Chimney Removal in the Denver Metro

Plenty of Denver homes carry a chimney that no longer does anything. The furnace and water heater were moved to a side vent years ago, the fireplace has not been lit in a decade, and the stack above the roof keeps needing repairs. With about 135 freeze-thaw days a year and regular hail, an unused brick stack still costs money every few years.

Removal comes in two sizes. Taking the stack down below the roof, then patching the decking and shingles, is the common choice and usually runs $1,000 to $2,500. Removing the stack and the chimney breast inside the house opens up floor and wall space and typically runs $4,000 to $10,000. Full removal down to the foundation is priced at the visit.

Signs you need this

• The chimney is not connected to any appliance or fireplace you use
• Repeated leaks or crown repairs on a stack you do not need
• A stack that leans or has loose bricks at the top
• You are re-roofing and want the chimney gone first
• A chimney breast taking up wall space in a remodel

How we do it

1. Confirm what the chimney still doesAt the free visit we check every flue for a furnace, boiler or water heater connection, because those must be re-vented before anything comes down.
2. Plan permits and the roofMost metro cities require a permit for structural work. We handle it and coordinate with your roofer if the roof is being replaced at the same time.
3. Take it down by handBricks come down course by course into chutes or bags, never thrown off the roof, with the attic and rooms below sealed against dust.
4. Close it upWe frame and deck the roof opening, shingle or flash it to match, and cap or patch the remaining structure inside.

Should I remove the chimney or repair it?

If the chimney vents a gas appliance or you want to keep using the fireplace, repair is usually the answer. If nothing uses it and the stack above the roof needs a crown, repointing or a rebuild, taking it below the roofline often costs about the same as one round of repairs and ends the upkeep. We show you both numbers in writing so you can compare.

What if my house is in a historic district?

In Denver, exterior work that needs a building permit at a landmark or in a historic district goes through Landmark Preservation design review. In Boulder, every exterior change to a landmark or a property in a historic district needs a Landmark Alteration Certificate. Removing a visible chimney is exactly that kind of change, so we check this before we quote a start date.

What happens to a furnace or water heater vented through the chimney?

It has to be re-vented before the chimney comes out. Gas heats about 61 to 77 percent of homes in Denver-area cities, so we find this often. Usually a heating contractor moves the appliance to a side-wall or new metal vent. We will not remove a flue that still serves a working appliance.