Chimney Liner Installation Cost: Stainless, Cast, and Clay

Chimney relining is priced by liner material, flue height, and access difficulty. A straight stainless flex liner drop is a half-day job; a chimney with offsets, a tight clay flue, or a required breakdown of the crown is a full day or more.

What does a chimney liner cost to install?

A stainless steel flexible liner for a standard 15- to 25-foot flue runs $2,000 to $5,000 installed, including insulation and a new cap. Cast-in-place liners run $5,000 to $10,000. Replacing individual clay flue tiles runs $1,000 to $3,000 depending on how many and how accessible.

What drives the quote?

• Flue height and roof pitch (access and staging)
• Offsets or bends in the flue that resist a straight liner drop
• Existing clay tile that must be broken out to fit the new liner
• Insulation wrap or pour (required for many code and warranty situations)
• New crown, cap, and top-plate
• Appliance connection — wood stove, insert, or furnace/water-heater venting

How should the estimate be built?

Specify the liner diameter and alloy (grade matters for the fuel), whether insulation is included, the cap and crown work, and the appliance hookup. A relining quote that does not state insulation and diameter is not comparable to another shop's quote — make yours the clear one.

What should trigger a bigger scope?

A failed smoke test, spalling brick, a cracked crown, or a chimney pulling away from the house are structural issues that come before or with the liner. Flag them with photos so the customer is not surprised when the liner quote comes with a masonry line item.