A chimney liner costs $1,500 to $5,000 installed in 2026
A chimney liner costs $1,500 to $5,000 installed in 2026. Angi, HomeAdvisor and Fixr all put the average near $2,500. HomeGuide lists $1,500 to $4,000. Material is the biggest driver. HomeGuide lists aluminum at $625 to $2,250 and cast-in-place at $2,000 to $7,000. Chimney height, roof pitch and whether the old liner must come out also change the bill. Get more than one quote.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists installation at $1,500 to $4,000, with stainless steel at $900 to $3,800, aluminum at $625 to $2,250 and cast-in-place at $2,000 to $7,000. |
| Angi | Angi lists an average of $2,500, most homeowners paying $1,500 to $5,000 and labor at $400 to $1,250. |
| HomeAdvisor | HomeAdvisor lists an average of $2,500, a typical range of $1,500 to $5,000 and labor at $400 to $1,250. |
| Fixr | Fixr lists an average of $2,500, a typical range of $1,800 to $4,000, labor at $500 to $1,500 and relining at $1,200 to $4,600. |
Chimney liner price by material (installed)
| Material or item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average installed cost | $2,500 | Angi, HomeAdvisor and Fixr |
| Aluminum | $625 to $2,250 | HomeGuide |
| Stainless steel | $900 to $3,800 | HomeGuide |
| Ceramic or Thermocrete | $1,000 to $5,000 | HomeGuide |
| Clay or terracotta | $2,000 to $3,500 | HomeGuide |
| Cast-in-place | $2,000 to $7,000 | HomeGuide |
| Relining an existing chimney | $1,200 to $4,600 | Fixr |
| Labor only | $400 to $1,250 | HomeAdvisor |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material | HomeGuide lists aluminum at $625 to $2,250, stainless steel at $900 to $3,800, clay at $2,000 to $3,500 and cast-in-place at $2,000 to $7,000. |
| Chimney height and roof pitch | HomeAdvisor says taller chimneys and steeper roofs raise labor, because crews need more safety gear and time on the roof. |
| Labor | HomeAdvisor lists labor at $400 to $1,250. HomeGuide lists $500 to $4,000, with cast-in-place at $800 to $3,000, so job type matters. |
| Old liner removal | HomeGuide says removing an old liner adds $250 to $2,500. Fixr lists relining an existing chimney at $1,200 to $4,600. |
| Extras | HomeGuide lists inspection and cleaning at $150 to $250, permits at $100 to $150 or more, and insulation at $8 to $15 per foot. |
What the price includes
The price normally covers the liner, the labor to set it, and connections at the top and bottom. It may not cover a chimney cleaning or inspection, permits, insulation, a cap or repairs. HomeGuide lists inspection and cleaning at $150 to $250 and permits at $100 to $150 or more. Fixr lists chimney caps at $300 to $600. Ask what is in the quote. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Most people hire a pro for a chimney liner. HomeAdvisor says proper installation is key to the life of your chimney and its heating efficiency. Angi says a licensed pro helps with safe sizing and passing inspection. The work means roof access, exact sizing and tight seals, and a bad install can let smoke or gas into the house. A DIY kit may cut labor, which runs $400 to $1,250 at HomeAdvisor, but the risk is high. Hire a pro for a wood or gas flue.
How to tell you need it
You may need a liner if an inspector finds cracked, missing or damaged flue tiles. You may also need one when you switch fuels, add a new stove or furnace, or see smoke or odors come back into the room. A chimney inspection costs $150 to $250 at HomeGuide and can show the state of the flue. If the old liner is damaged, ask the inspector what is safe to burn before you use the fireplace again.
How to judge your quote
- Ask which material and what length are in the quote.
- Ask if cleaning, inspection and permits are included.
- Ask if removing the old liner costs extra.
- Compare at least three written quotes.
- Compare the total with the range above: $1,500 to $5,000 per job for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Match the liner to the fuel. HomeGuide says stainless steel is the most common pick, while aluminum is $625 to $2,250 and suits gas only per Angi.
- Get three written quotes. Fixr lists totals from $625 to $7,000, so a quote that is far from the average needs a closer look.
- Bundle the cleaning and inspection. HomeGuide lists them at $150 to $250. One visit can cover both and avoid a second call.
- Do repairs and the liner in one trip. HomeAdvisor says repairs run $160 to $750 if damage is found, so combine them to save on call fees.
- Ask about insulation up front. HomeGuide lists it at $8 to $15 per foot, so adding it at install may cost less than a return visit.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Metal liners and roof labor are the main costs, so higher metal and labor prices push chimney liner quotes up in 2026.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeGuide, Angi, HomeAdvisor and Fixr. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a chimney liner cost?
Angi, HomeAdvisor and Fixr all list an average of $2,500. Typical totals run $1,500 to $5,000, per Angi and HomeAdvisor.
How much is a stainless steel chimney liner?
HomeGuide lists $900 to $3,800 installed. HomeAdvisor lists $20 to $40 per foot for rigid and $40 to $90 per foot for flexible.
How much is labor for a chimney liner?
HomeAdvisor and Angi list $400 to $1,250. Fixr lists $500 to $1,500. HomeGuide lists $500 to $4,000 depending on the job.
What is the cheapest chimney liner?
Aluminum. HomeGuide lists $625 to $2,250 installed. Angi says it suits gas only. Fixr says it lasts about 5 years.
Do I need a permit for a chimney liner?
Many towns ask for one. HomeGuide lists permits at $100 to $150 or more. Check with your city or ask your installer.