Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterFranchise Investment Overview
We believe in putting numbers on the table, and that applies to investment information as much as it does to a sweep quote. If you’re considering opening an independently owned and operated chimney cleaning business under the Emberly Chimney Cleaners name, you deserve a straight look at the startup range before you spend time on a qualification call. These figures are ballpark estimates drawn from our 15 years of operating experience since 2009. They are not a legal offering, but they’ll give you a realistic frame for the conversation that follows.
Estimated Startup Investment
Every market carries different costs for commercial space, labor, and permitting. The table below reflects typical ranges for a single-territory chimney cleaning operation using our equipment standards and documentation systems. A flat-price quote before work starts is Clause 1 of the Haven Standard. We hold ourselves to the same on the investment side: no hidden line items, no “it depends” without numbers attached.
| Cost Category | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 – $55,000 |
| Equipment & Vehicles | $65,000 – $110,000 |
| Initial Marketing & Launch | $18,000 – $35,000 |
| Working Capital (first 6 months) | $45,000 – $80,000 |
| Total Estimated Investment | $163,000 – $280,000 |
The equipment line is where chimney cleaning differs from lighter home-service categories. Level 2 camera inspection systems, rotary cleaning heads, HEPA filtration vacuums, and a service vehicle sized for flue access add up. We also spec materials from DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield through Haven’s buying network, which keeps your replacement parts pricing competitive from day one.
What’s Included
The franchise fee covers the operating system, not just the name. You’re buying into a documentation standard that Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners, has run continuously since 2009: every job quoted in writing before work starts, every visit leaving a photo record. Here’s what the fee includes:
- Brand license and territory rights for a defined service area with protected boundaries.
- Technical training covering NFPA 211 Level 2 camera inspection, sweep procedures, liner assessment, and cap and crown work.
- The Haven Standard operating system including Clause 5 documentation protocols: photos, readings, and written scope on every job.
- Launch marketing package with local website, listing setup, and review-generation infrastructure.
- Access to Haven’s buying network for equipment and the materials list above, which keeps your cost per job competitive against independent operators.
- Ongoing operational support including live phone routing, scheduling systems, and technician verification procedures.
BeforeAfterFinancing & Next Steps
Third-party financing is commonly available for the equipment and vehicle portion of startup costs. Many lenders familiar with home-service businesses will finance trucks, camera systems, and filtration rigs on standard commercial terms. The working capital piece is the one you should plan to fund yourself, because the first six months are about building your inspection archive and your local reputation, not about maximizing invoice volume.
To get exact numbers for your market, the next step is a qualification conversation. We’ll ask about your target territory, your operational background, and your capital position. Then we’ll provide the official documents with the actual figures and terms for your specific situation. No pressure, no urgency, just information.
Call (980) 580-8641 to speak with our franchise team, or request the info kit below and we’ll send the details by the next business day.
All investment figures shown are non-binding marketing estimates. Actual figures vary by market and are provided in official documents during the qualification process.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners, operating under the Haven Standard since 2009.