is the single best defence against being oversold.
Level 1 — the annual check
The one almost everybody needs, once a year. A visual examination of the readily accessible parts of the chimney and the appliance connection: cap, crown, flashing, flue, damper, smoke chamber, firebox and the clearances around it.
- Included with a standard sweep — you should not be charged twice for it
- Confirms the system is sound and free of obstruction
- Ends with written findings ranked by priority
Typical range $100 – $250 on its own. Puget Sound market ranges, 2026 — published so you can check any quote against them, ours included.
Level 2 — when something changed
Adds the parts you cannot see from the firebox or the roof. Under NFPA 211 this is the level called for in specific situations, and those situations are not optional:
- A property sale or transfer — this is the one that surprises people three days before closing
- After a chimney fire, an earthquake, or a weather event that could have damaged the structure
- When you change the fuel, the appliance, or the shape or material of the flue
If you are selling, order it early. A Level 2 finding three days before closing is a negotiation; the same finding three weeks out is a repair.
Level 3 — only when something is seriously wrong
Level 3 means opening up part of the structure — removing masonry, a wall section, or a chimney chase — to reach a hazard that cannot be evaluated any other way. It is destructive, it is expensive, and it is rare. Anyone who reaches for it early is not reading the system, they are reading your worry.
Questions about inspections
Do I need an inspection if I never use the fireplace?
Is an inspection included with a sweep?
What if you find something serious?
Can I get a copy for my insurer?
Find out what you actually need.
The 60-Second Chimney Check on our home page will point you at the right level before you spend anything.