Buying a home with a fireplace or wood stove? The national chimney standard calls for a Level 2 inspection whenever a property changes hands. ValueGuard’s CSIA-certified inspector runs a camera through the entire flue, checks the chimney from the cap to the hearth, and hands you a clear, photo- and video-documented report. $329 for the first chimney, $175 for each additional.
✓CSIA-Certified InspectorTrained at the CSIA Technology Center
✓Full Video Scan of the FlueEvery liner joint and crack, top to bottom
✓NFPA 211 StandardThe inspection called for at sale or transfer
✓Inspection Only · No UpsellWe never sell sweeping, relining or repairs
✓$175 Each Additional ChimneySame property, same visit
A chimney can look perfectly fine from the roof and the living room while hiding cracked flue tiles, missing mortar or a dangerous gap to the framing inside the walls. A Level 2 chimney inspection is how you find out. Performed to NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys, fireplaces and vents, it adds a full video scan of the flue and an examination of the chimney through every accessible attic, basement and crawlspace. ValueGuard’s Level 2 inspections are performed by Tyler Gilger, our CSIA-certified inspector and Vice President of Field Operations.
Quick answer
What is a Level 2 chimney inspection?
A Level 2 chimney inspection is the middle of the three inspection levels defined by NFPA 211. It includes everything in a Level 1 visual check plus a video camera scan of the entire flue interior and an inspection of the chimney in accessible attics, basements and crawlspaces, including clearances to combustible framing. NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection when a property is sold or transferred, when the heating appliance or fuel type is changed, and after a chimney fire, lightning strike, earthquake or severe storm. In Greater Philadelphia, ValueGuard performs Level 2 chimney inspections for $329 for the first chimney and $175 for each additional chimney.
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$329First chimney · $175 each additional
100%Of the flue video-scanned
1997Inspecting Philadelphia homes since
4.9★1,300+ Google reviews
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I. When you need a Level 2
When should you get a Level 2 chimney inspection?
NFPA 211 sets out specific moments when a basic visual check isn’t enough. If any of these apply to you, a Level 2 is the inspection to book.
Buying or selling a homeNFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 upon the sale or transfer of a property. A standard home inspection only looks at the visible parts of a chimney — a Level 2 looks inside the flue before it becomes your problem.
After a chimney fire or stormA chimney fire, lightning strike, earthquake or severe weather can crack flue tiles you’ll never see from below. A Level 2 documents the damage — useful for safety and for an insurance claim.
Changing the appliance or fuelInstalling a wood stove or fireplace insert, converting from oil to gas, or swapping in a high-efficiency furnace changes what the flue has to handle. A Level 2 confirms it’s sized and lined for the job.
Something was flaggedYour home inspector noted a cracked crown, efflorescence, water staining or a smoke smell — or the fireplace drafts poorly. A Level 2 finds out what’s actually going on inside.
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II. What we inspect
From the cap to the hearth.
Most chimney problems hide where you can’t see them: inside the flue, behind the walls, and in the attic where the chimney passes the framing. A Level 2 inspection examines every accessible part of the system — and records the inside of the flue on video.
The Level 2 difference: the entire flue is scanned on video. Here the live camera feed shows the inside of the flue on the screen — and the footage is saved to your report.
✓Video camera scan of the entire flue interior, recorded for your file
✓Flue liner condition — cracked tiles, open joints, gaps and offsets
✓Exterior masonry, crown, cap, spark arrestor and roof flashing
✓Chimney in accessible attics, basements and crawlspaces
✓Clearances to combustible framing, trim and insulation
✓Firebox, damper, smoke chamber, hearth and hearth extension
✓Creosote and soot buildup, blockages, nests and debris
✓Connector pipes and thimbles for stoves, inserts, furnaces and water heaters
A Level 2 is non-invasive: we don’t remove masonry, walls or finishes. If the video scan reveals damage that can only be confirmed by opening the structure, the report will say so and recommend a Level 3 evaluation by a chimney contractor.
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Understanding the levels
Level 1 vs. Level 2 vs. Level 3.
NFPA 211 defines three levels of chimney inspection. Each one builds on the last, and the right one depends on what’s happening with the home.
Level 1
Level 2 · ValueGuard
Level 3
When
Annual check, no changes to the system
Sale or transfer, appliance or fuel change, after a fire or storm
A serious hazard is suspected and can’t be confirmed otherwise
What’s checked
Readily accessible exterior, interior and connections
All of Level 1, plus attics, basements, crawlspaces and clearances
Concealed areas reached by removing components
Video scan of flue
✗ No
✓ Yes, full length
✓ Yes
Invasive?
No
No
Yes — may remove masonry or walls
A standard home inspection is not a Level 1, 2 or 3 chimney inspection. Your home inspector reports on what’s visible; a Level 2 is a dedicated chimney evaluation with a camera inside the flue.
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Pricing
How much does a Level 2 chimney inspection cost?
A ValueGuard Level 2 chimney inspection is $329 for the first chimney and $175 for each additional chimney on the same property. Set the number of chimneys below for your price.
Number of chimneys
1
Count each separate chimney on the property.
Your price
$329First chimney
Not sure how many chimneys you have? Tell us when you book and we’ll confirm the price before the visit.
i.CSIA-CertifiedTyler Gilger earned his Level 2 chimney inspection certification through the Chimney Safety Institute of America, with hands-on training at the CSIA Technology Center in Indiana.
ii.Inspection OnlyMany chimney inspections are done by companies that also sell sweeping, relining and rebuilds. We don’t sell any of it, so there’s no reason for us to find work that isn’t there.
iii.Proof, Not OpinionEvery finding comes with photos and flue video, so you, your agent and the seller are looking at the same evidence when it’s time to negotiate.
iv.One Visit, One TeamBundle your Level 2 with your home inspection, sewer scope or radon test. One booking, one team, and everything on your inspection-contingency timeline.
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Your chimney inspector
Meet Tyler Gilger.
VP, Field Operations · CSIA Level 2 Chimney Inspector
Every ValueGuard Level 2 chimney inspection is performed by Tyler, who completed CSIA training at the Chimney Safety Institute of America’s Technology Center. With more than 2,500 home inspections behind him, plus thermography, sewer scope and FAA drone certifications, he knows how a chimney fits into the rest of the house — and he’s known for being thorough.
A chimney report is only as useful as the camera work, the credentials and the independence behind it. Here’s how ValueGuard compares.
What matters
ValueGuard
Typical provider
Upfront pricing
✓ $329 / $175 each additional
✗ Quoted on site
Full-length flue video
✓ Always
✗ Sometimes partial
CSIA-certified inspector
✓ Yes
Varies
Coordinated with your home inspection
✓ Same team, same timeline
✗ Separate vendor
Local track record
✓ 1,300+ 5-star reviews
Varies
Independence
✓ Inspection only
✗ Sells repairs & relining
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Fast & easy
Your Level 2 in three simple steps.
Book it on its own or add it to your home inspection. It’s $329 for the first chimney and $175 for each additional chimney, with the price confirmed before we arrive.
1ScheduleBook online or call (215) 860-3150. Tell us how many chimneys and what’s connected to them. Please don’t use the fireplace or stove for 24 hours before the visit.
2On-site inspectionTyler examines the chimney inside and out, checks the attic and basement, and runs a camera through the full length of the flue.
3Your reportA clear report with photos and flue video is emailed to you and your agent by the next business day.
From Philadelphia rowhomes with century-old clay-tile flues to Main Line stone colonials with multiple fireplaces, the region’s housing stock is full of chimneys that have outlived several owners. We perform Level 2 chimney inspections throughout Greater Philadelphia and into New Castle County, Delaware.
Philadelphia County
Bucks County
Chester County
Delaware County
Montgomery County
Berks County
Lancaster County
New Castle County, DE
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VI. What clients say about Tyler
From recent ValueGuard clients.
“★★★★★
Tyler is the man. Knocked the inspection out of the park and went above and beyond, basically showing me how the whole house works. Final report was incredibly thorough and available the next day. No need to look further than Tyler and ValueGuard.
Ricky TrotmanGoogle review
“★★★★★
Had such a great experience with Tyler Gilger. He inspected and checked a number of things at my house that I just moved into. Made it super easy for me to understand best course of action for everything. Highly recommend ValueGuard and Tyler.
A Level 2 chimney inspection is the second of three inspection levels defined by NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys, fireplaces, vents and solid fuel–burning appliances. It includes everything in a Level 1 inspection plus a video camera scan of the entire flue interior and an examination of the chimney in accessible attics, basements and crawlspaces, including its clearances to combustible framing. It is non-invasive: nothing is removed or opened up.
When is a Level 2 chimney inspection required?+
NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection upon the sale or transfer of a property; when the heating appliance, fuel type or flue is changed (for example, adding a wood stove or insert, converting from oil to gas, or relining); and after an operating malfunction or an event that could damage the chimney, such as a chimney fire, lightning strike, earthquake or severe storm. Many home buyers, lenders and insurers rely on that standard when a home with a fireplace changes hands.
How much does a Level 2 chimney inspection cost?+
A ValueGuard Level 2 chimney inspection is $329 for the first chimney and $175 for each additional chimney on the same property, inspected during the same visit. A home with two chimneys is $504; three chimneys is $679. We confirm your price before the visit.
What is the difference between a Level 1 and a Level 2 chimney inspection?+
A Level 1 is a basic visual check of the readily accessible parts of the chimney, recommended annually when nothing about the system has changed. A Level 2 adds a full-length video scan of the flue and an inspection of the chimney through accessible attics, basements and crawlspaces, and it is the level NFPA 211 calls for at the sale of a home. A Level 3 goes further by removing parts of the building or chimney to reach concealed areas, and is only recommended when a serious hidden hazard is suspected.
Does a standard home inspection include a chimney inspection?+
A standard home inspection includes a visual look at the visible parts of the chimney, fireplace and flue openings, but it is not a Level 1, 2 or 3 chimney inspection and does not include a camera scan inside the flue. If the home has a fireplace, wood stove or masonry chimney, adding a Level 2 is the only way to see the condition of the flue liner. You can bundle it with your ValueGuard home inspection in the same visit.
Who performs ValueGuard’s Level 2 chimney inspections?+
Every ValueGuard Level 2 chimney inspection is performed by Tyler Gilger, ValueGuard’s Vice President of Field Operations, who earned his Level 2 chimney inspection certification through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) after training at the CSIA Technology Center in Indiana. Tyler is also an ASHI home inspector with more than 2,500 inspections completed.
How long does a Level 2 chimney inspection take, and when do I get the report?+
Plan on about an hour per chimney on site, depending on access and how many appliances vent into it. Your report, with photos and the flue video, is emailed to you and your agent by the next business day.
Which chimneys and flues can you inspect?+
We inspect masonry and factory-built (prefabricated) chimneys serving wood-burning fireplaces, fireplace inserts, wood and pellet stoves, gas fireplaces, and oil or gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters. Tell us what is connected to each chimney when you book.
Does the chimney need to be cleaned before the inspection?+
No. We inspect the chimney as it is. Please don’t use the fireplace or stove for 24 hours beforehand so the system is cool. If heavy soot or creosote prevents the camera from seeing the liner clearly, the report will say so and recommend cleaning by a chimney sweep before a follow-up evaluation.
Does ValueGuard sweep or repair chimneys?+
No. ValueGuard is an inspection-only company. We never sell sweeping, relining, rebuilding or other chimney repairs, so our findings aren’t influenced by follow-up work. If the inspection finds a problem, the report documents it with photos and video so you can get quotes from the chimney contractors of your choice and negotiate with the seller.
See inside the chimney before you buy. Inspect with ValueGuard.
A CSIA-certified Level 2 chimney inspection with a full flue video scan, from an inspection-only company with 1,300+ five-star reviews. Schedule online in minutes, or call (215) 860-3150.
ValueGuard Home Inspections
100 E Penn Square, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107 · (215) 860-3150
Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:00pm · Sat 9:00am–4:00pm · Level 2 chimney & home inspections throughout Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Berks & Lancaster Counties, PA and New Castle County, DE
