Chimney Rebuild
From the roofline up. Done right once.
Landstar rebuilds chimneys from the roofline up, demo to sound brick, new masonry, crown, flashing, and cap, for spalled brick, blown joints, or a cracked crown. Licensed and insured.
Landstar rebuilds chimneys from the roofline up across New Jersey when the brick has failed structurally, with new matched brick, Type N mortar, a poured crown, a stainless cap and liner, and fresh flashing. A rebuild above the roofline in New Jersey typically runs roughly $1,500 to $5,000; a taller or near-full rebuild can run $4,000 to $15,000.
A chimney rebuild is the right call when the brick above the roofline has failed structurally, not when one mortar joint is a little wide or one brick has come loose. We do a lot of inspections that end with “you don’t need a rebuild, you need a repair,” and we’d rather tell you that on day one than charge you for a tear-down you didn’t need.
The brick above the roofline takes weather from every side, with no eave protecting it. After 50-80 years on most North Jersey chimneys, the brick face starts spalling, the mortar joints blow out, and the crown cracks through. At that point repointing is throwing good money after bad, the brick itself is end-of-life.
Every rebuild we do, we rebuild from the roofline up only, the brick below the roofline is almost always still sound, and there’s no reason to tear it out. New crown, new flashing, new cap, new liner if needed. Stainless on every liner, no exceptions, galvanized rusts out in ten years and you’re paying twice.
What the job includes.
- Demo down to sound brick (typically at the roofline)
- Rebuild with matched brick, color, size, and pattern
- Type N mortar joints, tooled to match the existing chimney
- Poured concrete crown with overhang and drip kerf
- Step flashing, counter-flashing, and apron flashing into the roof
- Stainless steel cap with spark arrester and animal screen
- UL-listed stainless steel liner replacement on the same trip
The process.
- Day 1
Inspection
Camera the flue, photograph the crown and flashing, pull a brick to check the inside face. Decide rebuild start height.
- Day 1
Scope
Written scope with course count, brick spec, liner sizing, and flashing detail. Permit pulled if local code requires it.
- Day 2
Material drop
Matched brick, mortar, liner, and roofing felt staged on-site. Scaffolding set if the chimney is over a story above the roof.
- Day 3
Demo
Old masonry pulled down to the rebuild start height. Liner pulled. Roof protected with tarps and plywood.
- Day 4–5
Rebuild
Brick laid course by course, mortar joints tooled, every fourth course tied to the structure. Liner installed mid-build.
- Day 6
Crown and cap
Concrete crown poured with proper overhang and drip kerf. Cap installed. Cure time observed before any sealer goes on.
- Day 7
Flashing and finish
Step and counter-flashing installed into the roof course, waterproof sealer applied to the masonry, debris hauled, photos sent.
Chimney Rebuild questions.
- How much does a chimney rebuild cost in New Jersey?
- A chimney rebuild above the roofline in New Jersey typically runs roughly $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the course count, the brick match, and whether a new liner and flashing are included. A taller rebuild, or one that goes down toward the firebox, can run $4,000 to $15,000. Landstar gives you an exact written price after inspecting the chimney, and will tell you if a repair would do instead.
- How do I know if I need a rebuild and not just a repair?
- Three signs you're a rebuild: (1) brick spalling, face of the brick flaking off in chunks, (2) mortar joints failed past a quarter inch deep on more than half the chimney, (3) crown cracked through with daylight visible from the firebox. If none of those apply, see our [chimney repair](/services/chimney/) page, repointing and a new crown will probably get you another 20 years.
- How long does a rebuild take?
- 5-7 working days from demo to flashing, weather permitting. Heavy storms add days because we won't open the chimney if rain is in the forecast within 48 hours.
- Will my fireplace still work the same after?
- Better. Properly sized stainless liner improves draft, the new crown sheds water away from the flue, and the flashing detail finally keeps water out. We do a draft test before we leave.
- What's the warranty?
- Workmanship is warranted by Landstar, and the stainless liner and caps carry their own manufacturer coverage. All warranties are project-specific and provided in writing with the contract.
Need a professional estimate for roofing, chimney, siding, gutters, skylights, or exterior repairs?
Landstar Construction serves every county in New Jersey with free inspections, same-day estimates after inspection, financing options, and 24-hour emergency storm response.