How Much Does It Cost to Get an Animal Out of a Chimney?
A typical U.S. cost to remove an animal from a chimney is $600 to $1,500, according to HomeGuide (2026); our chimney sweep starts at $59, which is not an animal-removal price. Get the flue assessed before anyone tries to remove a trapped or nesting animal.
Our Starting Prices in Denver
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Chimney Sweep | from $59 |
| Chimney Repair | from $49 |
| Chimney Inspection | free in-home inspection |
| Chimney Cleaning | from $59 |
Need help now? (720) 780-8924
What Does Chimney Animal Removal Cost?
HomeGuide puts typical U.S. chimney animal removal at $600 to $1,500 in 2026. That is a general market range, not our price. Our published prices include chimney sweeping from $59, chimney repair from $49, and a free in-home chimney inspection; none of those figures is a stated price for animal removal.
The amount for a particular job depends on what the assessment finds: where the animal is, whether it is trapped or nesting, and whether a blockage or damage also needs attention. Ask what the removal itself includes and whether any separate repair is proposed before approving work. You can review our prices for the services with listed starting prices.
What Can Change the Chimney Animal Removal Work?
The first question is not simply which animal is present; it is whether it is still in the flue, has left a nest or debris behind, or has created a blockage. Those conditions call for different next steps, so describe what you have seen or heard rather than trying to reach into the firebox.
- Animal visible or making sounds — Tell the sweep where the sound or sighting occurred and when you noticed it. Do not put your hands, a tool, or a trap into the firebox or flue.
- Nesting material or debris — A nest can obstruct the flue even when the chimney is rarely used. Mention any twigs, feathers, or debris you can see from a safe position; do not pull material down through the fireplace.
- Smoke or fumes entering the room — Stop using the fireplace or appliance and keep people away from the opening. A blocked flue can send fumes and carbon monoxide back indoors, so arrange professional assessment rather than testing the fireplace.
- Damage or a continuing blockage — Ask the sweep to identify what is obstructed and whether the chimney needs repair after removal. Animal removal and chimney repair are different services; our listed chimney repair starting price is from $49, not an animal-removal quote.
Which Chimney Service Fits Each Animal Situation?
A removal visit, a sweep, and an inspection address different problems. These examples show how to distinguish the service and which published starting price applies, if one is listed.
An animal is in the chimney
Ask for chimney animal removal, not routine sweeping. The typical U.S. range cited by HomeGuide is $600 to $1,500; our published prices do not give an animal-removal starting price.
The animal is gone, but the flue may be dirty
A chimney sweep or cleaning addresses deposits and debris, not removal of an animal still inside. Our chimney sweep and chimney cleaning each start at $59; the sweep should check whether nesting material remains before the fireplace is used.
You need the chimney condition assessed
A chimney inspection is the service to ask about when you need the flue and chimney condition checked. We offer a free in-home inspection; ask whether the inspection addresses the specific blockage or damage you have noticed.
Need help now? (720) 780-8924
What Should You Do Before Chimney Animal Removal?
Use these steps to keep the situation contained and give the sweep useful information. Do not attempt to capture, poison, smoke out, or reach for an animal inside the chimney.
- Stop using the fireplace or connected appliance — Do not light a fire or run an appliance that vents through the chimney. Check that the fire is out and that no one is trying to use the flue while its condition is unknown.
- Keep people and pets away from the fireplace — Close off access to the hearth and firebox without blocking an exit. Check that children and pets cannot approach the opening or handle debris.
- Note where and when you noticed activity — Write down the time, location, and whether you heard movement, saw an animal, or found material near the hearth. Check whether the sound appears to come from the fireplace opening or farther up the chimney.
- Look only from a safe distance — Use a room light or flashlight to view the firebox opening; do not climb onto the roof, insert a camera, or reach into the flue. Check for visible debris without touching it.
- Watch for smoke or unusual odors — If smoke or fumes enter the home, stop using the appliance and move people away from the area. Do not restart it to see whether the blockage has cleared.
- Keep the damper and fireplace undisturbed — Do not open, close, or operate chimney parts to try to move the animal. Check that no one else changes the damper position while you wait for an assessment.
- Share the observations when booking — Tell the scheduler what you saw or heard, whether the fireplace was recently used, and whether smoke entered the room. Ask what the visit covers and what estimate can be provided after the chimney is assessed.
Why a Nest or Animal Blockage Needs Attention
A nest or pile of debris can narrow or block the passage that carries smoke and combustion gases outside. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) warns that a blocked flue can push carbon monoxide and fumes back into the home. Stop using the fireplace until the obstruction has been assessed.
CSIA also notes that animals may nest in a flue even when the chimney is rarely used. Its homeowner guidance explains that NFPA 211 calls for a yearly inspection, so infrequent fireplace use is not a reason to assume the flue is clear. Read the CSIA homeowner resources for more on chimney inspection and maintenance.
What to Ask Before Booking Chimney Animal Removal
There is no single visit length that fits every animal situation: locating an animal, checking for a nest, and assessing a blockage can take different amounts of work. When booking, describe what is happening and ask for an estimated on-site time after the details are reviewed. Ask whether the assessment includes checking the flue after removal and how any additional repair would be priced.
Call (720) 780-8924 to book chimney animal removal. We serve Denver and towns within 60 miles, and we offer same-day service. You can also use our chimney animal removal service page to review the service before scheduling.
Need help now? (720) 780-8924
What to Check After an Animal Leaves the Chimney
Do not assume that an open flue means it is ready for use. Ask whether the sweep found remaining nest material, debris, or damage, and whether cleaning or repair is recommended. Have the fireplace or appliance checked before using it again if the flue was blocked or its condition is uncertain.
A sweep and an animal-removal visit are not interchangeable: sweeping removes deposits and debris, while animal removal addresses an animal in the chimney. For a clearer comparison of those terms, see chimney sweep vs. chimney cleaning. If you need to book an assessment, contact us with the location of the activity and any smoke or fumes you noticed.
Frequently asked questions
Does chimney animal removal start at $59?
No. The $59 starting price is for chimney sweeping or chimney cleaning, not animal removal. HomeGuide gives a typical U.S. animal-removal range of $600 to $1,500 for 2026, while our listed prices do not specify an animal-removal price.
Can I use my fireplace while an animal may be in the chimney?
Do not use the fireplace until the flue has been assessed. A nest or other blockage can push smoke and carbon monoxide back into the home.
How long does chimney animal removal take?
The visit time varies with the animal’s location and whether a nest, debris, or blockage is present. Describe what you have noticed when booking and ask for an estimated on-site time based on those details.
How do I book chimney animal removal in Denver?
Call (720) 780-8924 and describe the animal activity, where you noticed it, and whether smoke or fumes entered the room. We serve Denver and towns within 60 miles.
Schedule a Chimney Animal Assessment
Call (720) 780-8924 and tell us what you have seen or heard in the chimney.