Rex says
Money math without the spreadsheet headache. Plug in your numbers and I'll show you exactly where the dollars land.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Total chimney liner cost
$3,000
Liner material + labor
$2,550
Top plate, cap & insulation kit
$450
All-in cost per foot
$100.00
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How to use this
- 1Enter chimney height (flue length) (ft).
- 2Enter liner material.
- 3Enter top plate, cap & insulation kit ($).
- 4Read your total chimney liner cost on the right — it updates as you type.
- 5Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
Chimney liner replacement or installation is priced mainly by chimney height (which determines liner length needed) and liner material — stainless steel is the most common modern choice for wood or oil-burning appliances, while aluminum liners are cheaper but only rated for certain gas appliances. This calculator prices the job using a per-linear-foot material-and-labor rate for the chosen liner type, plus a flat cost for the top plate, cap, and insulation wrap that keeps flue gases at proper temperature to maintain draft and reduce creosote buildup. 2026 US national averages run about $2,500-$5,000 for a standard stainless steel liner installation in a typical two-story home's chimney (roughly 25-35 feet), with rigid stainless liners costing somewhat more than flexible ones but performing better in chimneys with offsets or bends. Aluminum liners, suitable only for certain gas appliances, run cheaper at $1,000-$2,500 installed. Always have a certified chimney sweep inspect the flue's condition first — a liner that's cracked, deteriorated, or wrong-sized for the connected appliance is both a fire and carbon monoxide safety hazard.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Chimney height (flue length): 30 ft
- Liner material: Flexible stainless steel — $85/ft
- Top plate, cap & insulation kit: 450 $
Results
- Total chimney liner cost: $3,000
- Liner material + labor: $2,550
- Top plate, cap & insulation kit: $450
- All-in cost per foot: $100.00
What each field means
Inputs
- Chimney height (flue length) (ft)
- The chimney height (flue length) used in the calculation, measured in ft. Starts at 30 ft so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 10–80 ft.
- Liner material
- Pick the option that matches your situation — the maths changes per option. Choices: Aluminum (gas appliances only) — $45/ft, Flexible stainless steel — $85/ft, Rigid stainless steel — $110/ft.
- Top plate, cap & insulation kit ($)
- The top plate, cap & insulation kit used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 450 $ so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 150–1200 $.
Results
- Total chimney liner cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Liner material + labor
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Top plate, cap & insulation kit
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- All-in cost per foot
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Why is stainless steel the standard choice for most liners?
Stainless steel liners handle the higher temperatures and corrosive byproducts of wood and oil combustion far better than aluminum, and most carry a lifetime warranty when properly installed — aluminum is only rated for the cooler flue temperatures of certain gas appliances and shouldn't be used for wood-burning fireplaces or stoves.
Flexible or rigid stainless liner — which is better?
Rigid liners offer smoother interior walls for slightly better draft and are more durable, but flexible liners are easier to install around bends and offsets common in older chimneys — most residential jobs use flexible liners for exactly that installation flexibility, while rigid is preferred for straight, accessible flues.
How do I know if my chimney needs a new liner?
A certified chimney sweep's inspection is the only reliable way to know — warning signs include visible cracks or gaps in an existing clay tile liner, excessive creosote buildup, a chimney fire in the flue's history, or an appliance being newly installed that's incompatible with the existing liner's size or material rating.
Does chimney liner installation require a permit?
Requirements vary by jurisdiction, but many areas require a permit for chimney liner work, especially when it's tied to installing a new heating appliance — check with your local building department, and always use a certified installer (CSIA certification is a common credential) for safety-critical venting work.
Accuracy and limitations
- Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.
- Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.
- This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant.
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Chimney Liner Installation Cost Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/chimney-liner-installation-cost
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/chimney-liner-installation-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chimney Liner Installation Cost Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Chimney Liner Installation Cost Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/chimney-liner-installation-cost) (2026).