Replacing or repairing a chimney cap or crown in Calgary costs $1,600 to $2,200 before GST on a standard residential chimney, whether the fix is a resurfaced concrete crown or a new galvanized metal cover. Simple sealing starts around $600; a chimney top that needs its blocks reset before a new crown can go on was $3,600.
Every figure below is from one of the 600+ cap and crown estimates and invoices issued by our Calgary masonry team across 2025 and 2026 in Calgary, Canmore and Priddis. Prices exclude 5% GST and include labour and materials.
Chimney Cap and Crown Cost Table
| Job | Cost (pre-GST) | What was done |
|---|---|---|
| Seal and secure | $600 | Silicone applied to two chimney tops, screws added on one |
| Concrete crown resurfacing | $1,600 | Smoke shelf filled with fire-resistant mortar, two coats liquid bonding on the old concrete top, two coats fiber cement with a smooth finish, all holes filled with Type S mortar, repairs painted |
| Metal cover with exhausts | $1,700 | Black galvanized cover with 5-inch drip edge, fire-resistant caulking at the flue liners and fasteners, two black galvanized exhaust caps |
| Metal cover plus masonry repair | $2,200 | Bricks reset where needed and joints filled, galvanized cover with 4-inch drip edge and fire-resistant caulking at the neck, roof flashing caulked |
| Crown recap on an older chimney | $2,200 | Roof protected, loose mortar removed from capping and top bricks, liquid bond, three coats fiber cement with a good slope, brick joints around the cap filled (Canmore) |
| Block top rebuild with new crown | $3,600 | Loose concrete blocks and old crown removed, blocks reinstalled, three-coat fiber mortar crown with mesh, slope and smooth finish |
| Cover included in a larger job | part of $7,000 – $8,800 | 5-inch metal cover on a stucco-wrapped brick chimney; galvanized cover on a fully restored natural stone chimney |
Concrete Crown vs Metal Cap: Cost Comparison
| Concrete / fiber-cement crown | Galvanized metal cover | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $1,600 – $2,200 | $1,700 – $2,200 |
| What you pay for | Labour: prep, bonding agent, two to three coats, slope, finish, joints | Fabricated cover with drip edge, caulking, fasteners; often paired with joint repair |
| Adds cost | Blocks or bricks that must be reset first (+ up to $3,600 total) | Multiple flues and exhaust caps; brick and joint repair bundled in |
| Best when | Existing crown is sound enough to bond to and you want to keep the masonry look | Crown is badly cracked, chimney is a chase, or you want the top fully shed of water |
| Water performance | Depends on slope and drip edge being done right | Sheds water off the top entirely; drip edge keeps it off the brick face |
Both approaches sit in the same price band on a standard chimney. The choice is usually about the condition of what is already there and how you want the chimney to look, not about saving money.
What Changes the Price
Condition under the cap. The cap is the last thing to go on. If the top course of brick, stone or block is loose, it gets reset first; that is brick repointing and replacement work before any cap work. That is the difference between the $1,600 to $2,200 jobs and the $3,600 block-top rebuild.
Flue count and exhausts. Each flue needs a cutout and sealing on a metal cover; each exhaust cap is an extra piece. The $1,700 job included two exhaust caps.
Drip edge size. 4-inch and 5-inch drip edges both appear in recent jobs. The wider edge throws water further off the brick face and costs slightly more in material.
Roof access. The standalone cap and crown jobs above were done from the roof or ladders. A tall chimney on a steep roof adds scaffolding; on the $8,800 stone chimney restoration the cover was one line item in a scaffolded job.
Finish. Black galvanized and powder-coated covers are available alongside plain galvanized; in recent jobs the finish made less difference to price than the repair work bundled with the cover. Painting a resurfaced concrete crown to match was included in the $1,600 job.
Repair scope bundled in. Most cap jobs also fill open joints and re-caulk flashing while the crew is up there. That is usually included in the quoted price rather than billed separately. If the same house also has cracked stucco or failing parging at the foundation, it is worth scoping the full exterior in one visit.
Signs You Need a New Cap or Crown
Cracks running through the concrete top, chunks of crown on the roof or in the gutter, rust streaks or staining on the brick below the top, water in the firebox after rain, or a metal cover that lifts in wind. Left alone, water enters the core of the chimney and freezes; the next repair is a partial rebuild at two to five times the cost of the cap.
Red Flags in a Chimney Cap Quote
- No slope or drip edge mentioned on a concrete crown
- A metal cover quoted without sealing at the flue liners
- Cap replaced without checking or filling the joints beneath it
- Price given from the ground without a roof inspection
- No written warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a chimney cap cost in Calgary?
$1,600 to $2,200 before GST for a resurfaced concrete crown or a new galvanized metal cover on a typical residential chimney, including caulking and joint repair around the top.
Is a metal chimney cap cheaper than a concrete crown?
Not meaningfully. Recent metal covers ran $1,700 to $2,200; concrete crown resurfacing ran $1,600 to $2,200. Pick based on condition and appearance.
Can a metal cover go over a cracked concrete crown?
Yes, provided the masonry under it is sound. The cover sheds water off the top so the cracked crown stops taking in moisture. If the top blocks are loose they still need to be reset first.
How long does chimney cap replacement take?
It depends on the cap type. A metal cover goes on in one visit; multi-coat fiber-cement crowns need curing time between coats, so allow for more than one visit. Timing is confirmed at the assessment.
Do you replace the flashing at the same time?
Caulking the existing roof flashing is included in most cap jobs. Replacing flashing is roofing work and is coordinated with a roofer if needed.
Does the price include cleaning the chimney?
No. Martini Stone Masonry does not do professional chimney sweeping. The Canmore crown recap estimate offered to help with the homeowner’s own brushes but a WETT-certified sweep is the right trade for cleaning and inspection.
Get a Chimney Cap Quote
Call 587-227-9122 (Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM) or request a free assessment. Written scope, written price, written masonry warranty.
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