InstaBidsWhat is the cost to install chimney liner?
Midwest guide (May 2007), liner purpose: “A chimney liner is a clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney flue, intended to contain the combustion products, direct them to the outside atmosphere, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion.”
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Midwest weatherization guide (May 2007), read 6 November 2026.
Midwest guide (May 2007), steel and insulation: “Stainless steel is suitable for solid-fuel, gas, or oil appliances. It is usually required that high temperature insulation be used in conjunction with the liners for safety and proper performance.”
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Midwest weatherization guide (May 2007), read 6 November 2026.
Context: all "Added or replaced chimney, stairs or other part of exterior" jobs
The survey figure below covers all "Added or replaced chimney, stairs or other part of exterior" jobs, not chimney liner installation alone.
$3,000 was the median homeowner survey figure for data years 2021-2023 in the United States. For all jobs in the AHS category “Added or replaced chimney, stairs or other part of exterior”, households that hired the work out reported a typical range (middle half of 305 American Housing Survey data points, the United States, 2021-2023) of $1,000 to $8,000.
Updated 2026-11-06
InstaBids is an AI-run marketplace for homeowners and property managers: describe a home job once, by chat or through your own AI assistant, add photos, and get multiple written quotes on the same scope, compared apples to apples, with no phone calls or home visits before you pick.
For homeowners, property managers, landlords and HOA boards.
| What was measured | Median | Typical range (middle half) |
|---|---|---|
| For all jobs in the AHS category “Added or replaced chimney, stairs or other part of exterior”, households that hired the work out reported | a median of $3,000 | the typical range (middle half of 305 American Housing Survey data points, the United States, 2021-2023) was $1,000 to $8,000 |
How measured: hired-out finished jobs, survey-weighted, not adjusted for inflation. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, data read 6 November 2026.
These figures are estimates from U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, data years 2021-2023, read 6 November 2026, for the United States. They are not a quote, and they are not a promise of what any contractor on InstaBids will charge. Your price depends on your home, the materials and the contractor. Get written bids before you decide.
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At a glance
- clay, ceramic, or metal conduitMidwest guide liner constructionU.S. Department of Energy, Midwest weatherization guide (May 2007), read November 6, 2026
- solid-fuel, gas, or oil appliancesMidwest guide fuels suited to stainless steelU.S. Department of Energy, Midwest weatherization guide (May 2007), read November 6, 2026
- plans and manufacturer instructions, if anySan José documents for chimney inspectionCity of San José, Development Services, read November 6, 2026
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What chimney liner installation includes
Midwest guide (May 2007), existing flue condition: “If an unlined chimney or an existing liner is in poor condition, the assessor should consider rebuilding the chimney and/or lining or relining.”
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Midwest weatherization guide (May 2007).
Source read: 6 November 2026.
Where a quote below names a city or county, it is that office's own rule, shown as one example; the permit office for your home may set different rules.
| What the source says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Midwest guide (May 2007), appliance efficiency: “As higher efficiency heating systems are installed over the years, chimney liners become more important because the combustion gases from efficient appliances are cooler, making acidic condensation within the chimney flue more likely.” | U.S. Department of Energy, Midwest weatherization guide (May 2007), read 6 November 2026. |
On InstaBids, name the existing chimney liner condition and appliance fuel in the scope contractors receive.
Line items a written bid should list
Midwest guide (May 2007), fuel-specific sizing: “To properly size the liner, the installer should also refer to the National Fuel Gas Code( NFPA 54) for gas-fired appliances and Standard for the Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment (NFPA 31) for oil-fired appliances.”
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Midwest weatherization guide (May 2007).
Source read: 6 November 2026.
- Midwest guide (May 2007), cast-in-place liner: “Cast-in-place liners are lightweight, cement-like materials that are installed inside the chimney, forming a smooth, seamless, insulated passageway for the flue gasses. They can improve the structural integrity of aging chimneys, and are permanent liners suitable for all fuels.”
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Midwest weatherization guide (May 2007), read 6 November 2026.
- San José, chimney scope drawing: “Detailed Drawing/Scope of Work: A detailed, scaled drawing showing exactly how the repair will be made, including materials and methods.”
Source: City of San José, Development Services, read 6 November 2026.
- San José, chimney structural details: “Structural Details: If the repair involves rebuilding the chimney or firebox, structural details (e.g., footings, reinforcement, connection details to the existing structure) are required.”
Source: City of San José, Development Services, read 6 November 2026.
On InstaBids, describe the liner material and fuel-specific sizing work for contractors to bid on in writing.
How to compare written bids like for like
Midwest guide (May 2007), clay tile differences: “There are two disadvantages to clay tiles. First, a sudden change in temperature from a chimney fire can cause the tiles to crack and break. In severe cases of tile failure, broken pieces can partially or totally block the flue.”
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Midwest weatherization guide (May 2007).
Source read: 6 November 2026.
Ask every contractor to bid in writing on the same line items listed above, then compare the written bids line by line.
On InstaBids, specify clay tiles or a metal liner so the written bids address the same chimney work.
Do you need a permit for chimney liner installation?
San José, chimney repair and relining permit: “A building permit is required for any structural repair or relining of a chimney. For qualifying properties, the permit may be obtained during a quick visit to the Permit Center.”
Source: City of San José, Development Services.
Source read: 6 November 2026.
On InstaBids, include chimney relining permit tasks in the description contractors bid on.
What inspections does chimney liner installation need?
San José, chimney inspection documents: “The Permit Card must always be on-site and available to the Inspector. Have plans and manufacturer instructions, if any, available.”
Source: City of San José, Development Services.
Source read: 6 November 2026.
On InstaBids, describe the chimney inspection documents alongside the liner installation scope.
Get written bids
Contractors who take part bid on one written scope card, so nobody visits before you see any prices.
Sources for the figures on this page
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs/data/2023/ahs-2023-public-use-file--puf-.html, read 6 November 2026. U.S. government work; no endorsement implied.
- U.S. Department of Energy, Midwest weatherization guide (May 2007), www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2016/06/f32/Midwest_Wx_Best_Practices_May_2007.pdf, read 6 November 2026.
- City of San José, Development Services, www.sanjoseca.gov/businesses/development-services-permit-center/start-your-project/single-family-duplex-properties/chimney-repair, read 6 November 2026.