Chimney removal cost: what Somerville and Cambridge homeowners should know
Chimney removal cost for Somerville and Cambridge old homes: partial vs full removal, permits, roof patching, asbestos and lead, and what drives price.
Mateus MagnoLicensed Construction Supervisor · November 2, 2026 · 4 min read
National cost guides put chimney removal at about $4,500 on average, with taking down just the stack above the roof at about $1,000 to $1,500 and a full chimney at $4,000 to $10,000. Greater Boston usually runs higher. The big drivers are how much comes out, structural support, roof patching, and lead or asbestos in old houses.
Chimney removal cost depends mostly on one choice: do you take down just the part above the roof, or the whole thing from basement to sky? In Somerville and Cambridge, where so many 1900 to 1930 houses still carry brick chimneys they no longer use, it is a fair question.
The short answer: national guides put the average around $4,500, and a full removal costs several times more than a roofline-only job. Here is what changes the price and what to check before anyone swings a hammer.
Why people remove unused chimneys in old homes
- Leaks. An old brick stack with tired flashing and crumbling mortar is a common source of roof leaks.
- Space. A chimney breast running through a kitchen, bedroom or bathroom can eat valuable square footage in a triple-decker.
- Heat pumps. Once a house switches from an oil or gas boiler to heat pumps, the old flue often has no job left. More on that in my heat pump guide.
- Safety. Loose bricks at the top of a stack are a real hazard over a sidewalk or driveway.
Chimney removal cost: national averages
There is no official Massachusetts price list, so here are national averages from Angi's 2026 chimney removal guide. Greater Boston usually runs higher because of labor costs and tight access.
| Scope (national average) | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Whole chimney, stack and breast | $4,000 to $10,000 |
| Stack above the roofline only | $1,000 to $1,500 |
| Interior chimney breast only | $1,500 to $2,500 |
| Roof repair after removal | $375 to $1,800 |
The same guide puts the overall national average at $4,500, with most homeowners spending between $2,000 and $10,000.
Partial vs. full removal
Partial removal takes the stack down below the roof line, caps the masonry, and closes the roof deck. It solves leaks and falling bricks. The brick inside the house stays.
Full removal takes everything out, floor by floor, down to the basement. You gain space on every level, but the floors, walls and ceilings around the chimney all need patching, and the debris has to come down through the house.
In between, some owners remove the breast in one room and support the masonry above it. That only works with proper structural support designed for that house.
Structure: what has to be checked first
- Is anything still venting into it? A gas water heater or boiler that still uses the flue has to be relocated or replaced before the chimney can go.
- Is it carrying load? In old houses, joists and headers sometimes bear on the chimney. Those need new support before demolition.
- Partial removal from below leaves heavy masonry above. It needs a support plan, never just a few boards.
Permits in Somerville and Cambridge
Both cities say anyone who wants to alter, repair or demolish a structure must first get a building permit, and only "ordinary repairs" as defined in the Building Code are exempt. See the Somerville Building Division and Cambridge building permits pages. Taking down masonry and reframing a roof is not painting or tiling, so I pull a permit for chimney removal.
- Somerville historic districts: the Historic Preservation Commission reviews changes in a Local Historic District that are visible from a public way. A chimney on a front roof slope usually is. See my historic districts guide.
- Cambridge: the Demolition Review Ordinance covers all buildings over 50 years old citywide, and the Historical Commission protects designated properties. I call the Commission before taking down any visible stack.
Asbestos and lead: the hidden costs
Old chimneys can hide asbestos in flue pipes, cement and insulation around old boilers. MassDEP requires notice to both MassDEP and the Department of Labor Standards at least ten working days before any project involving asbestos removal. Test suspect material first.
Painted trim, plaster and flashing around the chimney may contain lead. In homes built before 1978, the EPA RRP rule requires paid contractors to be certified and use lead-safe work practices. I am a certified Lead-Safe Renovator Supervisor; here is my lead paint guide.
What drives your price
- How much comes out: stack only, one room, or the full height
- Number of stories and how debris gets out
- Structural support and engineering
- Roof type and how much decking and roofing must be patched
- Asbestos or lead testing and abatement
- Interior patching: plaster, flooring, trim and paint
Every house is different, so I give a written line-item budget after a free walkthrough.
Need a hand?
Have an unused chimney in Somerville, Cambridge or Medford? Book a free walkthrough and I will check the structure and send a written line-item budget, usually within 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to remove a chimney?
National guides put the average at about $4,500, with most jobs between $2,000 and $10,000. Greater Boston usually runs higher, and full removals cost much more than roofline-only jobs.
How much does it cost to remove a chimney above the roofline?
National guides list removing just the stack above the roof at about $1,000 to $1,500, plus roof repair. Expect more in Somerville and Cambridge, where labor and access cost more.
Do I need a permit to remove a chimney in Cambridge or Somerville?
Both cities require a building permit to alter, repair or demolish a structure, with only ordinary repairs exempt. Historic districts and older Cambridge buildings may also need Historical Commission review.
Is it worth removing an unused chimney?
Often yes, if it leaks, has loose bricks, or takes up space you need. Make sure no boiler or water heater still vents into it first.
Planning work on your home? See everything I do, how I price work and the towns I work in.
Mateus Magno founded Magno & Co in 2020. He is a licensed Massachusetts Construction Supervisor (CS-123658), registered Home Improvement Contractor (HIC #220484) and certified Lead-Safe Renovator Supervisor who has renovated and managed over $5 million in projects across Greater Boston.
More about Mateus →
