TLDR
Four chimney companies that say they serve Montclair and state CSIA certification on their own websites: Approved Chimney (sweep, inspection and masonry under one roof), Ryan & Son Chimneys (inspection-led, Level 2 camera scans, second opinions), Top Hat & Tails Chimney (Essex County family firm since the mid-1980s) and American Masonry Service (CSIA Master Chimney Sweep, repair and rebuild focus). Book a yearly inspection, ask for the NFPA 211 level in writing, and get a Level 2 with video when you buy or sell. No company paid to be listed, and we don't publish ratings or prices. For repair costs, see our chimney repair cost guide.
Best Chimney Sweeps in Montclair, NJ: CSIA-Certified Options Compared
Montclair has a lot of chimneys and a lot of them are old: tall brick stacks on Victorians and Tudors, clay tile liners from the early 1900s, and flues that once served coal, then oil, and now a gas boiler. Fall is when everyone remembers the fireplace, and when sweeps get booked out. This guide names companies that say they serve Montclair, compares what they state about credentials and inspections, and gives you the rules and questions that matter more than any list.
How we chose
We started from companies that publish a Montclair or Essex County service area, then kept only those that state a CSIA certification on their own site. Every fact below comes from the company's own page, linked in the table, as of the date above. We left out sites that read like national lead-generation pages, that didn't claim CSIA certification, or whose listed service area doesn't include Montclair (one well-regarded Scotch Plains sweep, for example, lists only nearby parts of Essex County). We did not verify each company's registration in the state database or its insurance, and you should. These are the criteria we think matter most:
| Criterion | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| CSIA certification (the person, not just the logo) | CSIA describes its Certified Chimney Sweep credential as earned by passing an exam on fire codes, clearances and construction and maintenance standards. Ask whose certification it is and whether that person is on your job. |
| Inspection level named on the estimate | NFPA 211 defines Level 1, 2 and 3 inspections with different scopes. A quote that just says “inspection” leaves you guessing what was actually checked. |
| Camera or video scan when it matters | A Level 2 inspection, required at sale or transfer and after a fuel or appliance change, can include an interior video scan. Montclair’s older clay-tile and unlined flues are where hidden cracks tend to be. |
| NJ home improvement contractor registration | Paid home improvement work in New Jersey requires a registered contractor. The registration number belongs on the contract and you can look it up. |
| Written contract for repairs over $500 | New Jersey requires a written, signed contract for home improvement work over $500 with the contractor’s registration number, insurance details, price and dates, and gives you three business days to cancel. |
| Photos of anything they want to fix | The surest way to separate a real finding from an upsell. A reputable sweep shows you the crack, the creosote or the missing cap. |
Comparison table
| Company | Base / service area | Stated credentials | Best for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approved Chimney | Locations listed in South Hackensack, NJ and the Bronx, NY; says it serves Montclair and all of Essex County | CSIA-certified technicians; NFI certification; NFPA and National Chimney Sweep Guild member; serving Montclair since 2012 | One company for the sweep, the inspection and the masonry repair | site |
| Ryan & Son Chimneys | Serves Morris, Sussex, Warren, Bergen, Union, Passaic, Hudson, Somerset, Essex and Hunterdon counties | Founded as Wisp Chimneys in 1978; Bill Ryan Jr. CSIA-certified since 1997; NFI and F.I.R.E.-certified inspector; says it employs 2 F.I.R.E.-trained inspectors and 2 NFI Master Hearth Professionals | Documented Level 2 inspections before buying or selling, and second opinions | site |
| Top Hat & Tails Chimney | South Orange based, with an office address in Belleville; serves Essex County including Montclair | Family owned since the mid-1980s; says every technician is CSIA-certified; follows NFPA 211; founder is president of the NJ Chimney Sweep Guild | Annual sweeps and camera inspections from a long-standing Essex County firm | site |
| American Masonry Service (American Chimney Service) | Bergen and Passaic county area; has a Montclair service-area page | CSIA Master Chimney Sweep certified; NFI-certified; NJ contractor ID #13VH00689300 listed on its site; 25+ years; family owned | Masonry-heavy repairs and rebuilds after an inspection finds structural problems | site |
Listed in no particular order. No ratings, review counts or prices on purpose. Credentials are as stated by each company.
The companies
Approved Chimney
Services listed: Sweeping, CSIA-outlined inspections (annual, at sale or modification, full-scale), masonry and crown repair, flashing, liners (stainless or Thermocrete coating), rebuilds, firebox repair
Approved Chimney has a Montclair-specific page that says homeowners have used it since 2012 to clean, inspect and repair chimneys, with CSIA-certified technicians on sweeps and inspections that follow the CSIA framework: annual safety checks, inspections when you sell or modify the system, and full-scale inspections for major damage. It lists a wide repair menu, from tuckpointing, crowns, caps and chase covers to smoke chamber parging, damper replacement and waterproofing, plus stainless steel relining or a Thermocrete flue coating. It also says it rebuilds chimneys to state and local code. The upside is one call for sweep, diagnosis and repair; the thing to manage is separating the inspection finding from the repair sale, so ask for photos or video of anything it recommends fixing.
Source: https://approvedchimney.com/chimney-fireplace-service-montclair-nj
Ryan & Son Chimneys
Services listed: Level 1, 2 and 3 inspections, sweeps, relining, wood and gas installations, masonry, crowns, caps, waterproofing, consulting and expert witness work
Ryan & Son leads with inspections. Its site describes a family business started in 1978 by a fire captain, a CSIA certification for Bill Ryan Jr. in 1997, NFI and F.I.R.E. inspector credentials, and leadership roles in the New Jersey Chimney Sweep Guild and the International Association of Fireplace and Chimney Inspectors. It shows Level 2 interior camera scans with the deficiencies they found, and says it uses scaffolding and a boom truck for tall chimneys, which matters on three-story Montclair Victorians. It also lists consulting and expert-witness work, so it is a sensible call when you want an independent opinion on someone else's repair quote. Its service area is wide, so ask about scheduling lead time in fall.
Source: https://www.ryanchimneynj.com/
Top Hat & Tails Chimney
Services listed: Sweeping, flue relining, camera inspections, masonry repair, chimney leak repair
Top Hat & Tails describes itself as a family-owned company serving Essex County since the mid-1980s, with every technician CSIA-certified and inspections done to the NFPA 211 standard. It lists sweeping, flue relining, camera inspections, masonry repairs and leak repair, and names Montclair, South Orange, Bloomfield and Short Hills among the towns it serves. It also says founder Bob Harris is president of the New Jersey Chimney Sweep Guild. Its pitch is restraint: it says it won't push services you don't need and will tell you when something can wait. That is the right attitude for an annual sweep, where most visits should end with a clean flue and a short report, not a repair proposal.
American Masonry Service (American Chimney Service)
Services listed: Chimney repair from small fixes to full rebuilds, inspections, same-day emergency service; warranty on work
American Masonry Service, which also brands itself American Chimney Service, has a Montclair page focused on repair. It says it is CSIA Master Chimney Sweep certified and NFI-certified, family owned, in business for more than 25 years, offers same-day emergency service, warranties its work and works with insurers. It lists a New Jersey contractor registration number on the page, which you can check yourself with the Division of Consumer Affairs. Its listed towns are mostly in Bergen and Passaic counties, so confirm Montclair scheduling. Consider it when a Level 2 inspection has already identified crown, flashing or brickwork problems and you need a mason-led quote.
Source: https://www.americanmasonryservice.com/contact/chimney-repair-service-area/montclair-nj
Inspection levels: what you are actually buying
In 2000 the National Fire Protection Association adopted three levels of chimney inspection into NFPA 211, the standard certified sweeps work from, based on a framework the Chimney Safety Institute of America developed. Knowing them is the easiest way to compare quotes, because a cheap “inspection” and a thorough one can be completely different jobs.
| Level | When it's called for | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Routine annual inspection when the system is easily accessible and you plan to keep using it as is | Verifies the chimney structure is sound and free of obstructions and combustible deposits such as creosote |
| Level 2 | Sale or transfer of the property; a new heating appliance or change of fuel; after an operating malfunction or an external event likely to have caused damage, such as a chimney fire | Everything in Level 1, plus accessible parts of attics, crawl spaces and basements; may include a smoke or pressure test and an interior video inspection |
| Level 3 | When a Level 1 or 2 suggests a hidden hazard that cannot be evaluated without opening concealed areas; investigating damage | Confirms construction and condition of concealed portions of the chimney and flue, which may require removing parts of the building |
Most Montclair homeowners need a Level 1 most years. Ask for a Level 2 when you are buying or selling, when you switch fuels (for example, converting from oil to gas), when a new boiler or water heater will vent into the chimney, or after a chimney fire or a storm. If you are converting from oil, our oil-to-gas conversion guide explains why the flue often needs a new liner.
New Jersey registration and contract rules
New Jersey doesn't license chimney sweeps as such. What applies is the Contractors' Registration Act: businesses doing home improvement work must register with the Division of Consumer Affairs, and you can check a registration number on the Division's lookup. Under N.J.S.A. 56:8-151, a home improvement contract over $500 must be in writing and signed, and must include the contractor's legal name, business address and registration number, insurance information, the total price, start and completion dates and a description of the work and materials. You have three business days after receiving a copy to cancel.
For a routine sweep that may never matter. For a relining job, a crown rebuild or a new cap and damper, it does. Get the contract, look up the number, and keep the inspection report and photos with it. Those are the papers a buyer's inspector will ask for when you sell.
Montclair-specific issues
- Old liners. Many of the town's chimneys were built with clay tile liners, or none at all, long before modern appliances. A camera scan is the only way to see cracked or missing tiles.
- Furnace and boiler flues. A chimney you never use for a fire may still vent your heating system. Make sure that flue is included in the inspection.
- Tall stacks and steep roofs. Three-story houses on the hill need ladders, scaffolding or a lift. Ask how the crew will reach the top and whether that changes the price.
- Exterior masonry. Crowns, flashing and mortar joints on old brick take a beating from freeze-thaw. See our masonry and tuckpointing guide.
- Historic districts. A sweep changes nothing visible. A rebuild or a new crown profile might, so check with the township's historic preservation office first. Ask the Building Department whether your relining or rebuild needs a construction permit.
Questions to ask before you book
- Who is coming, and is that person CSIA-certified?
- Which NFPA 211 inspection level is included, and will I get a written report?
- Will you scan the flue with a camera, and will I get the video or photos?
- Which flues are included: fireplace, furnace or boiler, water heater?
- What is your NJ home improvement contractor registration number?
- If you find a problem, will you show me before quoting the repair?
- How do you protect floors and furniture from soot?
Related guides: chimney repair cost, gas fireplace inserts, wood and pellet stove inserts, how to choose a contractor, and our other picks: roofers, HVAC companies.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best chimney sweep in Montclair, NJ?
There is no official ranking, and we don't invent star ratings. Four companies that say they serve Montclair and state CSIA certification on their own sites are Approved Chimney, Ryan & Son Chimneys, Top Hat & Tails Chimney and American Masonry Service. For a routine annual sweep, a long-standing Essex County firm like Top Hat & Tails or Approved Chimney is a natural first call. For a pre-purchase Level 2 inspection or a second opinion, Ryan & Son leads with inspection credentials. For masonry-heavy repairs, American Masonry Service. Whoever you call, confirm the CSIA-certified person doing your job and the inspection level on the estimate.
How often should a Montclair chimney be swept or inspected?
The Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fire Protection Association both recommend a yearly chimney inspection to help prevent fires and carbon monoxide problems. Whether the flue needs sweeping depends on what the inspection finds and how much you burn. That's industry guidance, not a Montclair ordinance. Don't forget the flue serving an oil or gas furnace or boiler, which many older Montclair houses still vent through a masonry chimney.
Do I need a Level 2 chimney inspection when buying a house in Montclair?
Under the NFPA 211 inspection levels that CSIA helped write, a Level 2 inspection is called for upon the sale or transfer of a property. It covers everything in a Level 1 plus accessible attic, crawl space and basement areas, and may include an interior video scan. A general home inspector usually doesn't do this, so schedule it separately during your inspection window and ask for the video.
Does a chimney sweep need a license in New Jersey?
New Jersey has no separate chimney sweep license, but paid repair and improvement work on your home falls under the state's home improvement contractor registration with the Division of Consumer Affairs, and the registration number belongs on the contract. CSIA certification is a voluntary industry credential, and it is the one most worth asking about. Contracts for home improvement work over $500 must be written and signed and give you a three-business-day right to cancel.
What does a chimney sweep cost in Montclair?
We don't publish prices on this page. A basic sweep with a Level 1 inspection, a Level 2 camera inspection and a relining job are very different scopes. Our chimney repair cost guide covers previously published local ranges for repair work. Ask each company to name the inspection level and what is included before you compare.
Do Montclair historic district rules affect chimney work?
Possibly, for visible exterior changes. Montclair's historic preservation process can apply to exterior work on designated properties, and matching brick and mortar is a common expectation. A routine sweep or inspection doesn't change anything you can see. A rebuild, a new crown profile or a cap that changes the chimney's appearance is worth checking with the township first. Ask the Building Department whether a relining or rebuild needs a construction permit.
Get matched with a local chimney pro
Tell us what you need (sweep, inspection, relining or repair) and we'll connect you with a local pro. Free, no obligation.
Sources: company pages linked above; CSIA on the NFPA 211 inspection levels; N.J.S.A. 56:8-151 (home improvement contracts); NJ Division of Consumer Affairs guide to hiring a home improvement contractor; Township of Montclair Certificate of Appropriateness page. Reviewed October 23, 2026. We don't rank companies by stars, and no business paid to appear here. Credentials and service areas change, so verify before you hire.