Quick answer: Chimney repair costs range from $150 for a simple cap installation to $15,000+ for a full rebuild. Most homeowners in the northwest Chicago suburbs pay $300–$2,500 for common repairs like crown work, tuckpointing, or flashing. The only way to get an accurate number is an inspection — the same repair looks very different on a 10-year-old chimney vs. a 50-year-old one.
Repair cost ranges by type
- Chimney cap installation: $150–$500
- Damper repair or replacement: $200–$600
- Crown resurfacing: $300–$600
- Crown replacement: $600–$1,200
- Flashing repair: $400–$1,200
- Tuckpointing (mortar joint repair): $500–$2,500
- Spalling brick repair: $600–$3,000
- Chimney liner repair: $500–$2,000
- Chimney relining (full stainless steel): $2,500–$5,000
- Partial chimney rebuild (above roofline): $3,000–$8,000
- Full chimney rebuild: $8,000–$15,000+
What drives the price up
Height and access. A two-story chimney on a steep roof costs more to work on than a single-story ranch. Scaffolding or special equipment adds to the price.
How long the damage has been ignored. A small crown crack caught early is a $400 resurfacing job. The same crack left for three Chicago winters can mean a full crown replacement plus tuckpointing — $2,000+.
Age of the chimney. Older brick and mortar (pre-1980) often requires matching materials and more careful work to avoid damaging surrounding masonry.
The most common repairs in the northwest suburbs
Crown repair and tuckpointing are by far the most common repairs GEM performs in Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, and surrounding towns. Freeze-thaw cycles attack mortar joints and crowns every winter. Catching them early — with an annual inspection — keeps the cost manageable.
GEM provides written inspection reports with itemized findings before any repair work begins. No pressure, no surprise charges. Call 773-900-4838 for a free estimate.