The short answer
At Chimney & Home Improvement, a chimney cleaning with a full safety inspection and a written photo report is $159. Below is what moves the number at other companies and what you should get for it, whoever you hire.
What changes the price elsewhere
How much creosote is in the flue. A flue swept every year cleans fast. Heavy or glazed buildup takes more passes and more time.
How many flues. A fireplace and a furnace flue in the same chimney are two flues.
Stoves and inserts. If a stove or insert has to come out to reach the flue, that is extra work.
The roof. Tall, steep or hard to reach roofs take more setup.
What is included. A sweep alone and a sweep with a full inspection and photo report are not the same service, so compare like with like.
What a real chimney sweep should include
A sweep of the full flue and firebox, drop cloths and a HEPA vacuum in the house, a look at the cap, crown, flue tiles or liner, flashing, damper and firebox, photos of what was found, and the price in writing before work starts.
A word about the $99 chimney sweep
Very low advertised prices are common. Sometimes they are honest. Often the visit is a way onto your roof, followed by a long list of urgent repairs. Before you book, ask three things: is the inspection included, will I get photos, and is the price in writing before work starts? If something needs fixing, you should see the photo, get a written price, and be free to get a second opinion.
Sweep cost versus repair cost
A yearly sweep is the cheap part of owning a chimney. The expensive part is the damage nobody looked for. See our chimney repair cost guide for real repair prices, or book a chimney sweep and inspection.