Chimney sweeping & flue cleaning

Chimney sweeping and flue cleaning in South Africa

Updated 4 November 2026

A chimney sweep in South Africa usually costs from R 850 for a single-storey house and about R 2,070 for a double-storey one, depending on the city and the number of chimneys. Prices are quoted per job, so ask for the total before you book. To get current prices for your home, post a request on BlaBlaPrice and local sweeps will reply in the chat.

Rules and what to check

South Africa does not require chimney cleaners to be certified, so you do not have to choose a certified sweep by law. Your insurance company may still ask for a certificate of cleaning after the job. One provider says this certificate is free of charge, so ask for it when you book. Also check whether the quote includes VAT, because one Gqeberha seller states that its prices do.

When to book in the year

Summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August, so a sweep is best done before the fires are lit in June. Most Cape Town homes need one sweep a year, before winter. Book between February and May, so the chimney is clean before the cold nights arrive.

How the price is built

Quotes are per job and usually combine a call-out fee with a charge for each chimney. In Johannesburg one provider quotes R 1,100 for a call-out and sweep of one chimney, with R 500 for each chimney after that. If a chimney cannot be cleaned because of structural problems, the call-out alone is R 600. Double-storey houses cost more than single-storey ones, as the table shows, and several chimneys at the same address can be discounted.

What to write in your request

Say whether you need a sweep only or a sweep with a check of the fireplace, and what you heat with: wood or gas. Give the chimney type and height, the number of chimneys, and whether you know of any damage or creosote build-up. Tell the sweep whether the roof is easy to reach, add the address with the suburb and city, say when you need the work done, and state your budget.

Describe the job in your own words in the chat on BlaBlaPrice and add a photo of the chimney if you have one. The AI asks for anything missing, looks through sweeps' websites and price lists in South Africa, and shows the prices and businesses it finds. Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice reply in the chat with their own offer, price and terms. Your contact details stay hidden, and you decide with whom to exchange them. Create your request or read how BlaBlaPrice works.