Chimney inspection: a guide for pros
What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.
Offering chimney inspection
You inspect chimneys, fireplaces and stove connections, using a camera to check the flue and reporting on cracks, blockages and creosote. Clients hire you for a clear finding on whether the chimney is safe to use and what it needs before it is.
What customers ask
- Is my chimney safe to use this winter?
- Do you run a camera through the flue?
- How much creosote is there, and does it need cleaning?
- Does the liner need replacing?
- Are the cap and crown letting water in?
- Are you certified, and are you insured?
How to win the job
- On the first call, ask for the appliance type, the fuel burned, the last cleaning and any chimney fire or smoke problem, then say what you will check
- Inspect the appliance and firebox first, then run the camera through the flue, and record the findings in the same order
- Photograph the creosote level, the liner condition and the cap and crown, and put the photos in the report
- Give each repair an urgency rating in the report, so the owner knows what must be fixed before use
- Put the cleaning, the camera and each repair on separate lines in the proposal
- Explain the clearances to combustibles you checked and any that are short
What to put on your profile
- Post camera images of liners and flues, with the defect labeled
- List the chimney types you inspect and the appliances you service
- Show a sample report with the urgency rating scale and the photos
- State your certification, your insurance and your camera equipment
Follow-up that helps the customer
- Offer a yearly inspection and cleaning schedule based on the fuel the owner burns
- Suggest a cap or screen check after storms or heavy leaves, since blockage is a common problem
- Offer to keep the inspection record on file, so the next inspection can compare the condition over time
Licenses and permits
Chimney inspectors are commonly certified by a recognized chimney certification body, and masonry or liner work may require a licensed contractor. Check with your state and local licensing agencies and your local building department for the licensing and permit rules that apply to your work.
Questions
What do I do if I find chimney fire damage?
Stop the appliance use, photograph the damage, and tell the owner not to use the fireplace until a qualified person has checked it. Put the finding in writing with its urgency rating.
How do I handle a customer who wants a quick cleaning and no inspection?
Explain that a cleaning without an inspection can miss a cracked liner or a blocked flue. Offer the inspection and the cleaning together, and note the customer's decision in writing.
How do requests reach me on infinibell?
Customers describe the job and pick the pros they want by name, and only the pros they picked see the request. Joining is free. You pay only for the leads you accept, and you can decline a request for free. Every pro is reviewed before going live.
About this guide
This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.
Edit history
- Oct 29, 2026: Drafted by infinibell to our content guidelines.
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