Experts recommend that chimneys be inspected every year and cleaned whenever they need it, which often falls within that same time frame if you use a fireplace or wood stove. And, if your chimney is due for its annual inspection and/or cleaning or if you just bought a home with a fireplace, now is a good time to schedule it so you can cozy up to a warm fire. We did the work for you and researched the best chimney cleaning services. Midtown Chimney Sweeps was founded in 1979 and provides chimney services around the country and Canada. It is a proud member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and offers chimney cleaning, repairs, and maintenance services to commercial and residential properties. Midtown Chimney Sweeps’ certified professionals can clean any kind of chimney, including those for fireplaces, wood stoves, and pellet stoves. When you book your annual chimney cleaning service with Midtown Chimney Sweeps, the company’s technicians will provide a full exterior and interior inspection of your chimney and will clean it using a HEPA-approved vacuum. After completing the work, the technician will thoroughly clean the area and surroundings. Chimney cleanings start at $249, although prices may vary depending on your location. Schedule a chimney sweeping service by calling the company’s national hotline or by contacting your local Midtown Chimney Sweeps office. You can also book your appointment online. Founded in 1903, Petro offers a variety of services at residential and commercial locations and is an accredited company with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Petro’s chimney solutions include repairs, cleaning, maintenance, installations, and masonry restorations. The company’s certified chimney technicians can tackle any type of chimney cleaning, whether the heat source is wood, oil, or gas. They will perform a total inspection and cleaning to make sure any creosote buildup and dirt is removed from your chimney. If the technician finds that any repairs need to be done, they will let you know and offer recommendations. Contact Petro via the company’s 24/7 national customer service team or by its live online chat. You can schedule a chimney cleaning by using the online request service form. Certified professional engineer David Perry established Continental Chimney, LLC in 1989 in New Jersey with the goal of providing high-quality chimney work for industrial facilities. Since then, the company has grown to serve national and international clients. Continental Chimney, LLC services multiple chimney types, a list that includes masonry, steel, and smokestacks. Its highly trained technicians are certified and follow the guidelines set by OSHA and the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians. They provide maintenance, repairs, and reconstructions of chimneys as needed. In addition, Continental Chimney offers inspections to determine the kind of service your facility needs. Contact the company’s New Jersey or Illinois office to discuss your project. You can also request a quote using an online form. With an A+ BBB rating and technicians certified by the Chimney Sweep Institute of America, Chimcare is a family-owned company that’s been cleaning chimneys in major cities in Oregon, Washington, and Ohio since 1989. Chimcare provides homeowners with a full slate of chimney solutions for any type of chimney system. Its cleaning services come with a “No Mess” guarantee, which means your place will be as clean as the technicians found it. A chimney service that includes an inspection and cleanup varies in price depending on your location. Chimcare also offers a three-tiered membership starting at $15 a month that covers your yearly chimney cleaning and more, depending on the level of the membership. Contact Chimcare’s national customer service team with any questions. You can also request a cleaning service directly on the company’s website. Flue Tech, Inc. was established in 1999 and is family owned and operated. It provides chimney services in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. The company is a member of several recognized institutions in the industry, including the National Fireplace Institute, the NFPA, and the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Flue Tech, Inc. has certified, insured, and licensed chimney professionals who service commercial or residential properties heated with gas, oil, pellets, and wood. They protect the surrounding area and use high-powered tools that maximize the cleaning power and minimize the amount of dust generated. The technicians will conduct a final visual inspection and thorough cleaning of the work area when they’re finished. Flue Tech, Inc. also offers customized designs and chimney construction, repairs, and maintenance. For more information or to schedule your chimney cleaning service, contact the national customer service team by live chat, phone, or email.

In addition, chimney cleaning companies are a very localized service and often have limited availability at the start of the fall season, based on the location they serve. Thus, the next big concern is hiring a company that offers services in your area and has appointments available when you need one. Those factors will vary based on your location and the time of year.

Beyond that, if you have a commercial building, pick one of the three companies listed here that service industrial properties; our preference goes to Continental Chimney Company, LLC. For residential properties, you can choose one based on your location. We recommend using Petro if you are on the East Coast, Chimcare if you are on the West Coast, Flue Tech, Inc. if you are in the area in and around New York City, and Midtown Chimney Sweeps for anywhere else.

When Should I Use a Chimney Cleaning Service?

It is recommended that you get your chimney professionally inspected annually and cleaned when necessary, which is often every year, to avoid any issues and reduce the risk of fires. While your chimney is being serviced, ask the technician to inspect the spark arrestor and chimney flashing, too, to ensure everything is in good shape. A good rule of thumb is to have your chimney inspected before the burning season begins, which will vary depending on where you live.

How Much Do Chimney Cleaning Services Usually Cost?

Chimney cleaning services generally cost a few hundred dollars for residential properties. For example, Midtown Chimney Sweeps’ residential chimney cleaning starts at $249, which includes the cleaning and inspection of your chimney. Some companies offer special plans that you can pay on a monthly basis and help you save money in the long run. Commercial chimney cleaning carries a higher cost that varies depending on the size of the job and other factors.

How We Chose the Best Chimney Cleaning Services

We researched more than 30 companies that offer chimney cleaning services and chose the best ones based on those serving multiple locations, offering residential and commercial chimney cleaning, hiring staff with certified technicians, and maintaining accreditation. For example, we selected Midtown Chimney Sweeps for best overall for providing national coverage across the country, due to their certified technicians and NFPA membership. We picked Petro Home Services as the best for residential for offering chimney solutions for homeowners in over 35 cities and providing 24/7 customer service. We chose Intercontinental Chimney as best for commercial services for doing business in all 50 states, specializing in large industrial and commercial facilities, and having OSHA-certified technicians.