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Chimneys and stoves

Chimney lining

Fitting a flexible or rigid liner to an existing chimney.
Post a task Chimney lining by county

Whether this needs a licence in Ireland

Ireland

No licence required

Taken from the statute below; not yet reviewed by a lawyer

Irelandwww.cru.ieChecked

Chimney lining: what the job involves

Fitting a liner inside an existing chimney, usually a flexible stainless steel tube sized to the stove, or a cast or pumice liner, so smoke and gases go safely up and out. Most chimneys need lining before a stove is fitted, and old leaking flues need one to be safe.

Also asked for as: chimney liner · flue liner · reline chimney · stove liner · smoke leaking from chimney

How the job is usually done

  1. Inspect the chimney: smoke test, and a camera if the condition is unknown.
  2. Sweep the flue and remove any obstructions such as old dampers.
  3. Set up access at the stack: scaffolding or a platform.
  4. Lower the liner down the flue, or build or pour the cast liner.
  5. Seal it at the top with a closure plate and cowl or pot, and connect it at the bottom to the register plate or stove.
  6. Insulate around the liner if specified, then smoke-test the finished flue.
  7. Fix a notice plate recording the flue details.

Chimney lining: what is included

Usually included

  • Sweeping and inspecting the flue
  • Supplying and fitting the liner to the agreed length and diameter
  • Top closure plate and cowl or terminal
  • Smoke test on completion

Usually not included — agree it separately

  • Scaffolding, often priced by a separate firm
  • Repairs to the stack, flaunching or flashing
  • The stove and its installation, unless the same contractor does both

Materials and who supplies them

  • Liner of the correct grade and diameter for the fuel: supplied by the installer
  • Insulation, top plate, cowl and fixings: supplied by the installer

How long it takes

Usually a day; longer for a tall or bent flue, a cast liner, or stack repairs found once the scaffolding is up.

When to book

Line in dry weather and before the heating season; in a semi-detached house tell the neighbours if the stacks are shared.

Chimney lining: the rules in Ireland

What the official sources say, checked against them on the date shown. A summary, not legal advice — follow the link to read the rule itself.

  • Flues and liners must suit the appliance and be installed to Part J of the Building Regulations; a notice plate is required where a flue or chimney is provided or altered.

    Applies to: the installer and the homeowner

    Building Regulations Part J, Technical Guidance Document J · gov.ie · Checked 9 October 2026

  • Work on a roof or chimney stack must be planned so falls are prevented — scaffolding, edge protection or a mobile elevating platform rather than a ladder alone for anything but short, light work.

    Applies to: contractors and their employees

    Health and Safety Authority, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations · hsa.ie · Checked 9 October 2026

  • Chimney and solid fuel stove work is not a restricted trade in Ireland; there is no statutory register. Gas fires and gas stoves are different and reserved to Registered Gas Installers.

    Applies to: the homeowner choosing a contractor

    Commission for Regulation of Utilities · cru.ie · Checked 9 October 2026

  • A VAT-registered contractor charges the reduced rate of 13.5% on installation work to a home, subject to Revenue’s two-thirds rule when the stove or liner is most of the price.

    Applies to: VAT-registered contractors

    Revenue Commissioners · revenue.ie · Checked 9 October 2026

What chimney lining costs, and why

What jobs on Talqero came to

Not enough comparable jobs yet to publish a range here. Talqero shows a price range only once at least five comparable jobs, agreed prices or offers exist — a range from fewer would describe a handful of jobs, not the market. Post your job and compare the offers you get.

What affects the price

  • Height of the chimney and access to the stack
  • Liner type, grade and diameter
  • Scaffolding or a platform
  • Bends or offsets in the flue
  • Insulation and a new cowl
  • Stack repairs found during the work
  • VAT: building work on a home is charged at the reduced rate of 13.5% by a VAT-registered business — unless the materials come to more than two-thirds of the price, when Revenue’s two-thirds rule applies the goods rate to the whole job. Ask whether a quote includes VAT.

Paperwork to ask for at the end

  • Notice plate with the liner type, diameter and date
  • Liner manufacturer’s guarantee
  • Smoke test result

Safety

  • An unlined, cracked flue can leak carbon monoxide into bedrooms beside it — a CO alarm upstairs is worthwhile too.
  • Scaffold or edge protection is needed at the stack; a ladder on its own is not enough.

Chimney lining: before you hire

Questions to ask a tradesperson

  • What liner grade and diameter do you recommend, and why?
  • Is scaffolding included?
  • Will you smoke-test the flue when finished?
  • Do you insulate the liner?

What you can do yourself

Not a DIY job: it involves work at height and a flue that must be sized and sealed correctly.

What to put in your task

  • Why are you lining the chimney?
  • How high is the chimney?
  • What will you burn?
  • Is the roof easy to reach?

Photos that help

  • The chimney stack, pots and roof around it
  • The fireplace or stove at the bottom
  • The access to the house from the road for scaffolding

Chimney lining by county

Choose your county for chimney lining close to home.

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Questions about chimney lining

Does chimney lining need a licence in Ireland?

No licence is required for this work in Ireland (source: www.cru.ie). Ask instead for references and photographs of similar jobs.

Do I need to line my chimney for a stove?

Most installers recommend it. Older chimneys are usually too large or not airtight for a stove, which leads to poor draw, tar and leaks. A liner sized to the stove solves all three.

How long does a flexible liner last?

It depends on the grade, the fuel and how well the stove is used. Burning dry wood and sweeping regularly extend its life; wet wood and slumbering the stove overnight shorten it.

Can a liner go in a chimney with a bend?

Yes, flexible liners are made to follow offsets. Very tight bends or a partly blocked flue may need opening up from the side.

Often booked with chimney lining