Chimney Sweep & Inspection
Mary Poppins energy. Steady cash flow.
Bottom line
Strong cash-flow candidate with manageable operations.
Chimney sweeping has quietly become a high-demand compliance business. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 211) recommends annual chimney inspections, and most homeowner's insurance policies require documented chimney inspections before covering fireplace-related claims. With 50+ million wood-burning fireplaces in the US and gas fireplace permits surging since 2020, demand is structurally growing. Sweeps charge $150-$350 per inspection — and 80%+ of first-time customers rebook annually.
How It Works
You inspect and clean fireplaces, wood stoves, and flue systems for homeowners. A Level 1 inspection with sweep costs $150-$250. Level 2 inspections (required on home sales) run $250-$500. Repairs — relining flues, installing caps, fixing dampers — are high-margin add-ons averaging $500-$3,000. Most customers book annually, driven by insurance requirements and safety awareness. Fall is the peak season, but sales are year-round.
BizBite verdict
Worth underwriting
Chimney Sweep & Inspection has enough high-level data for a first look, but BizBite has not assigned a category-specific operating model yet. Treat the score as preliminary.
Why it may work
- +Attractive 40% estimated margin profile
- +SBA dataset shows 67 recent comparable loans
Be careful
- !Source link status has not been verified yet
- !No last-checked date yet
- !No category operating model yet
SBA 7(a) data
Real acquisitions in this category
Change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 561790 · Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings
Deal size distribution
Deal flow over time
Financing profile
Franchise vs independent
Franchised acquisitions finance at $350K median vs $471K for independents — a −26% franchise discount. Franchises make up 20% of deals tracked.
Recent comparable deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | TX | $350K | $412K |
| Mar 2026 | NJ | $1.2M | $1.4M |
| Feb 2026 | LA | $402K | $473K |
| Feb 2026 | FL | $55K | $65K |
| Feb 2026 | FL | $615K | $723K |
| Feb 2026 | FL | $50K | $59K |
| Jan 2026 | TX | $270K | $318K |
| Jan 2026 | KS | $171K | $201K |
| Jan 2026 | FL | $650K | $765K |
| Jan 2026 | KS | $211K | $248K |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Deal Calculator
Priced off $88K SDE — can this deal service its own debt?
SDE = revenue × margin estimate for this niche; it includes owner compensation, so budget your salary out of cash flow. Excludes working-capital injection, capex reserves, and taxes. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower.
Pros
- +Strong repeat business — insurance requirements drive annual rebooks
- +High-margin repair upsells on nearly every job
- +Low startup costs — a camera inspection system and brushes get you started
- +Gas fireplace growth expanding the addressable market rapidly
Cons
- -Seasonal revenue concentration in fall and early winter
- -Physical work — confined spaces, soot, heights
- -Certification (CSIA) adds credibility but requires training time
Best For
Operators who want a low-overhead service business with strong repeat rates and defensible local reputation
Operating Costs
Key costs include video inspection camera system ($1,500-$4,000), brushes and rods, a van, safety equipment, insurance, and CSIA certification training. Margins are 35-45% for solo operators after all costs.
Where to Buy
Find chimney and home inspection service businesses for sale
Industry directory and certification body with business listings
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Ready to Buy? Start Here →
Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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