Chimney Sweep Invoice Template (Inspections + Repairs)
Chimney sweep invoice template with sweeping, NFPA 211 Level 1, 2 and 3 inspections, video scans, caps, liners and masonry repairs, plus a worked example.
Quick answer: A chimney sweep invoice template bills a homeowner or property manager for chimney sweeping, inspection and repair. It lists the appliance and flue serviced, the sweep, the NFPA 211 inspection level (1, 2 or 3), video scans, parts such as caps, dampers and liners, masonry or waterproofing work, trip fees, tax where applicable and the amount due.
Chimney work ranges from a quick annual sweep to a multi-day liner or crown rebuild. Customers often book a cleaning and then hear about repairs, which makes a clear chimney sweep invoice (with a link to the written inspection report) important for trust and for winning follow-up work. Real estate agents, insurers and buyers also ask for proof that a chimney was inspected.
This guide covers what a chimney sweep invoice should include, how the NFPA 211 inspection levels work, typical services and repairs, how to price and present them, and a complete example invoice with real arithmetic. You can create it in our free invoice generator.
What is a chimney sweep invoice?
A chimney sweep invoice is a bill from a chimney service company for cleaning, inspecting or repairing chimneys, fireplaces, wood and pellet stoves, inserts, gas appliance vents and sometimes dryer vents. It records the services delivered, parts installed and payment, while a separate inspection report records the condition of the system.
Chimney companies often also provide masonry and HVAC-adjacent services. If you service furnaces or gas appliances, the HVAC invoice template covers those jobs; for brick and stone repairs at scale, see the masonry invoice template.
Chimney inspection levels under NFPA 211
NFPA 211, the Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, defines three levels of inspection. Naming the level on your invoice and report tells the customer exactly what was checked.
| Level | What it covers | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior, interior and appliance connection | Annual service when the system and its use have not changed |
| Level 2 | Everything in Level 1 plus accessible areas such as attics, basements and crawl spaces, and a video scan or similar inspection of the flue interior | After a change in fuel or appliance, before a property sale or transfer, or after a chimney fire, earthquake or other event that may have caused damage |
| Level 3 | Level 1 and 2 plus removal of parts of the building or chimney to reach concealed areas | When a serious hidden hazard is suspected and cannot be confirmed otherwise |
NFPA 211 also calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected at least once a year and cleaned when needed. Many sweeps hold certifications from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) or similar bodies; if you do, list the credential on your invoice header.
Common chimney services and how they are billed
| Service | Common unit | Invoice notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard chimney sweep (one flue) | Per flue | Additional flues priced separately |
| Level 1 inspection | Often included with sweep | State "included" rather than leaving it off |
| Level 2 inspection with video scan | Per flue | Common for home sales; include report |
| Wood stove or insert cleaning | Per appliance | Removing and reinstalling inserts may add time |
| Glazed creosote removal | Per hour or per treatment | Chemical or rotary methods; may need several visits |
| Chimney cap install | Each | Size and material (galvanized, stainless, copper) |
| Top-sealing damper | Each | Parts plus installation |
| Crown repair or seal | Flat or per sq ft | Repair vs full rebuild |
| Tuckpointing / repointing | Per sq ft or hour | Mortar joint repair |
| Waterproofing | Per chimney | Breathable sealant application |
| Stainless steel liner | Per foot plus fittings | Diameter, insulation, top plate, cap |
| Dryer vent cleaning | Per vent | Popular add-on |
| Trip / missed appointment fee | Each | Per booking policy |
We do not give typical prices because they vary widely by region, roof access and chimney height. Build your price list from your own labor, insurance, equipment and travel costs, and publish it so customers know what to expect; our price list template can help. A service call fee is another common way to cover travel time for small jobs.
What should a chimney sweep invoice include?
- Company name, address, phone, license (where required) and certifications.
- Customer name, service address and contact details.
- Invoice number, service date and due date.
- Appliance and flue details: fireplace, stove, insert or furnace flue; fuel type; number of flues.
- Services performed, with the inspection level named.
- Parts installed, with sizes and materials.
- Labor for repairs, flat or hourly.
- Findings summary and reference to the written report.
- Tax on taxable items, payment received and balance.
- Payment terms and warranty on repairs or parts.
Example chimney sweep invoice
A chimney company performs a sweep, Level 2 inspection with video scan for a home sale, installs a cap and seals a cracked crown. Names and prices are fictional and illustrative only.
Hearthside Chimney Services | 230 Old Mill Road, Burlington, VT 05401 | CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep on staff
Invoice: HCS-26-1192 | Service date: October 27, 2026 | Due: on receipt
Customer: Daniel Brooks | Service address: 19 Orchard Street, Burlington, VT | Report: HCS-R-26-1192
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chimney sweep, masonry fireplace flue (wood) | 1 | $249.00 | $249.00 |
| Level 2 inspection with video scan (real estate transfer) | 1 | $199.00 | $199.00 |
| Stainless steel chimney cap, 13 x 13 in, supplied and installed | 1 | $235.00 | $235.00 |
| Crown seal, elastomeric coating (labor) | 1 | $310.00 | $310.00 |
| Crown coating material | 1 | $85.00 | $85.00 |
| Dryer vent cleaning | 1 | $129.00 | $129.00 |
| Subtotal | $1,207.00 | ||
| Sales tax on materials ($235.00 cap + $85.00 coating = $320.00 x 6%) | $19.20 | ||
| Total | $1,226.20 | ||
| Paid by card on site | -$1,226.20 | ||
| Balance due | $0.00 | ||
Findings summary: Clay tile liner intact; minor mortar joint gaps at two tiles noted for monitoring. Crown hairline cracks sealed. See report HCS-R-26-1192 with video stills. Workmanship warranty: one year on crown seal.
Tax treatment of chimney labor and parts differs by state; the 6% tax on materials is for illustration only, and in this example the cap price includes installation for simplicity. Check your state's rules and use the sales tax calculator once you know your rate.
Worked example: quoting the follow-up liner job
The video scan shows a cracked flue tile in a second chimney serving an oil furnace being replaced with a gas unit. The company quotes a stainless steel liner. Using illustrative prices:
- Liner, 28 ft at $38 per ft = $1,064
- Top plate, cap and connector fittings = $320
- Labor, 6 hours for two technicians at $95 per technician hour = 6 x 2 x $95 = $1,140
- Subtotal = $2,524, with a 40% deposit of $1,009.60 to order materials
Send it as an estimate first; the estimate template shows the format. Once approved, issue a deposit invoice, then a final invoice crediting the deposit when the job is complete.
How to present repairs found during a sweep
Most chimney repair revenue starts with a finding during a routine sweep. How you present that finding affects whether the customer trusts it and pays for the repair. A simple process:
- Show the evidence. Photos or video stills of the cracked crown, missing cap, deteriorated mortar or damaged liner, attached to the report.
- Explain the risk in plain language. For example, water entry damaging masonry, or gaps in a flue liner allowing heat and gases to reach combustible materials.
- Separate urgent from optional. A damaged liner on an appliance in use is urgent; waterproofing an older chimney may be a recommendation.
- Quote in writing with parts and labor on separate lines.
- Invoice only approved work. If a customer declines, note that on the report and invoice for your records.
Writing "Customer advised not to use the fireplace until the liner is repaired" on a dated document protects you and makes the risk clear to the homeowner.
Gas, oil and pellet appliances
Chimney sweeps often service more than wood fireplaces. Gas appliance vents, oil furnace flues and pellet stove vents have different cleaning needs and different parts. Name the fuel and appliance type on the invoice line, because it affects what inspection was appropriate and what parts are compatible. When a homeowner switches fuel or replaces an appliance, NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection, so the invoice for that job should say so.
Taking payment on site
Residential chimney work is ideal for collecting payment before you leave. A card reader or payment link on the PDF invoice reduces follow-up. If you charge a card fee, check the rules first; our guide to credit card surcharge rules explains the limits.
Who to bill: homeowners, landlords and real estate deals
The person at the door is not always the person who pays. Before the visit, confirm who receives the invoice:
- Homeowners: bill and collect on site.
- Tenants: many leases make the landlord responsible for chimney maintenance. Get the landlord's or property manager's approval and billing details before you start, and do not rely on the tenant to pass the invoice on.
- Property managers: may need a work order or PO number on the invoice, and often pay on net 30 terms.
- Real estate transactions: Level 2 inspections are often ordered by the buyer or their agent but paid at closing. Agree in writing whether payment is due at the visit or through the title company, and put the property address and closing date on the invoice.
How to create a chimney sweep invoice, step by step
- Record the appliance, flue and inspection level on the job ticket.
- Write the inspection report with photos or video stills.
- Open the invoice generator on your phone or laptop and add your logo and certifications.
- Number invoices consistently; the invoice number generator can help, and matching the report number is useful.
- Add services, parts and labor as separate lines; apply tax where required.
- Add a one-line findings summary and the report reference.
- Take payment on site if possible and send the PDF and report by email.
Seasonal billing and repeat customers
Chimney work is seasonal: demand peaks in late summer and fall before heating season, and slows in spring. That makes repeat business valuable. A few ideas:
- Offer an annual service reminder and book next year's sweep when you invoice this year's.
- Bundle sweep, inspection and dryer vent cleaning at a set price for returning customers.
- For property managers with many units, send a single monthly invoice listing each address, or use recurring invoices for annual service contracts.
- For real estate inspections, invoice the party who ordered the work, which might be the seller, buyer or agent, and agree up front who pays. The home inspection invoice template deals with the same issue.
Common chimney sweep invoicing mistakes
- Not naming the inspection level, which leaves customers and buyers unsure what was checked.
- No report reference, so repair recommendations get lost.
- Bundling parts and labor, which makes tax and warranty claims harder.
- Doing repairs without written approval. Get sign-off on an estimate first.
- Skipping trip fee policies and absorbing the cost of no-shows.
- Waiting to invoice instead of collecting on site at the end of the visit.
A clear chimney sweep invoice names the services, the NFPA 211 inspection level, parts and any repairs, and points to the written report, which builds trust and sets up the next job. Our invoice generator is free, needs no sign-up and downloads a PDF built in your browser, so you can finish the paperwork before you leave the driveway.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Level 1, 2 and 3 chimney inspection?
Under NFPA 211, a Level 1 inspection checks the readily accessible parts of the chimney, fireplace or appliance and is the minimum for routine annual service. A Level 2 adds accessible areas such as attics and crawl spaces and a video scan of the flue, and is required after changes or before a property sale. A Level 3 involves removing parts of the structure to reach concealed areas when a hidden hazard is suspected.
Should a chimney sweep invoice include an inspection report?
Yes. The invoice records what was done and paid, while a separate written report records the condition of the system, the inspection level, findings and recommendations, ideally with photos or video stills. Homeowners, insurers and real estate buyers often ask for the report. Reference the report number on the invoice so the two documents stay linked.
How often should a chimney be swept and inspected?
NFPA 211 calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected at least once a year, with cleaning done when needed, for example when creosote or soot buildup reaches a certain level. How often a chimney needs sweeping depends on how much it is used and what fuel is burned. Many sweeps offer annual service reminders, which also help with repeat billing.
Do chimney sweeps charge sales tax?
It depends on the state. Some states tax cleaning or repair services to real property, others do not, and parts such as caps, dampers and liners are commonly taxable as tangible goods or treated as part of a construction contract. Keep parts and labor on separate lines and check your state's rules so you apply tax only where it is required.
What does a chimney video scan add to the price?
A video scan uses a camera lowered or pushed through the flue to record the condition of the liner and joints. It is a standard part of a Level 2 inspection and may be offered as an add-on to routine service. Many sweeps price it as a separate line, and some include the recording or still images with the report, which helps justify repair quotes.
Can I charge a trip fee if the homeowner is not home?
Yes, if your booking terms say so. Many chimney companies charge a missed appointment or trip fee when a customer is not available or cancels on short notice, because the crew and truck time is lost. State the fee when booking and in your confirmation message, and bill it as its own line rather than adding it quietly to the next service.
How should I invoice a chimney liner installation?
List the liner type and diameter, length in feet, insulation if used, top plate, cap and connector, and the labor, and attach the inspection findings that justified the work. Liners are a bigger ticket item, so a deposit and a written estimate approved before work is common. If the liner is for a new appliance, note any permit or inspection required locally.
Should a chimney sweep invoice note safety recommendations?
Yes, briefly. A short note such as 'Crown cracks observed, repair recommended, see report' documents that the customer was told about a hazard. It protects you if problems arise later and encourages follow-up work. If you find a serious hazard, such as a damaged liner, many sweeps advise the customer in writing not to use the appliance until it is repaired.
Invoice Creator Editorial Team
Guides on invoicing, cash flow and small-business finance from Invoice Creator, operated by Next Software Development Company. Content is reviewed for accuracy against the fields our own invoice generator produces.
Try the invoice generator