Capping a chimney

firebird082

Hi folks,

Appreciate this is probably a really stupid question, but we're about to start the process of replacing a very old (non-working) gas fire with a new one. We want to get the chimney swept, and a cowl fitted, as we have nesting jackdaws up top every year...

What is the appropriate type of tradesman for fitting the cowl? Is this something the sweep could do?

Thanks!

TheCyclingProgrammer

We had our chimney swept before closing it up and whilst he didn't fit the cowls for us, he was able to recommend somebody to us.

Anyone who has a ladder and capable of working at heights can do it, though you might prefer to have somebody who is insured. A decent handyman with public liability insurance.

Biggles

A roofer would be best, or maybe a general builder, though it may be that a handy man with a ladder could so it, depending on the positioning of your chimney

rach_k

I've looked into it for ours. The chimney sweep could do it, or a roofer.

Gloomendoom

Won't the new gas fire require a flue liner to be fitted?

EssexExile

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Won't the new gas fire require a flue liner to be fitted?

Not if the existing flue is fine.

missmilly

We are in Wiltshire and a local chimney sweep fitted a cowl to our chimney, total cost was £80 about 6 months ago.

firebird082

Thanks everyone! I giess contact the sweep and take it from there then

We are assuming the existing flue is fine unless anyone tells me otherwise. The lady in the fireplace shop said the flue wouldn't need (re)lining unless we go for one of those gas stove things (like a woodburner), which we're not doing, so fingers crossed the existing one is fine...

firebird082

Back again - now have a quote from the chimney sweep to sweep and supply and fit a cowl. £190. We're in the SE. Is that a reasonable price?

FreeBear

My local (East Anglia) sweep charges around £40-45 to clean the chimney and another £50 or so to fit a cap/cowl (plus the cost of the cap/cowl).

TheCyclingProgrammer

Seems a bit expensive.

Last year I paid £44 to have one chimney swept, this was in Essex. I can't remember exactly how much I paid to have all four of our chimney pots capped but I think it was about £60. I bought the C-cowls myself which cost me £76 for 4. I can't imagine there's much difference in cost for labour fitting one or multiple once you're up there, it doesn't take long.

For just one I'd expect around £125 or so, total.